I typically avoid posting on fantasy fights, they tend to devolve quickly into flaming and lots of name calling. Many thanks to Jofeljoh, the moderator of the Kakutougi forums for linking to it.

It’s an interview Dekkers did with an Irish paper; you can read the full article here. For those of you who are Nak Muay’s and don’t know who I’m talking about you should be ashamed. For those of you who are new to Muay Thai, you can watch his HL video here. There is a reason his nickname was “Turbine from Hell”, the guy is about as bad ass as they come.
Anyway, here’s the quote:
“Buakaw is celebrated as one of the greatest fighters of recent times, and while Dekkers rates the Thai highly, he feels that he went up against better: “I don’t think [Buakaw] is as good as some of the fighters I’ve fought. I think I would have beaten him.”
I have to say I agree with Dekkers, I think young Dekkers would have soundly beaten Buakaw. I know a lot of you are going to jump on me, I’m okay with it, I’m not going to make it a point to start these useless debates, but I would like to see what you guys think.
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.


















41 responses so far ↓
1 pac // Nov 5, 2007 at 1:13 am
i go for dekkers win by decision, if da best of buakaw vs. da best of dekkers, it will be one of the best fights in history…
2 Josh // Nov 5, 2007 at 1:36 am
I think Dekkers would win, but I don’t think he would “soundly beat” him. I train with Coban who, naturally, gives Dekkers props…but not too much props.
3 Junior_jack // Nov 5, 2007 at 2:31 am
I think Dekkers will winn under Muay Thai rules and maybe a draw under K-1 rules… but who thinks about them
so my bet would be Dekkers by decision! (sorry buakaw :()
4 Khannie // Nov 5, 2007 at 3:18 am
I’m Irish, so had read that article before (it was discussed on Irish message boards). Good article. Good idea to post the poll here too. Dekkers is an absolute ANIMAL. Oddly, he’s not that well known in Holland (where he was born and lives), but couldn’t walk down the street in Thailand without getting mobbed.
BTW…That highlight video you linked to is gone
There’s another one available at:
http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=M3R4xtjl5b4
5 Yaksha // Nov 5, 2007 at 3:36 am
Dekker by KO. Left hook of course
6 spydaman // Nov 5, 2007 at 8:48 am
Aiight…A lotta u know me as the president of BNHA (Buakaw Nuthuggin’ association) but I have a reasonning as to why I don’t think (prime) Dekker would win a Pure Thai fight vs (prime) Buakaw.
If any of you guys have ever followed Dekker carreer, the man himself said on plenty occasions that in order for him to win in Thailand, he would have to KO his opponent, because Thai people judge Bouts differently than foreigners (ie. elbows, kicks and Knees score way more than punches) and even though Dekker low kicks were lethal, his punches were his bread and butter.
With that said, Buakaw has never been KOed in his carreer, I don’t think Dekker can KO him so by default I would have to give the fight to buakaw.
Let’s also not forget that Buakaw’s favorite weapon remains (his elbows), his kicks are lightning fast (his best weapon as far as I’m concerned) and his knees and clinch game are right up there with the best (ask K1, they changed the rules because of him) all of those weapons are what the Thai officials are lookin at.
Dekker hates clinching, Buakaw loves it, the Thai judges love it, the thai audience loves it.
Now if we’re talking about a fight in a different country then I would probably give the advantage to Dekker, but like I said, it all depends on the circumstances. Hope nobody thinks I’m bias, just trying to be objectif.
7 Tong Po // Nov 5, 2007 at 9:40 am
You guys know that Dekker in his prime was quite a bit smaller than Buakaw. True Dekker was a terror in the ring for anyone (pure aggression, power and speed), but I just don’t see any physical advantages due to Buakaw being bigger- probably stronger physically.
8 Stack // Nov 5, 2007 at 9:57 am
Buakaw due to being bigger, slicker and overall a true Thaiboxer. As long as there is a clinch and an elbow Dekkers succumbs.
9 Gusnark // Nov 5, 2007 at 10:50 am
Under K-1 rules can’t make decision. There’s no clinching allowed, no elbows, Dekkers is a maniac with his hands, so he would definitely have chances to beat Buakaw. As Spydaman said, Buakaw was never KO’ed, so if Dekkers would, win is by decision.
I would say draw under K-1 rules.
Under full Muay Thai rules I don’t think Dekkers would win. Especially in Thailand. He would be a very tough opponent tough, but Buakaw has better legs, knees and is great in clinch. He wouldn’t allow Dekkers to use his hands by closing him into clinch. Buakaw definitely by decision. Maybe even a KO using his knees / elbows.
My two cents…
10 Hannes // Nov 5, 2007 at 12:56 pm
Dekkers by ko. Don’t think Buakaw has never met a man with that intense pressure Dekkers put on his opponents. Also, hasn’t Dekkers fought many thai’s that was active during a period in Thailand were those weapons you mention (elbows,clinch etc) was even more dominating. Thats my humble opinion.
Flame war is unavoidable!
11 nopstar // Nov 5, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Hannes-
Flame War is totally avoidable… we can keep things civilized, this isn’t sherdog.
12 spydaman // Nov 5, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Hannes, “Flame war is unavoidable!” We’ve had 10 posts so far and I haven’t noticed any flamming yet. You sound like you are trying to instiguate.
Anyway,Buakaw is known to have had 300+ fights….It’s highly possible that he has encounter quite a few men with that “intense pressure”.
“Also, hasn’t Dekkers fought many thai’s that was active during a period in Thailand were those weapons you mention (elbows,clinch etc) was even more dominating.”….Yes….and those are the reasons for most of his losses.
Now people, I’m not saying that Dekker can’t win in Thailand…I’m saying that he is at a serious disadvantage there because his primary weapons are his fists.
13 strongboy // Nov 5, 2007 at 3:53 pm
I agree with spydaman.
for the same reason he mention in his last post.
14 fight geek // Nov 5, 2007 at 4:24 pm
Initially I thought this was an easy decision—Deckers. In my opinion he’s a better fighter. Then I read Spydaman’s comment and I think he’s right. I don’t think Dekkers could KO Buakaw. And if it went to the score cards, Dekkers hand-oriented style of fighting would work against him (in Thailand).
15 Deimian // Nov 5, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Hannes you are retarded buakaw has had more fights greater exposure to the world of muay thai than dekkers
its like saying a guy that has 1 fight is as good and versatile as a man that has had 100 fights
16 nopstar // Nov 5, 2007 at 8:14 pm
Wow… 4 comments after I ask that things not get turned into Sherdog, Hannes get’s called a “retard” well done Deimian.
17 Reverend John S. Taylor from MMAInsideWeekly.com // Nov 5, 2007 at 9:11 pm
This is a full on flame war…………..sweet………..I got Dekkers 70 times out of 100……….
18 Stack // Nov 5, 2007 at 9:54 pm
Based on what? Have you even seen 70 Muay Thai fights from either fighter?
19 Reverend John S. Taylor from MMAInsideWeekly.com // Nov 5, 2007 at 9:56 pm
Let me dumb it down for ya……70% of the time I say Dekkers wins………..Just a thought…….It’s fantasy right???
20 Hellraiser112 // Nov 5, 2007 at 10:11 pm
Buakaw!!!!
21 Stack // Nov 6, 2007 at 2:03 am
Yup that’s sufficiently dumb alright.
22 strongboy // Nov 6, 2007 at 2:28 am
hahahaha
23 spydaman // Nov 6, 2007 at 8:18 am
Play nice people, a wise man once said “Flame War is totally avoidable… we can keep things civilized, this isn’t sherdog.”
24 Reverend John from MMAInsideWeekly.com // Nov 6, 2007 at 9:04 am
Pretty sure I didn’t start this one…….
25 Tong Po // Nov 6, 2007 at 10:20 am
I pick godzilla over king kong because he has more martial arts training from the japanese
26 Reverend John from MMAInsideWeekly.com // Nov 6, 2007 at 10:30 am
Based on what? Have you even seen 70 Muay Thai fights from either fighter/mythical monster?
27 Ernesto // Nov 6, 2007 at 2:36 pm
Speaking of Flamers.. Nice to see you Tong Po!! haha
NOP: We doing a Xmas Gift Special Post again this year??
28 Tong Po // Nov 6, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Here’s a clip of Godzilla taking on Anguiras, Rodan and King Seesar all at once. I have yet to see King Kong pull that off.
29 alex // Nov 6, 2007 at 5:54 pm
baukaw in the clintch eblows and knees for ko
30 Paul PP // Nov 6, 2007 at 6:03 pm
I love Buakaw but Dekkers in his prime would most definitely give BPP a good run for his money. Dekkers Decision all the way, Buakaw just has a iron chin battle tested.
31 Gusnark // Nov 7, 2007 at 9:20 am
Just watched Ramon Dekkers highlights again… damn, he was a maniac. One of the best fighters ever just like Buakaw is. He was more aggressive and definitely a greater boxer. He maybe be better technical fighter, but Buakaw is better with legs and in a clinch. I go for Buakaw.
32 Anonymous // Nov 7, 2007 at 12:20 pm
1) It would not be a walk in the park for either Buakaw or Dekkers. If the contest were to be held on neutral ground I’d say Dekkers at a catch weight because of his hands and constant attack nature, though he could also counter pretty good, Buakaw showed at the MAX that he could be pressured out of his comfort zone if pressed hard enough which Dekkers would surely do IMO. Dekkers on the other hand has the shark like mentality were his gameplan was rarely rattled because he just shrugged it off or on a few occasions pumped him up his aggressive nature….
2) Sherdog’s training forums are the only reason to be on the message board, bound to happen due to the huge #’s they have.
3)I give the edge to King Kong in both a muay thai and mma match because of his strong wrestling/ground and pound and the fact that Godzilla’s reach is only slightly better then the T-Rex he is modeled after….in a street fight though Godzilla via radioactive breath.
33 Deimian // Nov 7, 2007 at 1:15 pm
I hope you stay anonymous
taken out of his comfort zone? the man fought stupid that night obviously we can’t compare it to how he fought fopr the last 3 years the man was versatile with his kicks
how can u say one match is as good as buakaw going to get when he has dominated people like systematically taken them apart e.g. andy souwer masato name anyone
guys like u were saying the same thing when buakaw lost to souwer in a controversial decision
34 Deimian // Nov 7, 2007 at 1:18 pm
dekkers was an amazing fighter he attacked but buakaw is at either equal caliber
he’s not like dekker’s crappy opponents he killed he is beyond that
it would be a close match but i say decision because buakaw uses elbows knees
between kicks buakaw is more versatile
dekkers would win in a boxing match but with alll these combo’s being used its a toss up
35 spydaman // Nov 7, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Anonymous, your post made a lotta sense….especially #2 and #3….Now let me go back to #1….which if fine until u made this statement that kinda confuses me. Here’s the statement - “Buakaw showed at the MAX that he could be pressured out of his comfort zone if pressed hard enough” - If you are saying that the reason why Buakaw lost the fight is because Masato’s pressure was too much for him to handle, then you are DEAD WRONG. I can think of many reason as to why he lost that fight but “Masato’s pressure” is definitely not part of it..well….not IMO. I’m not trying to take anything from Masato, but I believe, IMO that Buakaw defeated himself after he got dropped.
36 Tong Po // Nov 7, 2007 at 3:36 pm
Here’s the link
37 Paul PP // Nov 7, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Everyone with a brain knows this, but just look at Buakaws KO ratio compared to Dekkers(
38 nak rohp // Nov 9, 2007 at 4:15 am
i went with dekker ko, do think he would knock bpp out but if it went the distance, buakaw would prob take it on technique!
39 Junaid // Nov 20, 2007 at 5:09 pm
…. Buakaw KO
I dont get whats the hype with Dekker so much i understand hes a great Muay Thai fighter but come on, hes not close to being the best. Many have defeated him like Sangtiennoi, SAKMONGKOL, Coban, Dida, Gilbert Ballentine, Cherry, man it goes on. Im not taking shit from him but god are you all serious hes not undefeatable BUAKAW KO!
40 Mr PoPo // Nov 21, 2007 at 11:38 pm
dekkers with his elbow
41 Pede // Dec 10, 2007 at 6:03 am
It would be a great fight, if both had a good day. The result we can only dream of. It could go both ways and we will never findt out for sure. But what a dream fight.
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