YOKKAO was founded in Bangkok on 1 January 2010 by Philip Villa[3] and Doungjaj Tananan. It began by producing Muay Thai shorts and training equipment. In February 2011, YOKKAO started the YOKKAO Fight Team which sponsors Muay Thai Fighters around the world. The earliest line-up of the fight team included Buakaw Banchamek, Yoddecha Sityodtong, Jordan Watson, Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee, Saenchai P.K. Saenchai, Dzhabar Askerov, Cedric Muller and Liam Harrison.[4] They also partnered up with Muay Thai camps such as Sityodtong.
In November 2011, the company started Muay Thai fight promotion by holding preliminary selections where winners would go on to fight at the first major YOKKAO fight event. The show was titled YOKKAO Extreme and took place on 21 January 2012 at the Forum di Assago in Milan, Italy.[5][6][7][8] The fight events were later briefly titled Muay Thai Combat Mania YOKKAO due to the partnership with Muay Thai Combat before, shortening to the current name with the 9th event on 24 May 2014.
On 11 October 2014, YOKKAO World Titles for 65k g and 70kg were introduced at YOKKAO 10 & 11. Pakorn defeated Greg Wootton while Jordan Watson took a KO win over Mickael Piscitello to become the first YOKKAO World Champions at 65kg and 70kg respectively.[9]
YOKKAO has held fight events in Italy, UK, Hong Kong, China, Argentina, Australia, Mexico and Thailand.[10][11][12][13][14]
On 1 January 2019, YOKKAO updated its logo design.[15]
In November 2020, YOKKAO founder, Philip Villa announced over social media the signing of Rodtang Jitmuangnon, Nuenglanlek Jitmuangnon and Sakaengam Jitmuangnon under a 3-year sponsorship deal.[16]
In February 2021, YOKKAO signed female Muay Thai champions Duangdawnoi Looksaikongdin and Aida Looksaikongdin as well as transgender fighter, Nong Rose Baan Charoensuk.[17]
In March 2021, YOKKAO signed Glory Kickboxing world champion, Petpanomrung Kiatmuu9.
Business model
YOKKAO has training centers around the world through partnership in local gyms. Locations include Australia, Canada, Argentina, the UK, the Republic of San Marino, Croatia, Bahrain, Hong Kong, China, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand.[18][19]
In September 2013, YOKKAO announced the start of YOKKAO fight events in the UK.[20] The events started formally with YOKKAO 8 on 8 March 2014, at the Macron Stadium in Bolton, UK. The stadium has since become a regular venue for YOKKAO events in the UK.
In early 2016, the company opened the first YOKKAO Training Center in Bangkok. It's located in the centralised district of Sukhumvit and is the official training camp for the YOKKAO fight team.[21]
In February 2017, YOKKAO was featured on CNN for using social media in driving the brand's global exposure.[22][23]
In July 2017, the company announced the establishment of an YOKKAO warehouse in Republic of San Marino.[citation needed]
On 29 October 2018, YOKKAO hosted its first WBC title fight where Manachai fought against Julio Lobo from Brazil for the vacant WBC Muay Thai world welterweight title on YOKKAO 34 in Hong Kong. Manachai won the fight by decision to clinch the championship belt.[24][25][26]
On 8 April 2019, YOKKAO announced that it will host its official event for the first time in Sydney, Australia.[citation needed]
On 18 April 2019, YOKKAO announced the launch of its fighter management branch, YOKKAO Agency.[citation needed]
On 27 July 2019, YOKKAO held its first Ireland event in Dublin where Singdam fought against Craig Coakley for the WBC Muay Thai Diamond Super-Lightweight title.[27][28][29][30] Singdam won the fight via decision to clinch the WBC diamond belt.[31]
defeated Mickaël Piscitello to be crowned inaugural YOKKAO world champion (round 3 TKO leg injury)
Training center
YOKKAO Training Center Bangkok is the official YOKKAO gym located in the downtown of Bangkok, Thailand. It was opened in 2016 when it became the home and training camp of the YOKKAO Thailand Fight Team. The gym is also opened to the public for training.[33]
YOKKAO Training Center Bangkok has hosted professional fighters and celebrities for Muay Thai training including UK Muay Thai fighter, Liam Harrison, Joe Jonas and Cole Whittle of American pop band DNCE,[34] and fashion model Mia Kang.[citation needed]
Sombat Banchamek a.k.a. Buakaw Banchamek is a professional Muay Thai fighter and kickboxer from Thailand of ethnic Kuy descent and Khon Isan, who formerly fought out of Por. Pramuk Gym, in Bangkok, Thailand, under the ring name Buakaw Por. Pramuk.
Dzhabar Askerov is a Russian Welterweight kickboxer fighting out of Melbourne, Australia and representing Russia. He is the World Muay Thai Council's Muay Thai Welterweight European Champion and K-1 MAX Scandinavia 2008 Tournament Finalist.
Suphachai "Saenchai" Saepong, formerly known as Saenchai Sor. Kingstar, is a Thai muaythai of Khon Isan descent. Saenchai won the Lumpinee Stadium title, which is widely considered the most prestigious title in Muay Thai, in four different weight divisions, while mostly fighting larger opponents. He is considered by many to be the best pound for pound Muay Thai fighter, and is regarded as one of the best fighters of all time. Saenchai would often give up weight to find worthy opponents in Thailand, and from 2003 to 2014 only lost two times in Thailand when the weights were equal, with all other losses happening when he was forced to have a weight disadvantage to make the fights more equal.
Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, formerly known as Nong-O Sit Or and Nong-O Gaiyanghadaogym, and now known as Nong-O Hama MuayThai or simply known as Nong-O Hama, is a Muay Thai fighter currently signed to ONE Championship and is the former and inaugural ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion. As of January 16, 2024, he is ranked #2 and #3 respectively in the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing rankings.
Liam "The Hitman" Harrison is an English welterweight Muay Thai fighter currently fighting out of Bad Company and trains at Jitti Gym and Yokkao Training Center in Bangkok. As of January 16, 2024, he is ranked #5 in the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai rankings. Harrison holds notable wins over: Muangthai P.K.Saenchai, Tetsuya Yamato, Malaipet Sasiprapa, Mehdi Zatout, Andrei Kulebin, Anuwat Kaewsamrit, and Dzhabar Askerov.
Sagetdao Petpaiyathai is a Muay Thai fighter and mixed martial artist from Thailand who is currently signed to ONE Championship. He is a former Lumpinee Stadium champion in three weight classes and is known for his strong knee and clinch style of fighting. He now teaches at Evolve MMA in Singapore.
Singdam Yokkao Saenchaigym, formerly known as Singdam Kiatmuu9, is a Muay Thai fighter from Thailand. He is a Lumpinee Stadium champion, and is known for his powerful right kicks and technical fighting.
Pakorn P.K. Saenchai Muaythaigym is a Thai Muay Thai kickboxer, originally from the Phra Samut Chedi District, but now fighting out of Bangkok, Thailand. Pakorn is a former 135 lbs. Lumpinee Stadium champion and 65 kg Yokkao champion. He is the former 115 lbs Rajadamnern Stadium champion and is currently ranked nr. 1 at 135bs. He holds wins over fighters such as Sagetdao Petpayathai, Jomthong Chuwattana, Nong-O Kaiyanghadaogym, Pornsanae Sitmonchai and Kongsak Sitboonmee.
Petchmorakot Petchyindee, formerly known as Phetmorakot Wor Sangprapai, is a Thai retired Muay Thai kickboxer, originally from the Ubon Ratchathani province, Northeast of Thailand, but now fighting out of Bangkok. Phetmorakot's brand of Muay Thai is distinguished by his slicing elbows and devastating knees.
Panpayak Jitmuangnon is a Thai Muay Thai fighter, originally from the Samut Prakarn, but now fighting out of Bangkok, Thailand. He is the former Lumpinee Stadium featherweight and bantamweight champion and former Rajadamnern light flyweight and Rajadamnern mini flyweight champion. Panpayak holds wins over fighters such as Sam-A Kaiyanghadaogym, Prajanchai P.K.Saenchaimuaythaigym, Wanchalong PKSaenchaimuaythaigym, Jomhod Sakami and Aikmongkol Gaiyanghadaogym.
Superlek Kiatmuu9 is a Muay Thai kickboxer of Khon Isan descent. He is the current ONE Kickboxing Flyweight World Champion, he is also former two-weight Lumpinee Stadium champion and the former WBC Muaythai Super featherweight World champion. He was voted the Sports Authority of Thailand 2012 Muay Thai Fighter of the Year.
Muangthai P.K. Saenchaimuaythaigym is a Muay Thai kickboxer, originally from Nong Ki District. Muangthai (เมืองไทย) is known by his aggressive fight style and angled elbow strikes
Jirapart Waiprakorn, known as Manachai, is a Muay Thai fighter and Former WMO Welterweight World Champion from Thailand. He was originally from Buriram, in the north-eastern Isaan region of Thailand, now fighting out of YOKKAOSaenchaiGym in Bangkok.
Spencer Brown, also known as Spencer YokkaoSaenchaiGym, is a Scottish super lightweight Muay Thai kickboxer currently fighting out of YOKKAO Training Center Bangkok in Thailand. He is a WBC Muay Thai European champion.
Jonathan Haggerty is a British Muay Thai fighter currently signed with ONE Championship. He is the reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion and former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion.
Rodtang Jitmuangnon is a professional Muay Thai fighter from Thailand. He currently competes in ONE Championship and is the reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion. Jitmuangnon is also a former Omnoi Stadium 130 lb Champion and MAX Muay Thai 125 lb Champion.
Walter Gonçalves is a Brazilian Muay Thai fighter.
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