Muay thai is recognized as a crucial part of any MMA fighters game.
Who are the best exponents of muay thai in MMA and the UFC today?
In my opinion they are (in no particular rank or order):
- Joanna Jedrzejczyk
- Loma Lookboonme
- Valentina Scehvchenko
- Joanne Calderwood
- Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke
- Stamp Fairtex
Several MMA and UFC fighters have had major success coming from a background and foundation in muay thai.
But who are the best and highest level muay thai fighters in MMA today?
What are their acehivements in muay thai that justify them being called the best muay thai fighters in MMA?
What are the main factors that qualify the fighter son this last to be labelled as having the ‘best muay thai in MMA’?
In one word, ‘titles’.
Before taking up MMA each of these fighters have amassed wins and titles in muay thai in the most prestogous compeitions and tournaments including, WBC, ISKA, WMC, IFMA and the most prestigous muay thai title of all – Lumpinee Stadium Champion.
These are 5 of the best and highest level muay thai fighters in MMA and the UFC.
1. Joanna Jedrzejczyk
At the top of the list is one of the most exciting fighters in the UFC, Joanna Jedrzejczyk AKA Joanna Champion.
Joanna is currently fights in the women’s flyweight and Straweight divisions of the UFC.
Jedrejczyk is the former UFC Women’s Straweight World Champion.
She is currently ranked #4 in the Women’s Straweight division of the UFC.
Joanna’s Muay Thai
Apart from the Kickboxing titles Joanna has won she is also:
- 6 x IFMA World Champion (2008-13)
- 4 x IFMA European Champion
- World Muay Thai Council (WMC) & EMF European Champion
2. Loma Lookboonmee
One of the highest level muay thai fighters currently signed to the UFC is female nak muay, Loma Lookboonmee.
Lomas Muay Thai Record
- 2018 IFMA World Champion
- 2016 Asian Beach Games Gold Medalist
Before transitioning to MMA, Loma gained fame as a very young fighter by taking on and beating young boys in the muay thai ring.
In the muay thai world, Loma was recognized for her very strong clinch game and high fight IQ.
In 2017 she lost out in the finals of the IFMA Chmapionship and won easily in 2018.
Loma in the UFC – History Created
After moving to MMA Loma’s focus was to fight in the UFC and she became the first Thai national to be signed with the UFC in 2019.
She made a winning debut in the UFC in 2019 at UFC Fight Night 162 defeating Aleksandra Albu by split decision.
3. Joanna Calderwood
Joanna is currently ranked #3 in the UFC Women’s Flyweight rankings.
She is the first Scottish professional women’s Mixed martial artist.
She has won world titles in muay thai and has a pro MMA record of 14-4-0.
Joanne fisrt signed to the UFC in 2013 to compete on season 20 of the Ultimate Fighter.
She lost in the QF rounds to Rose Namajunas by submission in Round 2. This fight won Fight of the Season TUF 20.
Joanna’s Muay Thai
Calderwood started in Muay Thai in 2000.
Joanne has won the ISKA World Flyweight Title, IKF European Flyweight title, the WKL European Flyweight title and the WBC UK Bantamweight title.
Sh was ranked #2 in the world by the World Professional Muay thai Federation.
Her final Muay Thai fight was in September 2012.
She finished her muay thai career with a record of 19-2-0.
4. Valentina Schevchenko
A former world champion in muay thai and kickboxing, Valentina has amassed an extensive record in muay thai and kickboxing before signing with the UFC.
Valentina is the current women’s UFC Flyweight champion.
She is currently ranked #11 overall in the UFC pound for pound rankings and is one of the best female fighters in the world today.
Valentina – Muay thai and kickboxing:
Between 2003 and 2015, Valentina fought and won more than 50 amateur/pro fights in muay thai, k-1 and kickboxing events.
She won 8 IFMA Gold MEdals between 2003 and 2014.
Apart from numerous kickboxing world titles Valentina was also World Muay Thai WMF champion, WMC female super lightweight champion and IFMA Royal World cup champion.
5. Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke
Hands down the highest level muay thai fighter urrently competing in MMA (outside of the UFC) is Dejarong.
Many people would agree that the highest level of muay thai championships is Lumpinee and Rajademnenrn titles in Thailand.
Dejarong was a 3 x Lumpinee Champion, solidifying his muay thai pedigree by winning at the very highest level.
Dejarong is the former ONE Straw weight world CHampion for MMA.
He fights under ONE today seeking to reclaim his World title.
After retiring from muay thai with over 300 fights and 3 Lumpinee stadium titles, DEjdamrong moved to Singapore to be a trainer at Evolve MMA.
Dejdamrong tried BJJ at Evolve MMA and soon after decided to take up MMA.
Dejdamrong claimed the ONE Strw weight title after 6 straight wins in MMA competition before he lost the belt in 2016.
As an active MMA fighter, Dejdamrong is arguably the best muay thai fighter/practitioner in MMA today.
Muay Thai Titles:
- 2 x Lumpinee Stadium 105 pounds chanpion
- 108 pounds Lumpinee Stadium champion
6. Stamp Fairtex
Stamp Fairtex has solid pedigree in muay thai which she uses in her MMA.
She is signed to ONE Championship and is the current ONE Championship 115 pound Muay Thai, Kickboxing and MMA Champion.
As a three sport champion, Stamp has ‘stamped’ her mark as one of the best female fighters in the world today.
Stamp Fairtex Muay Thai:
Stamp began training muay thai at 5 years old in Thailand. She has an unofficial record of 60 wins, 15 losses and 5 draws in muay thai.
Stamp created history in Thailand by becoming the first female athlete to be sponsored at the legendary Fairtex Camp in Pattaya, Thailand.
Other Notable Muay Thai Fighters in MMA
The fighters in this list are other notable fighters in MMA and the UFC with a muay thai background.
Antonina Schevchenko
Another female fighter and sister of current UFC Champion Valentina Scehvchecnko.
Antonina is a former WMC Muay Thai Champion and currently fights in the Women’s Flyweight Division of the UFC.
She is currently ranked #13 in the Womens UFC Flyweight Division.
Donald Cerrone
Cerrone is a sesoned, veteran of the UFC and recently surpassed GSP and Michael Bisping for the most wins in UFC history with 22.
Cerrone won a world muay thai belt early in his fighting career by winning the Dominion Warrior Light Heavyweight World Championship and the S-1 United States Championship in 2006.
With an extensive MMA record and a striking stlye that comes from his muay thai and kickboxing, Cerrone is one of the best muay thai fighters in MMA today and has been for some time.
