Championship Muay Thai Fights in America Boost the Sport’s Transformative Popularity

But True American Growth Resides in Quality Muay Thai Training, Coaching, and Culture

By Kyle Woods

On Friday, September 6, two world-class Muay Thai fighters squared off in Denver for what many believed might be the fight of the year. To the world’s surprise, the bout ended after 49 seconds of the first round when a beautifully timed counter elbow by Superlek struck the former champ, Jonathan Haggerty, behind the ear, leaving him unable to continue. The fight, promoted by ONE Championship, was part of ONE CEO Chartri Sityodtong's strategy to expand his audience into the United States market and, either by design or coincidence, increase Muay Thai’s popularity in the U.S.

Personally, I think this is great news for both the sport worldwide and Muay Thai enthusiasts here in the United States. However, I’d argue that popularity can only go so far as momentum can take it. Chartri plans to continue promoting shows here in the States, including ONE 169, which will take place on November 8th in Atlanta. Yet, for sustainable growth and longevity, Muay Thai as a sport will need to depend on the gyms in American communities.

While the excitement of a big show evokes a sense of anticipation and raw energy, I believe Muay Thai’s true potential for growth resides in its ability to transform the lives of its practitioners, physically, mentally, and spiritually. I won’t bore you with statistics and figures, mainly because I doubt the data exists, but I can speak from my own personal experience and the testimonies of the community that’s begun to flourish around me.

Physically, Muay Thai demands that you develop strength, cardiovascular capacity, stamina, control, and precision. I often run first-timers through a series of fundamentals where they tell me they’ve never sweated so much in their lives. I smile because, from the sight of their shirt, I know that if they make the commitment, it will shock them just how little they’re actually sweating. There are times in training or fights where the physical exhaustion feels so intense that you might consider quitting entirely, only to realize that a final push and a couple of breaths will soon bring the happiness of an endorphin rush. For those willing to push themselves, you learn early on that there’s joy in the pain.

The only way to overcome the physical barrier is with mental fortitude, which, like a muscle, must also be developed. My partner, Coach Simon Apunte, and I have had long conversations about the power of positive self-talk, speaking beliefs into existence, and training the mind to accept the pain and, therefore, the benefits that come with it. This ensures that with constant practice, Muay Thai not only gives you the physical condition you deserve but also the confidence of a mind that loves its master.

Who is the mind’s master? Well, you are. But who are you? I’ve asked myself this question many times, whether in the throes of fight camp training, during a particularly difficult pad round, or when deciding to open a gym with limited resources and little business experience. It’s not uncommon in moments like these, when you’re contemplating who you are, to ask yourself why? What’s the point? Why am I here?

Often, Muay Thai feels like a path I chose to walk, yet without it, a path one cannot live without. You know you’re less of who you are without it, and therefore more of who you are with it. Muay Thai then becomes more than a sport; it becomes a purpose. Without it, your spirit cannot be wholly intact.

I’m infinitely grateful for how Muay Thai has transformed my life, and knowing its power, I aim to spread it to communities around the United States. Train in this sport, teach this sport, and continue to learn about this sport. It’s incredible that a championship fight like Superlek and Haggerty can happen in Colorado, but if you’ve felt this deep purpose to share it with the world, community members, it’s up to you to bring it to life. Make impacts and share this brutal gift we’ve been given.