Rafi Bohic: French Muay Thai Legend with a Collection Titles
Rafi Bohic stands as an iconic figure in French Muay Thai, renowned for his exceptional collection of accolades in the sport. His accomplishments include securing titles such as WBC, WMC, MAX Muay Thai, and notably, the Lumpinee Stadium championship—a rare triumph for foreign fighters, known as ‘farang.’ Bohic is part of an elite group; he is one of only three French athletes to earn a major stadium title in Thailand, an achievement that even the esteemed Jean-Charles Skarbowsky did not reach.
Rafi Bohic’s Winning Style: Technical Mastery
Rafi Bohic’s success in the ring comes from his technical fighting style, known as Muay Femur, which has helped shape him into a champion. He delivers low and middle kicks with the finesse of a seasoned Thai fighter and uses his lead hand with the precision of a boxer. Add to that his powerful right elbow, a move he unleashes only when he’s got his opponent’s timing down. It’s clear to see that Rafi’s fighting style is impressively versatile!
New Terrain, Harder Battles Ahead.
Rafi Bohic found himself in uncharted waters when he joined One Championship. In a brawl against Tapaokaew Singmawynn, he strayed from his typical smooth, technical fighting, exchanging heavy blows instead. Known for his defensive prowess and quick footwork, Bohic surprisingly took more hits than we’re used to seeing, squeaking by with a split decision victory. This tough fight hinted that things might be getting rougher for Rafi in the upcoming One Championship’s Friday Fights, foreshadowing steeper challenges on the horizon.
The Hard Times
During his second appearance on One Championship’s Friday Fights, Rafi Bohic experienced a disappointing twist when an accidental eye poke in the first round forced the match to end as a no contest, especially given its spotlight as the main event. However, the anticipation quickly rebuilt as his next fight promised to deliver an explosive clash. Rafi was set to face the young powerhouse Antar Kacem, who had recently secured a knockout victory over the formidable Yodphupha Wimanair in a bout considered for One Friday Fights’ Fight of the Year.
Prepared to enter the ring against Kacem, Rafi’s well-known technical finesse was pitted against the aggressive, brawling style of his opponent. The matchup of Rafi Bohic’s surgical precision against Antar Kacem’s raw strength was primed to captivate audiences, creating high expectations for a thrilling showdown. Fans were eagerly awaiting what was shaping up to be an absolute thriller of a fight!
Beginning of The Fall
The bout between Rafi Bohic and Antar Kacem showcased a strategic clash in the One Championship ring. Rafi employed his signature nimble style to dodge Kacem’s lengthy reach, while Kacem leaned on his boxing-centric Muay Thai approach. It was a technical matchup that, in my view, was evenly scored at one round each. However, the fight took a dramatic turn when a powerful left hook from Kacem sent Rafi to the mat. With only a minute left and known more for his technique than finishing ability, Rafi had little chance to turn the tables. Ultimately, he was unable to recover the lost points, leading to a decision defeat.
Second Loss
Rafi Bohic’s next One Championship fight presents another tough challenge, as he faces the 21-year-old striking sensation Yod-IQ Or.Pimonsri from PK Saenchai gym. With a strong One Friday Fights record of 3-1, Yod-IQ is one of the brightest talents from PK Saenchai, a gym that also produced the One Featherweight champion Tawanchai. Despite Yod-IQ’s prowess, Rafi’s status as a seasoned farang fighter and multiple-time world champion could’ve give him the upper hand in this highly anticipated matchup.
Despite a valiant effort, Rafi Bohic fell short in his fight against the young striker Yod-IQ Or.Pimonsri on One Friday Fights. Yod-IQ’s precision strikes to the body led to Bohic being dropped twice, leaving him unable to regain footing in the match, ultimately adding another loss to his record. Rafi’s current standing with One Friday Fights moves to 1-2-1, marking an unexpected low for the celebrated French Muay Thai fighter.
What we learned
Rafi Bohic’s talent is undeniable, yet his recent performances suggest that the distinct rules and glove size in One Championship may not complement his traditional Muay Thai style. Several prominent Nak Muays have faced challenges adapting to One Championship’s emphasis on distance striking and the impact of MMA gloves, which alter defensive strategies and the effectiveness of punches.
Losing in One Championship does not diminish the accomplishments of champions from Lumpinee, Rajadamnern, Channel 7, or WBC. It’s about adapting to stylistic changes and training methods. For Rafi, a return to traditional Muay Thai could be advantageous.
Given this, Rafi might consider following in the footsteps of other athletes by returning to the stadium circuit or joining RWS Muay Thai, a promotion that aligns well with his proven skill set in traditional Muay Thai fights.
The flexibility of Muay Thai and kickboxing promotions offers fighters the freedom to switch between organizations without the negative labels often seen in MMA when moving away from the UFC. This absence of stigma in Muay Thai and kickboxing circles could open the door for Rafi to find success in an environment that celebrates his strengths.
