U.F.C superfight full MMA Rules fight tomorrow night Phuket Thailand

LOL…Gotta Love Thailand promoters.  “UFC Superfight full MMA “

People ask me all the time “how popular is MMA in Thailand”…the honest answer…it is growing.  When I first arrived in Thailand almost 4 years ago, very few Thai’s appreciated the sport of MMA (or as they called it “UFC”).  Living here I have witnessed their rise in interest first hand.  At Tiger Muay Thai we have so many “elite” MMA fighters come through the camp, looking to improve their Muay Thai techniques and work 1 on 1 with our champion trainers.  The trainers have slowly started watching the UFC DVD’s played at the Tiger Grill…and are generally starting to appreciate the sport.

One of the problems with MMA is that for years it was promoted as “Style Vs. Style”.  In the USA the sport gained popularity as Karate Vs. Boxing Vs. BJJ Vs. Tai Chi.  In order for the sport of MMA to grow here in Thailand…it has to be promoted as it’s own “Sport”.  Muay Thai is the national sport of Thailand (Baseball would be the National sport of the USA).  Thai’s don’t have any interest in watching a “challenge” match against Muay Thai.  Muay Thai is at the top of the food chain, and besides being the “sport of thailand”…has been used by the Military for hundreds of years  to keep the country unoccupied.  Just like Boxing is it’s own sport, and K-1 is considered it’s own sport…if “MMA” is promoted as it’s own sport…the thai’s will generally accept it and start to recognize the “realness of the fight”—I don’t think they will ever get use to the “man hugging” done in some of the fights…but at the end of the day…who doesn’t like to see two guys give each other brain damage with 4oz gloves?!!?

Here at TMT we have been trying to spread the sport slowly.  We have sponsored “Thai’s” to compete in grappling tournaments–and have slowly started to groom them for MMA.  Besides our monthly BBQ Beatdown fights…we also occasionally get an opportunity to promote a “professoinal MMA bout” at one of the Thai boxing stadiums.  The fight is held on a Muay Thai fight card, but it gives the crowd exposure to a professional MMA bout.

Tomorrow night…we will be promoting another MMA fight. If you are on the Island of Phuket—come down to Bangla Stadium to show your support.  Ed from the UK will be fighting Ari from Dubai in a 3 round Mixed Martial Arts bout :)

Below is the last fight we promoted at Bangla Stadium.