Tawanchai P.K. Saenchai (Thai: ตะวันฉาย พี.เค.แสนชัยมวยไทยยิม; born April 7, 1999) is a professional Muay Thai fighter from Thailand. As of December 2021 he is the number two pound-for-pound Muay Thai fighter in the world according to The Nation.[1] A former Lumpinee Stadium fighter of the year, he competes in the Featherweight division of ONE Championship, where he is the current ONE Muay Thai Featherweight World Champion since September 29, 2022. As of April 22, 2024, he also is the champion in the ONE Championship Featherweight Kickboxing.[2]
| Tawanchai P.K. Saenchai | |
|---|---|
| Born | Narongsak Kaewmala April 7, 1999 Pattaya, Thailand |
| Other names | Jatukam Petchrungruang Tawanchai Chor Thaiset (ตะวันฉาย พี.เค.แสนชัย) |
| Height | 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) |
| Weight | 70 kg (154 lb; 11 st) |
| Division | Featherweight (155 lbs) (ONE) |
| Reach | 71.5 in (182 cm) |
| Style | Muay Thai |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Fighting out of | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Team | P.K. Saenchai Muaythaigym |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 164 |
| Wins | 131 |
| Losses | 31 |
| Draws | 2 |
Biography
Tawanchai was born in Pattaya, he started his fighting career at Petchrungruang gym under the name Jatukam Petchrungruang when he was eight years old. He moved to Bangkok and made his debut in Lumpinee Stadium at the age of 14.[3]
In 2015, Tawanchai moved to P.K.Saenchaimuaythaigym in Southern Bangkok.
He quickly made a name for himself and jumped up multiple weight classes at a time. In 2017 he won the Thailand 126 lbs Title by defeating Wayunoi Petchkiatpetch.
On September 7, 2018, Tawanchai defeated Muay Thai Fighter of the Year 2017 Kulabdam Sor Jor Piekuthai. Kulabdam and his team were convinced that he could win a rematch and negotiated for another fight only weeks later, Tawanchai won again and went into the trilogy fight with confidence. Tawanchai would end up winning all three fights and the 6 million baht worth of side bet during the third fight, positioning himself as one of the best fighters in the country. For his results during the year 2018 he received multiple fighter of the year awards.[4]
He would confirm his status on March 26, 2019, with a stoppage win over Sangmanee Sor Tienpo at the Parunchai Birthday show; Sangmanee had never been stopped in his career.[5] Sangmanee won the rematch by decision 3 months later, handing his first loss to Tawanchai in almost 2 years.
On July 27, 2019, Tawanchai fought for the first time under kickboxing rules for the Wu Lin Feng World Cup in China, it was his first fight outside of Thailand and he won by decision.
ONE Championship
On October 4, 2020, it was announced that Tawanchai had signed with ONE Championship.[6]
Tawanchai faced Sean Clancy at ONE Championship: Dangal on May 15, 2021.[7] He won the bout via head kick knockout at the beginning of the third round.[8]
Tawanchai was originally scheduled to face Saemapetch Fairtex at ONE Championship: Battleground 3.[9] However, Saemapetch was forced to withdraw from the event after one of his cornermen tested positive for COVID-19.[citation needed] He then fought Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong at ONE Championship: Battleground 3 under Muay Thai rules.[10] Their pre-recorded match aired on August 27, 2021. Tawanchai lost the fight by split decision.
Tawanchai faced Saemapetch Fairtex at ONE: Heavy Hitters on January 14, 2022. He won the bout via right hook knockout in the first round.[11]
Tawanchai faced Niclas Larsen at ONE 158 on June 3, 2022.[12] He won the bout after knocking out Larsen in the second round with a left cross.[13]
ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion
Tawanchai faced Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy for the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship at ONE 161 on September 29, 2022.[14] He won the fight by unanimous decision.[15]
Tawanchai made his first title defense against Jamal Yusupov on February 25, 2023, at ONE Fight Night 7.[16] He won the bout via a leg kick knockout in the first round.[17]
Tawanchai faced Davit Kiria in a kickboxing bout at ONE Fight Night 13 on August 5, 2023.[18] He won the bout in the third round due to a kick breaking Kiria's right arm.[19]
Tawanchai was scheduled to defense the title against Superbon Singha Mawynn on October 7, 2023, at ONE Fight Night 15.[20] However, Superbon was forced to pulled out due to a leg injury.[21] He was replaced by Jo Nattawut in a kickboxing bout.[22] Tawanchai won the fight via unanimous decision.[23]
The match between Tawanchai and Superbon for the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship was rescheduled on December 9, 2023, at ONE Fight Night 17.[24] Tawanchai withdrew from the fight with a viral infection on November 4, 2023.[25] Tawanchai won the fight by unanimous decision.[26]
In the third title defense, Tawanchai faced Jo Nattawut in a rematch on June 8, 2024, at ONE 167.[27] He won the fight via majority decision.[28]
For his fourth title defense, Tawanchai will be schedule to face Jo Nattawut again in a trilogy fight at ONE 169 at Atlanta, Georgia on November 8, 2024.
Titles and accomplishments
- ONE Championship
- ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship (One time; current) (Three defenses)
- Performanceof the Night (Three times) vs. Davit Kiria, Jamal Yusupov and Niclas Larsen
- 2022 Muay Thai Fighter of the Year[29]
- 2022 Breakout Star of the Year[30]
- Lumpinee Stadium
- 2018 Lumpinee Stadium Fighter of the Year[31]
- Professional Boxing Association of Thailand (PAT)
- 2017 Thailand 126 lbs champion[32]
- Nai Khanom Tom
- 2018 Nai Khanom Tom Champion[33]
Awards
- 2018 Sports Authority of Thailand Fighter of the Year[34]
- 2018 Siam Kela Fighter of the Year Award[35]
- 2023-24 Sports Writers Association of Thailand modified Muay Thai Fighter of the Year
Fight record
| 133 Wins, 31 Losses, 2 Draws | ||||||||
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11-03 |  Jo Nattawut | ONE 169 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | |||||
| Defending the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship. | ||||||||
| 2024-06-08 | Win | Jo Nattawut | ONE 167 | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (Majority) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Defended the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship. | ||||||||
| 2023-12-22 | Win | Superbon Singha Mawynn | ONE Friday Fights 46, Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (Majority) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Defended the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship. | ||||||||
| 2023-10-07 | Win | Jo Nattawut | ONE Fight Night 15 | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2023-08-05 | Win |  Davit Kiria | ONE Fight Night 13 | Bangkok, Thailand | TKO (Broken arm/Middle kick) | 3 | 0:30 | |
| 2023-02-25 | Win |  Jamal Yusupov | ONE Fight Night 7 | Bangkok, Thailand | TKO (Leg Kick) | 1 | 0:49 | |
| Defended the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship. | ||||||||
| 2022-09-29 | Win | Petchmorakot Petchyindee Academy | ONE 161 | Kallang, Singapore | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Won the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship. | ||||||||
| 2022-06-03 | Win |  Niclas Larsen | ONE 158 | Kallang, Singapore | KO (Left Cross) | 2 | 1:42 | |
| 2022-01-14 | Win | Saemapetch Fairtex | ONE: Heavy Hitters | Kallang, Singapore | KO (Left Cross) | 1 | 2:55 | |
| 2021-08-27 | Loss | Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong | ONE: Battleground 3 | Kallang, Singapore | Decision (Split) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2021-05-15 | Win |  Sean Clancy | ONE: Dangal | Kallang, Singapore | KO (Head Kick) | 3 | 0:35 | |
| 2020-09-26 | Win | Sangmanee Sor Tienpo | Rueso Fight + Kiatpetch | Narathiwat Province, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2020-08-16 | Win | Nuenglanlek Jitmuangnon | Channel 7 Boxing Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2020-01-11 | Loss |  Jia Aoqi | Wu Lin Feng 2020: -67kg World Cup 2019-2020 Final, Semi Final | Zhuhai, China | TKO (Punches) | 2 | ||
| 2019-11-30 | Win |  David Mejia | Wu Lin Feng 2019: -67kg World Cup 2019-2020 6th Group Stage | Zhengzhou, China | Ext.R Decision (Split) | 4 | 3:00 | |
| 2019-09-29 | Win | Ji Xiang | Wu Lin Feng 2019: -67kg World Cup 2019-2020 4th Group Stage | Zhengzhou, China | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2019-09-06 | Win | Chujaroen Dabransarakarm | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2019-07-27 | Win | Zhang Wensheng | Wu Lin Feng 2019: -67kg World Cup 2019-2020 2nd Group Stage | Zhengzhou, China | Decision (Split) | 3 | 3:00 | |
| 2019-06-26 | Loss | Sangmanee Sor Tienpo | RuamponkonSamui + Kiatpetch Super Fight | Surat Thani, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2019-03-26 | Win | Sangmanee Sor Tienpo | Parunchai Birthday | Thung Song, Thailand | KO (High Kick) | 4 | 1:45 | |
| 2018-12-07 | Win | Nuenglanlek Jitmuangnon | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | TKO (Referee Stoppage) | 5 | 0:40 | |
| 2018-11-08 | Win | Kulabdam Sor.Jor.Piek-U-Thai | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the 6 million baht side-bet. | ||||||||
| 2018-10-05 | Win | Kulabdam Sor.Jor.Piek-U-Thai | Muay Thai Expo: The Legend of Muay Thai | Buriram, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2018-09-07 | Win | Kulabdam Sor.Jor.Piek-U-Thai | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2018-07-10 | Win | Nuenglanlek Jitmuangnon | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2018-06-05 | Win | Ferrari Jakrayanmuaythai | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2018-03-28 | Win | Yok Parunchai | WanParunchai + Poonseua Sanjorn | Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-12-26 | Win | Yok Parunchai | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-11-25 | Win | Mongkolchai Kwaitonggym | Kriatpetch Super Fight | Krabi, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-09-09 | Win | Mongkolchai Kwaitonggym | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-08-06 | Loss | Mongkolchai Kwaitonggym | Channel 7 Boxing Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-06-09 | Win | Chalam Parunchai | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-04-27 | Draw | Phetwason Ansukhumvit | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-03-28 | Loss | Tito Hoywanpohchana | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2017-02-18 | Win | Wayunoi Phetkiatphet | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Wins 126lbs Thailand title | ||||||||
| 2016-11-29 | Win | Kumantong Jitmuangnon | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2016-10-01 | Win | Worrawut M.U.Den | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2016-08-23 | Loss | Wanmechok Puhongtong | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2016-07-17 | Win | Chaila Por.Lakboon | Channel 7 Boxing Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | KO | 4 | ||
| 2016-06-17 | Win | Singtongnoi Kiatkittipan | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | KO | 4 | ||
| 2016-05-03 | Loss | Nongview Phetkoson | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2016-02-10 | Win | Kongsak Sor.Satra | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2016-01-16 | Win | Noomsurin Chor.Ketveena | Siam Omnoi Boxing Stadium | Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2015-12-04 | Loss | Petchrung Sitnayokkaipaedriew | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2015-11-14 | Win | Yodsaenkeng Jor.Nopparat | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2015-11-03 | Loss | Peemai Erawan | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2015-09-29 | Win | Peemai Erawan | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2015-06-30 | Win | Yodpayak Phor.Jaroenpeth | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2015-03-02 | Loss | Gingsanglek Tor.Laksong | Rajadamnern Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 2015-01-11 | Win | Kompai Sor.Jullasen | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | KO | 4 | ||
| 2014-10-24 | Win | Phetbansen Sor.Jor.Lekmuangnont | Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes | ||||||||