GLOBAL MUAYTHAI CONTINUES ITS RAPID EXPANSION
May 2026 proved to be another landmark month for WBC MuayThai as championship contests, youth development initiatives, national events, and international expansion continued to strengthen the organization’s worldwide presence.
From major title victories in Europe to groundbreaking youth programs in Asia and Australia, the month showcased the continued growth and global reach of WBC MuayThai.
CHAFI RECLAIMS WBC MUAYTHAI WORLD LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE
One of the month’s biggest stories came from Canovellas, Spain, where Mouhcine Chafi reclaimed the WBC MuayThai World Light Heavyweight Championship.
Competing at Golden League – Big Boss, Chafi defeated Sweden’s Joakim Hagg via third-round TKO in a highly anticipated world championship contest.
The victory marks the beginning of a new reign for Chafi and re-establishes him among the elite athletes of the global light heavyweight division.
FARIS LUKOVIC CAPTURES EUROPEAN HEAVYWEIGHT GOLD
The European heavyweight division welcomed a new champion as Malta’s Faris Lukovic captured the WBC MuayThai European Heavyweight Championship in Spain.
Lukovic secured the title following a strong performance against Spain’s Annas Nogch at Golden League – Big Boss.
The victory positions Lukovic as one of Europe’s most exciting emerging heavyweight competitors and immediately places him among the division’s leading contenders.
MICHELE MATERA CLAIMS ITALIAN UNDER 18 CHAMPIONSHIP
Italy celebrated the emergence of another young champion as Michele Matera captured the WBC MuayThai Italian Under 18 Flyweight Championship.
Competing at Kayan Essense Fight 2 in Bitonto, Matera delivered an impressive performance before securing victory via fourth-round KOT over Francesco Barbaro Befumo.
The title victory represents a major milestone in Matera’s young career and further highlights the strength of youth MuayThai development throughout Italy.
MARLON MAHMOUD CROWNED GERMAN SUPER-MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION
Germany produced another outstanding amateur championship contest as Marlon Mahmoud captured the WBC Amateur MuayThai German Super-Middleweight Championship.
Competing at the renowned outdoor Rathenow MuayThai Stadium, Mahmoud earned a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Julius Meinunger following five closely contested rounds.
The championship win establishes Mahmoud among Germany’s leading amateur MuayThai athletes and marks the biggest achievement of his career to date.
WBC MUAYTHAI LAUNCHES NEXT GENERATION OF RISING STARS SERIES
A major international announcement was made in May as WBC MuayThai officially unveiled the NEXT GENERATION OF RISING STARS SERIES.
The initiative is designed exclusively for youth athletes and will feature professionally produced international events showcasing elite youth MuayThai competition.
Each event will feature approximately 8–10 contests contested for the newly designed WBC MuayThai Rising Stars Championship Belt.
The project reflects WBC MuayThai’s long-term commitment to youth development and creating new opportunities for the next generation of international champions.
HISTORIC FIRST IN NEW SOUTH WALES
A significant milestone was reached in Australia with the successful staging of the first-ever WBC Amateur & Youth MuayThai event in New South Wales.
The event, held in cooperation with MuayThai New South Wales, welcomed athletes, coaches, officials, and supporters from across the region and represented another important step in the continued expansion of grassroots MuayThai development throughout Australia.
The success of the event demonstrated the increasing popularity of WBC Amateur & Youth MuayThai programs worldwide.
YOUTH MUAYTHAI GROWTH CONTINUES IN CHINA
WBC MuayThai Greater China successfully hosted its Beijing Regional Points Tournament during May.
The event featured 40 bouts involving more than 80 athletes aged approximately 7–17 years old, representing 12 participating gyms.
Officials reported significant growth compared to previous events, reflecting the increasing popularity of MuayThai throughout Mainland China and the wider Greater China region.
The tournament forms part of WBC MuayThai’s continued strategy to develop structured youth competition pathways globally.
MAY 2026 WORLD RANKINGS RELEASED
Updated WBC MuayThai World Rankings were released during May, highlighting significant movement across multiple divisions.
Notable champions currently holding world titles include:
• Gerardo Atti – Heavyweight World Champion
• Ali Aliev – Cruiserweight World Champion
• Mouhcine Chafi – Light Heavyweight World Champion
• Titus Proctor – Super Middleweight World Champion
• Dylan Salvador – Super Welterweight World Champion
• Niall McGreevy – Welterweight World Champion
• Anthony Deary – Super Lightweight World Champion
• Antonio Orden – Featherweight World Champion
• RoseMary Amorim – Female Welterweight World Champion
• Zoe Putorak – Female Super Lightweight World Champion
The rankings continue to showcase the international diversity of WBC MuayThai champions and contenders representing every major region of the world.
LOOKING AHEAD TO JUNE
June promises to be one of the busiest months of the year with numerous sanctioned championships, international events, athlete development programs, and preparations continuing for major WBC MuayThai projects worldwide.
With youth participation reaching record levels, new champions emerging across multiple nations, and international expansion accelerating, the future of WBC MuayThai continues to grow stronger than ever.
WBC MUAYTHAI
“The Green and Gold Standard of MuayThai”
For rankings, championship updates, official announcements, and event information, visit the official WBC MuayThai platforms.
Bangkok, Thailand
May 2026