Buakaw is a Muay Thai fighter from Surin who has several championship belts and became a two-time K1 max champion (04 and 06). Known for his powerful kicks and knees, Buakaw usually wears down his opponent with a barrage of non-stop strikes. He has also defeated many opponents with his outstanding clinching skills. It should be noted that K1 does not allow the use of elbows. And due to his masterful use of the clinch, K1 rules have been modified even further to eliminate the use of clinching. Watching all his fights leading up to the establishment of these new regulations, it seems that it was created to allow his opponents to have a chance at competing against him without having to worry about his relentless knees. Since the new ruling, the referee makes sure that Buakaw does not stay in clinch-mode whatsoever. Yet, despite this handicap, Buakaw remains a force to be reckoned with, recognized all over as one of the most exciting fighters to watch and one of the most talented to ever compete in K1. Although in Thailand, he’s just like one of the guys who enjoys the simple pleasures like buying fruits from the local street vendor and watching the fights at Lumpini. And to think that in Japan everybody knows his name.