"In Thailand, I am a nobody." If you're an MMA fan, you may remember Master Thong as an animated character in his iconic sunglasses when he cornered "The California Kid" Urijah Faber, as the head striking coach of Team Alpha Male several years ago. Master Thong started Muay Thai during the golden era of the sport in Thailand. Competition was stiff, and he did have some early success in the big stadiums. Subsequently due to circumstances both within and outside of his control, Master Thong decided to drop out of the stadium circuit, choosing to practice his art as a wandering fighter and trainer. While he did not climb up the stadium rankings himself, Master Thong has trained many world class champions, including WBA and IBF titleholders, and several Thai legends including Buakaw and Namsaknoi. Master Thong's training and fight style is as dynamic and unpredictable as his personality. You can train with him at his gym in Bangkok facebook.com/MTmuaythai/ ----------------------------------- This project is part of a documentary series started by Angie, a Muay Thai enthusiast based in Singapore. Follow her on IG to see more short videos with legends of the sport: instagram.com/angiewon9 ----------------------------------- Check out my upcoming book Legendary Striking (60 pages free): www.legendarystriking.com If you'd like to see the full transcript of my technical breakdowns and additional details, sign up to my mailing list. Website: www.lawrencekenshin.com Instagram: instagram.com/strikingbreakdowns Facebook: facebook.com/lawrencekenshinbr... First Book: www.strikingtechniques.com Free Saenchai Book: www.lawrencekenshin.com/saenchai
The Godless I actually had the pleasure of training there before it's a good gym Scott Smith James Irvin Christian wellish ,Uriah Faber . And many more.
Watching and hearing Master Thong talk about his first fight at raja is so uncut and real... like hes reliving what happened right then and doesn't care that its being captured on camera.
When this guy says nobody would fight him he isn't joking. NOBODY would come near this guy. Has a very playful saenchai'esq style and he's a powerhouse
No he's not. Mister tong is a good trainer but in the average of thai gyms. I have been 3 months in his gym in bangkok and i live in thailand since 10 years...
Yet another superb interview with yet another Legend. Great to hear Master Thong like this as I’ve only ever seen him holding pads and fooling around. I didn’t realise he was such a prolific all round fighter.
Proof that just cause you aren’t a millionaire prize fighter, doesn’t mean you can’t work on your own personal martial arts and become efficient and confident.
@@panteraiv Him and TJ talked about him a bit during a Joe Rogan episode, the one before TJ vs Cody 1. Duane mentioned how Master Thong did almost nothing during a fight camp and only showed up when he needed money for Cigs, they also mentioned his addiction with gambling and how he put his money on a fighter that fought against TAM fighter. But ye based on Uriah Faber instagram stories, Master Thong really doesn't care much, he was like a high school students who tried to impress everyone in those videos. But in my opinion despite their dislikes for each other, I think Duane really learned a thing or two while working with Master Thong that is how he became a very good coach now.
Wow amazing ITW! Thank you so much Lawrence Kenshin for this video...i've always saw master Thong in team alpha male's corner and in theirs training videos but i didn't know the guy,so very big heart! Many thousand thanks for this discovery!!!
Lawrence..thank you always wonder what ever happened to him?Good trainer. I always thought Uriah Faber was in good hands when he was under his tutelage.
I also vaguely remember Faber talking about Master Thong having some issues with let's say temptation in the new lifestyles that were available to him here in the U.S. That is when Master Thong kind of stepped back from TAM and then they went through the whole cycle of various head striking coaches. But yeah good to see him land on his feet and still have that cheery attitude!
Yaaaaaaaa...... see what happened was, Master Thong bet against his own fighter, Faber...... and won lol. I forget in which fight but yeah, that’s what happened. Among many other things he crossed the line on before that. Regardless, I wish the best for the man and wish he was still with TAM, but I’m glad to see he’s doing well. I hope he’s done some soul searching and fixed some of his personal demons. Nothin but love and respect ✊🏼.
After watching this, I decided to swing by his gym in Bangkok (turns out it's not too far from my workplace). He's a super cool guy. Very chill and fun to talk to. I'm seriously considering signing up for classes now.
The Godless, he is not ur average fighter. He was a fighter fighting underground in China making a name for himself and he help to establish tiger Muay Thai as a head coach. He train GSP personally Muay Thai in Thailand and GSP hometown in Montreal, Canada. Master Yod is a trainer of legends along with his bro Kru Lam and they r widely recognized
The Godless if the Thai champion fighters have respect for Kru Yod too, you know he is not your average fighter. You don’t need to be a world champion fighter to be a world champion trainer. If fighters like Nong o, Sam a, namsaknoi, tensin, hiroki and Gsp looks up to him to train them, I don’t think he is average. And I’m sure the fighters I mentioned are not average fighters. Not sure if you have even trained with him n ya calling him out as average. That’s a joke. Best joke I heard today that Kru Yod is average. Haha
You would think with such a great and experienced fighter as coach at Alpha Male that Faber's standup would have developed much further along than it did. He is the only one so limited on the feet. Only relying on single punches and his reflexes. No combos, no mixing of punches and kicks and his inability to stop low kicks. Cant blame the coach there.
What about the Server? No one will ever stand there and just let you throw a 5, 6, 7 or 8 combo. That’s not realistic that’s more so just for hitting pads to help with cardio. The most you should want to do is 2-3 shots at a time. You throw a lot of punches and kicks only when your opponent is hurt but until. Never will you ever see anyone throw the same combos they do on pads in a fight. It’s just not realistic, it’s not a movie.
Master Tong seems like a good dude. Great video on him. Seems like he has alotta character from all the stories on JRE I heard about him on. Please do some breakdowns on, say, Nicky Holzken? Or any orthodox stance Kickboxer/Muay Thai fighter(as long as they use punches and punch combo's)? Not an interview, but a breakdown of their fighting style using footage from their matches and training like your usual videos. Would appreciate it.
I took master thong to a soccer store that my buddy used to work at. He picked the flashiest jerseys pants shoes hahah. I think he had about 1500 worth of clothing and shoes. He told my friend,” don’t worry I train you private training, you will be good.” My friend is still waiting. I knew master thong wasn’t gonna come through though hahahha. That guy has some stories
SAVAT - Also, I met Thong a few times when I trained at the Alpha Male Gym. I trained there for 3 months. He seems like a nice man. Most of the guys there were cool, but there was one guy who fought for Bellator who was a nob end..
Yes and also some Superstar visitors I saw. Phil Davis, Joe Warren, Clay Guida. And the entire stable of fighters there of course. (I never been to their new location) Also, I went into their boxing ring one time wearing a Kung Fu Uniform. I was shadowboxing, kicking the corners, etc. thinking maybe someone might want to spar with me :P
Not cheap to go from the western hemisphere but once you are there, it is cheap. Cheap to fly within thailand and checkout different areas. You will be fat by the time you come back. Food is damn good
man i wish i could learn as much as i can about these champions these dudes were built from iron and fought like devils absolute machines wish i could meet them and learn from them.
"In Thailand, I am a nobody."
If you're an MMA fan, you may remember Master Thong as an animated character in his iconic sunglasses when he cornered "The California Kid" Urijah Faber, as the head striking coach of Team Alpha Male several years ago.
Master Thong started Muay Thai during the golden era of the sport in Thailand. Competition was stiff, and he did have some early success in the big stadiums. Subsequently due to circumstances both within and outside of his control, Master Thong decided to drop out of the stadium circuit, choosing to practice his art as a wandering fighter and trainer.
While he did not climb up the stadium rankings himself, Master Thong has trained many world class champions, including WBA and IBF titleholders, and several Thai legends including Buakaw and Namsaknoi.
Master Thong's training and fight style is as dynamic and unpredictable as his personality. You can train with him at his gym in Bangkok facebook.com/MTmuaythai/
-----------------------------------
This project is part of a documentary series started by Angie, a Muay Thai enthusiast based in Singapore. Follow her on IG to see more short videos with legends of the sport: instagram.com/angiewon9
-----------------------------------
Check out my upcoming book Legendary Striking (60 pages free): www.legendarystriking.com
If you'd like to see the full transcript of my technical breakdowns and additional details, sign up to my mailing list.
Website: www.lawrencekenshin.com
Instagram: instagram.com/strikingbreakdowns
Facebook: facebook.com/lawrencekenshinbr...
First Book: www.strikingtechniques.com
Free Saenchai Book: www.lawrencekenshin.com/saenchai
Its a small world.
@@oneshadowdragon yes
The Godless I actually had the pleasure of training there before it's a good gym Scott Smith James Irvin Christian wellish ,Uriah Faber . And many more.
The Godless there is a God.
The Godless my trainer trainer
This new documentary style videos that you´re making is awesome! Keep doing it!
cheers check out more of angie's work :)
Lawrence Kenshin who’s Angie?
Watching and hearing Master Thong talk about his first fight at raja is so uncut and real... like hes reliving what happened right then and doesn't care that its being captured on camera.
A fighter’s high, the energy can not be contained
“Dad like, mum no like” lol
😂
LMAO! we need that on a shirt with this picture on it
@@jayflowz714 Hahaha yeah
His simple phrasing he uses to describe that put a big smile on my face.
Good parents are good people
Literal Thai translation lol
“I don’t like cut weight” *laughing and crying*
I feel you boss
Such a humble guy and interesting take on Muaythai. Some people I've met that train Muay Thai are barely amateurs and act above others.
When this guy says nobody would fight him he isn't joking. NOBODY would come near this guy. Has a very playful saenchai'esq style and he's a powerhouse
I love that joy on his face when he talks about muay thai
I ....wow, his energy just comes right through the screen, what a cool champion.
Master thong is a beast. I’m glad he’s getting recognition. Hopefully he comes back to the states 🙏
He's not there???
No he's not. Mister tong is a good trainer but in the average of thai gyms. I have been 3 months in his gym in bangkok and i live in thailand since 10 years...
What a lively guy, listening to him is really fun.
0:55 that picture of those thai killers with their belts is gangsta
Yet another superb interview with yet another Legend. Great to hear Master Thong like this as I’ve only ever seen him holding pads and fooling around. I didn’t realise he was such a prolific all round fighter.
🙏🙏 thx for watching
This guy is awesome! Had the chance to train with him when he was in North California training Uriah😎🤙🏽
Seeing master thong made me smile today
Really enjoyed this, never knew much about him other than being a coach at TAM.
Thanks for the content, really enjoyed this.
Brilliant as always mate. Thanks for the upload, excellently put together. Got to love the thai vibe
Master Thong
Thanks for putting a big smile on my face
I live in Thailand, he has a very Thai personality
Haha yes
Lol. Indeed. “Don’t think too much. Smile be friends and fight”
@Nak Muay Guy that's a fairy inaccurate description once you know the place bro
"Sabai Sabai Maipenrai" attitude...only Thai can do...even keep smiling when we do fighting...The land of thousand smiles
@@prapasschairat9783 and a few viles
Master Thong...
I approve of his name.
Did not know Ismael Salas coached him! Great video
What a gloriously joyous man. Smiles and scrapping for a laugh.
Indeed
awesome guy! thanks for doing all this work and sharing with the world.
2:10 "And i give money to her, she's happy"
Lol
nice documentary again man, keep up the good work!!
Proof that just cause you aren’t a millionaire prize fighter, doesn’t mean you can’t work on your own personal martial arts and become efficient and confident.
This only made me love life even more what a lovely human being he is.
He and duane ludwig have an intense dislike for each other. According to dillashaw though, master thong was the best at holding the pads and training.
Please, tell us all!!!
@@panteraiv Him and TJ talked about him a bit during a Joe Rogan episode, the one before TJ vs Cody 1. Duane mentioned how Master Thong did almost nothing during a fight camp and only showed up when he needed money for Cigs, they also mentioned his addiction with gambling and how he put his money on a fighter that fought against TAM fighter. But ye based on Uriah Faber instagram stories, Master Thong really doesn't care much, he was like a high school students who tried to impress everyone in those videos.
But in my opinion despite their dislikes for each other, I think Duane really learned a thing or two while working with Master Thong that is how he became a very good coach now.
@@thchuong371994 Duane grabbed few aspects from Thong but it was Bas rutten who showed ludwig the possibility of improvement.
thank you for sharing this Kenshin! love your work bro! god bless!
dude has an awsome personality and great vibe man :D
So much positive vibes from him yo
Sounds very carefree guy
He is
Wow amazing ITW! Thank you so much Lawrence Kenshin for this video...i've always saw master Thong in team alpha male's corner and in theirs training videos but i didn't know the guy,so very big heart! Many thousand thanks for this discovery!!!
Lawrence..thank you always wonder what ever happened to him?Good trainer. I always thought Uriah Faber was in good hands when he was under his tutelage.
Cheers bro, yes Urijah did great with his help
I also vaguely remember Faber talking about Master Thong having some issues with let's say temptation in the new lifestyles that were available to him here in the U.S. That is when Master Thong kind of stepped back from TAM and then they went through the whole cycle of various head striking coaches. But yeah good to see him land on his feet and still have that cheery attitude!
Happy guy !
Yaaaaaaaa...... see what happened was, Master Thong bet against his own fighter, Faber...... and won lol. I forget in which fight but yeah, that’s what happened. Among many other things he crossed the line on before that. Regardless, I wish the best for the man and wish he was still with TAM, but I’m glad to see he’s doing well. I hope he’s done some soul searching and fixed some of his personal demons. Nothin but love and respect ✊🏼.
AFAIK he got deported from US. Thats why hes not in TAM
Another great documentary! Love Angie's work! Sabai sabai
🙏🙏
Master Thong, you are iconic. Must come to train with you when in thailand to learn your freestyle sir.
👍👍
Lawrence, your work is amazing !!!
Thai Tran 👍 follow more of Angie's work
Good stuff! Really interesting and educational.
Cheers for watching
This guy trained the entire alpha team
Great video very impressive
After watching this, I decided to swing by his gym in Bangkok (turns out it's not too far from my workplace). He's a super cool guy. Very chill and fun to talk to. I'm seriously considering signing up for classes now.
Where is his gym at in Bangkok ?
@@kalashnikov5544 On Nut Soi 17, opposite of On Nut Soi 17 Yak 19. You can also search "Master Thong Muay Thai" on Google maps and it will come up.
He seems like an awesome person.
Hi Lawrence, can u make a video of Master Yod. He used to train GSP pls 🙏🙏
He’s great!
Yup he is really great 👍🏻 I would appreciate if u could do a video on him :)
The Godless, he is not ur average fighter. He was a fighter fighting underground in China making a name for himself and he help to establish tiger Muay Thai as a head coach.
He train GSP personally Muay Thai in Thailand and GSP hometown in Montreal, Canada.
Master Yod is a trainer of legends along with his bro Kru Lam and they r widely recognized
Here is one of his videos training GSP. ruclips.net/video/7OhEA5dgxvI/видео.html
The Godless if the Thai champion fighters have respect for Kru Yod too, you know he is not your average fighter. You don’t need to be a world champion fighter to be a world champion trainer. If fighters like Nong o, Sam a, namsaknoi, tensin, hiroki and Gsp looks up to him to train them, I don’t think he is average. And I’m sure the fighters I mentioned are not average fighters. Not sure if you have even trained with him n ya calling him out as average. That’s a joke. Best joke I heard today that Kru Yod is average. Haha
I hope Master Thong is proud of Urijah winning his return fight last month!
What a humble man ! 🙏
You would think with such a great and experienced fighter as coach at Alpha Male that Faber's standup would have developed much further along than it did. He is the only one so limited on the feet. Only relying on single punches and his reflexes. No combos, no mixing of punches and kicks and his inability to stop low kicks. Cant blame the coach there.
What about the Server? No one will ever stand there and just let you throw a 5, 6, 7 or 8 combo. That’s not realistic that’s more so just for hitting pads to help with cardio. The most you should want to do is 2-3 shots at a time. You throw a lot of punches and kicks only when your opponent is hurt but until. Never will you ever see anyone throw the same combos they do on pads in a fight. It’s just not realistic, it’s not a movie.
Thai people are cool..modest smiling and chilled out. :)
Must feel great to be happy about your life and work and abilities at that age. Inspired🙏🏽
A legend, a meme and a beautiful soul. I miss seeing him in the MMA scene.
His enthusiam is pretty contagious
awesome interview as always! now I also have to visit the US hehe and learn some Master Thong Muay Thai Freestyle :D does angie also have youtube ?
he no longer there, no visa
Nope but she’s been in the background of several channels and brands. U can follow her on ig for now
What a good guy, very honorable. 👍
What a friendly human!
Great documentary. Hope to train with master thong one day.
Cheers. Go bkk!
Master Tong seems like a good dude. Great video on him. Seems like he has alotta character from all the stories on JRE I heard about him on. Please do some breakdowns on, say, Nicky Holzken? Or any orthodox stance Kickboxer/Muay Thai fighter(as long as they use punches and punch combo's)? Not an interview, but a breakdown of their fighting style using footage from their matches and training like your usual videos. Would appreciate it.
Great Man....great master bless you
🙏
This guy is awesome
Really interesting videos 👍
Hell of a character!
Yessss
I took master thong to a soccer store that my buddy used to work at. He picked the flashiest jerseys pants shoes hahah. I think he had about 1500 worth of clothing and shoes. He told my friend,” don’t worry I train you private training, you will be good.” My friend is still waiting. I knew master thong wasn’t gonna come through though hahahha. That guy has some stories
SAVAT - Also, I met Thong a few times when I trained at the Alpha Male Gym. I trained there for 3 months. He seems like a nice man. Most of the guys there were cool, but there was one guy who fought for Bellator who was a nob end..
nice bro, got any stories?
Yes and also some Superstar visitors I saw. Phil Davis, Joe Warren, Clay Guida. And the entire stable of fighters there of course. (I never been to their new location)
Also, I went into their boxing ring one time wearing a Kung Fu Uniform. I was shadowboxing, kicking the corners, etc. thinking maybe someone might want to spar with me :P
😂😂❤️ thanks for sharing
i absolutely loved it! ty for this
🙏🙏
Master Thing is a genuinely awesome human. Also has tree trunks for legs.
What a cool guy! And funny!
Seems like an awesome guy :)
That was awesome video
Cheers for watching
anyone know the song at 11:45?
What's the song at 11. 45
I need this swell
@@Gabelikestomove me 2
Master Tong is a cool cat! 👍🏻 But everyone know the secret of Team Alfa Male is PED's.
What a genius my goodness
Thanks Lawrence!
Thanks. I've always wanted to know more about Master Thong. Heard he was a big gambler though. Lol.
In Thailand gambling is like Religion
Beautiful person!
Guy has mad rhythm when he started dancing with Uriah
Finally someone did a master thong vid
Such a lovely and humble guy...that's until he enters the ring :)
Outstanding 😍
Cheers
Beautiful spirit
Is it cheap to go to Thailand?
Depends on where you from. Plane ticket from U.S. to Thailand is real expensive.
Depends what u consider cheap
Not cheap to go from the western hemisphere but once you are there, it is cheap. Cheap to fly within thailand and checkout different areas. You will be fat by the time you come back. Food is damn good
He knows boxing and muay thai style thats gd for mma.his foot is really gd
What a very cool and fun dude!
Amazing!!!
man i wish i could learn as much as i can about these champions these dudes were built from iron and fought like devils absolute machines wish i could meet them and learn from them.
Great to see him mention ismael Salas Cuban connection
does anyone have the fight where he knocked out rorian gracie?
Nice vid
cheers
Ppl was scared to fight dis guy back in da days.. dammmm.
Boxing. MUY THAI and MMA.
Fcken LEGENDARY..
MASTER THONG
You can see his love for. Muay Thai so much
He really does
Great dancer too. 😎😁
มีคลิปชกเก่าๆในยูทูปบ้างไหมคับ อยากดู
Can you do a Master Toddy documentary next ????
Man this guy is likeable !!!
I think I can take this guy, hold my beer
I love boxing but Muay Thai coaches are the best blokes I reckon
Are you fighting in Thailand ?.
Super !!
Cheers
awesomeness
Great Man,, you are not mein Fighters Master ,, but you are my Dancer Master,,😅
Master 🙏respect from 🇻🇳.
swim punch LOL...cool dude
Master Thong !!