- Buakaw Banchamek has joined Bare Knuckle FC
- The 40-year-old will make his debut in September and will be fighting in the U.S. next
BKFC has been aggressively acquiring decorated MMA fighters in the last few months. Among its most notable signings were Greg Hardy, John Dodson, and Felice Herrig, who inked a deal with the promotion weeks after retirement.
And today, BKFC announced that legendary Muay Thai and kickboxing fighter Buakaw Banchamek has signed a multi-fight deal with the company.
The greatest Muay Thai fighter in history has just joined BKFC!
Welcome to BKFC Buakaw Banchamek! pic.twitter.com/C8BlsWvD4u
— Bare Knuckle FC (@bareknucklefc) July 13, 2022
Coming back to the U.S.
Buakaw is set to make his BKFC debut in his home country, Thailand on Sept. 3, which will be followed by a bout in the U.S., the country he has not fought in for “11 years.”
“It’s been almost 11 years since I last fought in the United States and I’ve always wanted to return. I love bare-knuckle fighting and this creates a new challenge for me which I welcome,” Buakaw said. “I’m very grateful to BKFC for this great opportunity and can’t wait to put on a show for their fans all over the world.”
The 40-year-old last fought in the U.S. at Muaythai Premier League in September 2011 where he pulled off a TKO win over Warren Stevelmans.
Pleased to welcome a legend
Buakaw ended his three-year hiatus and made his combat sports return earlier this month at the World Fight Kun Khmer Series in Cambodia. He successfully secured a decision win over Dmitry Varats, extending his impressive winning streak to eight in a row.
BKFC president David Feldman is pleased to have welcomed a “true international fighting legend” in Buakaw and revealed that the Muay Thai icon has long been expressing his desire to enter bare-knuckle boxing.
“Buakaw is a true international fighting legend who many consider the best Muay Thai fighter of all time,” Feldman said. “Over the last couple of months he’s expressed interest in fighting bare-knuckle and competing in the United States against our best fighters and it’s an honor to sign him to this multi-fight promotional contract.”
“BKFC continues to have a wealth of growing fan and media support in Asia, particularly in Thailand where Buakaw is from,” he added. “Fans are going to love the tremendous level of excitement and unrivaled skills he brings to combat sports.”
Buakaw is a six-time World Muay Thai champion and a two-time K-1 kickboxing titlist. He boasts a current record of 240-24-12, with 73 of which were all finishes.
Needless to say, it will be interesting to see how the legend will perform in his new home, BKFC, and uncharted territory of bare-knuckle boxing.
