There has yet to be a legitimate Muay Thai fighter to compete in MMA to date, but Muay Thai king, Saenchai PKSaenchaimuaythaigym, 35, is looking to change that— letting the world know he’s interested in making a move to MMA.
Although he may be relatively unknown within the mixed martial arts community, Saenchai is the greatest pound for pound Muay Thai fighter of this era and is best known for his incredible leg dexterity and flashy technique.
He is both a WMC and WBC World Muay Thai Champion, has won championship titles in 6 different weight classes, holds just under 300 professional victories over his 14-year career and is still going strong.
Saenchai recently sat down and weighed in on UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor:
“He’s pretty quick and agile. He’s got pretty good hands. His punches are hard and accurate. His kicks are not that great. His kicks are just quick and his hands are the real weapon. The timing of his punches are good. His counter punching is really good, he can really do damage with his counter punching. Yeah, his kicking is pretty weak. If he were to fight a real Muay Thai fighter who has both speed and power, then he would have no chance of winning. He can’t beat ‘Thai’ Muay Thai.
When asked the question whether he could defeat McGregor in a kickboxing fight, Saenchai showed no hesitation:
“Well, bring it on. I would win. I would definitely win. If he were to stand and trade with me I wouldn’t have to do much. I would just teep and kick. I would just have to block or evade his punches. I would not worry about his kicking at all. My kicking is way better. If he and I were to fight, McGregor couldn’t beat me. I would win. 100%.”
Saenchai is no stranger to pulling off the inconceivable. He’s beat two champions in one night, has fought multiple times a month with short notice, always gives up weight and still manages to dominate over the most decorated Muay Thai champions.
It looks like Saenchai will be making good on his desire for a new challenge. With official statements from both Saenchai himself and Tristar Gym’s head coach, Firas Zahabi, Saenchai will be training MMA in Montreal, Canada, with MMA great Georges St. Pierre very soon.
Although, this isn’t the first time a Muay Thai ace has been mentioned as a potential in the MMA space. World-renowned Muay Thai kickboxer Buakaw Banchamek has also spent time training jiu-jitsu, judo and wrestling and has been recently photographed training jiu-jitsu again.
