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.
[2][3][4]
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.[5] As an amateur mixed martial artist, he held a 5–1 record.
Prior to competing in ONE Championship, 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.[6]
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.[9]
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.[14][15]
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.[16]
In what would be the biggest fight of his career, Wiratchai faced former ONE Lightweight World Champion Shinya Aoki 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.[17]
Wiratchai faced former Muay Thai world champion Fabio Pinca, who will be making his mixed martial arts debut, at ONE Championship: No Surrender 3 on August 21, 2020.[24] He was able to snap his four-fight losing streak and went on to defeat Pinca by split decision.[25][26][27]
2023
After almost three years hiatus, Wiratchai faced Puriya Golpour on February 3, 2023, at ONE Friday Fights 3.[28] He won the fight by first-round technical knockout. The win earned him a USD$10,000 Performance of the Night bonus.[29]
Island Fighters League
Wiratchai is scheduled to face Shin Dong-guk on October 28, 2023, at Island Fighters League 2.[30]
Fighting style & MMA ventures
Outside of fighting, he is also an instructor of mixed martial arts and self-defense at the Bangkok Fight Lab.[31][32]
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, particularly baguazhang,[33] which he would practice at Lumphini Park. 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.[34][35][36] "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",[37] 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.[38] The event was streamed live on the Facebook page and YouTube channel of the Ignite Fight Club.[39][40] The second edition of the OneShin Cup was held on May 5, 2018.[41] The event was known for featuring future three-sport ONE Championship World Champion Stamp Fairtex.
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.[42] Wiratchai graduated from Chulalongkorn University Demonstration Secondary School. He then went on to complete his college education at Chulalongkorn University. Wiratchai speaks Thai, English and Mandarin Chinese.[43]
^ONE refers to their 145 lb division as Bantamweight, but per the Association of Boxing Commissions in the United States, 145 lbs is considered Featherweight.
^ONE refers to their 155 lb division as Featherweight, but per the Association of Boxing Commissions in the United States, 155 lbs is considered Lightweight.
^ONE refers to their 170 lb division as Lightweight, but per the Association of Boxing Commissions in the United States, 170 lbs is considered Welterweight.
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