Best Muay Thai Fighters of All Time (Non-Thai)
Also known as “The art of eight limbs”, Muay Thai is the National sport of Thailand and the standup art with the highest damage per strike ratio. For almost 100 years now, Muay Thai stadiums have been the home of the best of the best fighters when it comes to striking.
But it wasn’t always like that. Muay Thai had been closed inside the borders of Thailand for around the first 50 years. But somewhere around 1950, foreign fighters (kickboxers) started coming to test themselves and their skills against best Thai fighters.
The truth is, Thai fighters are masters in their own game and it’s very rare to see a non-Thai fighter rise above the home fighters. But a few of them have made it to the top and managed to leave a special mark on the Thai soil. Somehow, they managed to beat the Thai fighters in their own game and receive huge respect and love from the people of Thailand.
We’re about to bring you closer to these famous fighters and what was so special about them.
6. Liam Harrison
It’s fair to say that Harrison is the most famous British Muay Thai fighter. He owns the kickboxing record of 88 wins and 24 losses. Inside the ring, he shines with high volume and amazing speed and precision. Also, we’ve to mention that almost half of his wins were stunning KO’s.
Born in Leeds, England, Harrison has been professional since 2000. In this time span, he has won many titles and tournaments:
· S.I.M.T.A Muay Thai lightweight European champion (2001)
· S.I.M.T.A Muay Thai super featherweight Northern Area champion (2001)
· W.A.K.O. Pro low-kick kickboxing world champion (2004)
· W.M.C and W.P.M.F Muay Thai champion
· Patong Stadium Muay Thai super welterweight champion (2006)
Most of the fight fans love him because of his exciting style and warrior mindset. Thus far, he managed to capture World Muay Thai titles in three different weight classes, and that’s amazing. And he fought the best of the best like Sagetdao, Pakorn, and Saenchai. Giving to Saenchai himself, Harrison is one of the toughest rivals he has ever faced.
If you ever feel bored, go to his Instagram account and watch him hit the pads. It’s even relaxing in some way and we are not joking.
5. Andrei Kulebin
Born in Belarus, Kulebin has been into martial arts all his life. He spent most of his childhood in the Taekwondo gym before shifting to Muay Thai. At the age of 15, he started fighting as a professional kickboxer and working on his way up in the fighting world.
Kulebin’s talent and potentials were obvious right from the start. He won an amazing 22 titles as an amateur and has a record of 130 wins and just 10 losses. But for many people, he spent too much time fighting as an amateur.
Yet this hasn’t been a problem for Kulebin as he managed to achieve the same success as a pro. Up to this point, he has won 20 professional titles, many of which in Thailand.
To understand his domination, look no further from the way he fights. He is a pressure fighter, and he simply enjoys overwhelming rivals with great kicks. All that he throws has perfect timing and precision behind.
Like most of the Thai fighters, Kulebin has been fighting in different weight classes and he currently has a record of 71 wins and 17 defeats. Also, bear in mind that he has been mostly fighting against elite opponents like Saenchai, Sagetdao, and Sudsakorn.
4. Morad Sari
It’s a shame that many modern fans don’t know about the career and achievements of Morad Sari. He is the former seven-time Muay Thai World champion and one of the biggest legends of the sport. Unlike the others from this list, Sari once owned the highest rank at Lumpinee Stadium.
Sari started training Muay Thai at 18 years of age which is considered late in the Muay Thai world. Yet, his rare talent and potentials have been huge, and he was able to quickly work his way up in the fighting world.
In 1999, Sari became the first foreign fighter to win the Lumpinee belt by defeating the famous Somchai. At the time, Sari fought only the best. He beat Thai legends like Orono Por Ubon, Samranchai, and Sitchutchok. Also, he is the former World champion in Thai boxing and European champion. (source)
Throughout his career, Morad Sari won many other tournaments and championships. But, we will always remember him for his ability to beat the Thai’s in their own sport.
3. Toshio Fujiwara
Fujiwara is a Japanese kickboxing legend and a very good Muay Thai fighter. In his prime, he was fearless inside the ring fighter and his style was very exciting to watch. Thai people were mad about him and he quickly gained their respect. I mean, how not? Toshio had an amazing 126 wins, 99 of which were KO’s.
After winning the Japan kickboxing championship, he started fighting in Thai boxing in the 1970s. We have to mention that he was actually one of the first foreign fighters to compete in Thailand.
He went to the history books as the first-ever non-Thai to win a national Muay Thai title in Bangkok. The even bigger shock came when he beat Changmai to win a Rajadamnern Stadium title.
In both Japan and Thailand, Toshio Fujiwara is a living legend. In 1983, he declared his retirement to pursue different life goals. But, he stayed close to the sport as a trainer and focused on producing new talents.
2. John Wayne Parr
The popular Aussie is certainly the most popular foreign Thai fighter. What’s more, he is among the most accomplished as well. JPW has won many titles and tournaments around the world. But, he is best known for his fights in Thailand.
JWP first went to Thailand as a teenager where he spent four years eating, sleeping, and training. What always stood him above the others was the insane work ethic and dedication. And of course, love for the Thai people and their sport.
Parr retired after an astonishing 27 years of competing at the highest levels. In that time span, he achieved all that every Muay Thai fighter dreams of. He was the 10-time world champion and has 21 belts in total. Also, he is the multiple “Fighter of the Year” winner and he had small roles in short movies such as “The Violent.”
In his career, Parr competed in K1, S1, Muay Thai, and he had some success in professional boxing as well. He will forever be the legend of Muay Thai and one of the best to ever do it, including the Thai fighters.
1. Ramon “ The Diamond” Dekkers
For many fans, Ramon Dekkers will forever be the best foreign Muay Thai fighter ever. Fans remember Dekkers for thrilling fights and fearless fighting style. I mean, he is also known as “The Turbine from Hell” which refers to his high output and sharp technique. Some people also see him as the “Mike Tyson” of Muay Thai because of his huge punching power and high KO ratio.
Interestingly, Dekkers started his martial arts career in Judo. After a few years, he switched to boxing before getting involved in Muay Thai. During his career, Dekkers competed in an amazing 223 matches! He had 186 wins, 95 of which by a KO!
Dekkers fought in all divisions from featherweight to super welterweight. Although this sounds impossible, the secret behind it is simple. Ramon had an insane power in his wrists and he could KO any fighter from any weight class. This allowed him to stay competitive against the much bigger rivals he faced in his career. So during his run, Ramon actually managed to capture an amazing eight Muay Thai World titles.
On February 27, the sad news came that Ramon Dekkers passed away at the age of just 43. Dekkers influenced many foreign fighters to come to Thailand and he left a special mark in the hearts of all of us
In 2013 he received the award from the Thai Royal Family for his Muay Thai achievements.
