Post: #1

Hi gents,

I am recently single, and can be location independent through online teaching. I have been getting progressively more serious about my Muay Thai training in Mexico. I intend to do some amateur fights soon, and in my estimation from sparring I even have something for the "pro" fighters at my weight at my gym. But I know sparring and a real fight are very different things. I have a dream- a bit of a long shot but something I think a worthy pursuit- to become an accomplished kickboxer in the land where it originated and is prestigious.

To my limited research, it seems Muay Thai originated in Cambodia as Kun Khmer (though even that may be traced back to India). You can get personal coaching from stadium champions and legends in both countries. If I could just teach online a few hours a day, morning or afternoon, and really dedicate myself to training with the best, I would like to see how far I could go. Approaching 30, I'm reasonably content but feel like I am running out of time to ever chase a dream. Just becoming rich is not that motivating- I grew up somewhat upper class- and the big houses and fancy cars seemed kinda shallow. It's just not that much of a dream to me. To be a champion fighter in a sport I am coming to love- in a place where that is prestigious and well-respected- is more enthralling to me.

There are a few reasons I'm leaning toward Cambodia. First off it sounds like it's easier to get fights as a foreigner than in Thailand. The Cambodians love to have fights that are (Cambodian fighter) vs Thai, or (Cambodian fighter) vs. French guy, etc... SEA Kickboxing is the national sport of both Thailand and Cambodia, but Cambodia is more of B-league and perhaps I have a more realistic chance of accomplishing something there. And if I do reach the level I hope, I could then go to Thailand.

Also a consideration, for me: Cambodia is much more 42O friendly- legally and culturally. Before people say that is very contradictory to being a high-level athlete, Joe Rogan estimates that at least half of UFC fighters partake. It is also good for body/muscle soreness, and even head trauma.

I will first try to get to Cambodia via being hired to a top-tier international school in which case I could live there, make good money, and still train nearly every day. If I can't get that job, I would go as an English teacher (already with sufficient online work to support me).

I think I would like Cambodian women, but hope that there are enough girls in the city who are open to sex before marriage but aren't whores.

Anyways, I don't really have a question but invite the thoughts of others here, particularly martial artists and/or people who have lived in SEA- but I ask you try not to crush my dreams. I know that boxing against people fighting to simply feed themselves and their families is no small task; they are ruthless and hard as nails.

Post: #2

I spent four months in Thailand four years ago and did about six weeks of training at two different camps, one in Chiang Mai and another in Pai. It was a great experience in many ways and I got into really good shape, which was my goal. I considered fight but after attending my first fight night in CM where some of the fighters from my gym got their faces rearranged, I decided not to. I was totally new to Muay Thai, the camps I went to were very newbie friendly. One piece of advice I have is to party hard first to get that out of your system then do your training, it'll be easier to focus that way.

Post: #3

I'm thinking about doing an MT camp around this time next year. Would ideally want to do two months. BJJ is my main thing and I do that about three or four times per week (2 hour classes). Out of curiosity. How long did it take you to adjust so that you weren't feeling absolutely demolished by the training? How many times per week did you train?

Post: #4

I prepared myself before by getting my cardio dialed in back home but still I couldn't keep up with a lot of the guys at the camp who were machines. The trainers didn't go too hard on us newbies but it still took at least a week to get used to it, I only did the morning session the first week and eventually did both daily sessions. Also, there's a good chance tgat you'll get some kind of minor injury and will likely get sick (traveller's diarrhea) at some pointvso be prepared for that.

Post: #5

I was in Cambodia last year. Spent about 4 months there.

Visas are quite easy. You can extend your visa up to about 12 months. I looked into working there aswell but the salaries are horrible. Better to work online.

Cambodia is definitely a place on the up and up. In Sihanoukville there are alot of neighbourhoods and houses that look like an American or European suburb. Big houses with big kitchens that go for about $500 and less. You can pick up alot of tourist notches in Sihanoukville.

Phnom Penh is very nice aswell. Alot of foreign investment coming in. Obviously there still exists a large gap between rich and poor but it's not as bad a place as some people who have only heard of Cambodia but never been there like to assume.

I found the local women to be quite average compared to their neighbours in Thailand. Clubs and nightlife are full of freelancers. Getting with better looking local women will require you to learn the local language a bit and a social circle.

No idea about fighting pro muay thai there but there's a guy on youtube called 'no joke howard'. He's a bit of a weirdo but he vlogs about life in Cambodia and he's also a kickboxer, maybe you can find some information there.

Best of luck !

Post: #6

(12-06-2016 11:14 AM)Dirty Harry Wrote:  No idea about fighting pro muay thai there but there's a guy on youtube called 'no joke howard'. He's a bit of a weirdo but he vlogs about life in Cambodia and he's also a kickboxer, maybe you can find some information there.

Three minutes into researching this guy and this pops up:

Post: #7

[email protected] Ringo

How old are you Moto? Muay Thai is for young men and competitive fighting has a very short window. Do you have any idea how corrupt pro fighting in Thailand is? You are more likely to be paid to take a dive than to fight legit.

Post: #8

@ Dirty Harry, I'll definitely check it out.

@Kai, I'm late 20s so a little bit on the old side. But I was a 'late bloomer,' and I'm not starting from scratch. Though I have less than a year of pure MT training, I have years (each) of wrestling, TKD, and Kung Fu and all of them gave me some skills that transfer to Muay Thai. But I know better than to call it that in Cambodia.

If I actually do fight there, I know that I will need to be like Ramon Dekkers and go for the KO. Below is an example of a recent fight in Cambodia where the English guy clearly won (though you wouldn't think it from just the first round) but because he also did a foul (+ corruption/bias) the judges gave them a tie.





So yes, I am aware it is corrupt and heavily biased towards locals.

Post: #9

Try Phuket. Lots of avenues for fighting and fighters street has a world of Muay Thai gyms. Phuket Top Team is top gun, imho, and has some world renowned fighters.

Post: #10

(12-06-2016 11:56 AM)Ringo Wrote:  

(12-06-2016 11:14 AM)Dirty Harry Wrote:  No idea about fighting pro muay thai there but there's a guy on youtube called 'no joke howard'. He's a bit of a weirdo but he vlogs about life in Cambodia and he's also a kickboxer, maybe you can find some information there.

Three minutes into researching this guy and this pops up:

Hahaha, i said he was a weirdo. Lots of foreigners like that in that part of the world.

Post: #11

(12-06-2016 04:44 PM)Moto Wrote:  @ Dirty Harry, I'll definitely check it out.

@Kai, I'm late 20s so a little bit on the old side. But I was a 'late bloomer,' and I'm not starting from scratch. Though I have less than a year of pure MT training, I have years (each) of wrestling, TKD, and Kung Fu and all of them gave me some skills that transfer to Muay Thai. But I know better than to call it that in Cambodia.

If I actually do fight there, I know that I will need to be like Ramon Dekkers and go for the KO. Below is an example of a recent fight in Cambodia where the English guy clearly won (though you wouldn't think it from just the first round) but because he also did a foul (+ corruption/bias) the judges gave them a tie.


So yes, I am aware it is corrupt and heavily biased towards locals.

Ok I was just checking to make sure you understood what you were getting yourself into.

The average MT fighter lasts around 5 years professionally. Typical is to start a good bit before 18 (for Thais at least), or sometimes as a child. By the time they are mid to late 20s they are too beat up to still be fighting and teach or do something else related to fighting or get out of the fight world completely. I have no idea what impact your wrestling has done to your body, but I can easily see you trying this for a year or two max and quitting. Nothing wrong with that at all.

Dekkers was a psycho or Goku in human form. You don't seem all that crazy to me.

Just be realistic with yourself and try to have fun.