I don’t usually talk much about my own story, but it’s a big part of why PUNCH TRUNK exists.
When I was 16, I spent a year living in a hostel. It was a turning point in my life. During that time I made a decision that I wanted to build something better for myself and, if I could, help other people do the same.
Boxing has been a staple of the top end of professional sports for decades, but now, the popularity of combat sports spreads far beyond the purest of competition. Mixed martial arts has risen to the fore, thanks in no small part to the efforts of the UFC, forever looking to prove itself on the global stage.
Exploring seemingly every opportunity that comes its way, the UFC has helped to grow itself and other combat sports to new highs year after year. Given the restraints to achieve this, as well as how many others have failed to make the most similar opportunities, the success of combat sports today is very impressive.
Every year a steady stream of fighters, amateurs and weekend hobbyists books a month or three in a Thai gym. Some are preparing for a bout. Most are not — they go for the training volume, the coaching, and the fact that a month of twice-daily sessions can cost less than a year of gym membership at home. It has become one of the more reliable rites of passage in combat sports.
Ask any tourist what sport they know from Thailand, and the answer is almost always Muay Thai. Fair enough. It’s fast, it’s brutal, and it’s everywhere, from gym signs in Bangkok to fight nights in beach towns. But Muay Thai is just one branch of a much older family tree. Thailand has been producing fighters for centuries, and several of these older arts are still alive today, just quieter and less famous. If you’re the type of traveler who likes to dig past the obvious, here’s what else is out there.
At FCFC 15, special attention was drawn to the international championship bout for the K-1 world title featuring undefeated fighter Azamat Boziev, representing Senshi no Kage Beausoleil, a sports club based in the south of France.
Azamat entered the tournament with an impressive professional record: Muay Thai — 4:0, K-1 — 2:0, Kickboxing — 2:0, and MMA — 11:0. He is a champion of the Maximus and GITC MMA promotions, winner of the Irbis K-1 Grand Prix Cup, and also holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Following his victory at FCFC 15, Azamat’s overall professional combat sports record now stands at 20:0.
Drawing from his background in boxing, MMA, and kickboxing, Joshua Whiteside stands out as a highly adaptable fighter. On March 28, 2026, he made a victorious debut in BKFC by defeating Isaiah Williams (0-1). His greatest strength lies in boxing, where he holds an amateur record of (4-0) and a professional record of (2-0). Since Whiteside’s dynamic fighting style is shaped by rigorous training across multiple disciplines, this enables him to adapt swiftly to different combat scenarios. Now, as he continues his journey in bare knuckle boxing, Whiteside’s versatility and relentless drive promise to make him a contender to watch in the sport.
Combat Sports & Martial Arts Writer| Partnership Marketing and Digital Strategy Lead (Combat Sports)
I have been an avid viewer of Boxing and MMA for almost three decades. Since 2001, I have enjoyed watching the UFC. I hold an academic background in Gerontology from Madonna University, and spent 25 years working across both clinical and non-clinical healthcare settings. But a lifelong passion for writing and martial arts eventually pulled me toward a new chapter. Today, I write for FightMatrix.com. Additionally, I interview professionals in the Combat Sports sector.
Have you ever asked yourself which combat sports people enjoy the most today, and why so many fans love watching them and learning them?
It is a simple question, but the answer includes skill, culture, fitness, and strong human effort.
Combat sports have been part of human life for many years. People from different countries enjoy these sports in their own way. Some like fast action, some like smart techniques, and some feel inspired by the discipline and control shown by players. These sports are not just about fighting. They are about respect, focus, and personal growth.
If we look at today’s trends, some combat sports clearly stand out. Boxing, mixed martial arts, wrestling, judo, karate, taekwondo, Muay Thai, and kickboxing are among the most popular choices. Each sport has its own style and rules, but all of them help improve both body and mind.
Have you ever thought about how boxing and martial arts started and how they became so popular today?
It’s quite interesting to see how these practices have changed with time while still keeping their original spirit alive.
Boxing and martial arts are not just about fighting. They are about discipline, focus, respect, and fitness. Over the years, they have grown from simple techniques used for survival into well-organized sports and daily lifestyle practices followed by people everywhere.
As legal mobile sports betting prepares to roll out in Missouri, fight fans across the state are getting ready to engage with combat sports on a deeper level. With UFC and boxing events regularly offering thrilling matchups, the launch of local sportsbooks introduces a fresh opportunity to turn knowledge into profitable wagers. However, betting on fights isn’t just about gut instinct or name recognition, it’s a game of odds, strategy, and timing. Understanding how to read lines, identify value, and manage risk can give Missouri bettors a decisive edge from day one.
Ready to start training and learn combat skills that boost your confidence and discipline? You may have researched the best fighting styles and three main options came up: Muay Thai, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), and boxing.
Which fighting technique is the most effective? Or are they the same? Not really. While all fighting styles are effective and deadly once mastered, each is unique and different from the others.
Read along as we discuss how Muay Thai differs from MMA and boxing. We will look at the origins, fighting techniques, and training intensity of each style. Let’s get the heart pounding!
First fights can lie a little. A knockdown steals a round that was even. A late scramble masks twenty good minutes of control. While everyone waits, fans scroll clips, skim stats, or bounce between tabs, maybe even vavada.global, then the walkouts end and the cage door shuts. From there the math is simple: minutes add up, moments try to erase them.
On September 13, Overland Park will stage one of Kansas’ most highly anticipated combat sports spectacles: Crash Combat Championship VI at the AdventHealth Sports Park. The event is scheduled inside the Bluhawk complex, a facility designed with world-class competition in mind, and it will deliver an evening packed with mixed martial arts, Muay Thai, and kickboxing showdowns.
Doors open at 5 p.m. with the first bell at 6 p.m., ensuring an action-filled schedule for fans ready to witness Kansas athletes share the cage and ring with visiting challengers from outside the region.
Ilonka Elmont is a retired professional Muay Thai fighter, who is seven times World Champion, a European Champion and a two times Dutch Champion in the Flyweight division. She was born and raised in Suriname, then moved to Netherlands with her family at the age of 8. She is an unorthodox striker, who has developer her own signature techniques, such as one she calls a “tic-tac” kick.
She is currently a Muay Thai trainer, and has been putting on seminars for 27 years. Elmont has also dabbled in modeling and acting.-, including starring in a critically acclaimed short film ‘Color Me Bad’. In 2007, she started the Ilonka Elmont Foundation – a charitable organization whose mission is to support children and communities in need. Ilonka Elmont is a very well-rounded individual, in addition to being a legendary martial artist.
Combat Sports & Martial Arts Writer| Partnership Marketing and Digital Strategy Lead (Combat Sports)
I have been an avid viewer of Boxing and MMA for almost three decades. Since 2001, I have enjoyed watching the UFC. I hold an academic background in Gerontology from Madonna University, and spent 25 years working across both clinical and non-clinical healthcare settings. But a lifelong passion for writing and martial arts eventually pulled me toward a new chapter. Today, I write for FightMatrix.com. Additionally, I interview professionals in the Combat Sports sector.
Douaa Kayed is a boxing, Muay Thai, and kickboxing coach and certified personal trainer. She was born in UAT, and has lived in Canada; currently she lives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Douaa impressively was a Guinness World Record holder. This was for the most full contact knee strikes, using alternate legs in one minute (female). She achieved this record, with 130 knees thrown in one minute. She is looking to eventually establish her own gym in the future.
Combat Sports & Martial Arts Writer| Partnership Marketing and Digital Strategy Lead (Combat Sports)
I have been an avid viewer of Boxing and MMA for almost three decades. Since 2001, I have enjoyed watching the UFC. I hold an academic background in Gerontology from Madonna University, and spent 25 years working across both clinical and non-clinical healthcare settings. But a lifelong passion for writing and martial arts eventually pulled me toward a new chapter. Today, I write for FightMatrix.com. Additionally, I interview professionals in the Combat Sports sector.
Farshad Khatiri is a boxing and Muay Thai promoter, manager, coach, and former competitor. He was born in Iran where he was inspired by his uncle to study boxing as a child. Eventually, Farshad moved to Thailand, building a career in the birthplace of Muay Thai. He is the co-founder of Cyrus Gym in Thailand – a training hub for international fighters and rising stars.
Combat Sports & Martial Arts Writer| Partnership Marketing and Digital Strategy Lead (Combat Sports)
I have been an avid viewer of Boxing and MMA for almost three decades. Since 2001, I have enjoyed watching the UFC. I hold an academic background in Gerontology from Madonna University, and spent 25 years working across both clinical and non-clinical healthcare settings. But a lifelong passion for writing and martial arts eventually pulled me toward a new chapter. Today, I write for FightMatrix.com. Additionally, I interview professionals in the Combat Sports sector.
