Who was the Best Muay Khao in the 1990s?

In the 1990s, the best Muay Khao practitioners rose to prominence by defeating other top contenders and securing titles at Thailand’s premier stadiums—Lumpinee and Rajadamnern. In these iconic venues, top fighters competed on a weekly basis, creating a natural selection process that ensured the very best nak muay sat at the top of their division.

Thousands of ‘world titles’ have been awarded to Muay Thai practitioners from various countries over the years, but these titles lack the prestige of Lumpinee or Rajadamnern belts. Few of these titles are ever defended; they are often used by promoters to hype up local shows and lend their events more credibility. The fact that a fighter can hold multiple world titles simultaneously highlights the lack of value these belts hold and how easily they are accumulated.

In contrast, challenging for a Lumpinee or Rajadamnern belt in the 1990s meant fighting top contenders around ten times per year, year after year. Holding onto a Lumpinee or Rajadamnern title for even one month in the 1990s was a significant achievement for any nak muay, as the next challenger was always waiting in line to take a shot at the title.

Anatomy of the Best Muay Khao

The best Muay Khao practitioners possess excellent physical conditioning to sustain the relentless pursuit of opponents, particularly when matching up against fighters who require space to operate like a muay femur or muay tae. Additionally, good physical strength and power are essential for maintaining clinch positions and executing effective knee strikes, especially when opponents attempt to escape and retreat.

Most muay khaos are taller than their counterparts, leveraging their height advantage to dominate in the clinch and land powerful strikes from a distance. Height facilitates the execution of long-range knees and provides good leverage which is advantageous for controlling opponents in the clinch.

Finally, psychological resilience is paramount for muay khaos, as they often endure strikes while closing the distance to their preferred range. They must maintain composure and determination to manoeuver into advantageous positions despite facing incoming attacks.

In essence, becoming the best Muay Khao in the division demands not only physical prowess but also mental fortitude to withstand and overcome the challenges inherent to this fighting style.

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BEST MUAY KHAO

~ 1990s ~

There are too many elite fighters to list here comprehensively. This selection highlights a few of the most notable athletes who were not only highly successful but also entertaining and stylistically unique, offering valuable lessons to us all.

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ลำน้ำมูล ส.สุมาลี Lamnammoon Sor Sumalee

Lamnammoon was a tall, skinny fighter from northeast Thailand. He won Lumpinee Stadium titles in four different weight classes from 1993 to 1999, winning belts from legends such as Jaroensap Kiatbanchong, Matee Jadeepitak, Samkor Kiatmontep and Rambojiew Por Thubtim.

Although he was of average height for a Thai male (175cm/5 ft 9 in), he was often the taller fighter in his bouts, allowing him to either knee from range or control his opponent in the clinch. Additionally, Lamnammoon launched head kicks seemingly out of nowhere, and would often catch his opponents as he faked a clinch entry.

Lamnammoon is one of the best Muay Khao practitioners to study for clinch entries and tall fighter tactics.

Best Year – 1996

• 6 Wins: Prapseuk Sitnarong, Chatchai Paiseetong (x2), Mathee Jadeepitak, Rittichai Lukjaopodam, Keng Singnakhongui
• 2 Losses: Chatchai Paiseetong and Kaoponlek Luksuratham

Other notable victories: Toto Por Pongsawang, Pairojnoi Sor Siamchai, Langsuan Panyuthapum, Karuhat Sor Supawan and Attachai Fairtex.

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หลังสวน พันธ์ยุทธภูมิ Langsuan Panyuthapum

Langsuan was one of the most successful Muay Khaos in the 1980s, claiming Lumpinee titles in the 108 and 115 lbs weight classes. His performances in 1987 culminated in being honoured as Fighter of the Year in 1987 by the Sports Writers Association of Thailand, having won 9 out of 10 fights that year. This rich vein of form continued well into the 1990s as Langsuan claimed two more Lumpinee titles including the vacant Lumpinee Stadium 115 lbs title against Lamnammoom Sor Sumalee in 1992.

Langsuan’s Muay Khao style stood out for its visually captivating knee fighting techniques. Unlike many contemporary practitioners who focus on overwhelming opponents with a barrage of short knee strikes in the clinch, Langsuan showcased a dynamic repertoire of knee strikes, incorporating varied angles, arm positions, and even executing jumping knee strikes within the clinch.

Although rule changes in Muay Thai make it difficult to perform some of the jumping clinch attacks Langsuan was so fond of, many of the techniques are still effective today.

Best Year – 1991

• 9 Wins: Tukkatatong Por Pongsawang, Karuhat Sor Supawan (x2), Jaroensap Kiatbanchong (x2), Pongsiri Por Ruamrudee and Pompetch Naratreekul.
• 4 Losses: Oley Kiatoneway, Nungubon Sitlerchai (x2) and Duangsompong Por Pongsawang.

Other notable wins: Orono Por Muang Ubon, Mathee Jadeepitak, Samson Issan, Chartchainoi Chaorai-Oi and Lamnammoon Sor Sumalee.

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ฉมวกเพชร ห้าพลัง Chamuekpet Chorchamuang

Chamuekpet is the most decorated Muaythai fighter of all time in terms of Lumpinee and Rajadamnern titles. It would be fair to say that Chamuekpet’s best decade was the 1980s when he won the 102, 108, 112 and 118 lbs Lumpinee Stadium titles, as well as the 104 and 122 lbs Rajadamnern Stadium titles, all before the age of 27. However, his dominance extended into the 1990s, securing the Rajadamnern featherweight (126 lbs) title in 1990, the Rajadamnern Stadium Junior Featherweight (122 lbs) title in 1994, and reclaiming the Rajadamnern Stadium Featherweight title later that same year.

Chamuekpet exemplified intelligence and adaptability in the ring, possessing the ability to quickly analyse and adjust his tactics based on his opponents’ strategies. He possessed the versatility to be identified both as a Muay Khao and Muay Bouk, while occasionally integrating elements of the Muay Femur style into his repertoire during his incredible 27-year fighting career.

Regardless of the stylistic nuances, Chamuekpet consistently showcased an uncanny knack for landing powerful straight knees to the mid-section of his opponents, making him one of the most feared knee fighters of the 1990s.

Best Year – 1990

• 6 Wins: Jack Kiatniwat (x3), Takahiro Shimizu, Sangtiennoi Sor Rungroj (x2)
• 1 Loss: Jack Kiatniwat

Other notable wins: Pepsi Piyapan, Oley Kiatoneway, Mungfahlek Kiatvichian, Wanwiset Kaennorasing and Krukrit Sor Naya-Arm.