10 Fighters Famous for Their Elbow Strikes

In combat sports, few weapons are as feared as the elbow strike. Short, sharp, and devastating, elbows can instantly change the course of a fight—causing deep cuts, breaking an opponent’s rhythm, or even securing a knockout. In Muay Thai, they’re a signature weapon; in MMA, they can be a fight-ending surprise.

Fighters Famous for Their Elbow Strikes

Fighter	Country	Discipline	Signature Elbow	Notable Trait
Saenchai	Thailand	Muay Thai	Step-in diagonal elbow	Creative angles
Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn	Thailand	Muay Thai	Horizontal clinch elbow	Clinch control
Yodkhunpon Sittraiphum	Thailand	Muay Thai	Downward elbow	Precision cuts
Nong-O Hama	Thailand	Muay Thai	Step-in slicing elbow	Power & accuracy
Rodtang Jitmuangnon	Thailand	Muay Thai	Spinning back elbow	Relentless pressure
Samart Payakaroon	Thailand	Muay Thai	Counter horizontal elbow	Perfect timing
Anderson Silva	Brazil	MMA	Reverse back elbow	Creativity
Jon Jones	USA	MMA	Spinning back elbow	Versatility
Buakaw Banchamek	Thailand	Muay Thai	Jumping elbow	Surprise attacks
Tawanchai P.K.Saenchai	Thailand	Muay Thai	Lead hand slicing elbow	Technical speed

This list of Fighters Famous for Their Elbow Strikes includes Muay Thai legends and MMA champions who have perfected the art of using elbows as both a defensive tool and an offensive powerhouse.

1. Saenchai (Thailand)

Discipline: Muay Thai
Style: Technical, unorthodox, creative
Signature Elbow: Step-in diagonal elbow

Among the Fighters Famous for Their Elbow Strikes, Saenchai stands out as one of the most creative and unpredictable in history. Known for his fluid movement, trickery, and seemingly impossible angles, he integrates elbows into his arsenal with precision. His step-in diagonal elbow has opened up countless opponents, often delivered mid-combination when least expected. Beyond just power, Saenchai’s mastery lies in the timing—slipping past guards and landing with pinpoint accuracy.

2. Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn (Thailand)

Discipline: Muay Thai
Style: Clinch specialist, relentless pressure
Signature Elbow: Horizontal clinch elbow

While many remember Dieselnoi for his towering knees, his place among the Fighters Famous for Their Elbow Strikes is secured by his ability to devastate opponents in the clinch. His horizontal elbows were perfectly blended into his suffocating close-range game, cutting fighters while holding them in place. Dieselnoi’s combination of height, reach, and inside elbow attacks made him nearly impossible to escape once he closed the distance.

3. Yodkhunpon Sittraiphum (Thailand) – “The Elbow Hunter of 100 Stitches”

Discipline: Muay Thai
Style: Aggressive, close-range
Signature Elbow: Downward elbow strike

If there’s one name that defines the phrase Fighters Famous for Their Elbow Strikes, it’s Yodkhunpon Sittraiphum. His nickname came from the number of stitches his opponents needed after facing him. Known for aggressive forward pressure, Yodkhunpon used downward elbows with surgical accuracy, often ending fights due to cuts rather than knockouts. He turned the elbow into a scalpel, carving his way into Muay Thai history.

4. Nong-O Hama (Thailand)

Discipline: Muay Thai
Style: Technical power striker
Signature Elbow: Step-in slicing elbow

As one of the most respected names in modern Muay Thai, Nong-O is without doubt one of the Fighters Famous for Their Elbow Strikes in the ONE Championship era. His step-in slicing elbow is perfectly disguised behind jabs or body shots, catching opponents completely off guard. Nong-O’s elbows are a reflection of his fighting IQ—used sparingly but always at the perfect moment for maximum effect.

5. Rodtang Jitmuangnon (Thailand) – “The Iron Man”

Discipline: Muay Thai
Style: Aggressive brawler with elite durability
Signature Elbow: Spinning back elbow

Known for his granite chin and unrelenting forward march, Rodtang has earned his place among the Fighters Famous for Their Elbow Strikes through sheer brutality. His spinning back elbow, often thrown after body punches or knees, has become a fan favorite. Rodtang uses elbows not just for damage but also for intimidation—walking down opponents and making them second-guess every exchange.

6. Samart Payakaroon (Thailand) – “The Muhammad Ali of Muay Thai”

Discipline: Muay Thai & Boxing
Style: Elegant, defensive, precise
Signature Elbow: Counter horizontal elbow

Samart’s artistry places him firmly among the most elegant Fighters Famous for Their Elbow Strikes. His counter horizontal elbow is a masterclass in timing—waiting for an opponent’s committed attack before slipping and delivering a clean, fight-altering strike. His elbows were never wild; they were sharp, calculated, and perfectly integrated into his defensive style.

7. Anderson Silva (Brazil) – MMA Legend

Discipline: MMA (Muay Thai base)
Style: Counter striker, creative
Signature Elbow: Reverse back elbow

In the UFC, Anderson Silva’s Muay Thai-inspired clinch made him one of the Fighters Famous for Their Elbow Strikes outside of Thailand. One of his most memorable moments came against Tony Fryklund when Silva delivered a reverse back elbow that left fans and analysts stunned. His use of elbows inside the clinch set up devastating knees, making him a nightmare for anyone in close quarters.

8. Jon Jones (USA) – UFC Champion

Discipline: MMA
Style: Unorthodox, versatile, rangy
Signature Elbow: Spinning back elbow

As one of the most dominant UFC champions ever, Jon Jones is undoubtedly among the Fighters Famous for Their Elbow Strikes in MMA history. His spinning back elbow has landed on numerous elite opponents, and his use of elbows in ground-and-pound situations is equally dangerous. Jones’ ability to deliver elbows from unusual angles makes him unpredictable and extremely difficult to defend against.

9. Buakaw Banchamek (Thailand)

Discipline: Muay Thai & Kickboxing
Style: Explosive, powerful, crowd-pleasing
Signature Elbow: Jumping elbow strike

Buakaw’s reputation as a global Muay Thai ambassador doesn’t just come from his kicks and knees—he is also one of the Fighters Famous for Their Elbow Strikes. In close exchanges, Buakaw will surprise opponents with a sudden jumping elbow, often following it with a knee to the body or head. His elbows may not be as frequent as his other weapons, but when they land, they’re fight-changing.

10. Tawanchai P.K.Saenchai (Thailand)

Discipline: Muay Thai
Style: Technical, powerful southpaw
Signature Elbow: Lead hand slicing elbow

As a young but already dominant champion, Tawanchai represents the new generation of Fighters Famous for Their Elbow Strikes. His lead hand slicing elbow is executed with lightning speed, often after a feint or step-in. Tawanchai uses elbows both offensively and defensively, ensuring that opponents think twice before entering his range.

Why Elbows Are So Effective

Across all Fighters Famous for Their Elbow Strikes, the common thread is their mastery of range, timing, and precision. Elbows can be thrown in horizontal, upward, downward, or spinning variations, and they’re especially effective in breaking guard defenses or causing cuts that force stoppages. In Muay Thai, elbows are a traditional art form; in MMA, they’re a tactical weapon that can finish fights instantly.

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