Tiger Muay Thai

Tiger Muay Thai
Est.2003 (2003)[1]
Primary trainersPhet Chaimanee (Muay thai)
Rafael Fiziev (Striking)
Eric Uresk (MMA/Wrestling)
Joseph Henle (MMA)
Prominent fightersArman Tsarukyan[2]
Roger Huerta
Alexander Volkanovski[3]
Rafael Fiziev
Cyrus Washington[4]
Dan Hooker[5]
Loma Lookboonmee
Dave Leduc
Kai Kara-France
Valentina Shevchenko
Brad Riddell
Shannon Wiratchai
Mairbek Taisumov
Khamzat Chimaev[6]
Anissa Meksen[7]
HeadquartersPhuket, Thailand
Address7 35 Soi Ta-iad, Chalong
LocationPhuket, Thailand
Training facilitiesPhuket, Thailand
San Sai District, Chiang Mai, Thailand
WebsiteTiger Muay Thai

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

History

American veteran Sean Douglas previously owned a gym in Phuket consisting of only one ring to serve his muay thai training purposes.[8][9] The gym gained popularity and with the help of investors, Douglas founded Tiger Muay Thai in a larger premises in 2003.[8][9] Subsequently, a mixed martial arts program was added.[10]

In 2015, the gym was sold to Thai businessmen and one of them, Viwat Sakulrat, became the managing director of the gym.[8][10] It has continued to grow and is one of the world's most prominent muay thai gyms.[10]

In July 2021, MMA coaches George and Frank Hickman announced they were leaving the team after an amicable split.[11] In April 2022, they opened their own gym called Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA.[12]

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.[13] 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.[14]

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), Dan Hooker (2016), and Arman Tsarukyan (2018).[15][5]

In 2023, Tiger Muay Thai announced a partnership with ONE Championship, offering winners up to US$100,000 in contracts and sponsorships.[16][17]

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.[18]

In 2019, they opened Tiger Muay Thai Beachside in Chalong.[19]

In 2023, Tiger Muay Thai is set to open a new location in Bali, Indonesia.[20]

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. ↑ "TMT Tryouts 2018 winner Arman Tsarukyan has been signed by the UFC! Debutes at UFC St Petersburg on April 20th". Tiger Muay Thai & MMA Training Camp, Phuket, Thailand. 2019-03-26. Retrieved 2026-04-09.
  3. ↑ "Team TMT Fighter Alex Volkanovski gets his shot in the UFC". Tiger Muay Thai. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  4. ↑ "Penthouse Magazine runs article on Tiger Muay Thai's Cyrus Washington". Tiger Muay Thai. 12 October 2010.
  5. 1 2 "Congrats to the Figh Team Tryout 2016 winners & welcome to Tiger Muay Thai". Tiger Muay Thai. 9 April 2016.
  6. ↑ "Huge Update on UFC Star Khamzat Chimaev's Training and 2023 Campaign". 25 January 2023.
  7. ↑ "TMT Fighter Meksen Anissa just signed with ONE Championship!". 25 August 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 "Tiger Muay Thai Review". muaythaicitizen.com. September 18, 2020.
  9. 1 2 "The History & Evolution of Tiger Muay Thai". Tiger Muay Thai.
  10. 1 2 3 Frances Watthanaya (April 26, 2020). "Tiger Muay Thai's Rise From Humble Gym To Global Juggernaut". ONE Championship.
  11. ↑ "George and Frank Hickman leave Tiger Muay Thai". asianmma.com. July 3, 2021.
  12. ↑ "'Training in paradise': Bangtao MMA gym changing the game in Phuket". South China Morning Post. 2022-04-30. Retrieved 2022-10-09.
  13. ↑ "Calling All Fighters! Apply for 2014 Fight Team Tryouts now!". Tiger Muay Thai. February 4, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Kara France's Journey: From Cruise Ship to The Ultimate Fighter". UFC. March 5, 2020.
  15. ↑ Cox, Rob (14 November 2020). "Tiger Muay Thai: the Phuket powerhouse that became a global fitness destination". Asian MMA.
  16. ↑ "Tiger Muay Thai tryouts are back – and offering US$100,000 ONE Championship contracts". South China Morning Post. June 19, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Get to Know Series: George Hickman". Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA. January 17, 2024.
  18. ↑ Wannakorn Moolkam (October 18, 2012). "Tiger Muay Thai – massive Muay Thai gym to open in Chiang Mai". chiangmaicitylife.com.
  19. ↑ "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.
  20. ↑ "Tiger Muay Thai to open new gym in Bali". Asian MMA. 2023-06-09. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
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