How International Tournaments Create Better Fighters & Coaches

From the early days of the New York Muay Thai scene to working with fighters like Sitthichai, Petchpanomrung, Ramy and Selena Flores, Aziz has watched the sport evolve across multiple generations. In this conversation, we talk about how Muay Thai has changed, the difference between old-school and modern training, what makes a good coach, and why young fighters need to learn patience. Aziz also talks about cornering Selena Flores against Stamp Fairtex, the lessons he took from that experience, and what international fighters need to understand when competing overseas. We also get into the bigger problems facing Muay Thai in America — including the lack of promotions, competition and opportunities for fighters. And Aziz shares the philosophy that has guided him throughout his career

What separates good coaches from great ones?  Jake from House of Muay Thai has spent years coaching athletes at the Amazing Muay Thai World Festival and working alongside some of the best coaches in the sport. Follow Jake: Instagram: @jake_homt Want to dive deeper into the world of Muay Thai read: Muay Thai: The Insider's Guide To Training Fighting And Business Get it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/co46xdR

What does it take to coach Team USA athletes on the world stage? In this interview, Matt Lucas sits down with DMV Muay Thai Matthew Van Valkenburgh founder and Team USA coach to discuss the lessons learned from years of international Muay Thai tournaments, including the Amazing Muay Thai Festival, Pan Ams, and world-level competition. Sign Up Today For The MTAAC East Coast Regional Tournament https://smoothcomp.com/en/event/32041

For more than three decades, Nick "One Kick" Blomgren has been one of the key figures behind the growth of Muay Thai in the United States.  In this episode, we discuss his first trips to Thailand in the late 1980s, training at Sasiprapa Gym during the Golden Era, opening One Kick's Gym in Las Vegas, promoting hundreds of events, working with fighters like Anthony and Chidi Njokuani, and building the new OKJ Stadium.  Want to dive deeper into the world of Muay Thai read: Muay Thai: The Insider's Guide To Training Fighting And Business Get it on Amazon: https://a.co/d/co46xdR

Before fighting for ONE Championship gold, Aslomjon Ortikov had already fought nearly 300 times. Born and raised in Uzbekistan, Ortikov began training at just eight years old after his brother brought him to the gym. Through years of amateur tournaments, professional fights, and international competition, he built one of the deepest resumes in Muay Thai before eventually moving to Thailand to test himself against the sport's best. Want to learn more about the sport? Check out: Muay Thai The Complete Insider's Guide To Training Fighting And Business: https://a.co/d/iFTOOKH

Bank Thainchai Pisitwuttinan CEO of GSV (Global Sports Venture) and RWS sits down for an in-depth conversation about the evolution of modern Muay Thai, the transformation of Rajadamnern Stadium, and the future of the sport in Thailand and internationally.

Doug Malagon, a certified strength and conditioning coach, commentator and former pro muay thai fighter, shares the biggest mistakes he made after years in Thailand from fighting and visas to gym culture, overtraining, and building a business in Muay Thai. We also discuss: ONE Championship Strength & conditioning Modern Muay Thai Dagestani Ninja Tawanchai Social media & coaching The future of fighting in Thailand   Want to learn more about the sport? Check out: Muay Thai The Complete Insider's Guide To Training Fighting And Business: https://a.co/d/iFTOOKH

Mark Pease has been building world champions in Australian Muay Thai since 1988. As head coach and promoter at Strikeforce Muay Thai on the Gold Coast, he's produced over a dozen world title holders including Chad Collins, who recently fought for the Rajadamnern Title. Pease and I sit down before the fight to talk about it all.

  Oli Jenkins is a British trainer based in Bangkok, working out of Silk Muay Thai. It is one of the most competitive Muay Thai gyms in the country. I n this conversation, we get into the reality of what it means to corner fighters at the highest level, including two recent losses (Saenpon at RWS and Gregor Thorm at ONE Championship), and why Oli still walks away believing in both performances. Along the way: the economics of staying in Thailand as a foreign trainer, why the injury nobody talks about is pad-holding elbow, the pottery study that explains why reps beat theory, and why One Championship fighters need to be "willing to die" — and what he actually means by that. This is a long-form conversation for people who take Muay Thai seriously. 0:00 The Responsiblilty of a trainer  5:40 The Confidence of a coach 9:58 Is The Damage Worth It 11:12 Fighting On ONE 13:46 Start As A Trainer 14:15 Holding Pads At Sitmonchai  20:48 Working As A Coach In The UK 24:01 Different Types of Fighters 26:24 Dealing With Failure 32:24 Media And Job Opportunities 36:30 What Is Success 38:24 The little battles 44:00 The Injuries of being a trainer 49:13 Attention 51:14 The Importance of a good defense 52:42 Contact Information Want to learn more about the sport? Check out: Muay Thai The Complete Insider's Guide To Training Fighting And Business: https://a.co/d/iFTOOKH

Why does a champion still need strength and conditioning? In this episode, Leroy breaks down the real purpose of S&C in Muay Thai and why it's not about replacing skill work, but supporting it. 0:00 Why Does Tawanchai Need Strength And Conditioning 2:11 How do you measure an athlete's progress 5:05 Running Is Your Engine 8:22 Soviet System vs Contrast Training 11:17 Strength basics 14:28 Skill Development vs S & C 16:46 The 4 Basic Movements 19:26 What Do High Level Exercises Do 20:57 Should S&C Look Like Fighting 22:34 Working With Different Athletes 24:44 Fight By Design 27:23 How Do Work With Fighters That Can Fight At Anytime 30:00 Reaction Drills 32:33 Biggest Misbeliefs About S&C For Fighters 35:29 Social Media Boost 39:01 Less Running 41:06 Contact Information Want to learn more about the sport? Check out: Muay Thai The Complete Insider's Guide To Training Fighting And Business: https://a.co/d/iFTOOKH