AKA Thailand – Combat Luxury Training Resort In Phuket

AKA ThailandAmerican Kickboxing is known for being one of the top MMA academies in the world. The gym also has…

AKA Thailand

American Kickboxing is known for being one of the top MMA academies in the world. The gym also has an incredible sister academy located in beautiful Phuket called AKA Thailand.

  • Gym: AKA Thailand
  • Address: 47/31-32 Moo 4 Soi Sermsuk, Wiset Rd, Rawai, Phuket 83130, Thailand
  • Website(s): Main
  • Founders/Coaches: Mike Swick, Javier Mendez, Dillon Croushorn

It’s one of the great vacation destinations if you want to train Muay Thai and MMA in paradise. Read below to learn everything that you need to know about AKA Thailand.

The AKA Thailand Stories 

If you’re a big fight fan, you probably are already well aware of the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California. The elite gym that founder and head coach Javier Mendez built, where numerous champions have trained.

Numerous high-level fighters have trained at the gym over the years. This includes UFC and TUF vet Mike “Quick” Swick.

AKA Thailand

During the 2000s, Swick was one of AKA’s top UFC fighters, who was known for his well-rounded skills. One of the most notable aspects of Mike’s game was the speed of his striking.

Every year, Swick would make multiple trips to Thailand to work on his striking. Like many who travel to train in Thailand, Swick fell in love with the beauty and culture of the nation.

After Mike retired from fighting, he got together with AKA coach Javier Mendez with an idea. He wanted to open an AKA affiliate fight camp in Phuket, Thailand.

Build a state-of-the-art gym, where people from around the world can train in comfort while vacationing. Mendez gave his blessing and a short time later, AKA Thailand was founded.

It’s the first luxury training resort, where everyone of all skill levels can train. AKA Thailand has been open for over a decade and has countless reviews calling it the world’s best fight training resort.

AKA Thailand’s Head Instructors 

AKA Thailand has incredibly skilled head coaches, who are ready to help improve your fighting skills. Check out the bios of head coaches Mike Swick and Dillon Croushorn below.

Mike Swick

AKA Thailand is run by co-founder and head coach Mike “Quick” Swick. Swick had a 10+ year fighting career, where he had fifteen pro fights within the UFC.

He is one of the originals from AKA, who has been training in Thailand since the year 2000. Mike is a well-respected trainer and no doubt will help you improve your skills during your stay. 

Dillon Croushorn

Dillon Croushorn is the assistant MMA coach and BJJ instructor at AKA Thailand. Croushorn has been a martial artist for over 30 years, who has competed in everything from kickboxing to BJJ.

In his kickboxing career, Dillon has fought in over 270 amateur fights and 125 professional Thai boxing bouts. He was able to to four kickboxing world titles and 5 Muay Thai titles during his fighting career.

Dillon is also a BJJ practitioner with over ten years of training and will improve your fight game in all facets.

AKA Thailand’s Thai Boxing Instructors 

AKA Thailand Ring

Mike Swick and the AKA Thailand team were able to assemble some of the world’s best Thai boxing coaches. Here are just five of the highly-experienced Muay Thai coaches, who are ready to help you at AKA Thailand.

Kru Yuth

Kru Yuth is the head Muay Thai trainer at AKA Thailand, who is one of the most experienced trainers in Phuket. Yuth has been a Thai boxing practitioner and fighter since the age of six, who has competed in over 400 pro bouts.

In his long fighting career, Yuth was able to win 8 championship titles in multiple weight classes. He has an old school style and will put you through hard old-fashioned Thai training sessions.

Kru Son

Kru Son has over 30 years of experience in Muay Thai both as a fighter and a trainer. As a fighter, Son fought in 260 pro Thai boxing bouts and won a 128 lbs title. He’s been a trainer for years and is one of the favorites of those who have stayed at the resort.

Kru Dit 

Kru Dit had an extensive 10-year fighting career, where he fought 200 pro fights. Dit is extremely passionate about Muay Thai, who loves teaching the fighting style and welcomes anyone to train with him.

Kru Chai

Kru Chai was a well-established Thai boxer, who competed at the prestigious Lumpinee Stadium at just 10-years old. Chai competed in over 200 fights and is now one of AKA Thailand’s most experienced coaches.

Kru Pond

Kru Pond has been a Muay Thai practitioner since the age of five and competed in hundreds of pro fights. Pond has been a well-established trainer for a number of years, and is one of the gym’s best counter-attack experts.

The AKA Thailand Facilities

AKA Thailand Gym

AKA Thailand was the very first fight resort established in Thailand and has everything you need during your stay. Here are all of the facilities and amenities that the gym currently offers.

Muay Thai Training Center

The Muay Thai training center at AKA Thailand is a massive 6,000 sq ft(560 sq m) space. It’s complete with numerous heavy bags, and two standard-size Thai boxing rings to get your training in.

MMA/BJJ Facility 

The MMA and BJJ Facility at the fight resort is also enormous, which is the same size as the Muay Thai area. The entire training area is fully padded with the best mats available on the market.

Fitness Building 

AKA Thailand also comes complete with a full fitness building, which includes numerous weight sets and cardio machines. The fitness area also has numerous bags available if you want to include striking in your workouts.

Basketball Court 

The founders of the gyms also included a full-sized basketball court on the outside of the gym. Just in case, you want to have a pick-up game in between training sessions.

Ice Baths 

After 5:30, Monday through Friday, you have the option of cooling off in AKA Thailand’s large ice baths. You get to relax after your day of training surrounded by the beautiful nature of Phuket.

Showroom & Pro Shop 

AKA Thailand has all of the clothes and training gear you need for your stay at their stocked pro shop. You can also purchase a wide array of vitamins and supplements at the pro shop to enhance your training.

Contender Cafe & Restaurant

Whenever you want to relax and get a bite to eat, the Contender Cafe & Restaurant is open all day. The restaurant also puts on all the major fighting events for you to watch when you’re not training.

AKA Thailand Overview

AKA Thailand is not only the first fight camp resort built in beautiful Phuket, Thailand but one of the best reviewed. Since the gym opened over a decade ago, it has received countless positive reviews from both fighters and hobbyists.

The majority of the reviews praise AKA as being one of the best gyms for tourists to come train in Thailand. Check out the gym’s website to book your next visit when you visit ‘The Land of Smiles’.

Jake Paul vows to knock out Mike Tyson in July boxing fight: ‘Time to put ‘Iron Mike’ to sleep’

Jake Paul vows to knock out Mike Tyson in July boxing fight time to put Iron Mike to sleepCruiserweight puncher, Jake Paul has predicted a knockout win over veteran former world heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson in their…

Jake Paul vows to knock out Mike Tyson in July boxing fight time to put Iron Mike to sleep

Cruiserweight puncher, Jake Paul has predicted a knockout win over veteran former world heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson in their July boxing match in Texas – vowing to put the soon to be 58 year old veteran “to sleep” once and for all.

Paul, who most recently featured just earlier this month, turned in a one-sided victory over the overmatched, Ryan Bourland in Puerto Rico, stopping the former Golden Gloves winner with a blistering first round TKO win at the ropes.

As for Tyson, the former world heavyweight champion – who is revered as arguably the most formidable knockout artist in heavyweight boxing history, has yet to feature in the ring since he fought to a split draw with former multiple-weight champion, Roy Jones Jr. back in November 2020 – snapping a 15-year stay away from the sport.

Jake Paul plots KO win over Mike Tyson in July

And drawing the Brooklyn veteran at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas in July – Paul has vowed to stop Tyson in their slated boxing match, and put the fan-favorite punisher “to sleep” for good. 

“Promotion promotion promotion, if I’m being honest it don’t need that.” Jake Paul posted on his official X account, accompanied by an a poster of his bout with Mike Tyson. “The biggest fight of the 21st century, in the biggest NFL stadium in the US, broadcast live, on the biggest streaming platform in the world…that’s the MVP way.”

“Whether you’re tuning in on Netflix or showing out in person, whether you’re team Paul or team Tyson, or whether you’re a lifelong boxing fan or watching your first fight, you’re not going to want to miss this event,” Jake Paul continued. “I could not be more excited to make this amazing fight available to all Netflix subscribers alongside the hardest hitter of all time, Mike Tyson, on Saturday, July 20th.”

“My sights are set on becoming a world champion, and now I have a chance to prove myself against the greatest heavyweight champion of the world, the baddest man on the planet and the most dangerous boxer of all time,” Jake Paul wrote. “Time to put ‘Iron’ Mike to sleep.” 

Who wins in their July boxing showdown: Mike Tyson or Jake Paul?

Video – Michael Chandler unleashes promo on Conor McGregor at WWE event: ‘We have unfinished business, boy’

Michael Chandler issues promo to Conor McGregor at WWE event we have unfinished businessFormer lightweight championship challenger, Michael Chandler has unleashed another scathing promo on former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor – this…

Michael Chandler issues promo to Conor McGregor at WWE event we have unfinished business

Former lightweight championship challenger, Michael Chandler has unleashed another scathing promo on former two-weight champion, Conor McGregor – this time from the barricade alongside the WWE universe, urging the UFC star to finally make good on his return to the Octagon.

Chandler, the current number five ranked lightweight contender, has himself been sidelined from the Octagon since he featured on the main card of UFC 281 back in 2022, slumping to an eventual third round rear-naked choke submission loss to common-foe, Dustin Poirier in the pair’s high-stakes clash.

As for McGregor, the summer will mark three years since the Dubliner’s most recent outing, having fractured his left tibia and fibula in a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to the aforenoted, Poirier in the pair’s trilogy rubber match.

And expected to fight Kill Cliff FC staple, Chandler in his long-anticipated return to the Octagon, McGregor – who called for a June return during International Fight Week at UFC 302, has been denied as hasty a return as he wishes, with UFC CEO, Dana White claiming things are far from concrete on his comeback.

Michael Chandler calls for Conor McGregor at WWE event

Continually chasing a fight with the ex-two-weight champion, Chandler attended a professional wrestling event with the WWE – now-under the TKO Group banner alongside the UFC banner, before issuing a massive promo, calling for a fight with McGregor to much fanfare.

“Hey, what’s up, Anaheim?” Michael Chandler said. “You are now in the presence of the most entertaining UFC fighter on the planet. Now, there’s a man from Ireland that’s been making me wait for way too long.”

“And I still got one dude on my mind,” Michael Chandler. “Conor McGregor, get your candy-ass back to the Octagon, we got some unfinished business, boy. God bless. I’ll see you at the top.” 

Do you think we ever see Conor McGregor fight Michael Chandler?

Demetrious Johnson ranks himself #2 in GOAT conversation, ex-UFC star claims ‘Nobody has been able to do what I’ve done’

Demetrious Johnson ranks himself as #2 in GOAT list claims nobody has done what I've done UFCRanked atop the list of many’s greatest fighters of all time, former undisputed UFC flyweight champion, Demetrious Johnson has…

Demetrious Johnson ranks himself as #2 in GOAT list claims nobody has done what I've done UFC

Ranked atop the list of many’s greatest fighters of all time, former undisputed UFC flyweight champion, Demetrious Johnson has left himself off the top spot in his own respective list – naming incumbent heavyweight best, Jon Jones as his greatest fighter to ever compete.

Johnson, a record-setting former UFC flyweight champion and the current ONE Championship flyweight gold holder, has been sidelined since he took home a trilogy rubber match win over Brazilian ace, Adriano Moraes with a unanimous decision win in their decider back in May. 

Weighing up his immediate fighting future in the aftermath of his judging win, Kentucky native, Johnson, who turned in a record-setting 11 consecutive successful defenses of his undisputed flyweight title during his historic, gold-laden tenure with the UFC, departed the orgazniation in a swap-deal with Ben Askren back in late 2018. 

Demetrious Johnson provides his GOAT list

Finding himself ranked atop lists of the greatest mixed martial arts fighters of all time ahead of the likes of Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva, Fedor Emelianenko, and even the above-mentioned, Jones – Johnson claims he should only rank number two in any sort of list, including his own. 

“At number two, you have yours truly,” Demetrious Johnson said on his official YouTube channel. “Nobody has been able to do what I’ve been able to do in the flyweight division or in any division. 11 consecutive title defenses, created a brand-new move that none of you guys ever seen, the ‘Mighty Wizbar’ shout to Matt Hume helping me learn that move. I have wins by knockout, submission, gone to a decision, gone to a split draw, whatever you want to call it.”

“For my number one, I have Jon ‘Bones’ Jones,” Demetrious Johnson explained. “That is the only man I’ll put ahead of me because this man, I feel like any single time he has been inside the cage he could just destory his opponent however he wanted. He also has wins by knockout, putting people to sleep, decisions, everything on the list.”

Where would you rank Demetrious Johnson on your own list of MMA GOATs?

Israel Adesanya urged to take extended UFC break, encouraged to stop training during planned hiatus

Israel Adesanya urged to stop training during his hiatus from UFC by Henry CejudoConfirming plans for an extended hiatus from mixed martial arts competition following his middleweight title fight loss to Sean…

Israel Adesanya urged to stop training during his hiatus from UFC by Henry Cejudo

Confirming plans for an extended hiatus from mixed martial arts competition following his middleweight title fight loss to Sean Strickland last month, Israel Adesanya has been backed to do just that by ex-two-weight UFC champion, Henry Cejudo, claiming the City Kickboxing staple should likely stop training during his time away from the sport to boot.

Adesanya, former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, headlined UFC 293 back in September against the above-mentioend, Strickland, dropping his middleweight crown for the second time in the space of a year, in the form of a shocking upset unanimous decision loss to the Covina native.

And off the back of his loss, Nigerian-Kiwi striker, Adesanya confirmed his plans to take a lengthy hiatus away from the Octagon amid his loss to Strickland, as well as warning contenders of his impending comeback. 

“Now I’m gonna take time to look after myself,” Israel Adesanya told The Rock podcast during a recent appearance. “And, I’m not gonna fight for a long time. I’m definitely not gonna retire, ‘cause, you know me, I’m not leaving like that. But, if I did [retire], I’m fine. I don’t need to prove anything else. But, I know what I can do, I know what I can change in my lifestyle, to make my body adapt to where I need to be.”

Israel Adesanya backed to take time away from the UFC by Henry Cejudo

Sharing his thoughts on Adesanya’s plans for an extended period of time-off from competition, the above-mentioned Cejudo claimed the former should distance himself from the sport as much as possible during his hiatus.

“I wouldn’t even be around the sport, if I’m Israel Adesanya – you wanna get away from the sport,” Henry Cejudo said. “When I retired the first time, even though I was involved in coaching, I was never really doing anything that had do to with MMA physically. Do I believe he needs a break? One hundred percent. Do I believe he deserves it? Yeah. Do I believe when he comes back, will he get a title shot? Of course. Do you know why? Because you do it tactically – you want to be missed.”

“Israel Adesanya is taking the right step,” Cejudo explained. “But my biggest thing as somebody who took the time off, I got two questions for you. How long? And will you actually stay away from the sport rather than still train and be involved? To me, that could be the biggest difference on how is it that Israel Adesanya comes back and then eventually regains that middleweight strap once again.” (H/T MMA News)

Do you agree with Henry Cejudo’s thoughts on Israel Adesanya’s hiatus?

Video – Bodybuilder Bradley Martyn struggles in grappling match with Joe Rogan’s 155-Pound sidekick

MartynYouTube star and bodybuilder Bradley Martyn might like to constantly remind the world that he’s 260 pounds, but that didn’t help him much against 56-year-old stand-up comedian and Joe Rogan sidekick, Bryan Callen. Martyn has earned the attention of the MMA community over the last several months after suggesting that he could handle himself against […]

Martyn

YouTube star and bodybuilder Bradley Martyn might like to constantly remind the world that he’s 260 pounds, but that didn’t help him much against 56-year-old stand-up comedian and Joe Rogan sidekick, Bryan Callen.

Martyn has earned the attention of the MMA community over the last several months after suggesting that he could handle himself against some of the sports’ biggest names, including Nate Diaz, Sean O’Malley, Alex Pereira, and Demetrious Johnson. Fight fans were admittedly curious to see how the hulking fitness guru would do considering his sizeable frame.

As it turns out, we may already have our answer courtesy of a clip that sees Martyn grappling with Bryan Callen, a comedian, and podcaster who you may remember from his roles in Old School, The Hangover, and The Goldbergs.

In the clip, which you can see embedded below, Bradley Martyn struggles to make much headway against the 155-pound comedian, which only serves to prove that when matched up with a world-class athlete like Demetrious Johnson, Martyn would undoubtedly get his a** handed to him on a platter.

P4P Great Demetrious Johnson Willing to Put Bradley Martyn’s Skills to the Test

Of all the fighters Bradley Martyn has called out in recent months, only reigning ONE flyweight world champion Demetrious Johnson has challenged the bodybuilder to put his money where his mouth is. ‘Mighty Mouse’ agreed to make a trip to California for a grappling match with Martyn once he takes care of a few prior obligations.

“It’s funny, you know,” Johnson said on Henry Cejudo’s YouTube channel. “He’s 265 pounds, he’s a bodybuilder, so obviously he has got the weight advantage. But at the end of the day, that’s the beautiful thing about grappling. It’s not about weight, it’s about technique, and we’re going to try to grapple.

“I told Brendan Schaub that I want to make it happen,” he continued. “I’m busy doing other things right now, but when I get back from all my vacation I’m going to fly down to Calabasas and we’re gonna roll, man. I’m gonna roll him up” (h/t MMA Mania).

Considering how Martyn did against Callen, we expected Demetrious Johnson to take care of business with ease should the two actually wind up on the mat together.