Buakaw Banchamek
The first two-time K-1 World MAX champion
- Born
- May 8, 1982, Samrong Thap, Surin, Thailand
- Nationality
Thailand- Height
- 174 cm (5′9″)
- Stance
- Orthodox
- Style
- Kicking pressure fighter
- Weight
- Featherweight, Lightweight, Welterweight, Middleweight
- Active
- 1990–present
- Status
- Active · age 44
The record
Muay Thai and kickboxing combined, per Wikipedia; totals are reported inconsistently across sources. record
The story
uakaw Banchamek, born Sombat Banchamek in Surin province, is one of the best-known Muay Thai fighters in the world. Fighting out of Por. Pramuk Gym, he won the K-1 World MAX tournament in 2004 by beating Masato in the final, lost a disputed extra-round final to Andy Souwer in 2005, then stopped Souwer in the 2006 final to become the event's first two-time champion. His tools were hard leg kicks, a sharp teep and knees in the clinch, which made him a nightmare under kickboxing rules. In 2012 he left Por. Pramuk, complaining of poor treatment, rebuilt his career under the Banchamek name and kept adding titles. Still fighting in 2026, he entered the Rajadamnern Stadium Hall of Fame that year.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- K-1 World MAX champion (2004, 2006)
- Shoot Boxing S-Cup world champion (2010)
- WMC world champion at 154 lb (several reigns, 2006–2015)
- WBC Muaythai Diamond champion (2014)
- THAI FIGHT 70 kg tournament champion (2011, 2012)
- Omnoi Stadium champion at featherweight (2001) and lightweight (2003)
- Rajadamnern Stadium Hall of Fame (2026)
- Martial Arts History Museum Hall of Fame (2016)
Defining fights
- 2004WINvs Masato (extra-round decision, K-1 World MAX final)
- 2005LOSSvs Andy Souwer (extra-round split decision, K-1 World MAX final)
- 2006WINvs Andy Souwer (TKO 2, K-1 World MAX final)
- 2010WINvs Toby Imada (TKO 2, low kick, Shoot Boxing S-Cup final)
- 2023WINvs Saenchai (unanimous decision, bare-knuckle special rules)
Set up the rear leg kick instead of throwing it cold: jab or teep to lift the guard, kick the thigh or body on the open side, and meet anyone who rushes in with a clinch knee.
2016–now
