Why am I moving to Thailand to Train MMA?
As a fighter, every man or woman has an ambition, and mine has always been straightforward: I don't want to go home without any regrets, and I want to test myself against the best. I have worked long, endured a lot of training, and sparred late into the night in the local gyms. However, of late, I have come to the realization that in order to propel my career to the next step, I need to come out of my comfort zone. That is why I chose to relocate to Thailand, the international center of combat sports training and opportunities.
Why Thailand?
Thailand is not only a beautiful country with beaches and temples, but it is also the country of origin of Muay Thai and home of the strongest fighters on the planet. Stroll around the city of Bangkok, Phuket, or Chiang Mai and you will find gyms as packed as possible with sportsmen as diverse as it is possible. The training culture is unequalled here. Fighters eat, sleep and breathe the sport, and gyms push you beyond what you thought possible. Be it honing striking skills under world-renowned Muay Thai masters or refining the art of grappling with overseas world-class trainers, Thailand is a training experience unmatched by any other country. Being a martial arts enthusiast who has an interest in becoming a better martial artist and competitor, this is the perfect realm.
Opportunity to Compete
My other major reason for choosing Thailand is the number of available flights. At home, there is less MMA, and it takes months to get a fight. Combat sports events are held regularly, almost on a weekly basis and occasionally at daily intervals, in different promotions in Thailand. The result of this continuous cycle of competition is that fighters have a chance to remain in the fight game, acquire necessary experience and build their record more quickly. Thailand is full of consistent competition, whether it comes to Muay Thai in the local stadiums or MMA in the international promotions. To me, that is invaluable—I would like to test myself regularly, not once or twice a year.
The Hard Part in Striking a Balance
Naturally, realisation of this dream is associated with sacrifice. The life of a foreign fighter in Thailand is trying to survive on a low budget. All these cost money: training fees, food, accommodation and travel. It is something of a balancing act: how to spend enough so that it is back on its feet to train and compete at a high level, but it has to spend in control.
Freelancing is where it comes in. I have been working as a technical content writer for the last four years, and freelancing can help me earn and train at the same time. Writing helps me to keep afloat in terms of bills and mortgage payments, and be able to pursue this passion anyway. Nothing is ever really easy when it comes to what we chase, is it?
What This Journey Means
To me, leaving to fight in Thailand is not only about fighting; it is about development. Every round in the gym, each and every fight in the cage, and each and every article that I write to keep myself afloat all add to resilience. It is the trip, not the destination, that matters
I know that it will not always be easy—injuries, disappointing losses, financial problems—but that's the road I have chosen. In the end, however, I believe that the struggles will help mold me into a better fighter and a stronger person.
Final Thoughts
Not every person realizes why fighters like us choose this life. To most people, it appears as a sacrifice and ordeal. To me, it is freedom. The freedom to live a purposeful life and push myself every day, and to pursue a dream without fear. Coming to Thailand is the next step in my story, and I can write it not only in the cage but also in the articles. At the end of the day, it does not matter whether you win or you lose—it matters that you can now say that you put everything you had into the fight.
