Bangkok,
Thailand is the Mecca for Muay Thai practitioners and attracts people from all
over the world to get a taste of the real Thai
boxing training atmosphere. Pro fighters are seeking ways to improve their
stand up game and striking ability while others pulled by mystical side of the
art and signing up for a few days of light and easy- tour type of training.
Until
recently Muay Thai’s domination of the Bangkok martial arts scene was total and
undisputed. Then MMA came into the picture revealing the flip side of the coin
– the grappling. The very first Thailand ValeTudo event in Bangkok in March 2002
has proved that Muay Thai is a big part of fighting ability but not everything.
People quikcly turned to grappling and ground fighting.
Finding a Muay
Thai camp in Bangkok is an easy task since there are at least a few dozens of
them around, but if it comes to MMA and grappling than it becomes almost mission
impossible. Still, such a place exists. The Bangkok Fight Club is still the only
place to practice MMA, BJJ and grappling in town. Started as a fight promotion
and sponsored by famous Fairtex Co., Bangkok Fight Club is a place where local
and visiting MMA talent getting together to train and meet cool new people.
Local
Thai boxers are here to cross train in grappling and visiting fighters come to
stay in shape. Since MMA has just started getting popular in Thailand (after a
local TV station broadcasted a few earlier UFC events) the local MMA community
is fairly small and most of the club members are beginners. It’s a good experience
for local guys to get to train with visiting Bangkok MMA athletes. This week Vince
Malpasso the super heavy weight of the BJJ Revolution Team started training at
the Bangkok Fight Club fresh from his impressive victory in 2003 Copa Pacifica
. Vince just moved to Bangkok and instantly won himself new friends in Thailand.
Alex Berezovik – one of the instructors at the club says “It’s really important
for us to be a part of the international MMA community that’s why we are inviting
all MMA and BJJ guys visiting Bangkok to stop by the club for training or just
a friendly visit”. At the moment Bangkok fight Club is preparing for the upcoming
in October Pattaya Free Fight MMA event in Pattaya, Thailand. This will be a challenging
test for the Bangkok Fight Club.
Regards, Alex Berezovik
