Reasons Why Saenchai Is The Greatest Muay Thai Legend In History

In the world of combat sports, the term "legend" is often bandied around carelessly, yet Saenchai deserves to be called a real Muay Thai legend. He turns 40 this year, but he's still a ring warrior when most men his age have hung up their gloves.

There is a hero for every sport in the globe and for every age. Each of us can think of a sports figure who completely dominated their field. Some of the most well-known sportsmen, including Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, and Diego Maradona, have attained mythic proportions.

In the world of Muay Thai, home of strong kicks and piercing elbows, we have seen many brilliant fighters become great champions. However, for many, Suphachai Saenpong, sometimes shortened to Saenchai, is the sole true monarch.

Saenchai Sor. Kingstar, better known as Saenchai, is without question the greatest Muay Thai fighter of his or our day. Saenchai's record in the ring is as impressive. From the time he entered the ring for the first time at age eight till now, Saenchai has won over 300 fights. Because of this, he is revered across Thailand and may be the first Thai fighter to achieve widespread fame outside of his own country.

Saenchai's career spans over twenty years, during which time he has delighted and won the hearts of countless Muay Thai fans and beyond. For what reasons, then, can he be considered one of the greatest Muay Thai competitors ever?

Who is Saenchai?

In 1980, he was born Suphachai Saenpong, but he is now known as Saenchai PKSaenchaimuaythaigym (in keeping with Thai tradition, the former is his ring name, while the latter is his gym name). He is widely regarded as one of the best Muay Thai fighters of all time. Others go even farther, calling him "the Greatest of All Time" in the sport of boxing.

The young prodigy's inspiration came from his elder brother, who was already a fighter, so he began training at the age of eight and brought home a trophy after his first victory. Saenchai wanted some bling for himself, so he signed up at the gym, was a total natural, and fought in his first bout a week after signing up. He took home thirty Thai Baht for his victory, which is less than a dollar.

He was 14 years old when a prominent Bangkok team made the purchase from his local gym. Then, when he was just sixteen, he won his first Lumpinee Stadium championship; two years later, at the age of eighteen, he won again, this time in a heavier weight class. He would go on to win a record-breaking four Lumpinee championships.

The quality of Saenchai is hard to put into words. His lightning-fast reactions remind onlookers of Muhammad Ali in his heyday, when the boxer's almost superhuman feats of athleticism wowed fans. While analogies to Ali are overdone in fight coverage, they are appropriate here because instincts and reaction speed of this kind are so uncommon.

Saenchai's stature is what makes this feat even more impressive. Throughout his whole career, he has been up against much larger opponents. When fighting other Thais, he often gave up no more than two pounds of weight, but when fighting foreigners, he often gave up as much as twenty pounds and still won.

It's safe to say that a skill like his only appears once in a lifetime. Muay Thai has been practiced and studied in Thailand for generations, and its practitioners are among the best in the world since they begin training as children. Even if most of the other contestants are experts in their own way, practically all of them will agree that Saenchai is the best of them: he stands out like a brilliant star even in a sky full with luminaries.

The cartwheel kick was supposedly invented by him. Moves from Sepak Takraw, a volleyball variant played in Thailand and other parts of Southeast Asia, served as inspiration, he claims. Fight fans at UFC events in 2015 witnessed welterweight Alan Jouban use it well against Matt Dwyer, and it has since been embraced by fighters throughout the world. After the match, Jouban proclaimed Saenchai as his idol and encouraged everyone to tune in to his future bouts.

The ultimate accolade in Thai athletics is to win a championship match at one of Bangkok's two large stadiums, Lumpinee or Rajadamnern. Saenchai won the championship belts in four separate weight classes at the more famed Lumpinee stadium. Additionally, he has won championships from the World Boxing Council and the World Muay Thai Council. Most of these were won and kept at weights higher than his natural one, further establishing him as the undisputed pound-for-pound champion of his sport.

Sanchi's Career 

Now let's dissect Saenchai's professional career of over 2 decades and make an argument on why he is -or isn't- the greatest Muay Thai fighter of all time.

Fight Record

Saenchai began competing in Bangkok in 1996 and came into prominence not long after. He won his first elite title (Lumpinee champion 115lbs) in 1997.

Between 1996 to 2014, Saenchai amassed over 200 fights at the highest level. He captured the Lumpinee stadium title 5 times across three weight classes and was awarded the Sports Writer Fighter of the Year award in 1999 and 2008.

If you consider his fights before turning pro, Saenchai's record (as of writing) stands at 346 fights with 299 wins, 42 losses and 5 draws. 

Most Thai fighters retire before or around 30. However, he has indicated the possibility of retiring at 35 and subsequently 40 in past interviews. Now at 40, Saenchai looks like he still has a few competitive years in him.

Between 2014 to 2019, Saenchai competed in a total of 68 bouts. This averages around 11-12 fights per year, fighting almost every month for 6 straight years in his 30's. This is unheard of in modern fight sports.

Although no longer competing at the elite level, he is still fighting up-and-coming foreign fighters half his age who have a physical advantage under being younger and fitter. In a sport as hard as Muay Thai, his longevity is simply unparalleled.

Reasons Why Saenchai Is The Greatest Muay Thai Legend In History:

In Combat, He Has Defeated The Best.

It has been demonstrated time and time again in history that it is not the quantity of victories but the quality of opponents that define a fighter's legacy. Saenchai has beaten every top Muay Thai and kickboxing fighter in the world.

In fact, for the better part of a decade, he has defeated every Lumpinee champion in his or a similar weight class. Among them are the greats Singdam Kiatmuu9, Orono Wor Petchpun, Petchboonchu F.A. Group, Sagetdao Petpayathai, Attachai Por Samranchai, and many others.

Over a decade had passed while he has been at the helm.

Only a handful of boxers have managed to maintain their status as industry leaders for more than a decade. In contrast, Muhammad Ali in boxing and Georges St. Pierre in mixed martial arts went beyond excellence because they competed at the highest level for so long.

For almost a decade, Saenchai has dominated Muay Thai and kickboxing, defeating the sport's greatest competitors. The fact that he was chosen Fighter of the Year by the Sports Writers of Thailand not once, but twice (in 1999 and 2008, almost a decade apart) is testament to his greatness and legend status.

It's not uncommon for Saenchai to face much larger opponents in his bouts.

In reality, Muay Thai competitors risk everything for the sake of honor. But they aren't after fame and fortune; rather, they want to win over the hearts of people everywhere. Saenchai's fearlessness in the face of much larger opponents is what gained him the respect of many.

Saenchai is only 5 feet, 4 inches tall, yet he fights like he weighs 135 pounds. However, he has almost wiped out his category over the years, and now many competitors shy away from him. Thus, he sought out greater difficulties by engaging in bouts with opponents far larger than himself.

All throughout the world, people look up to him.

The uniqueness of Saenchai's fighting technique and his ability to gain international renown have made him a household name well beyond his native Thailand. He's a globe traveler who draws big crowds to his lectures.

Many MMA fighters have adopted his standup striking methods because of his popularity in the sport. The stunning cartwheel kick that Alan Jouban used to knock out Matt Dwyer and earn a unanimous decision win at UFC Fight Night 71 is an excellent recent example.

Jouban gave Saenchai credit in his post-fight interview, claiming that he learned the kick by watching Saenchai fight, and he encouraged the audience and spectators at home to do the same.

Saenchai is a Very Bright Guy.

Saenchai's success may be attributed to his intelligence in battle and his ability to avoid difficulties. Saenchai is a brilliant strategist despite his seemingly chaotic demeanor in the arena. He's one of a kind since he can read his opponent's moves and change tactics on the fly. When it comes to fighting, these abilities are what divide the mediocre from the exceptional.

Quite Remarkable, All of His Achievements

Saenchai is widely regarded as one of the sport's all-time greats. Therefore, he has accomplished much in the sport, and his achievements are commendable. Simply said, he is Muay Thai's greatest champion and has won every major championship there is to win.

Throughout his professional career, Saenchai has primarily competed in his home country of Thailand. It comes as little surprise that the Lumpinee and Rajadamner stadiums were the sites of his finest victories. Five times, to be exact, he took home the championship belt from Lumpinee Stadium. Furthermore, he did this while participating in four separate weight divisions.

He is a highly active fighter, ranking among the best in the world.

Saenchai is also a top-tier fighter, ranking among the elite few. His formidable defense has reduced the amount of damage he receives in battle to the point that he may fight as often as twice a month without worrying about his health. The fact that he consistently challenges high-caliber foes or those with a size advantage just adds to his outstanding track record.

He Is a Master of Muay Thai's Authentic Style

Despite the fact that Muay Thai fighters are well-known for their strength, the actual art of Muay Thai is centered on technique. Muay Thai legend Kru Yodtong Senanan, who sadly passed away in 2010, famously said: "Technical proficiency is far superior to raw might. Samart Payakaroon and Chartchai Sityodtong were two of Thailand's greatest fighters, and they never relied on brute force or might."

Saenchai is the modern day fighting embodiment of this concept. Saenchai consistently uses superior skill, counterattacks, and deception to defeat larger opponents despite being the smaller of the two combatants. But don't let it deceive you. When he throws a punch, it lands with enough force and accuracy to knock anyone unconscious.

In the History of Combat, No One Compares to Him

While Muay Thai has been practiced for generations, no other competitor has come close to Saenchai. And no one else even comes close to them in terms of fashion. Saenchai has one of the most flashy and deceptive fighting techniques due to his extraordinary talent, agility, and footwork. Anyone who has seen him fight can attest to his uniqueness and engaging style.

To give you a sense of how unique he is, remember that Saenchai is often credited with creating the cartwheel kick. He says the origin of the kick may be traced back to the Southeast Asian sport of Sepak Takraw, often known as "kick volleyball." Several more fantastic Muay Thai fighters and even MMA fighters have subsequently embraced the kick and its many iterations.

He Is Willing To Teach Anyone Who Will Listen To Him

Saenchai is among the earliest Thai pugilists to achieve widespread recognition in the West. His dynamic manner makes him an easy object of affection. So now he is a real Muay Thai legend and one of the most well-known fighters in the world.

But unlike many heroes, he never lost his sense of modesty and instead dedicated himself to championing the correct principles. Recently, he's been leveraging his considerable fighting expertise and notoriety to motivate up-and-coming competitors. Numerous lectures, both in his home Thailand and elsewhere, have been presented by him.

The five-time Lumpinee Stadium champion now has 299 career victories after taking home the gold at Thai Fight this past weekend. We can all agree that Saenchai deserves to be revered as Muay Thai's finest ever.

Conclusion

Saenchai Sor. Kingstar, better known as Saenchai, is without question the greatest Muay Thai fighter of his or our day. He turns 40 this year, but he's still a ring warrior when most men his age have hung up their gloves. Saenchai Muaythai has won a record-breaking four Lumpinee championships. His lightning-fast reactions remind onlookers of Muhammad Ali in his heyday.

Muay Thai has been practiced and studied in Thailand for generations, and its practitioners are among the best in the world. Saenchai began competing in Bangkok in 1996 and came into prominence not long after. He won his first elite title (Lumpinee champion 115lbs) in 1997. Saenchai's record (as of writing) stands at 346 fights with 299 wins, 42 losses and 5 draws. Saenchai has dominated Muay Thai and kickboxing for almost a decade.

He was chosen Fighter of the Year by the Sports Writers of Thailand not once, but twice. Saenchai is widely regarded as one of the sport's all-time greats. Saenchai is a highly active fighter, ranking among the best in the world. His formidable defense has reduced the amount of damage he receives. Saenchai may fight as often as twice a month without worrying about his health.

He is the modern day fighting embodiment of Thailand's greats. Saenchai is among the earliest Thai pugilists to achieve widespread recognition in the West. He is often credited with creating the cartwheel kick. Recently, he's been leveraging his considerable fighting expertise and notoriety to motivate up-and-coming competitors. Saenchai won the gold at Thai Fight this past weekend.

Content Summary

• He turns 40 this year, but he's still a ring warrior when most men his age have hung up their gloves.
• However, for many, Suphachai Saenpong, sometimes shortened to Saenchai, is the sole true monarch.
• Saenchai Sor.
• Kingstar, better known as Saenchai, is without question the greatest Muay Thai fighter of his or our day.
• Saenchai's record in the ring is as impressive.
• From the time he entered the ring for the first time at age eight till now, Saenchai has won over 300 fights.
• Because of this, he is revered across Thailand and may be the first Thai fighter to achieve widespread fame outside of his own country.
• He is widely regarded as one of the best Muay Thai fighters of all time.
• The young prodigy's inspiration came from his elder brother, who was already a fighter, so he began training at the age of eight and brought home a trophy after his first victory.
• Then, when he was just sixteen, he won his first Lumpinee Stadium championship; two years later, at the age of eighteen, he won again, this time in a heavier weight class.
• He would go on to win a record-breaking four Lumpinee championships.
• His lightning-fast reactions remind onlookers of Muhammad Ali in his heyday, when the boxer's almost superhuman feats of athleticism wowed fans.
• Throughout his whole career, he has been up against much larger opponents.
• When fighting other Thais, he often gave up no more than two pounds of weight, but when fighting foreigners, he often gave up as much as twenty pounds and still won.
• Muay Thai has been practiced and studied in Thailand for generations, and its practitioners are among the best in the world since they begin training as children.
• The cartwheel kick was supposedly invented by him.
• The ultimate accolade in Thai athletics is to win a championship match at one of Bangkok's two large stadiums, Lumpinee or Rajadamnern.
• Saenchai won the championship belts in four separate weight classes at the more famed Lumpinee stadium.
• Sanchi's Career Now let's dissect Saenchai's professional career of over 2 decades and make an argument on why he is -or isn't- the greatest Muay Thai fighter of all time.
• Fight RecordSaenchai began competing in Bangkok in 1996 and came into prominence not long after.
• He won his first elite title (Lumpinee champion 115lbs) in 1997.Between 1996 to 2014, Saenchai amassed over 200 fights at the highest level.
• He captured the Lumpinee stadium title 5 times across three weight classes and was awarded the Sports Writer Fighter of the Year award in 1999 and 2008.If you consider his fights before turning pro, Saenchai's record (as of writing) stands at 346 fights with 299 wins, 42 losses and 5 draws.
• However, he has indicated the possibility of retiring at 35 and subsequently 40 in past interviews.
• Between 2014 to 2019, Saenchai competed in a total of 68 bouts.
• Saenchai has beaten every top Muay Thai and kickboxing fighter in the world.
• For almost a decade, Saenchai has dominated Muay Thai and kickboxing, defeating the sport's greatest competitors.
• The fact that he was chosen Fighter of the Year by the Sports Writers of Thailand not once, but twice (in 1999 and 2008, almost a decade apart) is testament to his greatness and legend status.
• It's not uncommon for Saenchai to face much larger opponents in his bouts.
• Saenchai's fearlessness in the face of much larger opponents is what gained him the respect of many.
• Saenchai is only 5 feet, 4 inches tall, yet he fights like he weighs 135 pounds.
• The uniqueness of Saenchai's fighting technique and his ability to gain international renown have made him a household name well beyond his native Thailand.
• Many MMA fighters have adopted his standup striking methods because of his popularity in the sport.
• Saenchai's success may be attributed to his intelligence in battle and his ability to avoid difficulties.
• Throughout his professional career, Saenchai has primarily competed in his home country of Thailand.
• Five times, to be exact, he took home the championship belt from Lumpinee Stadium.
• Furthermore, he did this while participating in four separate weight divisions.
• He is a highly active fighter, ranking among the best in the world.
• Saenchai is also a top-tier fighter, ranking among the elite few.
• His formidable defense has reduced the amount of damage he receives in battle to the point that he may fight as often as twice a month without worrying about his health.
• The fact that he consistently challenges high-caliber foes or those with a size advantage just adds to his outstanding track record.
• He Is a Master of Muay Thai's Authentic StyleDespite the fact that Muay Thai fighters are well-known for their strength, the actual art of Muay Thai is centered on technique.
• Saenchai consistently uses superior skill, counterattacks, and deception to defeat larger opponents despite being the smaller of the two combatants.
• In the History of Combat, No One Compares to HimWhile Muay Thai has been practiced for generations, no other competitor has come close to Saenchai.
• Saenchai has one of the most flashy and deceptive fighting techniques due to his extraordinary talent, agility, and footwork.
• To give you a sense of how unique he is, remember that Saenchai is often credited with creating the cartwheel kick.
• He Is Willing To Teach Anyone Who Will Listen To HimSaenchai is among the earliest Thai pugilists to achieve widespread recognition in the West.
• So now he is a real Muay Thai legend and one of the most well-known fighters in the world.
• Recently, he's been leveraging his considerable fighting expertise and notoriety to motivate up-and-coming competitors.
• The five-time Lumpinee Stadium champion now has 299 career victories after taking home the gold at Thai Fight this past weekend.
• We can all agree that Saenchai deserves to be revered as Muay Thai's finest ever.