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Andrew Whitelaw

There are some athletes who appear to have been blessed with a deep cache of natural gifts – and Bampara Kouyate is one of them.
The 30-year-old Frenchman is not only a professional runway model and thoughtful communicator, but also one of the most technically gifted Nak Muays on the planet.
Known as “Bambi,” Kouyate trains out of BMTC Gym in Issy-les-Moulineaux, France, and spends long stretches at Thailand’s Venum Training Camp in Pattaya.
The blend of cultures and gyms has helped him refine a style he calls “artistic Muay Thai” – a technical, elegant approach rooted in the traditional Muay Femur school.
“I love everything – elbows, knees, kicks, punches,” Kouyate told the Post. “My style is Muay Femur, very technical, something artistic. I try to represent Muay Thai in a beautiful way.”


Kouyate has been climbing steadily towards a title shot, and his last two outings underline why he is so highly regarded. He demolished Thai veteran Jo Nattawut with a devastating first-round knockout, a win that sent shockwaves through the featherweight division.
Before that, he showcased his patience and skill in a clinical TKO win over American technician Luke “The Chef” Lessei. Together, those victories left no doubt that the Frenchman is one of the most dangerous contenders on the roster.
Kouyate had been heavily linked to a showdown with reigning champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai, but that bout was put on hold. The Frenchman said Tawanchai had personal matters to attend to and was gracious in his response.
“I don’t want to go into details because it’s not my business,” Kouyate said. “We are all human, and everyone has a private life to manage.
“I respect that. When the time is right, I believe the fight will happen.”
Instead, the No 2-ranked bantamweight will settle for a showdown against No 3- ranked Shadow at ONE Fight Night 35 in Bangkok.
“Shadow is very talented, very tough, very powerful,” Kouyate said. “Strong kicks, strong punches. For me, it is a good opponent. It means I’m at a good level in my career. It’s a pleasure to fight someone like him.”
The stakes could hardly be higher. A victory would cement Kouyate’s case for a title shot and push him closer to his ultimate dream: winning the belt and defending it many times.
“I want to show the world that I’m the best fighter in the world,” he said.
Despite his modelling career, Kouyate said there is no conflict between the catwalk and the ring.
“When I fight, I don’t think about modelling,” he said. “When I model, I don’t think about fighting. They are two different worlds. I just give 100 per cent to whatever I am doing in the moment.”
He has already graced global runways for fashion houses including Louis Vuitton and Versace, but his eyes in the fight game are fixed firmly on Muay Thai’s living legends.
“I would love to fight Tawanchai, Superbon,” he added. “All those guys. They are living legends. To build my legacy, I need to fight everyone.”
Whether in Paris, Pattaya, or under the bright lights of Bangkok, Kouyate carries himself with style. But at ONE Fight Night 35, it will be about substance.
If he beats Shadow on September 6, the Frenchman could be cat walking straight into a world title fight.


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Martial Arts

Model Bampara ‘Bambi’ Kouyate hopes victory at ONE Fight Night 35 will be gateway to title fight


Model Bampara ‘Bambi’ Kouyate hopes victory at ONE Fight Night 35 will be gateway to title fight.


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Bampara Kouyate

ONE Championship: meet fighter who alternates between cat walking and ring walking

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Model Bampara ‘Bambi’ Kouyate hopes victory at ONE Fight Night 35 will be gateway to title fight

Model Bampara ‘Bambi’ Kouyate hopes victory at ONE Fight Night 35 will be gateway to title fight