Tawanchai says he won't be ready to train for fights until next year

Tawanchai PK Saenchai, 27, the world's top Muay Thai fighter, will not compete at all this year due to injury. The Thai star has accepted his doctors' recommendation that he cannot resume fight training until next year.

Tawanchai suffered the setback at ONE Fight Night 137 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok on Dec. 19, when Chinese fighter Liu Mengyang, 23, landed repeated calf kicks to his right leg, dropping him for a TKO loss just 52 seconds into the first round.

Taken to hospital after the bout, Tawanchai was diagnosed with a leg fracture and underwent surgery that same month. He has since focused on his recovery, and last month was seen cheering on a teammate at a fight.

Tawanchai recently updated fans on his condition through social media. "I still cannot do high-intensity training," he said, adding that his doctors had told him he would not be cleared for fight training until next year.

Tawanchai holds a record of 134 wins and 32 losses. He has been widely praised as the finest light-heavyweight Nak Muay of his generation — a successor to Buakaw Banchamek, 44, who dominated K-1 MAX in the 2000s.

At the peak of his career in ONE Championship, the sport's premier promotion, Tawanchai now faces an absence of more than a year — a major blow during what should be his prime.

His resolve, however, remains intact. "As soon as I get clearance to train, I will sharpen my skills," he told ONE Championship. "I will definitely come back next year as a new man."