Tiger Muay Thai

Last updated
Tiger Muay Thai
Tiger Muay Thai.png
Est.2003;22 years ago (2003) [1]
Primary trainersPhet Chaimanee (Muay thai)
Rafael Fiziev (Striking)
Eric Uresk (MMA/Wrestling)
Joseph Henle (MMA)
Prominent fighters Roger Huerta
Alexander Volkanovski [2]
Rafael Fiziev
Cyrus Washington [3]
Dan Hooker [4]
Loma Lookboonmee
Dave Leduc
Kai Kara-France
Valentina Shevchenko
Brad Riddell
Shannon Wiratchai
Mairbek Taisumov
Khamzat Chimaev [5]
Anissa Meksen [6]
Headquarters Phuket, Thailand
Address7 35 Soi Ta-iad, Chalong
LocationPhuket, Thailand
Training facilities Phuket, Thailand
San Sai District, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Website Tiger Muay Thai

Tiger Muay Thai is a Thai mixed martial arts and muay thai training facility located in Phuket, Thailand.

Contents

History

American veteran Sean Douglas previously owned a gym in Phuket consisting of only one ring to serve his muay thai training purposes. [7] [8] The gym gained popularity and with the help of investors, Douglas founded Tiger Muay Thai in a larger premises in 2003. [7] [8] Subsequently, a mixed martial arts program was added. [9]

In 2015, the gym was sold to Thai businessmen and one of them, Viwat Sakulrat, became the managing director of the gym. [7] [9] It has continued to grow and is one of the world's most prominent muay thai gyms. [9]

In July 2021, MMA coaches George and Frank Hickman announced they were leaving the team after an amicable split. [10] In April 2022, they opened their own gym called Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA. [11]

Tiger Muay Thai tryouts

Since 2013, Tiger Muay Thai has been hosting annual Fight Team tryouts where the best applicants receive scholarships to mixed martial arts and muay thai programs. [12] The tryouts are widely recognized for their intensity and the career opportunities they offer The tryout spans multiple days and tests athletes across disciplines such as Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and strength conditioning. Candidates also undergo personal interviews, and the challenge concludes with a gruelling run up Big Buddha hill in Phuket. [13]

The tryouts have gained notoriety for launching the careers of notable fighters. Successful participants who earned full scholarships include: Kai Kara-France (2013), Alexander Volkanovski (2014), Dave Leduc (2016) and Dan Hooker (2016). [14] [15] [16] [17]

In 2023, Tiger Muay Thai announced a partnership with ONE Championship, offering winners up to US$100,000 in contracts and sponsorships. [18] [19]

Locations

While the original Tiger Muay Thai in Chalong, Phuket remains the headquarters, they opened a new facility to San Sai District, Chiang Mai in 2013. [20]

In 2019, they opened Tiger Muay Thai Beachside in Chalong. [21]

In 2023, Tiger Muay Thai is set to open a new location in Bali, Indonesia. [22]

In 2024, Tiger Muay Thai opened in Singapore, Pasir Panjang, and in 2025, they opened a 2nd boutique outlet in Raffles Place.

Notable fighters

References

  1. ↑ "Kru Phet - Tiger Muay Thai Trainer". Tiger Muay Thai. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Team TMT Fighter Alex Volkanovski gets his shot in the UFC". Tiger Muay Thai. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  3. ↑ "Penthouse Magazine runs article on Tiger Muay Thai's Cyrus Washington". Tiger Muay Thai. 12 October 2010.
  4. ↑ "Congrats to the Figh Team Tryout 2016 winners & welcome to Tiger Muay Thai". Tiger Muay Thai. 9 April 2016.
  5. ↑ "Huge Update on UFC Star Khamzat Chimaev's Training and 2023 Campaign". 25 January 2023.
  6. ↑ "TMT Fighter Meksen Anissa just signed with ONE Championship!". 25 August 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 "Tiger Muay Thai Review". muaythaicitizen.com. September 18, 2020.
  8. 1 2 "The History & Evolution of Tiger Muay Thai". Tiger Muay Thai.
  9. 1 2 3 Frances Watthanaya (April 26, 2020). "Tiger Muay Thai's Rise From Humble Gym To Global Juggernaut". ONE Championship .
  10. ↑ "George and Frank Hickman leave Tiger Muay Thai". asianmma.com. July 3, 2021.
  11. ↑ "'Training in paradise': Bangtao MMA gym changing the game in Phuket". South China Morning Post. 2022-04-30. Retrieved 2022-10-09.
  12. ↑ "Calling All Fighters! Apply for 2014 Fight Team Tryouts now!". Tiger Muay Thai. February 4, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Kara France's Journey: From Cruise Ship to The Ultimate Fighter". UFC . March 5, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Dave Leduc: The King of Lethwei". LowKickMMA. June 25, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Thailand-trained Alex Volkanovski all set for UFC 251". AsianMMA. July 8, 2020.
  16. ↑ "How established UFC star Dan Hooker ended up trying out for Tiger Muay Thai". AsianMMA. February 21, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Congrats to the Fight Team Tryout 2016 winners & welcome to Tiger Muay Thai". Tiger Muaythai. 9 April 2016.
  18. ↑ "Tiger Muay Thai tryouts are back – and offering US$100,000 ONE Championship contracts". South China Morning Post . June 19, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Get to Know Series: George Hickman". Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA . January 17, 2024.
  20. ↑ Wannakorn Moolkam (October 18, 2012). "Tiger Muay Thai – massive Muay Thai gym to open in Chiang Mai". chiangmaicitylife.com.
  21. ↑ "Tiger Muay Thai Beachside, our beautiful 2nd Gym located next to Chalong Beach, is opening on the 1st of February 2019!". Tiger Muay Thai. January 9, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Tiger Muay Thai to open new gym in Bali". Asian MMA. 2023-06-09. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.