Another Muay Thai star has signed up to compete in bare knuckle boxing. Saenchai PKSaenchaigym has put pen to paper on a contract with BKFC in Thailand.
Saenchai has spent virtually his entire career competing in Muay Thai, although he does have some previous experience of professional boxing. But the 42 year old has decided that he wants a new challenge with veteran MMA journalist Damon Martin breaking the news last night:
BKFC has signed another Muay Thai legend to the roster — this time it's Saenchai, who holds a ridiculous 313-41-5 record during his career.
He'll now crossover to bare-knuckle competition alongside Buakaw, who also signed with BKFC just recently. @bareknucklefc pic.twitter.com/8qTK9Fyx13
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) August 2, 2022
Winning streak
Saenchai has won 65 fights in a row which is probably the most impressive winning streak in combat sport. His last loss came back in 2014 when he dropped a decision to Petchmorrakot Petchyindee at Rajadamnern Stadium.
Since then the fun loving southpaw who is known for his cartwheel kicks just hasn’t stopped winning. It is a little known fact that he also has a 5-0 pro boxing record although he hasn’t competed in the squared circle since 2004.
Interest in bare knuckle boxing has exploded in recent years with UFC veterans Paige VanZant, Héctor Lombard and John Dodson and Rizin veteran Andy Nguyen all competing in the sport. BKFC has put on two events in Pattaya to date but the next one is booked for Bangkok.
View this post on Instagram
Household name
On September 3rd Buakaw Banchamek is set to compete in bare knuckle boxing for the first time. He will headline a card at Rajadamnern aand has been matched with Turkish kickboxer Erkan Varol.
Varol hasn’t fought since 2018 and has lost 13 out of his last 15 fights. He doesn’t appear to have any prior experience of boxing and this looks to be a very winnable matchup for Buakaw.
Bauakaw and Saenchai are the two most recognizable Muay Thai stars of the modern era. The former is a household name in Thailand and his decision to compete in bare knuckle boxing is sure to raise awareness of a sport which was popular in the 18th and 19th centuries but became obsolete once gloves were introduced.
The scene in Thailand is changing rapidly in the post Covid-19 era. Rajadamnern Stadium will host a female fight for the first time on Friday and next month the historic venue will play host to a bare knuckle card, another first.
It will be interesting to see who Saencahi is matched with on his bare knuckle debut. But the 42 year old will doubtless be very confident of extending his 65 fight winning streak.
