5 Dangerous Southpaw Muay Thai Fighters Who’ve Dazzled In The ONE Circle
Southpaw fighters are difficult to defeat but exciting to watch, which makes them fan favorites among Muay Thai aficionados.
Moreover, because they are a rarer breed than their right-handed counterparts, southpaws often have the competitive edge. Whether they’re able to take advantage of their unorthodox stance is a matter of their own skills and who they’re up against, though.
With that said, the five southpaws on this list have used their left weapons effectively inside the ONE Circle.
Tawanchai PK.Saenchai
Tawanchai PK.Saenchai has a rock-hard left cross and left high kick, which has brought him three knockout victories in the Circle so far.
Most recently, the 23-year-old used his left attacks to finish Niclas “Dreamchaser” Larsen at ONE 158 this past June. After a furious first round, Tawanchai ended the night for his Danish opponent in the second frame courtesy of a straight-left punch.
The finishing attack came shooting down Larsen’s midline and dropped the Dane, who was unable to recover.
The victory earned Tawanchai his third win in the organization, the #1 contender spot in the featherweight Muay Thai division, a $50K bonus, and the next shot at reigning king Petchmorakot Petchyindee.
Saemapetch Fairtex
Saemapetch Fairtex has more than 120 wins to his name, having defeated top competition such as #3-ranked bantamweight “The Steel Locomotive” Rodlek PK.Saenchai.
However, one of his more memorable fights came against knockout artist Kulabdam “Left Meteorite” Sor. Jor. Piek Uthai at ONE: FULL BLAST in May 2021. The fight only lasted one round, as Saemapetch scored a stylish walk-off KO victory.
After Kulabdam closed the distance, the 27-year-old quickly threw a straight left to his compatriot’s midsection, causing “Left Meteorite” to crumple to the canvas.
Saemapetch demonstrated that even when competing against another southpaw, lefties can be extremely complicated to anticipate.
Walter Goncalves
Walter Goncalves bounced back into the win column after scoring an impressive knockout in his previous outing.
The #5-ranked flyweight took on Josue “Tuzo” Cruz at ONE 157: Petchmorakot vs. Vienot this past May as part of the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix quarterfinals. And Goncalves, known for his powerful left hand, finished his foe in just 35 seconds.
Goncalves stayed on the outskirts of “Tuzo’s” range, delivering left low kicks whenever his opponent got too close. He then maneuvered around Cruz waiting for his moment, and it came when he unloaded a barrage of body shots that rendered his opponent useless.
Now the Brazilian will pit his southpaw skills against a right-hander known for his fight IQ, Superlek “The Kicking Machine” Kiatmoo9, in the Grand Prix semifinals.
Muangthai PK.Saenchai
Muangthai PK.Saenchai is known as “Elbow Zombie” because of how effectively he can use the sharp weapons.
He put them on display against Kenta Yamada at ONE: DREAMS OF GOLD in August 2019, where he beat the Japanese man by unanimous decision.
When Yamada found himself in the clinch with the Thai warrior, Muangthai promptly served up elbow after elbow. The Japanese man struggled to defend himself against “Elbow Zombie’s” strikes and even left himself open for a left cross that dropped him to the canvas.
Muangthai proved on that night that southpaws should never be taken lightly — both inside and outside of the clinch.
Kulabdam Sor. Jor. Piek Uthai
Kulabdam is a two-time Lumpinee Stadium World Champion who has accumulated over 60 victories throughout his young career.
His southpaw fighting style paid off most, however, against “The Million Dollar Baby” Sangmanee Klong SuanPluResort at ONE: NO SURRENDER III in August 2020. “Left Meteorite” sent Sangmanee sideways in just one round, scoring a knockout that shook up the Muay Thai world.
Kulabdam inched his way past Sangmanee’s guard, sneaking in uppercuts despite his opponent’s best efforts to defend. He kept the pressure on and eventually landed a straight left that levitated Sangmanee at the 2:45 mark of round one.
