Watching Allisson Barbosa ( IG: @alissonbarbosamma ) from Phuket Fight Club submit his opponent in Lumpinee stadium in a blood spattered ring on ONE FC was spectacular. Aside from the fight, let’s look at the history. 10 years ago MMA was illegal in Thailand. The post-Gracie BJJ revolution was just getting started in Asia. Now it’s being showcased in the most venerated combat sports arena in Asia. Chatri Sityodtong even awarded Barbosa with a $10,000 bonus.
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I remember the first time I met a brazillian jiu jitsu blackbelt. It was after wrestling season in Boston Massachusetts in 2007, my friend showed me what I could do after wrestling. I remember asking him if he spoke Spanish. Other than that embarrassing moment, I felt it was really cool. A normal barometer of a decent BJJ academy is a blackbelt professor. Having more than one per academy is a special occasion for most of the world.
Close your eyes. Imagine a place where you can find multiple blackbelts training on the tatame. Nearby are beautiful beaches. You hear portuguese being spoken consistently. It must be Brazil? No, it’s Phuket Fight Club. Their facilities are top notch. BJJ legend Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida has even trained there. Here you’ll find multiple blackbelts amongst the training Cadre from all over Brazil and even non-professor blackbelt students.
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What’s in stake for Fight sports in Asia is amazing to watch. I had long speculated the bubble will burst but that doesn’t appear to be happening anytime soon.
Check out my Instagram for more content related go fight sports in Asia: Benjamin_Phuket
