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Buakaw Banchamek

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Sombat Banchamek
Born
Sombat Banchamek

(1982-05-08) May 8, 1982 (age 44)
Surin, Thailand
Other namesBuakaw Banchamek
Occupation(s)Muay Thai and kickboxing fighter, actor
Years active1997–present
Known forTwo-time K-1 World MAX champion, Shoot Boxing S-Cup winner, Thai Fight Tournament champion
Notable workYamada: The Samurai of Ayothaya (2010), Thong Dee Fun Khao (2017)

Sombat Banchamek (, born on May 8, 1982), better known by his ring name Buakaw Banchamek (, which translates to "white lotus"), is a distinguished Thai professional in both Muay Thai and kickboxing. Recognized globally as one of the top Muay Thai practitioners, Buakaw's fierce fighting approach has gained him widespread international recognition.

His journey began in 1997 at Por Pramuk gym, where he amassed numerous titles including the featherweight and lightweight championships at Omnoi Stadium. In 2002, he triumphed in the esteemed Toyota Marathon tournament at 140 lbs, held at Lumpini Stadium. Buakaw entered the Japanese circuit with K-1 Max in 2004, securing the tournament crown by overcoming John Wayne Parr and Masato Kobayashi. He reclaimed the K-1 Max title in 2006, significantly boosting his global reputation through K-1's worldwide promotion. Subsequently, he won the Shoot Boxing S-Cup in 2010 and claimed victory in the Thai Fight Tournament for both 2011 and 2012.

Apart from his competitive achievements, Buakaw has been instrumental in advancing Muay Thai on a global scale. In 2023, he led the largest-ever Wai Kru ceremony, earning a Guinness World Record. Additionally, Buakaw has expanded into acting, featuring in Thai action films such as Yamada: The Samurai of Ayothaya (2010) and Thong Dee Fun Khao (2017).

Early career

Originally named Sombat Banchamek () and born in Surin, Thailand, Buakaw started competing in fights at the age of eight within his home region. At fifteen, he relocated to Chachoengsao to train under Por. Pramuk Gym. His initial ring name was Damtamin Kiat-anan.

Buakaw secured multiple championship belts while competing in Bangkok, beginning with the featherweight title at Omnoi Stadium and then earning the featherweight championship of Thailand. He later captured the lightweight title at Omnoi Stadium as well. In December 2002, he emerged victorious in the Toyota Marathon 140 lb tournament held at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, overcoming Japan’s Satoshi Kobayashi in the final bout.

K-1

In July 2004, Buakaw claimed the K-1 World MAX 2004 championship by defeating John Wayne Parr, Takayuki Kohiruimaki, and Masato during the finals. The following year, he narrowly lost a disputed decision against Dutch shoot-boxer Andy Souwer in the tournament final. However, at the K-1 World MAX 2006, Buakaw avenged this loss by stopping Souwer via TKO, becoming the first fighter to win the K-1 World MAX title twice.

Despite delivering effective leg kicks, Buakaw was defeated by Masato through a unanimous decision during the quarterfinals of the K-1 World MAX 2007, where Masato’s knockdown and punching combinations proved decisive.

In 2010, Buakaw took on a leading role in Yamada: The Samurai of Ayothaya, a martial arts film portraying Japanese adventurer Yamada Nagamasa’s impact on early 17th-century Thailand.

Although reaching the semi-finals of the K-1 World MAX 2009 Final, Buakaw withdrew from the K-1 World MAX 2010 in Seoul World Championship Tournament Final 16 due to disagreements with officials’ rulings. Instead, he participated in the Shoot Boxing World Tournament 2010, competing alongside three-time champion Andy Souwer. After Souwer was eliminated by Toby Imada in the semi-finals, Buakaw defeated Imada by TKO in round two to secure the Shoot Boxing S-Cup World championship for 2010.

Thai Fight

Throughout 2011, Buakaw competed in seven bouts, securing four victories by stoppage. During the semi-final round of the 2011 Thai Fight 70 kg Tournament, he achieved a third-round knockout using an elbow strike against Mickael Piscitello. On December 18, 2011, Buakaw earned the 2011 Thai Fight 70 kg Tournament Championship by defeating Frank Giorgi via unanimous decision.

In the same year, Buakaw received sponsorship from Yokkao founder Phillip Villa and took a leading role at the Muay Thai Combat Fan Expo held in Rimini, Italy, alongside notable fighters such as Saenchai, Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee, and Dzhabar Askerov.

Departure from Por. Pramuk, retirement announcement, and return

On January 21, 2012, Buakaw headlined Yokkao Extreme 2012 in Milan before an audience of 12,000, winning on points against Dzhabar Askerov. Nevertheless, by March 1, 2012, he was conspicuously missing from his usual training camp. On March 12, Buakaw appeared on Thai television to apologize and revealed persistent conflicts with Por. Pramuk Gym’s management dating back to 2009. He decided to part ways with the gym due to unsatisfactory treatment despite enduring rigorous training routines.

On March 17, 2012, Yokkao announced that Buakaw had resumed training at the newly established Banchamek gym named after him. Although scheduled to face Mickael Cornubet at ThaiFight on April 17, he was initially prohibited from competing until lodging a formal complaint with the Sports Authority of Thailand regarding unfair practices by Por. Pramuk. Buakaw confirmed that he would no longer represent the Por. Pramuk name.

Following his departure from Por Pramuk, Buakaw’s first fight concluded with a second-round knockout over Rustem Zaripov. On May 31, he expressed willingness to resolve his dispute with Por. Pramuk Gym. During this interval, he trained in disciplines such as jiujitsu, judo, and wrestling—possibly considering a transition to MMA to circumvent contractual issues—before returning to Muay Thai competition on August 17 with a TKO victory against Abdoul Toure.

At Thai Fight 2012: King of Muay Thai in Bangkok on October 23, Buakaw secured a quarter-final win via TKO over Mauro Serra in the Thai Fight 70 kg Tournament. He then achieved a unanimous decision victory against Tomoyuki Nishikawa in the semi-finals on November 25 and ultimately claimed the tournament championship by overcoming Vitaly Gurkov on December 16.

In early 2013, Buakaw participated in exhibition bouts including one against teammate Harlee Avison in Cambodia and a second-round knockout of Malik Watson at MAX Muay Thai in Thailand. He resumed competitive fighting with a decision win over Dong Wen Fei at MAX Muay Thai 3 in China on August 10.

Buakaw re-signed with K-1 in August 2013 and made an impactful comeback by knocking out David Calvo with a body shot in the first round at the K-1 World MAX Final 16 event in Mallorca on September 14. He followed this with a points victory over Yoshihiro Sato at MAX Muay Thai Japan in October and defeated Enriko Kehl by decision at MAX Muay Thai 5 in December.

On December 28, Buakaw advanced further in the K-1 World MAX tournament by winning an extension round decision against Zhou Zhi Peng despite sustaining a cut. In February 2014 at the K-1 World MAX Final Four held in Baku, Azerbaijan, he secured a unanimous decision victory over Lee Sung-Hyun.

Buakaw maintained his winning streak into early 2014: defeating Victor Nagbe via unanimous decision in April and knocking out Adaylton Parreira De Freitas in June during Muay Thai events in Macau. He claimed the vacant WMC World Junior Middleweight (-69.9 kg/154 lb) Championship at Monte Carlo Fighting Masters on June 14 by defeating Djime Coulibaly—who had replaced the injured Fabio Pinca.

A scheduled rematch against Enriko Kehl for the K-1 World MAX Final set for July was postponed due to the political unrest caused by the 2014 Thai coup d'état. The competition resumed in October where Buakaw lost to Kehl by forfeit.

Subsequently, Buakaw suffered a controversial defeat to Russian competitor Khayal Dzhaniev during the TopKing World Series Semifinal Tournament (TK4). Despite enduring severe cuts inflicted by Dzhaniev’s elbows and sustaining broken ribs that forced him to withdraw from the final bout that evening, many experts believed Buakaw should have been declared the winner.

Kunlun Fight 2017

On June 10, 2017, in Bangkok, Buakaw secured a decision victory over Chinese contender Kong Lingfeng as the main event of Kunlun Fight 62.

Although Buakaw was set to headline Kunlun Fight's inaugural event in France on November 11 in Paris, the show was ultimately canceled. Instead, he competed at Kunlun Fight 67 in China, where he achieved a second-round knockout against Dutch opponent Marouan Toutouh.

All Star Fight

At the All Star Fight event held in Bangkok on August 20, Buakaw knocked out French fighter Azize Hlali within the opening round.

Later, on September 30 at All Star Fight 2 in Bangkok, he earned a decision win over Ukraine’s Sergey Kuliaba.

Buakaw was scheduled to face Fabio Pinca at All Star Fight 3 in Paris on December 10; however, the fight was called off after Pinca withdrew due to a recent knockout defeat.

2018

Buakaw began 2018 by knocking out Nayanesh Ayman in the first round at Kunlun Fight 69 in China on February 4. He was then slated to challenge Jonay Risco of Spain for the 70 kg championship during the Enfusion kickboxing event in Abu Dhabi on March 9. On April 28, at All Star Fight 3 in Bangkok, Buakaw earned a unanimous decision victory against Portuguese fighter Luis Passos.

Throughout the remainder of the year, Buakaw competed three additional times at All Star Fight events held in Hong Kong, Prague, and Pattaya, winning each bout by points.

2019

On March 9, 2019, Buakaw headlined All Star Fight: World Soldier in Bangkok, collaborating with the Royal Thai Army to promote Muay Thai. He defeated Russian kickboxer Artem Pashporin via unanimous decision.

Later that year, on October 27 at MAS Fight Muay Thai in Phnom Penh, Buakaw faced Chris Ngimbi under MAS Fight rules (one nine-minute round), securing a technical knockout victory at 4:10.

2021

In 2021, Buakaw was appointed as executive director of the Kickboxing Association of Thailand. During his leadership of the national kickboxing team at the 2021 SEA Games in Hanoi, Thailand earned two gold medals and a total of twelve medals.

2022

After an absence from competition lasting nearly three years, Buakaw made his return on July 6, 2022, at the World Fight Tournament in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where he defeated Dmitry Varats by unanimous decision.

Exhibition matches at Rajadamnern Stadium

In 2022, Buakaw assumed the role of chairman for the Board of Development of Rajadamnern Stadium, overseeing initiatives related to Muay Thai and competition advancement. He also featured as a headliner for exhibition bouts under the newly established Rajadamnern World Series (RWS) promotion.

On August 19, 2022, Buakaw achieved a third-round knockout over Kota Miura. A rematch against Yoshihiro Sato—whom he had previously lost to during the K-1 World MAX 2008 quarter-finals—was arranged. On October 28, Buakaw secured a first-round knockout victory over Sato in an exhibition match.

On December 9, 2022, Buakaw fought Ukrainian Oleksandr Yefimenko to a draw after three rounds without either fighter scoring a knockout.

2023

On April 13, 2023, it was announced that Buakaw would face Rukiya Anpo at Rizin 42 on May 6. The contest concluded as a unanimous draw with two judges scoring it 30–30 and one judge scoring it 29–29.

Buakaw then competed against Yasuhiro Kido at Legend of Rajadamnern: Last of the Generation on September 9. The match was ruled a no contest during the second round due to an accidental headbutt causing a cut on Kido.

On September 24 at Grandview International Fight Super Competition, Buakaw faced Wang Yanlong. After Yanlong repeatedly struck Buakaw’s groin and Buakaw responded with knees, Yanlong refused to continue fighting; this resulted in another no contest ruling.

Buakaw is scheduled to meet Nayanesh Ayman once again at Legend of Rajadamnern: The Revenge on December 2, 2023. He won this encounter by unanimous decision.

2024

On March 23, 2024, Buakaw competed against Minoru Kimura at Rizin Landmark 9, where he secured a victory by knocking out Kimura in the second round.[1]

Exhibition bout with Manny Pacquiao

Initially set for January 2024, Buakaw was scheduled to face boxing icon Manny Pacquiao in an exhibition match. The two appeared together at a promotional press conference held in Bangkok on July 21, 2023.[2] However, the contest was postponed to April 20, 2024, as announced on December 31, 2023.[3] Subsequently, on March 9, 2024, promoter Fresh Air Festival disclosed another delay with the revised date yet to be finalized.[4]

The exhibition is planned as a six-round contest under international boxing regulations at a catchweight of 155 pounds, featuring three-minute rounds and two-minute intervals. The total financial backing for this event amounts to $25 million.[5][6][7]

K-1 World Max competition

Following the postponement of his exhibition with Pacquiao, Buakaw participated in the K-1 World MAX 2024 tournament. He was originally slated to compete against Ouyang Feng in the opening round; however, Feng withdrew due to a rib injury. Buakaw eventually faced Stoyan Koprivlenski, who went on to win the tournament, and lost by unanimous decision.

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship

David Feldman, President and Founder of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, announced on July 13, 2022, that Buakaw had signed with BKFC. He made his debut as the main event at BKFC Thailand 3: Moment of Truth on September 3, 2022, where he defeated Erkan Varol via knockout in the first round.

Buakaw was set to face Muay Thai legend Saenchai in a bare-knuckle Muay Thai match at a BKFC event scheduled for March 2023. However, due to legal complications surrounding the use of the term muay thai in promotional materials, the bout was postponed indefinitely and effectively canceled. In June 2023, BKFC Asia CEO Nick Chapman confirmed that the fight would take place at BKFC Thailand 5: Legends of Siam on November 5, 2023. This contest was promoted under Special Rules Bare Knuckle Thai Fight. Buakaw emerged victorious by unanimous decision.

RBAC

Buakaw pursued a degree in business administration at Rattana Bundit University, completing his studies in 2016. In February 2014, he joined RBAC F.C., the football team affiliated with Rattana Bundit University, which competed in the Regional League Division 2 and acted as the reserve squad for BEC Tero Sasana F.C. of the Thai Premier League. Occupying the forward position, Buakaw made his first appearance on February 16.

Buakaw Village

He is the proprietor of Buakaw Village, a resort-style complex situated in Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai province, Thailand. Established in April 2018, this venture was initiated after Banchamek Gym in Bangkok became unable to support the increasing number of both Thai and international trainees. The site features a Muay Thai training facility, dining options, and bungalows available for rent to those training at the gym.

Kickboxing

Muay Thai

  • Omnoi Stadium
    • 2001 Featherweight Champion
    • 2002 Lightweight Champion
  • Professional Boxing Association of Thailand
    • 2001 Thailand (PAT) Featherweight Champion
  • Toyota Cup
    • 2002 Toyota Muay Thai Marathon 140 lbs Champion
  • World Muaythai Council
    • 2014-2015 WMC Junior Middleweight World Champion
    • 2011 WMC Junior Middleweight World Champion
    • 2009 WMC/MAD Super Welterweight World Champion
    • 2006-2007 WMC Super Welterweight World Champion
  • WBC Muay Thai
    • 2014 WBC Diamond World Champion
  • Thai Fight
    • 2012 70 kg Tournament Champion
    • 2011 70 kg Tournament Champion (11–0 record)
  • S-1 Muaythai
    • 2005 S-1 Super Welterweight World Champion
  • Muay Thai Association
    • 2005 MTA World Champion
  • Kunlun Fight
    • 2016 Kunlun Fight Muaythai Middleweight World Champion
  • Phoenix Fighting Championship
    • 2016 PFC Junior Middleweight Champion
  • King of Martial Arts
    • 2003 KOMA GP Lightweight Champion

Shoot Boxing

  • S-cup
    • 2010 Shoot Boxing S-Cup World Champion

Accomplishments

Fight record

|- style="background:#cfc;" | 2024-12-21 || Win ||align=left| Han Wenbao || Rajadamnern World Series, Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision (Unanimous) || 3 || 3:00 |- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb" | 2024-07-07 || Loss ||align=left| Stoyan Koprivlenski || K-1 World MAX 2024 - World Championship Tournament Final, Quarter Finals || Tokyo, Japan || Decision (Unanimous) || 3 || 3:00 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 2024-03-23 || Win ||align=left| Minoru Kimura || Rizin Landmark 9 || Kobe, Japan || KO (Right cross) || 2 || 1:19 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 2023-12-02 || Win ||align=left| Nayanesh Ayman || Legend of Rajadamnern: The Revenge || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision (Unanimous) || 3 || 3:00 |- style="background:#c5d2ea;" | 2023-09-24 || NC ||align=left| Wang Yanlong || Grandview International Fight Super Competition || Guangzhou, China || No contest (Ruleset confusion) || 1 || 3:00 |- style="background:#c5d2ea;" | 2023-09-09 || NC ||align=left| Yasuhiro Kido || Legend of Rajadamnern: Last of the Generation, Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Doctor stoppage (head clash) || 2 || |- style="background:#c5d2ea;" | 2023-05-06 || Draw ||align=left| Rukiya Anpo || Rizin 42 || Tokyo, Japan || Decision (Unanimous) || 3 || 3:00 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 2022-07-06 || Win ||align=left| Dmitry Varats|| World Fight Kun Khmer Series|| Phnom Penh, Cambodia|| Decision (Unanimous)|| 3||3:00 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 2019-10-27|| Win||align=left| Chris Ngimbi|| MAS Kun Khmer|| Phnom Penh, Cambodia|| TKO (Referee stoppage)||1||4:10 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 2019-03-09|| Win||align=left| Artem Pashporin|| All Star Fight 8||Thailand|| Decision (Unanimous)||3||3:00 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 2019-01-27|| Win||align=left| Niclas Larsen|| All Star Fight 7||Phuket, Thailand|| TKO (Referee stoppage)||3||3:00 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 2018-11-04|| Win||align=left| Gaetan Dambo|| All Star Fight 6||Pattaya, Thailand|| Decision (Unanimous)||3||3:00 |- style="background:#cfc;" |2018-07-06|| Win||align=left| Michael Krcmar|| All Star Fight 5||Prague, Czech Republic|| Decision (Unanimous)||3||3:00 |- style="background:#cfc;" |2018-05-21|| Win||align=left| Victor Nagbe|| All Star Fight 4||Hong Kong, China|| Decision (Unanimous)||3||3:00 |- style="background:#cfc;" |2018-04-28|| Win||align=left| Luis Passos|| All Star Fight 3||Bangkok, Thailand|| Decision (Unanimous)||3||3:00 |- style="background:#fbb;" |2018-03-05|| Loss||align=left| Jonay Risco||Enfusion63||Abu Dhabi, UAE|| Decision||5||3:00 |- style="background:#cfc;" |2018-02-04|| Win||align=left| Nayanesh Ayman||2018 in Kunlun Fight#Kunlun Fight 69||Guiyang, China|| KO (Left Hook)||1||2:06 |- style="background:#cfc;" |2017-11-12|| Win||align=left| Marouan Toutouh||2017 in Kunlun Fight#Kunlun Fight 67||Sanya, China|| KO (Left Hook)||2||1:03 |- style="background:#cfc;" |2017-09-30|| Win||align=left| Sergey Kulyaba|| All Star Fight 2||Bangkok, Thailand|| Decision (Unanimous)||3||3:00 |- style="background:#cfc;" |2017-08-20|||Win|||align=left | Azize Hlali|||All Star Fight|||Bangkok, Thailand|||KO (Left Hook)||1|||2:52 |- style="background:#cfc;" |2017-06-11|||Win|||align=left | Kong Lingfeng|||2017 in Kunlun Fight#Kunlun Fight 62|||Bangkok, Thailand|||Decision (Unanimous)||3|||3:00 |- style="background:#cfc;" |2017-01-01|||Win|||align=left | Tian Xin|||2017 in Kunlun Fight#Kunlun Fight 56|||Sanya, China|||Decision (Unanimous)||3|||3:00 |- style="background:#cfc;" |2016-12-10|||Win|||align=left | Andrei Kulebin|||Phoenix Fighting Championship|||Zouk Mikael, Lebanon|||Decision (Unanimous)||3||| |- style="background:#fbb;" |2016-11-05|||Loss|||align=left | Yi Long|||Wu Lin Feng "Fight of the Century"|||Zhengzhou, China|||Decision (Unanimous)||3|| |- style="background:#cfc;" |2016-09-24|||Win|||align=left | Dylan Salvador|||Kunlun Fight Muay Thai Middleweight World Championship|||Beijing, China|||Decision|||3|| |- style="background:#cfc;" |2016-06-05|||Win|||align=left | Wang Weihao|||Kunlun Fight|||Chengdu, China|||TKO (Right High Kick)||1|| |- style="background:#cfc;" |2016-03-20|||Win|||align=left | Kong Lingfeng|||Kunlun Fight|||Dongguan, China|||Decision (Unanimous)||3|| |- style="background:#cfc;" |2016-01-09|||Win|||align=left | Liu Hainan|||Kunlun Fight|||Shanghai, China|||Decision (Unanimous)||3|| |- style="background:#cfc;" |2015-10-28|||Win|||align=left | Gu Hui|||Kunlun Fight|||Dazhou, China|||TKO (knees)||2|| |- style="background:#fbb;" |2015-07-28|||Loss|||align=left | Khayal Dzhaniev|||Topking World Series – Semi-finals|||Hong Kong, China|||Decision||||| |- style="background:#cfc;" |2015-07-01|||Win|||align=left | Artem Pashporin|||T-one Muay Thai||||Beijing, China||||Decision (Unanimous)||| |- style="text-align:center;" ! colspan=9 | The fighter has secured numerous international titles including the Wu Lin Feng World Championship, WMC Junior Middleweight World titles, and the WBC Muaythai Diamond World Championship. He has maintained a significant competitive presence across Asia and Europe, particularly within major markets such as China, Japan, Thailand, and Europe. |}


Exhibition Kickboxing Record

2022-12-09 Draw Oleksandr Yefimenko Rajadamnern World Series Bangkok, Thailand Draw 3 3:00
2022-10-28 Victory Yoshihiro Sato Rajadamnern World Series Bangkok, Thailand KO (Right cross) 1 2:17
2022-08-19 Victory Kota Miura Rajadamnern World Series Bangkok, Thailand TKO (Referee stoppage) 3 2:25
Key:

Bare Knuckle Muay Thai Record

Win 1–0 Saenchai Decision (unanimous) BKFC Thailand 5: Legends of Siam 5 2:00 Bangkok, Thailand

Bare Knuckle Boxing Record

Win 1–0 Erkan Varol KO (punches) BKFC Thailand 3 1 1:50 Bangkok, Thailand

Exhibition Boxing Record

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Age Location Notes
1 Template:N/A "0–0 (1)" "Kouzi" "N/A" 3 "19 Oct 2024" 42 "Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium, Yokohama, Japan" Non-scored bout

Filmography

Year Title Role Remarks
2010 Yamada: The Samurai of Ayothaya Ai-Seua Debut film in Thailand
2012 Crazy Crying Lady Colonel Chuchai Guest role
2013 Buakaw – Boxer, Legend, Legacy Himself Documentary feature
2017 Thong Dee Fun Khao Thongdee Lead role

See also

External links

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