6 Muay Thai Fighters From Outside of Thailand You Should Be Following

Thailand is home to many of the world’s best Muay Thai fighters. The art of the eight limbs is a national treasure, with a tradition that dates back to ancient Thai history. Now it is one of the world’s most popular combat sports. More than that it is a way of life for the country’s multitude of fighters, like the great Buakaw Banchamek and the legendary Samart Payakaroon.

But Muay Thai has transcended Thai borders. Today it is a martial art known and practised globally. Proof of this is the many Muay Thai fighters competing in tournaments all over the world. That being said there are a number of top Muay Thai fighters outside of Thailand that you should be following. Here are six of them:

Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu

Von Duuglas-Ittu is one of the world’s best female Muay Thai fighters. She is from Border, Colorado in the U.S., but fights in Thailand most of the time. She is one of top foreign fighters competing, and is known for chronicling her Muay Thai journey. She has blogged about her experiences, and has made videos of her training sessions as well. All this when she’s not fighting, and that’s not often the case. Von Duuglas-Ittu is the most active fighters in Thailand, and she deserves all fanfare she gets.

John Wayne Parr

IMAGE CREDIT: Facebook

Parr, aka The Gunslinger, is arguably the face of Muay Thai outside Thailand. He has fought over 100 fights all around the world, including in his home country of Australia, Thailand, the UK, and the U.S. He has won multiple world titles, and is known for his aggressive, attacking style. This November, Parr is scheduled to fight in a mega-crossover. He will face compatriot Anthony Mundine in a boxing vs. kickboxing crossover. His talent and personality mean Parr is one of the biggest international Muay Thai fighters you should be following.

Simon Marcus

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Quite simply Marcus is The One. A Canadian of Jamaican descent, Marcus is the undisputed star of the heavier cruiserweight and light heavyweight divisions. In fact he just might be the best in those weight classes. That isn’t the least surprising. Marcus once learned Muay Thai from the legendary Ajahn Suchart Yodkerepaupralin, the Thai champ who established a gym in Toronto, For a man his size Marcus is both graceful and athletic, a combination that’s a joy to watch. So, do yourself a favour and follow him now.

Youssef Boughanem

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The Moroccan-Belgian Boughanem is a world champ in his prime. In April, the all-action Boughanem outclassed Joe Craven at the PSM Fight Night. With the win Boughanem won both the World Boxing Council and WKN Muay Thai Super Welterweight world titles. In doing so he also staked his claim as one of the best in the sport. But he is still getting better. This means now is the perfect time to follow his exploits.

Kevin Ross

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Ross, of Pennsylvania, offers more than just his fancy The Soul Assassin nickname. He is one of the world’s very best Muay Thai fighters, and testament to this fact are the titles he has won. Among them is the Bellator Kickboxing Featherweight championship and the WBC USA National Welterweight title. Ross has used Muay Thai as a positive influence in his life and in doing so has become one of the world’s best fighters. So, do check out this man’s journey.

Chris Mauceri

IMAGE CREDIT: Facebook

Mauceri, an American like Ross, is an exciting action fighter. He is very talented, and is technically proficient. Curiously Mauceri once trained in
gymnastics, where he had a legit shot at making the Olympics. But Mauceri turned to Muay Thai instead and this career switch has proven to be a wise move. The Terminator seems to have found his calling and is one of the toughest fighters on the circuit.

Everyone on this list has fought in Thailand, the home of Muay Thai. The biggest fights are held in the capital of Bangkok, primarily at the New Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, the country’s most famous boxing arena, and at the Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium.

Both stadiums are iconic Bangkok landmarks, and hubs of Muay Thai. Here locals and tourists alike enjoy high-level action. It is recommended that every Muay Thai practitioner and fan visit the capital to see the best fighters, including those above, compete. One of the most popular ways fans enjoy the sport is through betting. Whether it is a local or international fighter, Muay Thai fans like to study the fighters before they place a wager. If you will be taking part in this aspect of the sport when watching it in Bangkok it pays to follow the locals and research the combatants beforehand. A guide on how to bet online emphasises the importance of getting to know the sport you are wagering on. By doing so you will be able to make informed bets, which improves your chances of winning. Learning about a fighter’s history is the best way to do this.

If you are in Bangkok when any of the above boxers are fighting we hope that this list will prove useful on who to follow.