In addition to Muay Thai, Thongchai has also competed in pencak silat, where he has won the silver medal at the 2021 Southeast Asian Games in the 90–95 kg event and the bronze medal at the 2022 World Championship in the 85–90 kg event.
Biography and career
Thongchai Sitsongpeenong was born as Saranon Glompan in Nakhon Ratchasima in the northerneastern (Isan) region of Thailand on January 22, 1996. He had his first fight at the age of 11 in 2007.[2]
On June 7, 2013, Thongchai won the vacant Lumpinee Stadium title in the welterweight division (147 lbs).[3] His first fight outside of Thailand was on November 23, 2013, in Macau, China, against Eleha Nohi at 70 kg. Thongchai won after a three-round decision. His second fight outside of Thailand was on December 13, 2013, in Russia against Khayal Dzaniev. Dzaniev is one of the few fighters who have beaten Buakaw Banchamek, which happened in the TopKing World Series Semifinal Tournament. Thongchai defeated Dzaniev via technical knock out in the third round and won the WMC Intercontintental Super Welterweight Championship title at 154 lb.[4][5]
Thongchai lost in a highly controversial bout against Tobby Smith on January 3, 2014. It has been argued that he won rounds one and two, and it being a three-round fight, he should have won the bout.[6] His next international fight was in France on February 8, 2014. He won against Fabio Pinca after five rounds. He broke Pinca's arm, causing Pinca to not be able to fight for 15 months.[citation needed] Thongchai went on to fight at the IFMA World Championships tournament in Malaysia from May 4–9, 2014. He won gold in the 71 kg division.[7] Thongchai next fought Vong Noy in Cambodia, winning by second-round knock out on August 3, 2014.
Thongchai then fought for Top King World Series. On November 15, 2014, he fought for in Paris, France, winning a three-round decision against Samy Sana.[8] In 2015, he fought three more times in the Top King World Series. On July 28, he won via first round knock out against Collin Law.[9] On September 4, he won via first round knock out against Aydin Tuncay.[10] On October 17, he won via third round technical knock out against Adrien Rubis.[11]
