Exclusive Interview with Professional Kickboxer, Hamza Bounabri

Introduction

Hamza Bounabri is a professional kickboxer and Muay Thai fighter from Casablanca, Morocco.  When he moved to a smaller city, he decided it was time to hit the gym. Hamza Bounabri had begun to train Taekwondo at the young age of twelve. Afterwards, he went to Thailand and fell in love with the culture and trained in Muay Thai. His professional record is 32-6-0 and he is ranked #11 Super Lightweight in the world by the World Kickboxing Federation.  Hamza is a well-rounded fighter with experience in various martial arts. He has an impressive record, and after stepping into a gym at twelve years old, he acquired a seemingly different mindset.

Q & A

Fight Matrix: Will you please tell us what your childhood was like? What was your life like growing up in Morocco?

Hamza Bounabri: The dusty streets of Casablanca were my playground, a concrete jungle where childhood innocence faded fast. Growing up in a middle-class neighborhood, I was surrounded by the echoes of my older brothers’ rebellious spirit. Their footsteps, a siren song of adventure, led me down a path I shouldn’t have taken. Street fights, petty thefts, and reckless acts of defiance became my daily bread. The thrill of chaos, the adrenaline rush of pushing boundaries, consumed me. It was a dangerous game, one that I played with reckless abandon, a young boy lost in the labyrinth of my brothers’ shadow.

 

FM: Was there a specific person that inspired you to get involved in combat Sports?

HB: No not really, no one really told me to start training, but I always felt that I had heart. I never have been shy from a challenge or scared. I just needed a gym and when I found it I found myself.

 

FM: Tell me from your perspective a brief history of Muay Thai (MT)?

HB: Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, has been around for ages! It started in Thailand way back in the 13th century, evolving from an older style of fighting called “Muay”. It became its own thing during the Sukhothai dynasty.

Thailand really loves Muay Thai, it’s their national sport! King Rama V made it official, setting up rules and competitions. It’s a big part of their culture, and you’ll see it everywhere in Thailand.

 

FM: How did you get involved in practicing Muay Thai and kickboxing and why?

HB: At twelve, our world shifted. We uprooted ourselves from the familiar chaos of Casablanca and landed in a smaller city, an hour away. The streets were quieter, the faces unfamiliar. I was adrift, a lone island in a sea of strangers. Without the comfort of friends, I felt like an outsider, a target for the bullies who lurked in the shadows. The taunts and jeers chipped away at my fragile confidence, leaving me feeling powerless. One day, fueled by a surge of anger and a desperate need for change, I walked into a gym. It was a turning point, the beginning of a new chapter in my life.

 

FM: Who do you consider to be the greatest Muay Thai fighter of all time? Please elaborate on that individual.

HB: I’m a big fan of the Muay Matt style because it’s my own personal style. My personal greatest fighter of all time is Pornsanae Sitmonchai, his heart and killer instinct is unmatched, and his knockouts are the most beautiful things to see.

FM: What combat sport is MT similar to and why?

HB: I believe Muay Thai is not similar to any sport, it’s the most brutal of them all. In order to win, you have to keep moving forward taking shots and never show a sign of weakness or pain, judges even score based on your facial expression. If you show any pain, it might cost you the fight

Though, I don’t believe this is the case of any other sport.

 

FM: Are there any sports in addition to, Muay Thai and Kickboxing that you have practiced?

HB: I have practiced taekwondo when I was 12 in Morocco. After I went to Thailand, I practiced wrestling and MMA, under George Hickman which was one of the best coaches I’ve seen. You really feel welcomed, and he does his best teaching you so, I’m grateful for him.

 

FM: What are your hobbies besides practicing the combat sports?

HB: I like to cook. I’m a big fan of cooking. I make the best lasagna.

 

FM: Do you have an interesting hidden talents? 😁

HB: They’re hidden for a reason! 🤫

 

FM: Which martial art do you think is more effective in a street fight, Muay Thai or Kickboxing? Please elaborate on this.

HB: I think Muay Thai can be the most effective in a street fight. You can knee clinch, throw elbow punch or kick so you have a weapon for every range.

 

FM: What is your favorite genre of music? Who is you favorite musicians and why?

HB: I can listen to anything depends on my mood.

FM: You were an athlete fighting in Thailand for quite a while. For how many years were you living in Thailand? Was it difficult to be away from home initially?

HB: I left home at 17 years old. So, yeah it was difficult at first, but the welcoming demeanor of Thai people really made me feel at home. I found some friends that turned into brothers. I kept living in Thailand on and off. I never settled for a long period of time because I had no knowledge of visa laws, but with time I kept staying longer and longer every time.

 

FM: Please tell me Fathallah Fight Team’s mission and it’s concept? What do you strive to do for the Fathallah Fight Team?

HB: Fathallah fight team is a sport association, targeting children and teenagers to learn martial arts to stay away from trouble, drugs and the streets. I strive to do anything in my power to build a well-trained fighting team that can compete anywhere in the world.

 

FM: Tell me about your impact working with adolescents and children. What is the youngest age child that you have trained? What do you feel the greatest benefit for you is?

HB: It’s amazing to see the positive impact Muay Thai and kickboxing can have on young people. I’ve worked with kids as young as 8 years old, and it’s incredible to watch them grow in confidence and discipline. Seeing them overcome challenges, both physically and mentally, is incredibly rewarding.

The greatest benefit for me is knowing that I’m helping these kids stay away from trouble. Muay Thai teaches them self-discipline, respect, and how to channel their energy in a positive way. It’s more than just a sport, it’s a way of life that can empower them to make good choices.

 

FM: How do you feel about your achievements in the combat sports industry?

HB: My achievements might be respected by others, but for me I’m never satisfied, it’s not that I’m not happy. I’m just still young and I believe I have a lot more to give and achieve

 

FM: Tell your fans anything else that you want them to know about you.

HB: I want them to know that I’m just getting started. The sky’s the limit; I’m still aiming to fight in bigger shows and make history.

Conclusion

Hamza Bounabri stated that he enjoys training youth in Muay Thai. This provides them with discipline, respect, and the ability to essentially utilize their energy in a positive way.  Guiding others appears to have changed Hamza’s life by helping youth not to fall down the rabbit hole; Hamza has impacted the lives of these youngsters in a positive way! To work with children, one must have patience and self-discipline both in their own lives and while training.

Hamza Bounabri is young and wants to fight in larger events and go down in history. He has learned a lot from training in combat sports. This motivation to initially go to the gym, was inspired by none other than himself. He was smart and focused at a young age and it helped shape him into the man he currently is.