Yamin PK Saenchai’s Comeback Has Been Powered By His Idols
Yamin PK Saenchai once heard critics write off his career entirely. He returns determined to prove them wrong, fortified by three decorated fighters who know exactly what that kind of adversity feels like.
The 30-year-old makes his bantamweight kickboxing debut against Alexey Balyko in the co-main event of The Inner Circle 31, streaming for members from Bangkok’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium this Friday, September 18.
Yamin opened his ONE account with back-to-back stoppage wins before suffering consecutive knockout losses that invited harsh outside criticism. Support from former three-division Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Suakim Pongsuphan PK and newly minted bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri softened the blow.
“After back-to-back losses, the criticism from fans was pretty harsh. Some people even said my career was over and that I should just retire. But personally, I didn’t see it that way,” he said. “Seeing people close to me like Suakim, Yod-IQ, and Sam-A still performing at a high level kept my fire burning. I never once thought about hanging up the gloves.”
Watching Suakim upset former champion Nabil Anane and Yod-IQ claim the very title Yamin once dreamed of only sharpened that resolve.
“When Suakim fought Nabil, everyone thought it was a tough matchup for him, but I cheered him on with everything I had,” he said. “As for Yod-IQ, I’ve watched him since his ONE debut. Back then, he was slow and raw, but through pure dedication, he leveled up so fast and became a ONE World Champion.”
No relationship shapes this comeback more than his bond with former two-sport, two-division champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, who Yamin served as chief training partner for at Evolve MMA throughout his time away from competition.
“Throughout that time, fighting was always on my mind. Whenever Sam-A was prepping for a fight, I’d spar with him, which made me crave getting back into the ring even more,” he said. “I had a full two-month camp. Even though I was away for almost a year, I feel my physical condition is actually better than before because I trained at full intensity.”
With well over 114 professional fights on his résumé, Yamin does not see age as a limiting factor heading into unfamiliar territory.
“I still have plenty of fight left in me. Turning 30 used to mean the end of a fighter’s career, but modern sports science extends our longevity. Look at Sam-A and Nong-O. They’re still strong and competing at the highest level without issue. I should be around for a long time.”
READ MORE: Two Veterans Look To Halt Their Slides At ONE Fight Night 48
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