In a massive move for the ever-growing sport of mixed martial arts — particularly in Asia, the sport has…
In a massive move for the ever-growing sport of mixed martial arts — particularly in Asia, the sport has officially been recognized in Thailand — with a fully certified and approved MMA Association also established under the Department of Provincial Administration.
Thailand, home to a rich and deep history of combat sports, has produced some of the biggest talents in the striking arts to ever compete on a global scale — and in recent years, has become a home to a vast array of the most recognizable figures in mixed martial arts, through its extensive facilities and gyms littered across the Southeast Asian region.
MMA officially recognized as a sport in Thailand
From the likes of Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket — which has hosted the likes of UFC stars, the trio of former championship holders, Alexander Volkanovski, Petr Yan, and former flyweight queen, Valentina Shevchenko — to Bangtao Muay Thai and mixed martial arts, which hosts strawweight best, Zhang Weili, and on occasion, ex-light heavyweight kingpin, Jiri Prochazka.
Developing a vast talent of fighters in the region who have gone on to achieve worldwide success in mixed martial arts and acclaim, the recognization of mixed martial arts as an official sport in Thailand — as well as the establishment of a fully certified mixed martial arts Association comes as a further feather in the cap for the historical combat sports history of the land.
Nick Chapman, who confirmed the establishment in a historic day for the sport in the region, and spoke of his delight to be appointed as advisory chairman for the association — following a “dedicated effort” to see the recognition of mixed martial arts as a sport in the country.
“After months of dedicated effort and collaboration with an incredible team of people, we have successfully achieved official recognition for Mixed Martial Arts as a sport in Thailand,” Advisory Chairman, and Head of International Relations, Nick Chapman said. “We have also established a new, fully certified and approved Mixed Martial Arts Association of Thailand under the Department of Provincial Administration.
“This is a significant milestone for combat sports in Thailand,” Chapman continued. “Our association, with the support of some very influential figures, aims to elevate the sport of mixed martial arts within the country to a world-class level.”
“I am deeply honored to have been appointed as the Advisory Chairman and Head of International Relations for the newly established Mixed Martial Arts Association of Thailand. Being entrusted with such a crucial role in developing the sport that I love at this level in a country that I hold so dear, is an immense privilege for me. Over the next few years you will see the sport of Mixed Martial Arts really start to take off. Our plans for the future of the sport are huge,” Chapman concluded.
MMA Association of Thailand
Mr. Vathanai Vathanakul President
Mr. Prathan Worramanin, Vice President and Secretary General
Mrs.Ummarapas Vathanakul Communication Committee and Accountant
Other committee members:
Mr. Oroschutiman Sangthong
Mrs. Aemon Chapman
Mr. Thanatas
Mr. Krittapas Chutiman
Mr. Suchet
Miss Natchanan Warmanin
Mr. Worathit Warmanin
Mr. Chin Wong Saeng
Miss Anyarat Pancharoen
Mrs. Amraphat Wattanakul
Speaking with John Hyon Ko for The AllStar publication in the aftermath of the formation of the Mixed Martial Arts Association of Thailand, Chapman detailed the journey that took place to see the sport’s recognition in the region — praising the country’s “progressive stance” — before laying out plans to bring a host of high-level coaches from a host of different disciplines to help develop the sport in the country.
“Mixed Martial Arts has been frowned upon in Thailand for a long time,” Chapman said. “There was even a point when the Sports Authority banned the use of a cage, Mixed Martial Arts cages were not allowed, but what I love about Thailand is their progressive stance on things, they are open to taking new things onboard. Mixed Martial Arts is going to explode in Thailand, we are in the process of setting up a Mixed Martial Arts association in Thailand.”
“I’ve been enlisted with heading the development team and what we are going to do is regulate Mixed Martial Arts in Thailand, we are going to bring in grassroots organizations from around the world, we are going to be running regular events, in a cage, in Sports Authority approved stadium. Mixed Martial Arts is going to become a massive part of the combat sports industry here.”
“IMMAF is a huge organization globally for mixed martial arts. We are going to work under their framework so everything is done as it should be. I’m going to make sure all the regulations are in place, everything is conducted professionally, fighters’ safety. I’ll be taking care of all of that.”
“A 5-10 year plan is to bring over the high-level wrestling coaches, the high level of jiu-jitsu coaches, the high level of MMA coaches and develop Thai nationals to either be ONE Championship’s level or UFC level. That’s my dream.”
Gearing up for his showdown with Francis Ngannou on October 28, Tyson Fury headed to Phuket, Thailand alongside his father and coach John Fury. The reigning WBC heavyweight champion is slated for a scrap with the former UFC titleholder in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh. Ahead of their massive crossover contest, ‘The Gypsy King’ […]
Gearing up for his showdown with Francis Ngannou on October 28, Tyson Fury headed to Phuket, Thailand alongside his father and coach John Fury.
The reigning WBC heavyweight champion is slated for a scrap with the former UFC titleholder in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh. Ahead of their massive crossover contest, ‘The Gypsy King’ took a trip to The Land of Smiles over the summer. While there, Fury was seen partying and taking in a few fight cards at Rajadamnern Muay Thai Stadium.
Speaking about his experience traveling to Thailand with the heavyweight champ, John Fury appears to have fallen in love with the country known for its sweltering weather and brutal Muay Thai events.
“All the men are warriors over there. All the women are warriors, never mind the men,” John Fury an ambassador for Free Bets said in a LowKick MMA exclusive interview. “They all love fighting, don’t they? The whole place is built on violence, isn’t it? They’re lovely people to speak to. We enjoyed it there. It was fabulous. We got received very well, but you can see the only thing that the people have got on their mind is fighting and gambling. Gambling and fighting, what a combination!”.
“I enjoyed Thailand. It was an eye-opener for me. The weather was very hot over there. It’s a totally different way of life than the one we live here. They’re a lot tougher race. I went to a few of the Thai boxing events and my god, it was brutal. Big guys made of titanium just getting the p*ss and sh*t knocked out of each other. It was an unbelievable experience for me to watch it. To be honest with you, I felt like a p*ssy out there”.
Both of John Fury’s Boys Will Be in Action This Month
John Fury will be a very busy man this month as both of his sons will be in action. First, undefeated standout Tommy Fury will return to the squared circle for a matchup with social media star KSI as part of Misfits Boxing’s ‘The PRIME Card’ on October 14 in Manchester. Two weeks later, ‘The Gypsy King’ will meet Francis Ngannou in a heavyweight showdown in the Middle East before reportedly returning to the country two months later for a long-awaited title unification bout with Oleksandr Usyk.
A Mauy Thai event in Bangkok, Thailand is at the centre of an outbreak of COVID-19 in the country. On the 6th of March, the Lumpini Boxing Stadium in the Thai capital of Bangkok held a Mauy Thai event attended by 5000 fans. Since then, COVID-19 cases have spiked, and according to reports, the outbreak […]
A Mauy Thai event in Bangkok, Thailand is at the centre of an outbreak of COVID-19 in the country.
On the 6th of March, the Lumpini Boxing Stadium in the Thai capital of Bangkok held a Mauy Thai event attended by 5000 fans. Since then, COVID-19 cases have spiked, and according to reports, the outbreak can be traced back to this boxing event.
Per Channel 7, many people have been confirmed to have the Corona Virus since attending the Mauy Thai event. This includes famous TV star Matthew Deane Chanthavanij who presented the night of fights.
The report also confirms others who had entered the ring, such as sponsors, had also contracted the virus. It also claims at least 26 people who sat in the first few rows had tested positive for the virus.
With so many confirmed cases, it is now feared that hundreds, even thousands more are yet to be diagnosed. You can only assume a lot of people in attendance now have Corona Virus as the stadium was packed, people were close to each other and cheering crowds would have allowed for the smooth transition from one person to the next.
Does this case prove governments are doing the right thing by shutting down sporting events?
The morality of children fighting for sport (both here and abroad) has given us plenty of opportunities for debate over the years. In Thailand, no such debate exists. Little kids fight Muay Thai, and that’s the way it is.
Still, it’s always a little unsettling for us American non-sociopath-types to see a child kicked unconscious, which is what happens around the 1:59 mark of the video above. The referee’s position actually blocks the impact from our view, but the aftermath — in which the losing fighter in the blue gloves is motionless on his back for about 15 seconds — suggests that he got seriously rattled. For what it’s worth, the YouTube page identifies the winner as “Baby Muay Thai fighter Pee,” and calls it a KO via body kick. Congrats, Pee.
Look, I know this is how things are done over there, but just because something is tradition, doesn’t mean it’s sacred. Kiddie Muay Thai knockouts — good or bad for humanity? Call 1-888-CAGE-TATO right now and let us know how you feel. Or just use the comments section.
The morality of children fighting for sport (both here and abroad) has given us plenty of opportunities for debate over the years. In Thailand, no such debate exists. Little kids fight Muay Thai, and that’s the way it is.
Still, it’s always a little unsettling for us American non-sociopath-types to see a child kicked unconscious, which is what happens around the 1:59 mark of the video above. The referee’s position actually blocks the impact from our view, but the aftermath — in which the losing fighter in the blue gloves is motionless on his back for about 15 seconds — suggests that he got seriously rattled. For what it’s worth, the YouTube page identifies the winner as “Baby Muay Thai fighter Pee,” and calls it a KO via body kick. Congrats, Pee.
Look, I know this is how things are done over there, but just because something is tradition, doesn’t mean it’s sacred. Kiddie Muay Thai knockouts — good or bad for humanity? Call 1-888-CAGE-TATO right now and let us know how you feel. Or just use the comments section.
We got an email from Junie Browning over the weekend in our “tips” account in which the embattled former UFC fighter gives his full account of what went un last weekend in Thailand. We figured we would post it in full and let you decide for yourself what the truth is.
To recap, Thai police were looking for “The Lunatik” after he was involved in a brawl in a bar in Phuket last Sunday that spilled over into the hospital where several of the participants were being treated for injuries sustained during the raucous fight.
Check out the rest of the photos and Junie’s longhand version of events after the jump.
We got an email from Junie Browning over the weekend in our “tips” account in which the embattled former UFC fighter gives his full account of what went un last weekend in Thailand. We figured we would post it in full and let you decide for yourself what the truth is.
To recap, Thai police were looking for “The Lunatik” after he was involved in a brawl in a bar in Phuket last Sunday that spilled over into the hospital where several of the participants were being treated for injuries sustained during the raucous fight.
Check out the rest of the photos and Junie’s longhand version of events below:
I am writing this in regards to the events that happened this past Sunday night in Karon. and in the Patong hospital following. I am aware of previous allegations in my past that may lead people to believe that the way the event is being portrayed in the media is true. I came to Thailand to train MMA and rebuild my reputation and career as a professional athlete. My current physical condition and the reputation that is being built by corrupt media is fatal to my career. I was in fact the victim in this case and it is important I am able to tell my side of the story and provide you with pictures and evidence to support it. There was an attempt to end my life and I am begging for help from the US Embassy. My girlfriend and I have had our lives repeatedly threatened in the hours and days following the event.
Sunday night we arrived at a small bar in Karon with two other females, one of which was friends with the owner. It happened to be the owner of the bars birthday, Simon Wilson Menzies. So he was surrounded by a group of 12-15 of his closest friends who had been drinking in celebration previous to our arrival. My girlfriend and I had a few drinks, and seeing we didn’t know anyone, had decided to leave to go home. We had contacted a cab and he was on his way to meet us. He would call when he arrived.
A discussion via text message with one of the girls I had arrived with, resulted in MJ Castro and Simon Menzies confronting me in the street, MJ screaming and swinging her hands in front of my face. I do not know why she was mad. Nothing that I had said involved her or her friends whatsoever. I assumed she was mad that we were leaving the party because we were on our way out to meet our cab. Without any notice I found myself in a physical altercation with Simon in the street.
I could tell from the moment he stepped in front of me, he was looking for a fight. At this point, it just involved me and Simon, my girlfriend standing next to us. In only a few seconds, my girlfriend was thrown across the street and I had been hit from behind in the back of the head by a glass beer bottle. I stood up looking for my attacker and found myself surrounded by a mob of people. It was no longer a man on man “bar brawl” but a fight for my survival. I was trying to defend myself in the street when at some point I fell back to the ground. They drug me back into the bar where they pummeled me with punches and kicks. It was me against everyone. For a second time I received a mass blow over the head with a thick glass mug that split my head open and made me fall to the floor. I curled up in the fetal position, submissive, and I continued to be kicked and hit. My arms up covering my face I felt a slice to my forearm and another stab to my neck.
A Thai girl had a knife and was attacking my head with it. I must have lost consciousness from blood loss because the next thing I knew, my girlfriend had sprawled her body on top of mine to protect me from any more blows. She was screaming that it was “enough” and that the fight was over. She was taking kicks in my place until a bystander grabbed me by the shoulders and drug my body down the steps into the street. All of my attackers remained standing in the bar unharmed. I was going in and out of consciousness which I am assuming was from my head trauma while the ambulance arrived and I was transported to the hospital.
My girlfriend accompanied me in the emergency vehicle drenched in by blood and witnessed the paramedics revive me by CPR twice.
The man that original attacked me, Simon Wilson Menzies, we later discovered had been arrested on an plane from Australia in April 2011, after being refused alcohol.
The following article taken from ntnews.com.au explains those events and will allow you to take into consideration his character:
“A MAN on a flight to Darwin threatened to “smash” the captain and blow the plane up after cabin crew refused to serve him more booze.
Sydney man Simon Wilson Menzies, 31, was drunk and angry when he told the female cabin crew manager on a flight this week that he could”bring the plane down if he wanted.”
Menzies said: “I’m half muslim, half Aboriginal and everyone else is a white a*******. I could f******blow up the plane.”
He then began to sing a song about the plane crashing and everyone dying.
Last week in Darwin Magistrates Court the child counsellor became the first person in Australia to be charged and convicted under new Commonwealth laws relating to threatening and assaulting plane crew members. The amended laws came into effect on March 30.
Magistrate Elizabeth Morris gave him a one month suspended sentence for the offence.
The court heard Menzies was on Jetstar flight JQ81 from Brisbane to Darwin on Tuesday when he became abusive after being refused a fourth beer.
The court heard he was refused service because he continued to be rowdy despite repeated warnings.
After he was refused service Menzies, who is 190cm and solidly built, stood over the cabin crew manager and told her to get the captain.
“Send the captain I will f****** smash him I’m the biggest guy on the plane,” he said.
Later, in the galley, Menzies confronted the captain, who feared that the drunk man was going to assault him.
When a female passenger approached the pair and told Menzies that he was causing her friend to have a panic attack he said: “I don’t give a f*** about your friend.”
Menzies eventually returned to his seat and when the plane landed in Darwin he was arrested by police and held in custody overnight.
The court heard he had been taking strong anti-depressant for three months and it was the first time he had mixed them with alcohol.
Menzies was travelling to Bali for a family holiday via Darwin when he was arrested.
Ms Morris fined him $400 and released him on the suspended sentence in time for his flight to Bali the following morning.
Under the new laws the maximum summary penalty for threatening or assaulting a flight crew member is two years prison or a $13,500 fine.”
Once I arrived at the hospital, I was rolled into a large open room and my girlfriend was put in a wheelchair and checked for wounds. They thought she had been cut as well because of the amount of blood that covered her body. They showered her and threw her clothes in the trash. When she was allowed to see me, she informed me that she had been kicked but was not injured and what she had experienced in the last moments of the fight and on the ambulance. She said she feared they had killed me and that I was lucky to be alive. They began to assess my wounds and stitch up the three large gashed on my head.
Without any consideration to my safety or the events that had just occurred, they placed both Menzies accompanied by MJ Castro, and the man who had attacked me with a mug in the beds right beside me. Needless to say, I became furious and again words were exchanged. As it escalated a second time into a physical fight, MJ attempted to intervene and was struck in the rumble. Security and Patong Police arrived and restrained all parties. I was taken into the waiting lobby on a stretcher in handcuffs in front of numerous people to finish giving me medical attention. At no point was I rude or uncooperative with either the medical staff or the police. Taken into consideration the severity of my wounds and my demeanor and my girlfriend’s statement, the police officer removed my handcuffs. We were told by the officer that we should stay the night in the hospital to have my head monitored and would be able to go home with no charges the next morning. It was obvious to him that I was the victim.
The hospital staff was extremely kind, giving both my girlfriend and I clean clothes and beds to sleep on. I was hooked up to an IV and had arranged for friends to be picked up at 10:00am the next morning after my wounds were reassessed. My intentions were to file a police report in the morning and deal with this in a civil manner. Hours later, my phone began to ring with numerous reliable sources stating that we were not safe and we needed to leave now! They said that local Thais and mafia had a price on my head and were headed to the hospital and both my girlfriend and my life were at risk. We were told to trust or talk to no one and to just leave. We are aware that the mafia is a real thing and took this very seriously. We panicked and decided that our best option was to escape in the middle of the night and hope we could make it home. Our first thought was to get ahold of the police for protection but were told that it was corrupt and that they would be of no assistance. My girlfriend pulled out my IV and jumped a fence to find a taxi to come pick me up. When one arrived I jumped in and we headed home to pack.
Two friends came banging on the door which we didn’t answer for fear of who it might be. They continued to bang on the windows until we realized who it was. We do not want to mention their names to protect them from being associated with the situation and any harm that may come to them. They said there was no time that I needed to hide. They even mentioned that if my girlfriend was found, they would kill or harm her in attempt to find me. Being US citizens in a foreign country we were terrified and had to act quickly. With these threats in mind we made a plan. I went to hide while my girlfriend stayed behind to pack and arrange travel out of the city. Keep in mind, we left behind a house we have rented through May, a dog we left in a friends care, and numerous personal belongings. Approximately one hour later I was picked up by taxi and we headed out of Phuket. Four hours later we arrived in Krabi to stay the night in a hotel and figure out what to do.
The next day I received two separate phone calls from MJ Castro (which I was informed is not her real name) and Simon Menzie saying that we needed to pay several hundred thousand baht or they would continue to hunt us. In addition, facebook messages and phone calls flooded in from friends and acquaintances telling us we were in big trouble and needed to get back to the US quickly and again to speak to no one. They instructed us to attempt to cross the Malaysian border and get on the first flight home. At this point we packed again and boarded a mini van to Hatyai. We booked a hotel and and paid for two tickets on the 9:00am bus to Kuala Lumpar still unsure of what we should do. While in Hatyai, we contacted the US Embassy still afraid to tell anyone of our location. We did not want to flee the situation, but needed to confide in people we could trust. We were told not to use our phones or internet to avoid any chance of the wrong people discovering our location. I was contacted by a friend from the United States and who had previously lived in Bangkok and was able to arrange transport from friends of his with protection to the US Embassy.
To this point I have been unable to seek the medical attention that I desperately need. My vision in my right eye is impaired, I am in severe pain, I am going through fainting and dizzy spells, and have sever head trauma. We had to use the internet to try to figure out how to deal with it on our own. My girlfriend has been dressing my wounds and at night sets an alarm every two hours to wake me up. She asks me simple questions and checks my eyes to make sure I am coherent and stable. All we are asking for is help from people we can trust which brings us here now. We are victims of a viscous assault and attempt on our lives. We are seeking the assistance of the US Embassy and want to clear my name of the wrong-doing I was accused of.
Gearing up for his showdown with Francis Ngannou on October 28, Tyson Fury headed to Phuket, Thailand alongside his father and coach John Fury. The reigning WBC heavyweight champion is slated for a scrap with the former UFC titleholder in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh. Ahead of their massive crossover contest, ‘The Gypsy King’ […]
A Mauy Thai event in Bangkok, Thailand is at the centre of an outbreak of COVID-19 in the country. On the 6th of March, the Lumpini Boxing Stadium in the Thai capital of Bangkok held a Mauy Thai event attended by 5000 fans. Since then, COVID-19 cases have spiked, and according to reports, the outbreak […]
