What does it take to become a World Champion?
Evolve MMA is the only academy in the world with World Champions in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing, and No Gi Grappling.
Here are the responses from some of our World Champions and certified Instructors who teach at Evolve Mixed Martial Arts, Asia's #1 MMA Academy.
"In my career of almost 300 professional fights, I can tell you that there are 3 things that make the difference between a World Champion and an average fighter. First, it is the love of the game. I can see it in every fighter's eyes. If you truly love something, you are willing to do anything for it. You are willing to endure all odds and sacrifices. This love is the starting point of every great Champion. When I fight someone in a very tough battle, I can feel how much or how little they love it. Love is everything. Secondly, every Champion has heart. Heart is a very difficult thing to determine. You either have the heart of a Champion or you don't. It is not bravery. It is not the lack of fear. It is the ability to conquer your fears and the ability to take your body, mind, and spirit to its limits without breaking down. This concept is something that 99% of the population never get to experience. When you take your body, mind, and spirit to its limits, it is almost a zen-like peaceful state. It is almost like I am surrendering myself to something greater than myself. It is a surreal experience. Third, I think luck or fate plays a very important role. I know many fighters who were unbelievable and who had all the qualities to be a Champion, but they never made it due to bad luck. For example, one guy who trained with me since we were kids was #4 in the world. Kongpattaya Sityodtong was 1 fight away from fighting for the Lumpinee World Championship when he accidentally fractured his shin in a fight. He was never the same and eventually retired soon after. Kongpattaya was an amazing fighter who could have been Champion, but he just had bad luck. For me, when I look back at my career, I cannot believe how lucky I have been. I started when I was 6 years old with big dreams and no idea how long or hard the journey would be. I cannot tell you how many times I cried myself to sleep or how many times I wanted to quit. I trained 6 hours a day, 6 days a week for 15 years straight before I won the World Championship. And believe me, I had many low points in my career where no one believed in me anymore. But in the end, my love for Muay Thai gave me the strength to move forward."
-Nuengpichit Sityodtong, Lumpinee Muay Thai World Champion and Evolve Instructor
"That is a very interesting question. I would have to agree with Nueng on his points, but I would add a couple more things. I would add natural ability. Yes, there are some World Champions who only have their work ethic and pain tolerance as their main assets. But most World Champions are blessed with special gifts. For example, the greatest Muay Thai fighter of all time, Samart Payakaroon Sityodtong, was always 10x better than anyone else, even when he was 7 years old. He is the most famous Muay Thai fighter in Thailand and he is a national hero. Samart was unhittable in his prime like Muhammed Ali was in his prime. The funny thing is that Samart was like that since he was a child. His eyes are his greatest assets. He can see everything in slow motion and can react 10x faster than anyone. As a result, he cannot be hit. Samart's style of Muay Thai cannot be taught or replicated. Another dimension that makes the difference between a World Champion and an average fighter is pain tolerance. At the highest professional level, everyone can kick, punch, knee, and elbow with fluidity. Yet, some people can receive 20 kicks straight in the ribs and keep moving forward. Others fold after receiving 5 kicks to the ribs."
Yoddecha Sityodtong, Muay Thai World Champion and Evolve Instructor
"In BJJ, many things need to happen in order to be a World Champion. I love what I do. This is the most important thing. I work very hard. I train every day. I am mentally strong. I have the best instructors and training partners. If you train with the best, you will become the best. You see, it takes many things to make a World Champion."
-Antonio Braga Neto, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World Champion and Evolve Instructor
"I have grown up with Muay Thai all of my life as a student, a fighter, and a teacher. I can tell you that there is a huge difference between a World Champion and an average Muay Thai fighter. For example, a few years ago, Yoddecha was in the middle of a very tough fight with an excellent opponent. He was quite bruised and battered from the fight and I could tell that his right knee was hurting for some reason. In the 3rd round, Yoddecha threw a right kick and his knee came completely out from its socket. As you can imagine, the pain was unbearable. However, rightly or wrongly, he refused to quit. I can tell you that 99% of professional fighters would have quit on the spot. He fought the rest of the fight with one leg and won by KO eventually. I often wonder to this day about how much Yoddecha must love Muay Thai to withstand such pain. Yoddecha and I have been friends for more than 20 years ever since we started Muay Thai together at the Sityodtong Gym in Thailand. And I can tell you - he has always been special and different. Champions are born, but they must be made by other Champions. To be a Champion, you need the right genetics, you need world-class training, and you need a heart of a lion."
-Chatri Sityodtong, Muay Thai fighter and Evolve Instructor
"Some qualities are innate and other qualities are developed over time. Qualities like heart (the willingness to die in the ring) and talent are not developed over time. You either have it or you don't. You are born with them and it is up to you to unleash your potential. The other qualities for a World Champion are work ethic, mental toughness, and desire. These things can be developed and strengthened over time. For myself, I believe that I am a WBA Boxing World Champion because I work harder than anyone else does and I have zero ability to quit. To beat me in the ring, you have to literally kill me or knock me unconscious. I have never quit a fight from pain and I have been in some very tough wars. In terms of work ethic, I was famous at Sityodtong Camp for having the best work ethic. Every day, I outran and out-trained everyone including other World Champions."
-Yodsanan Sityodtong, WBA Boxing World Champion and Evolve Instructor
"World Champions are made. You need talent - yes. However, the most important things are your instructors, your training partners, your family. Without strong support from others, it is nearly impossible to become a World Champion."
-Leandro Brodinho Issa, BJJ World Champion and Evolve Instructor
"If you train with the best, you will become the best. This is the simple formula for success for everything in life. If you want to be the best scientist in the world, you better go to the best schools and learn from the best mentors and peers. If you want to be the best doctor in the world, you need to attend the best medical schools and learn from the best doctors in the world. Fighting is no different. People do not understand the value of learning from the best - the best teachers, the best fighters, the best friends, the best family. Of course, you can take shortcuts in life. But to give yourself maximum chance to become a World Champion, you need to learn from the best. From my experience, World Champions have a crazy intense passion for excellence and always strive to become better. Humility is an important ingredient."
-Daorung "Papa" Sityodtong, Trainer of World Champions and Evolve Instructor
