Andrei Kulebin vs Santichai Swish 2007

I-1 is a Muay Thai promotion based in Hong Kong. It's mostly noted for its 63.5 kg Grand Prix. Andrei Kulebin, whom we've visited before against Mosab Amrani at Champions of Champions II, has won three of the tournaments since the inception of the Grand Prix. [The I-1 site only lists results from 2005, so I used Kulebin's Facebook as a source.] He's faced Rudolf Durica and Santichai Swish Gym in the finals, usually winning. He no longer participates in the tournament, having moved up to 67 kg.

Santichai is a former Lumpini champion who's since opened a gym in Hong Kong. The Muay Thai scene isn't nearly as competitive in Hong Kong as it is in Thailand or even Australia and Japan, so I suspect his level has fallen off somewhat. He still packs enough skill and power to make it through most of the upcoming fighters who're invited to I-1, however. According to bc Magazine, he fought out of Anthony Au's Swish Club in Hong Kong before opening his own Santichai Gym. I guess his fight name now would be Santichai Santichai Gym? Sweet.

Santichai wears red gloves in this bout, Kulebin blue.

Saenchai Sor Kingstar vs Sresatchanalai Sasiprapa

This is a bout from a while ago -- likely in the early 2000s. I can't say when, exactly, but it's old enough to be included in a Onesongchai collection (look to the bottom left of the recording). Also, Saenchai is obviously younger and lighter than he is now. The profiles given before the match give what would now be an outdated accounting of Saenchai's Lumpini titles, omitting the heavier categories he's been champion in.

I don't know anything really about his opponent, though he is obviously very skilled at Muay Thai. Many Thai English rules boxers started out as nak muay, and he obviously had a career in Muay Thai before switching to English style. The video notes he is a boxing gold medalist (in amateur English boxing, of course).

The poster lists Saenchai's second name as Sor Kingstar in this video and I'll defer to the posting, but I suspect he may still be going by Sor Khamsing here, since Somrak is issuing instructions to him. I can't tell if Somrak is actually in his corner, though.

Saenchai wears the blue shorts in this bout, and Sresatchanalai wears red.

Jongsanan Fairtex vs Sakmongkol Sitchuchok

I posted a longer version of this over on Headkicklegend, whose editors have now moved to Liverkick.com.

According this interview at Muaythaionline, Jongsanan Fairtex earned the name "Wooden Man" as a young fighter by training his ass off "7 hours a day," only eating and sleeping besides. Apparently, kicking him felt like kicking a tree. His exceptional toughness in a sport that, as we've seen, demands exceptional toughness made him something of a crossover star in his era. He held titles from both Lumpini and Rajadamnern. Jongsanan now teaches Muay Thai for Fairtex in California. He fights in red in this match.

Sakmongkol Sitchuchoke fights with very apparent intensity. He is a southpaw whose hallmark is his brutal, whipping left kicks. A match in 1999 with Perry Ubeda on the King's Birthday card in Lumpini helped propel him to fame. With his exciting, tough style, he became quite popular internationally, and met the likes of John Wayne Parr, Jomhod Kiatadisak, and Farid Villaume after leaving Thailand. He fights in blue in this match.

Both Sakmongkol and Jongsanan are relatively heavy fighters. Sakmongkol moved up from around 135 lb when he fought Dekkers in 1991 to 154 against Parr in 2004. Jongsanan is similarly built, though he did not stay active as long. They met in the ring 8 times, with Jongsanan winning 5, and both becoming good friends after the third fight. This is their 5th and most famous match.

This match is classic '90s Muay Thai.

Genki Yamamoto vs Kaew Fairtex 2005

Genki Yamamoto and Kaew Fairtex are both fighters we've visited before on this blog. Both fight around 135 lb and, at least on paper, seem similar in being strong punchers. Of course, that's not taking into account the rest of the weapons available in Muay Thai.

Kaew's tools reflect his pedigree on the Thai circuit. He is known for strong punches, but is very well-rounded, as you can see in his fight against Jomthong Chuwattana.

Genki's output comes much more from his hands. That's not to say his other weapons aren't refined, but he seems to find the most success favoring punches and low kicks. His power is quite evident in both.

This match takes place in Japan under full Japanese kickboxing rules, which allows all Muay Thai weapons. It's the first time they meet. They meet again in the U.S.A. in a match that looks remarkably similar to this. Forgive the ads. Youtube only has the rematch and I find this the more entertaining of their bouts.

Part 1

Neungthep Eminent Air vs Panomrunglek Kiatmuu9 2010

I posted a version of this on Head Kick Legend.

Stadium champions in Muay Thai tend to be very active. Ducking is rare in Thailand and rematches may continue as long as the fight generates interest. Fighters will match up 7 or 8 times if promoters deem it necessary or profitable. Differences in skill or standing are negotiated by having the favorite give up weight, usually 1 to 5 lb, to their opponent at the weigh-ins. This evening of the odds provides for closer fights that gamblers are more likely to bet on. Saenchai Sor Kingstar, for example, gives up weight to his opponents in nearly every fight. Note that Saenchai is also special in that, despite frequent title fights, he is able to hold on to, or consistently win back, stadium belts.

Neungthep Eminent Air is the current Lumpini champ at 115 lb super flyweight. He'd been a top ranked fighter in his division for a couple of years but hadn't quite reached the very top until beating Ponsawan Lukprabat this September. This match is his first defense of the title, coming about a month after he first won it. He fights in red in this bout.

Panomrunglek Kiatmuu9 has been fighting in the top ranks of 115 lb for a while longer than Neungthep. He almost seems to hold a perennial status as close contender for the belt. The the title actually came his way earlier this year in May, also from Ponsawan Lukprabat! The top ranks, as I've said, are very competitive, and belts can change hands very quickly with title bouts every one or two months. Panumgrunlek, being the challenger for the belt, fights in blue.

Expect fast exchanges of technique from fighters at this weight. To get an idea for which way the match is swinging, pay attention to who wins the individual exchanges as well as the overall rhythm of the fight. For a more in depth explanation of scoring, refer to this article.