Date: 2008.05.31
Opponent: Yodsaenklai Fairtex
Weight category: 72.6 kg
Event: K-1 MAX Scandinavia. Rumble Of The Kings
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Corner: blue
Stage: WMC World title
Result: KO 2

Artem’s come a long way since 2008, but in this bout in Sweden, he was just starting to break out internationally. He’s a tall, craft fighter who uses the advantages of his build well in the ring. He’s got a fair bit of athleticism in his frame, too. He wears the blue gloves in this bout.

Yodsaenklai Fairtex at the time already was one of the most famous Thai nak muays on the planet. Before fighting internationally, he’d had a distinguished career in Thailand, winning a Lumpini title at 115 lb flyweight. He steadily moved up in weight in Thailand, fighting other highly ranked fighters like Sam-A Thor Ratanakiat, Orono Wor Petchpun, and Ponsaneh Sitmonchai, before moving from Petchyindee to Fairtex and fighting internationally at 70 kg, 154 lb.

Before this first match with Artem — they would rematch at 75 kg, 165 lb, in the 2010 Sport Accord games in Beijing — Yodsaenklai had met Farid Villaume and John Wayne Parr twice in the ring. The Contender Asia broadcast was drawing to a close and he was close to the height of his international regard, so a win over him would have definitely propelled Artem into the top ranks.

This bout is under K-1 rules. Yodsaenklai wears red gloves.

Source: http://liverkick.com/