Muay Thai has been around for centuries, and during that time, there have been many memorable fighters. In the world of Muay Thai, Saenchai, formerly known as Saenchai Sor Kingstar, is included among the all-time greats.
Regarded by many as the greatest fighter in history, Saenchai has reigned supreme for over two decades and has won multiple awards in various weight divisions. His technique is flawless, his timing impeccable, and his ring generalship is one of the best, if not the best. Though he’s now in the twilight of his career, he still competes and is a regular fixture on the global tournament circuit.
In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the best moments in Saenchai’s career, his unique fighting style, and why he can be considered the GOAT of Muay Thai history.
Saenchai’s Early Start to Muay Thai
This Golden Era legend, born on July 30th, 1980, as Suphachai Saenpong, started his successful career at the youthful age of only 8 years old. Impressed by his older brother’s prize after a Muay Thai bout, the little prodigy Saenchai decided to become a Muay Thai fighter.
He started training at a regional Muay Thai camp, Sor Kingstar Gym, taking his most popular name, Saenchai Sor Kingstar. His hometown was in Isaan, a region of Northeast Thailand that is a popular talent pool for producing Golden Era fighters of Muay Thai who even went on to master and reign supremacy in other martial arts.
The region still continues to produce many Muay Thai fighters. At Sor Kingstar, Saenchai fought at least 80 fights and won all the titles in the Isaan region.
Saenchai’s Training Gyms and Camps
Saenchai competed in his first fight only a week after he started training and went on to successfully master the combat sport. He moved to Bangkok and trained with a team of professionals before he moved to train with Jocky Gym, a mythical camp in Bangseu District, alongside famous names like Silapathai. Jockygym, one of the greatest boxers and Muay Thai tricksters of all time, Olympic-award-winning Somrak Kamsing, and many others.
He stayed with Jocky Gym for 5-6 years before he joined Somrak in his venture, the Kamsing Gym, and trained under the Olympians for 3 years. He then joined the luxurious 13 Coins Resort Camp in 2006 after a dispute with Somrak, and then briefly joined the Sinbi Muay Thai gym.
He then signed with Yokkao to become a sponsored fighter of the Yokkao fight team in 2011 and finally opened his own gym, P.K. Saenchai Muay Thai Gym, with partner Mr. Somchai Tedrungruang in 2014.
Saenchai’s First Titles
Saenchai won the title of Lumpinee stadium championship at super flyweight towards the latter part of his sweet 16. In 1999, he won the Lumpinee Stadium Championship at bantamweight when he was just 18 years old. These were the first two of his four Lumpinee titles. The prodigy would go on to make waves, beating opponents much bigger than him with his tactical knowledge, agility, telepathic understanding of the opponent’s next move, and unique fighting techniques that would make him win fights by points rather than using his knockout power, much like other prominent Golden Era legends like Samart Payakaroon.
Although he has faced his fair share of losses, the champion is known for his majority winning streak, currently beating modern-age Muay Thai fighters in the few appearances he makes after he retired from serious competition in 2014.
Let’s dive into his entire career below. Be prepared to be astounded and understand why many Muay Thai enthusiasts consider Saenchai the best fighter of all time in Muay Thai.
Saenchai’s Muay Thai Career
From his first Muay Thai competition to his final fight before retirement, Saenchai won 314 fights out of a total of 360 fights in both Muay Thai and boxing. He made a brief entry into boxing in 2002, becoming the 2003 PABA Featherweight Interim Champion and successfully retaining it. Many Western boxing enthusiasts, to this day, find Saenchai intriguing and are amazed by his success rate.
Who knows, Saenchai might have maintained an undefeated professional boxing record like Samson Dutch Boy Gym had he stayed in the sport. Fortunately or unfortunately for boxers, in 2004, the following year after his win, Saenchai returned to what his heart yearned for: a Muay Thai fight.
In the earnest goal of establishing himself as the best Muay Thai fighter, Saenchai, now known as Saenchai P.K. Saenchai Muaythaigym, gave his best against prominent champions who were from higher weight classes than him, only losing twice to opponents of the same weight class.
Here’s how he made a name for himself among the best fighters in Muay Thai in both the Golden Age and the modern era.
Defeating Opponents Everywhere: Thailand and Worldwide
Saenchai has one of the most versatile fighting styles, and it has served him well throughout his career. After his first two Lumpinee titles, and his brief appearance and successful streak in boxing, he fought Singdam Kiatmuu9 to defend his title once again in 2005. Although he recorded a few losses in between, Saenchai, the now 4-time Lumpinee Champion, was becoming a famous professional fighter destined for success. He is also forever learning and even tried to train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2018 at Yokkao.
He won most of his fights by the jury’s decision but has also won using a body kick in 2008, leg kicks in 2009, technical knockouts (TKO), and more. Below are some of his most noteworthy and iconic clashes.
2009
Saenchai is widely considered to be one of the greatest Muay Thai fighters of all time. In 2009, he demonstrated his unparalleled skills by fighting two different opponents in the same bout. During the first three rounds, he faced off against Petchboonchu FA Group, the supreme Muay Khao (knee fighter) of the time.
Then, in the fourth and fifth rounds, he took on Sagetdao Petpayathai. Saenchai was awarded a unanimous decision after this fight, further cementing his legacy as a legend of the combat sport.
2010
In 2010, he won his first world title, against Tetsuya Yamato of Japan, to challenge the vacant world lightweight title sanctioned by the Muay Thai Association of America (MTAA) in Los Angeles. Saenchai knocked out Yamato with a powerful left high kick to claim the title.
He also won the 2010 Lumpinee Stadium Lightweight (135 lbs/61 kg) title, against Nong-O SitOr at Wanmitchai Grand Opening Fights, Rajadamnern Stadium, with a left-cross knockout. He had previously tactically defended this title against one of the great fighters in Muay Thai and mixed martial arts, Sagetdao Petpayathai.
In 2010, he won the lightweight Lumpinee title, the 2010 Toyota Cup Tournament, and also became the WMC World Champion.
2011
The success of 2010, however, did not stop Saenchai from refining his stylistic techniques and unique approach, which was not like the more popular aggressive style commonly used in Muay Thai.
He went one step further to claim more world championships under his wing, claiming the 2011 WBC Diamond World Champion title from WBC Muay Thai.
He fought in various countries, from the United States of America to Japan and Australia, recording more wins than losses. He also retained the 140 lbs MTAA World title.
2012
Saenchai’s charm was his growing success and exceptional winning streak over bigger opponents. Saenchai’s 2012 started with his first loss against a European in Muay Thai rules, where Fabio Pinca headbutted Saenchai into a debatable finish, destroying Saenchai’s streak of over 20 wins against foreign competitors in the martial art.
He bounced back stronger, fighting in notable championships like Lumpinee Stadium, Best of Siam, Muay Thai Gala, and Muay Thai Warriors. He won the 147 lb. tournament: Muay Thai Warriors, and also defended the title that very same year against Liam Harrison in a unanimous decision in a bout held in China.
2013
The exceptional Muay Thai fighter won the 2013 Toyota Vigo Marathon Tournament (140 lbs) against the esteemed Uzbekistan fighter, Naimjon Tuhtaboyev, by unanimous decision. While he won most matches in this tournament, he landed a clever elbow knockout which took the Russian opponent, Stanislav Patrakov, by surprise in the first round.
With this win, he reiterated that he was indeed a master of the art of eight limbs! 2013 came to an end with Saenchai, unfortunately, losing the K-1 World MAX 2013 World Championship in a split decision.
2014
Saenchai started 2014 with a bang, giving his opponent a technical knockout by punches at the Muay Thai Warriors tournament. Over the course of the year, he recorded only three losses out of 15 fights, two of which were to his familiar Thai opponents, Petchboonchu FA Group and Singdam Kiatmuu9.
However, he beat the Australian-Liberian welterweight Muay Thai kickboxer Victor Nagbe by decision, along with most majorly foreign fighters, mostly by decision, but also some with technical knockouts by cuts and knockouts by body punches too! Saenchai always surprises his opponents, who expect a different approach given his less aggressive fighting style.
In September of 2014, Saenchai made his THAI FIGHT debut where he fought and won against the powerful Scotsman, Craig Dickson (Sumalee). The fight took place under Kard Cheuk’s rules, with gloves being replaced by rope bindings. Saenchai was new to THAI FIGHT but still gave the other fighter the fight of his life!
Undefeated since October 2014
The world champion, Saenchai, popular for fighting opponents from different weight classes, would go on to record zero losses from October 2014. Below we have a list of the fights the amazing Muay Thai fighter would win, further cementing his name as one of the best Golden Era fighters.
Saenchai went from winning the Thai Fight Khon Kaen by decision to many endless fights from 2014 to 2022, like the THAI FIGHT 2014 by a knockout via head kick, Best of Siam 6 by TKO via a broken nose, Yokkao 15, THAI FIGHT Countdown, Enfusion, Glory 31:Amsterdam, Phoenix Fighting Championship, Yokkao 26, and many more.
Saenchai fought and won the 2018 THAI FIGHT 147 lb title, the 2019 THAI FIGHT 154 lb King’s Cup title, and the 147 lb YOKKAO Diamond title in 2020.
Currently Holds Winning Streak of 61
At the time of writing, Saenchai’s last match was also a win—no surprise there. Saenchai Sor Kingstar, won against Argentinan Muay Thai fighter, Alan Yauny at the THAI FIGHT Sisaket by decision, and is set to win yet again in his next fight! That was a whole lot of fights, the majority of which were wins. How does Saenchai do that, and what is so exceptional about his fighting techniques? Read below to find out more!
Saenchai’s Distinctive Fighting Style
Saenchai is widely considered to be one of the greatest technical fighters in Muay Thai history. His unique style is characterized by lightning-fast footwork and an incredible ability to dodge his opponent’s strikes. He frequently employs a variety of unorthodox kicks, including the scissor head kick, skip teep, and question mark kick. His agility and flexibility also allow him to execute lean-back dodges that often leave his opponents bewildered.
In addition to his impressive offensive repertoire, Saenchai is also a highly skilled defensive fighter. His technical mastery and supreme confidence in the ring have earned him the respect of fans and fellow fighters alike. He is often referred to as the “best pound-for-pound fighter” in Muay Thai too. There is no question that Saenchai is a true Muay Thai legend.
Saenchai’s Wit, Strikes, Kicks, and Footwork
Saenchai is a technical fighter who is great at predicting his opponents’ next moves. His dance-like footwork confuses opponents, and he uses this to his advantage. He fakes a high kick and then throws a low, gut-wrenching kick. This confuses his opponents and gives him the chance to land a powerful blow.
He is also famous for his rear-cross elbow, which is a very technical move that not many fighters know how to counter. His body-head-knee combo is another one of his signature moves that allow him to take down even the most experienced fighters.
This is important for him because he falls short in size, by both weight and height, mostly taking on fighters from higher-weight divisions.
Kicks
He is a maestro of kicks despite not falling into the Muay Khao category like his amicable opponent, Petchboonchu FA Group, and has used a variety of kicks against many prominent Muay Thai fighters in Thailand and around the world.
Saenchai used his skip teep and rear kick cross tactics against Victor Nagbe, a scissor head kick against Johnathan Fabian, and a rear roundhouse kick against Fabio Pinca as he tried to shuffle around, creating a dominating angle, although he ultimately lost that 2012 battle.
His variations of kicks go on to his flawless underhook catch roundhouse kick (a sweep), which he used to take on Ognjen Topic, Pakorn, and many more fighters. A lot of his distinctive kicks have resulted in technical knockouts, despite Saenchai mostly winning via decision.
Footwork and Dodges
Ensuring your kick lands well needs solid footwork coordinated with the rest of your body. Here, Saenchai is unbeatable. His flexibility and speed add to this, helping him make some clean dodges, the most prominent one being the lean-back dodge. He escapes powerful blows despite giving his opponent an excellent opportunity to land a hit by maintaining an advancing approach, stepping back with his rear foot, and leaning back to evade the kick.
Saenchai’s style and range of motion shine here, and he leans so far that you’d expect him to snap his back, but instead, he returns to counterattack in a matter of split seconds!
Elbow Strikes
Saenchai fully commits to using his eight limbs just like the sport expects him to. His use of elbows is extremely well-timed and not overextended. Instead, he has mastered using his elbows to strike without too much movement, maintaining a 45-degree angle to deliver his rear cross elbow strike, and waiting for the opponent to attempt a knee up before striking with his elbow. As much as the elbow can hurt the opponent, untimely delivery can return the damage to the doer itself!
Saenchai stands out because he has fought and defeated the best of the best in the Golden Age of Muay Thai, like Thongchai Tor Silachai, Neungsiam Fairtex, Singdam Kiatmoo9, Nopparat Kiatkamtorn, Kongsak Sitboonmee, and many more.
His artistic style, refined approach, and Muay Thai knowledge make him a delight to watch. He is even said to have invented the cartwheel kick, although it is no longer allowed in professional Muay Thai.
Saenchai Is Claimed to Be the Inventor of the Cartwheel Kick
Saenchai is one of the most innovative Muay Thai fighters in the world, and he is often credited with inventing the cartwheel kick. This signature move requires a lot of technical finesse, balance, and timing, and it can be challenging to execute properly.
However, when done correctly, the cartwheel kick can be an incredibly powerful weapon. Saenchai’s favorite combinations for setting up his cartwheel kicks include throwing a jab and cross to the opponent, catching the counter kick, and then returning it with a cartwheel kick.
Alternatively, he imitates a one-two jab and cross-movement, followed by a knee to the midsection, and a cartwheel kick, leaving the opponent fazed to counterattack or defend the kick. Regardless of whether the opponent attempts to block the knee to the midsection or not, the cartwheel kick is carried out. Or, he takes a completely different approach, following a pattern of twos. Two jabs, two left kicks, two right kicks. Immediately, Saenchai follows it with a cartwheel, leaving the opponent bewildered.
These combinations can be very difficult to defend against, and they often catch opponents off guard. As a result, Saenchai has developed a reputation as one of the most dangerous Muay Thai fighters in the world.
Learn with Saenchai
We’ve dived into and drowned in the world of Saenchai in this article, and we know you are interested in trying to learn some of this technical Muay Thai legend’s great tactics.
You’re lucky; the legend has his own set of courses for you to master the combat sport he is passionate about. Click on the link right here to learn more!
Is Saenchai the Greatest Muay Thai Legend of All Time?
Saenchai is considered one of the greatest Muay Thai fighters of all time, and with his 61-fight undefeated streak, it’s hard to argue against that. What makes him so successful in the ring? A lot has to do with his agility, footwork, and IQ – he can outsmart even the biggest opponents.
And let’s not forget his impressive record – over 300 wins and four Lumpinee championships across different weight classes. If you want to see some of the best Muay Thai clashes in action, make sure to catch one of Saenchai’s matches!
FAQs
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