Shannon Wiratchai (; born November 14, 1988) is a Thai

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...

who competes in the

Featherweight Featherweight is a weight class in the combat sports of boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, and Greco-Roman wrestling. Boxing Professional boxing History A featherweight boxer weighs in at a limit of . In the early days of the division, ...

division. He was last signed to

ONE Championship ONE Championship, formerly ONE Fighting Championship (ONE FC) until January 2015, is a Multinational corporation, multinational combat sports Promoter (entertainment), promotion founded on 14 July 2011 by Chatri Sityodtong and Victor Cui. Origi ...

, where he also previously competed as a

Lightweight Lightweight is a weight class in combat sports and rowing (sport), rowing. Boxing Professional boxing The lightweight division is over 130 pounds (59 kilograms) and up to 135 pounds (61.2 kilograms) boxing weight classes, weight class in the spor ...

. Wiratchai is a pioneer of mixed martial arts in Thailand, having made his professional debut in 2011. He is also known for his striking ability, holding the organization's record for the second-most knockouts in the ONE lightweight division, as well as the organization's second-fastest finish in lightweight history.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Shannon Wiratchai first competed in the amateur level of MMA, fighting for the NAKSU tournament. After only making it to the semi-finals in his first year in 2009, Wiratchai would eventually win the 2010 NAKSU amateur tournament in the 75 kg class. As an amateur mixed martial artist, he held a 5–1 record. Prior to competing in

, Wiratchai began his career at DARE Championship–at the time the only MMA promotion in Thailand–held at Club Insomnia in Bangkok from 2011 to 2012, where he went an undefeated 2–0.

ONE Championship

2012

Shannon Wiratchai eventually signed with ONE Championship (then known as ONE Fighting Championship) and made his debut at '' ONE Fighting Championship: Pride of a Nation'' on August 31, 2012, facing Mitch Chilson. However, the fight was ruled a no contest when it was ruled that Shannon Wiratchai threw illegal soccer kicks, reversing what was originally a TKO win for Wiratchai.

2013

His next opponent was Bashir Ahmad, whom he faced at '' ONE Fighting Championship: Kings and Champions''. Despite going the distance, Wiratchai lost by unanimous decision. However, he would bounce back in his rematch with Mitch Chilson at '' ONE Fighting Championship: Total Domination'' on October 18, 2013. This time, he won with a first-round TKO via soccer kicks and punches.

2015

After a period of inactivity the entirety of 2014, Shannon Wiratchai made his return on May 22, 2015 at '' ONE Championship: Warrior's Quest'', where he faced Amir Khan. He would win the fight by split decision.

2016

He then picked up his first submission win with a rear naked choke victory over Kyal Linn Aung in the first round at '' ONE Championship: Kingdom of Champions'' on May 27, 2016. At '' ONE Championship: Unbreakable Warriors'', Wiratchai defeated Peter Davis by TKO via punches in the second round.

2017

At '' ONE Championship: Warrior Kingdom'' on March 11, 2017, Shannon Wiratchai defeated Richard Corminal by first-round knockout in his

debut. He followed up with a 29-second, first-round knockout victory over Rajinder Singh Meena at '' ONE Championship: Kings and Conquerors'' on August 5, 2017. However, Wiratchai's six-fight winning streak would come to an end at '' ONE Championship: Warriors of the World'' on December 9, 2017, where he lost to Rasul Yakhyaev by unanimous decision in a lightweight world title eliminator.

2018

He managed to score a 21-second, first-round knockout victory over Rahul Raju at '' ONE Championship: Iron Will'', recording the second-fastest knockout in ONE lightweight history. In what would be the biggest fight of his career, Wiratchai faced former ONE Lightweight World Champion

Shinya Aoki is a Japanese mixed martial artist, professional wrestler and grappler competing in ONE Championship's Welterweight division. He also competes in DDT Pro-Wrestling where he is a former three-time DDT Extreme Champion. A professional competit ...

at '' ONE Championship: Reign of Kings'' on July 27, 2018. He would lose by TKO due to ground and pound, marking the first time he was finished.

2019

At '' ONE Championship: Clash of Legends'' on February 16, 2019, Wiratchai lost to Amarsanaa Tsogookhuu by unanimous decision. He would be handed the first submission loss of his career via rear naked choke against Iuri Lapicus at '' ONE Championship: Enter the Dragon'' on May 17, 2019.

2020

Shannon Wiratchai faced former ONE Featherweight World Champion Honorio Banario at '' ONE Championship: King of the Jungle'' on February 28, 2020. The fight will mark as both athletes' return to

. Wiratchai lost to Banario by split decision. Wiratchai faced former

Muay Thai Muay Thai or Muaythai (, , ), sometimes referred to as Thai boxing, the Art of Eight Limbs or the Science of Eight Limbs, is a Thai martial art and full-contact combat sport that uses stand-up striking, sweeps, and various clinch fighting, cl ...

world champion

Fabio Pinca Fabio Pinca (born June 14, 1984) is an Italian-French Muay Thai kickboxer and mixed martial artist. Pinca is currently signed to ONE Championship. In 2010, Pinca became the first winner of the annual Thai Fight tournament. Biography Fabio Pin ...

, who will be making his mixed martial arts debut, at '' ONE Championship: No Surrender 3'' on August 21, 2020. He was able to snap his four-fight losing streak and went on to defeat Pinca by split decision.

2023

After almost three years hiatus, Wiratchai faced Puriya Golpour on February 3, 2023, at ONE Friday Fights 3. He won the fight by first-round technical knockout. The win earned him a

USD The United States dollar (symbol: $; currency code: USD) is the official currency of the United States and several other countries. The Coinage Act of 1792 introduced the U.S. dollar at par with the Spanish silver dollar, divided it int ...

$10,000 '' Performance of the Night'' bonus.

Island Fighters League

Wiratchai is scheduled to face Shin Dong-guk on October 28, 2023, at Island Fighters League 2.

Fighting style & MMA ventures

Outside of fighting, he is also an instructor of mixed martial arts and self-defense at the Bangkok Fight Lab. He took up judo lessons at the age of 8, which helped build his foundation in mixed martial arts. Later on, he also developed a keen interest for

Chinese martial arts Chinese martial arts, commonly referred to with umbrella terms Kung fu (term), kung fu (; ), kuoshu () or wushu (sport), wushu (), are Styles of Chinese martial arts, multiple fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in Greater Ch ...

, particularly

baguazhang ''Baguazhang'' () is one of the three main Chinese martial arts of the '' Wudang'' school, the other two being tai chi and '' xingyiquan''. It is more broadly grouped as an internal practice (or ''neijia''). ''Baguazhang'' literally means "eigh ...

, which he would practice at

Lumphini Park Lumphini Park (, , ), also Lumpini or Lumpinee, is a 360 Rai (area), rai () park in Bangkok, Thailand. The park offers rare open public space, trees and playgrounds in the Thai capital and contains an artificial lake where visitors can rent ...

. Wiratchai has termed his own fighting style the "OneShin Striking System", which is based on "attacking opponents who leave themselves vulnerable". According to Wiratchai, the "OneShin Striking System" incorporates the basics of the striking arts he's learned. It also focuses on five core principles: balance, range, angle, rhythm and execution. "My main style is more like an unpredictable striking style," Wiratchai has said, elaborating on his style, "Then I refine my striking with more boxing knowledge. I think my most dangerous weapon may be my right hook. The thing that makes my right hook so strong is because I got no form. I'm just thinking about how to land my hand on the target: How I'm setting up, how I'm moving, how I find the angle, how I move to the goal." While mostly based on striking, this style also incorporates elements of judo and kung fu. When he turned pro in MMA, he later applied elements of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai, boxing and wrestling into his style. Outside of fundamental striking, Wiratchai mostly trains in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and wrestling, holding a black belt in judo and a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

OneShin Cup

On September 9, 2017, Shannon Wiratchai hosted the "OneShin Cup", an amateur mixed martial arts tournament. Wiratchai created the tournament with purpose of establishing more awareness surrounding the sport of MMA in Thailand, as well as developing Thai mixed martial artists so that they would be capable of competing at an international level. The event was streamed live on the Facebook page and YouTube channel of the Ignite Fight Club. The second edition of the OneShin Cup was held on May 5, 2018. The event was known for featuring future three-sport

World Champion

Stamp Fairtex Nadthawan Panthong (, born November 16, 1997), known professionally as Stamp Fairtex (), is a Muay Thai kickboxer and mixed martial artist from Thailand. She is currently signed to ONE Championship, where she is the former ONE Women's Atomweigh ...

Fighting Frenchie

On July 24, 2023, Wiratchai announced the release of his fight equipment brand ''Fighting Frenchie'', which initially consisted of 7oz MMA sparring gloves. In September 27 of the same year, the brand would also release rashguards and shorts.

Personal life

Unlike most Thai fighters, Shannon Wiratchai comes from a well-to-do background. His father is a doctor and his mother is a nurse, both of them working at the

King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH, ; ) is a public general and tertiary referral hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. It is operated by the Thai Red Cross Society, and serves as the teaching hospital for the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn U ...

. Wiratchai graduated from Chulalongkorn University Demonstration Secondary School. He then went on to complete his college education at

Bangkok University Bangkok University (BU; ; ), commonly known as Mo Krung Thep (), has operated since 1962, is one of the oldest and largest private, non-profit universities in Thailand. Bangkok University began in the Kluay Nam Thai area of Bangkok. The unive ...

. Wiratchai speaks Thai,

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Culture, language and peoples * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England * ''English'', an Amish ter ...

and

Mandarin Chinese Mandarin ( ; zh, s=, t=, p=Guānhuà, l=Mandarin (bureaucrat), officials' speech) is the largest branch of the Sinitic languages. Mandarin varieties are spoken by 70 percent of all Chinese speakers over a large geographical area that stretch ...

. Until 2019, Shannon Wiratchai had been dating Tiger Muay Thai teammate and fellow mixed martial artist Rika Ishige, who competes in ONE Championship's atomweight division. The two have fought on the same card five times: ONE Championship: Warrior Kingdom on March 11, 2017 in Bangkok, ONE Championship: Kings and Conquerors on August 5, 2017 in Macau, ONE Championship: Warriors of the World on December 9, 2017 in Bangkok, ONE Championship: Iron Will on March 24, 2018 in Bangkok, and ONE Championship: Clash of Legends on February 16, 2019 in Bangkok. Wiratchai and Ishige have been referred to as "Thailand's martial arts power couple". In 2020, he began dating American-Indonesian yoga instructor Fay Lee Thung. The two married on October 7, 2022.

Titles & accomplishments

*NAKSU **2010 NAKSU Amateur Tournament 75 kg Champion *

** Performance of the Night (One time) **2nd-most knockouts in ONE Lightweight history (4) **2nd-fastest knockout in ONE Lightweight history (0:21)

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Loss , align=center, 11–7 (1) , Shin Dong-guk , TKO (submission to punches) , Island Fighters League 2 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:57 ,

Bali Bali (English:; Balinese language, Balinese: ) is a Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. East of Java and west of Lombok, the province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller o ...

, Indonesia , , - , Win , align=center, , Puriya Golpour , TKO (punches and elbows) , ONE Friday Fights 3 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 4:33 ,

Bangkok Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estim ...

, Thailand , , - , Win , align=center, 10–6 (1) ,

, Decision (split) , ONE: No Surrender 3 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Thailand , , - , Loss , align=center, 9–6 (1) , Honorio Banario , Decision (split) , ONE: King of the Jungle , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Kallang Kallang ( ) is a Planning Areas of Singapore, planning area and New towns of Singapore, residential zone located in the Central Region, Singapore, Central Region of Singapore. Development of the town is centered around the Kallang River, the l ...

, Singapore , , - , Loss , align=center, 9–5 (1) , Iuri Lapicus , Submission (rear-naked choke) , ONE: Enter the Dragon , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 3:10 ,

, Singapore , , - , Loss , align=center, 9–4 (1) , Amarsanaa Tsogookhuu , Decision (unanimous) , ONE: Clash of Legends , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Thailand , , - , Loss , align=center, 9–3 (1) ,

, TKO (elbows) , ONE: Reign of Kings , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:16 ,

Pasay Pasay, officially the City of Pasay (; ), is a Cities of the Philippines#Legal classification, highly urbanized city in the Metro Manila, National Capital Region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Philippine census, 2020 census, it has a ...

, Philippines , , - , Win , align=center, 9–2 (1) , Rahul Raju , KO (punch) , ONE: Iron Will , , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:21 ,

, Thailand , , - , Loss , align=center, 8–2 (1) , Rasul Yakhyaev , Decision (unanimous) , ONE: Warriors of the World , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Thailand , , - , Win , align=center, 8–1 (1) , Rajinder Singh Meena , TKO (knee and punches) , ONE: Kings and Conquerors , , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:29 ,

Macau Macau or Macao is a special administrative regions of China, special administrative region of the People's Republic of China (PRC). With a population of about people and a land area of , it is the most List of countries and dependencies by p ...

, SAR, China , , - , Win , align=center, 7–1 (1) , Richard Corminal , KO (flying knee and punch) , ONE: Warrior Kingdom , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:37 ,

, Thailand , , - , Win , align=center, 6–1 (1) , Peter Davis , TKO (knee and punches) , ONE: Unbreakable Warriors , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 3:32 ,

Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur (KL), officially the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, is the capital city and a Federal Territories of Malaysia, federal territory of Malaysia. It is the largest city in the country, covering an area of with a census population ...

, Malaysia , , - , Win , align=center, 5–1 (1) , Kyal Linn Aung , Submission (rear-naked choke) , ONE: Kingdom of Champions , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:17 ,

, Thailand , , - , Win , align=center, 4–1 (1) , Amir Khan , Decision (split) , ONE: Warrior's Quest , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Singapore , , - , Win , align=center, 3–1 (1) , Mitch Chilson , KO (soccer kicks and punches) , ONE FC: Total Domination , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:52 ,

, Singapore , , - , Loss , align=center, 2–1 (1) , Bashir Ahmad , Decision (unanimous) , ONE FC: Kings and Champions , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Singapore , , - , NC , align=center, 2–0 (1) , Mitch Chilson , NC (illegal soccer kick) , ONE FC: Pride of a Nation , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 2:03 ,

Quezon City Quezon City (, ; ), also known as the City of Quezon and Q.C. (read and pronounced in Filipino language, Filipino as Kyusi), is the richest and List of cities in the Philippines, most populous city in the Philippines. According to the 2020 c ...

, Philippines , , - , Win , align=center, 2–0 , Tondamrong Panjabutra , Submission (rear-naked choke) , DARE 2/12 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:00 ,

, Thailand , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , D.K. Panjabutra , Decision (unanimous) , DARE 2/11 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, Thailand , , -

References

Notes

External links

*
Shannon Wiratchai
at

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wiratchai, Shannon 1988 births Living people Lightweight mixed martial artists Featherweight mixed martial artists Shannon Wiratchai Shannon Wiratchai Shannon Wiratchai Shannon Wiratchai Shannon Wiratchai Shannon Wiratchai Mixed martial artists utilizing Baguazhang Mixed martial artists utilizing judo Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu ONE Championship mixed martial artists Shannon Wiratchai