“Building a new legacy is what drives me.” – July 7th at Yoyogi National Gymnasium.

On July 7th, at the National Yoyogi Stadium Second Gymnasium, Thailand’s Buakaw Banchamek, known as “The Timeless Thai Titan,” was selected as a wildcard for the K-1 WORLD MAX 2024 -70kg Finals. Buakaw is set to face “The Unsinkable” Stoyan Koprivlenski in the first round of the tournament. Even at 42, the Thai Titan remains a formidable force. We asked him about his views on participating in this historic event.

Buakaw, who clinched the K-1 WORLD MAX world tournament title in 2004 by defeating Masato and Takanori Gomi, and again in 2006 with victories over Yoshihiro Sato and Andy Souwer, took a three-year hiatus starting in 2019. His remarkable return to the ring began with an exhibition match against Kota Miura in August 2022, followed by a 1R KO victory under bare-knuckle rules in September, another exhibition match against Yoshihiro Sato in October, and a decision win over Saenchai in November under the same rules. In May 2023, he drew against Rukiya Anpo in a RIZIN fight, and in September, his bout against Yasuhiro Kido in RWS ended in a no-contest due to an accidental headbutt. In March 2024, returned to RIZIN to defeat Minoru “Philip” Kimura by 2R KO.

🎟️ Grab your PPV ticket now! 🥊✨July 7th(SUN) ✨Check your time 

▪️TrillerTV ｜https://www.trillertv.com/watch/k-1-world-max-2024-finals/2pf9e/

▪️K-1 WORLDWIDE PPV｜https://www.stream-ticket.com/events/detail/1419.html

Interview w/Buakaw:

――Has the way you train changed? You used to do some interesting things, like jumping into rivers or kicking trees.

“I still jump into rivers if there’s one around, and if I come across a banana tree, I might just kick it down if the mood strikes me.”

――What are your thoughts on the revival of K-1 WORLD MAX?

“I’ve kept my eye on K-1 over the years, and although it seemed to focus more on domestic events, I was surprised to see it go global again and host such large events. I was part of the history that built K-1, and building a new legacy is what drives me.”

――What kind of fight do you want to show the fans for your return to K-1?

“In the July tournament, I aim to deliver a spectacular performance, full of emotion−one that will thrill and excite K-1 fans!”

――Stoyan mentioned, ‘We must prove that the next generation of fighters is evolving, not just clinging to legends.’ What do you think about that?

“No doubt Stoyan believes that, and it could be the case, but the ultimate truth will be revealed in the ring. I want the fans to see that for themselves.”

🎟️ Grab your PPV ticket now! 🥊✨July 7th(SUN) ✨Check your time 

▪️TrillerTV ｜https://www.trillertv.com/watch/k-1-world-max-2024-finals/2pf9e/

▪️K-1 WORLDWIDE PPV｜https://www.stream-ticket.com/events/detail/1419.html