In ONE Championship, elbows are among the most lethal weapons in Muay Thai. A perfectly timed strike can instantly shift momentum, score a knockout, or force a stoppage. Some ONE Championship Muay Thai Fighters have mastered this skill, combining precision, timing, and power to dominate their opponents and leave a lasting impact in the ring.
Table of Contents
Here are five ONE Championship Muay Thai Fighters whose elbows make them exceptionally dangerous inside the Circle.
1. Smilla Sundell
Smilla Sundell, nicknamed “The Hurricane,” is a 17-year-old Swedish prodigy in the Women’s Strawweight division. Her long reach and speed allow her to land devastating elbows from both open striking and the clinch. In her ONE debut against Diandra Martin, Sundell used jabs, straight punches, and elbows to overwhelm her opponent, earning a TKO victory. She now faces Jackie Buntan in the fight for the inaugural ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Championship.
Why She’s Dangerous:
- Uses long-range strikes to control distance
- Clinch elbows with precise timing
- Mixes punches and close-range elbows to break defenses
Key Achievements & Techniques (Landscape Table):
| Fighter | Age | Nationality | Division | Key Wins | Signature Elbow Techniques | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smilla Sundell | 17 | Sweden | Women’s Strawweight | TKO win over Diandra Martin (ONE debut) | Upward, horizontal, and downward elbows from clinch | Timing, precision, distance control |
2. Muangthai PK.Saenchai
Known as the “Elbow Zombie,” Muangthai PK.Saenchai is 28 and one of Thailand’s most feared strikers. He excels at closing distance, trapping opponents against ropes or the cage, and landing fight-ending elbows. At ONE 156, he faces Liam “Hitman” Harrison, where his elbows will play a pivotal role against the Englishman’s kicks and punches.
Why He’s Dangerous:
- Over 15 career knockouts with elbows
- Intercepts strikes using diagonal and downward elbows
- Aggressive forward pressure with effective clinch control
Key Achievements & Techniques (Landscape Table):
| Fighter | Age | Nationality | Division | Key Wins | Signature Elbow Techniques | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muangthai PK.Saenchai | 28 | Thailand | Bantamweight | Wins over Panpayak Jitmuangnon, Panicos Yusuf | Diagonal, backward, and downward elbows | Aggression, timing, clinch control |
3. Rittewada Petchyindee
Rittewada Petchyindee, a Lumpinee Muay Thai World Champion, ranks among the top bantamweight ONE Championship Muay Thai Fighters. He is known for landing fight-ending elbows from the clinch and exploiting openings with horizontal and diagonal strikes. His TKO over Saemapetch Fairtex in November 2021 showcased his deadly precision and tactical intelligence.
Why He’s Dangerous:
- Precise, fight-ending elbows
- Strong clinch control and countering ability
- Can finish fights quickly, often in the second round
Key Achievements & Techniques (Landscape Table):
| Fighter | Age | Nationality | Division | Key Wins | Signature Elbow Techniques | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rittewada Petchyindee | – | Thailand | Bantamweight | TKO win over Saemapetch Fairtex | Horizontal, diagonal, and backward elbows from clinch | Precision, clinch control, fight-finishing ability |
4. Alma Juniku
Alma Juniku, an Australian Atomweight fighter, is one of the most tactical and resilient ONE Championship Muay Thai Fighters. Her elbows are placed with pinpoint accuracy, exploiting opponent mistakes throughout the fight. She faced Stamp Fairtex for the ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title, demonstrating her dangerous elbow strikes and mental toughness over five rounds.
Why She’s Dangerous:
- Excellent timing to capitalize on opponent movements
- Downward and diagonal elbows to head and temple
- Maintains offensive threat over full five-round contests
Key Achievements & Techniques (Landscape Table):
| Fighter | Age | Nationality | Division | Key Wins | Signature Elbow Techniques | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alma Juniku | – | Australia | Atomweight | Challenged Stamp Fairtex for ONE Title | Downward, diagonal, and backward elbows | Timing, endurance, precision under pressure |
5. Jonathan Haggerty
Jonathan Haggerty, nicknamed “The General,” is an English Flyweight Muay Thai fighter and former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion. Haggerty is a master of counter-elbows, using baiting and backward movement to create openings. His victory over Sam-A Gaiyanghadao in 2019, primarily with downward elbows, remains one of the biggest upsets in ONE history.
Why He’s Dangerous:
- Elite counter-elbow strategist
- Uses backward movement to lure opponents into strikes
- Maintains composure in high-pressure situations
Key Achievements & Techniques (Landscape Table):
| Fighter | Age | Nationality | Division | Key Wins | Signature Elbow Techniques | Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Haggerty | – | England | Flyweight | Defeated Sam-A Gaiyanghadao (2019) | Downward, backward, and diagonal elbows | Patience, precision, tactical intelligenc |
Comparing Elbow Specialists – ONE Championship Muay Thai Fighters
Elite ONE Championship Muay Thai Fighters are often defined by their elbow precision, clinch control, and fight-ending abilities. This table compares the top 5 fighters renowned for their devastating elbows, giving fans and analysts a clear perspective on their strengths.
| Rank | Fighter | Knockouts by Elbow | Most Effective Elbow Type | Clinch Control Rating | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Haggerty | 10+ | Downward | 9/10 | Defeated Sam-A Gaiyanghadao (ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title, 2019) |
| 2 | Muangthai PK.Saenchai | 15+ | Horizontal / Spinning | 8.5/10 | Multiple KO wins; ONE Super Series victories |
| 3 | Rittewada Petchyindee | 7+ | Diagonal / Upward | 8/10 | TKO over Saemapetch Fairtex; #2-ranked bantamweight |
| 4 | Smilla Sundell | 4+ | Downward & Straight | 7.5/10 | TKO debut vs Diandra Martin; Strawweight contender |
| 5 | Alma Juniku | 3+ | Short Range / Close | 7/10 | Challenged Stamp Fairtex for Atomweight Title |
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FAQs – ONE Championship Muay Thai Fighters
Who are the most dangerous elbow specialists in ONE Championship Muay Thai Fighters?
Jonathan Haggerty, Muangthai PK.Saenchai, Rittewada Petchyindee, Smilla Sundell, and Alma Juniku are considered the top elbow specialists due to their precision, timing, and clinch control.
2.Why are elbows so deadly in Muay Thai?
Fast, short-range strikes that can knock out, cut, or stop opponents quickly.
3.Which fighters rely most on elbows for victories?
Muangthai PK.Saenchai and Jonathan Haggerty lead in elbow KOs.
4.How do younger fighters stand out?
Sundell and Juniku combine speed, precision, and clever timing to surprise opponents.
5.Are elbows effective across all divisions?
Yes, both men’s and women’s fighters use elbows successfully for knockouts and titles.