Muaythaionline.net had an opportunity to catch up with Rafik Bakkouri French Muay Thai stand out and now recent star of The Contender Asia. Among Rafik's many accolades , he's 3 times French A Classe Muay Thai champion who's compiled a record of 33 fights, 27 wins, 10 KOs and only 2 draws and 4 losses. Rafik has also fought many times against top Thai fighters and International fighters. Rafik is also scheduled to fight for a European title very soon.
MTO: Hello Rafik. For some of our newer readers can you introduce yourself and tell us how you first started in Muay Thai and martial arts?
Rafik Bakkouri: I am 31 years old. I start playing judo when I was 6 years old up to the age of 17. After judo I was looking for a sport that would give me deep emotions.
And I met the Muay Thai world in the stadium in front of my house in Paris. This gym is the Franthaifull taught by Jean-Victor SANTONCINI. I started and now I think never I am gonna stop.
MTO: You always fight with top talents like Samkor and Yodsaenklai. What made you decide to fight Yodsaenklai and even place the 100,000 baht side bet in Pattaya?
Rafik Bakkouri: I had just fought against against Samkor and Moussa Konaté, a great french fighter and I decided to go to Thailand and fight for the first time against a strong Thai but I didn't know it was going to the best one. I made a quite good preparation but I lost.
The only bad points from the fight is that we weren't at the same weight. He was heavier than me and at this level that is something very important.
MTO: Do you have a specific strategy in your fights against top opponents?
Rafik Bakkouri: The best strategy is to adapt your technique in relation of your opponent. For that you have to know all the main techniques.
MTO: You are the first trainer at FranThaiFull as well as being a boxer. What do you think is the most important thing for a new boxer to learn?
Rafik Bakkouri: I have my coach Jean-victor, myself I teach the female and childern’s classes. The first thing I teach to my student is how to move in Muay Thai and how to move the feet Because a tree without strong roots is nothing. After everything is easier.
MTO: Who are some French Boxers that you respect?
Rafik Bakkouri: I respect everybody who goes in a ring to fight because you risk sometimes your health even with protection.
MTO: Who has so far been the toughest opponent you have fought?
Rafik Bakkouri:Everybody at this level is tough.
I think the toughest opponet I have to beat is me!!!! The more I beat myself, more I could be better.
MTO: What or who inspires you to continue as a fighter?
Rafik Bakkouri: I am inspired by challenges like titles and strong fighters. I am like Son Goku in Dragon Ball. I like to be in front somebody with more experience or more titles than me.
MTO: What is the most difficult thing to teach new boxers?
Rafik Bakkouri: A new boxer has to understand how to move and understand that for each technique you have to think about the defense at the same time.
MTO: You have also fought on K-1 events in the past as well as full Muay Thai rules Which do you prefer?
Rafik Bakkouri: I think I am sure you know my response but K-1 rules made me understand to work more on my boxing.
MTO: Who are some French Boxers that you respect?
Rafik Bakkouri: I respect everybody who goes in a ring to fight because you risk sometimes your health even with protection.
MTO: Who has so far been the toughest opponent you have fought?
Rafik Bakkouri:Everybody at this level is tough.
I think the toughest opponet I have to beat is me!!!! The more I beat myself, more I could be better.
MTO: What or who inspires you to continue as a fighter?
Rafik Bakkouri: I am inspired by challenges like titles and strong fighters. I am like Son Goku in Dragon Ball. I like to be in front somebody with more experience or more titles than me.
MTO: In the Contender there were some obvious conflicts going on between Dzarbar and yourself. What caused you and Dzarbar to fight?
Rafik Bakkouri: No comment!
Just when you open your mouth you have to understand what you say and there is a limit for the self-control!
MTO: Who in the house was the easiest to get along with?
Rafik Bakkouri: You are gonna be surprised but it was Yukay, Bruce and Narupol and also Zidov.
MTO: What did you think of the Challenges in the Contender?
Rafik Bakkouri: They are good but sometimes some of them
cheat a lot!
MTO: What do you want to accomplish the most in Muay Thai?
Rafik Bakkouri: I want to be a world champion and fight against the best boxers!!!
MTO: What upcoming fights or projects can we look for from Rafik Bakkouri?
Rafik Bakkouri: Lots!!! I am always looking for great fights or tournaments.
The 8th of March i could be a European champion.
In April I could fight against the Russian Contender
but I have to say to all the promoters I am ready to fight everywhere!!!!!!
أتمنى أن أجد من يقد مجهوداتــي
MTO: Hello Rafik. For some of our newer readers can you introduce yourself and tell us how you first started in Muay Thai and martial arts?
Rafik Bakkouri: I am 31 years old. I start playing judo when I was 6 years old up to the age of 17. After judo I was looking for a sport that would give me deep emotions.
And I met the Muay Thai world in the stadium in front of my house in Paris. This gym is the Franthaifull taught by Jean-Victor SANTONCINI. I started and now I think never I am gonna stop.
MTO: You always fight with top talents like Samkor and Yodsaenklai. What made you decide to fight Yodsaenklai and even place the 100,000 baht side bet in Pattaya?
Rafik Bakkouri: I had just fought against against Samkor and Moussa Konaté, a great french fighter and I decided to go to Thailand and fight for the first time against a strong Thai but I didn't know it was going to the best one. I made a quite good preparation but I lost.
The only bad points from the fight is that we weren't at the same weight. He was heavier than me and at this level that is something very important.
MTO: Do you have a specific strategy in your fights against top opponents?
Rafik Bakkouri: The best strategy is to adapt your technique in relation of your opponent. For that you have to know all the main techniques.
MTO: You are the first trainer at FranThaiFull as well as being a boxer. What do you think is the most important thing for a new boxer to learn?
Rafik Bakkouri: I have my coach Jean-victor, myself I teach the female and childern’s classes. The first thing I teach to my student is how to move in Muay Thai and how to move the feet Because a tree without strong roots is nothing. After everything is easier.
MTO: Who are some French Boxers that you respect?
Rafik Bakkouri: I respect everybody who goes in a ring to fight because you risk sometimes your health even with protection.
MTO: Who has so far been the toughest opponent you have fought?
Rafik Bakkouri:Everybody at this level is tough.
I think the toughest opponet I have to beat is me!!!! The more I beat myself, more I could be better.
MTO: What or who inspires you to continue as a fighter?
Rafik Bakkouri: I am inspired by challenges like titles and strong fighters. I am like Son Goku in Dragon Ball. I like to be in front somebody with more experience or more titles than me.
MTO: What is the most difficult thing to teach new boxers?
Rafik Bakkouri: A new boxer has to understand how to move and understand that for each technique you have to think about the defense at the same time.
MTO: You have also fought on K-1 events in the past as well as full Muay Thai rules Which do you prefer?
Rafik Bakkouri: I think I am sure you know my response but K-1 rules made me understand to work more on my boxing.
MTO: Who are some French Boxers that you respect?
Rafik Bakkouri: I respect everybody who goes in a ring to fight because you risk sometimes your health even with protection.
MTO: Who has so far been the toughest opponent you have fought?
Rafik Bakkouri:Everybody at this level is tough.
I think the toughest opponet I have to beat is me!!!! The more I beat myself, more I could be better.
MTO: What or who inspires you to continue as a fighter?
Rafik Bakkouri: I am inspired by challenges like titles and strong fighters. I am like Son Goku in Dragon Ball. I like to be in front somebody with more experience or more titles than me.
MTO: In the Contender there were some obvious conflicts going on between Dzarbar and yourself. What caused you and Dzarbar to fight?
Rafik Bakkouri: No comment!
Just when you open your mouth you have to understand what you say and there is a limit for the self-control!
MTO: Who in the house was the easiest to get along with?
Rafik Bakkouri: You are gonna be surprised but it was Yukay, Bruce and Narupol and also Zidov.
MTO: What did you think of the Challenges in the Contender?
Rafik Bakkouri: They are good but sometimes some of them
cheat a lot!
MTO: What do you want to accomplish the most in Muay Thai?
Rafik Bakkouri: I want to be a world champion and fight against the best boxers!!!
MTO: What upcoming fights or projects can we look for from Rafik Bakkouri?
Rafik Bakkouri: Lots!!! I am always looking for great fights or tournaments.
The 8th of March i could be a European champion.
In April I could fight against the Russian Contender
but I have to say to all the promoters I am ready to fight everywhere!!!!!!
أتمنى أن أجد من يقد مجهوداتــي
