The Striking Corner

We finally made it to Episode 100! It took us a while but we did it. But the goal is now to get to 200 and keep the conversations about Muay Thai going and continue helping this sport grow in the U.S. and worldwide. Thank you for your continued support through all these years, it is very much appreciated. With that said, in this episode, we speak with USMF President, Michael "Chase" Corley. We thought it was only right that someone who has worked tirelessly these last 4 years to get U.S. Muaythai organized and more respected at a global level, give us a bit of a State of the Union about the sport. In addition, Michael also gives us some insight into IFMA's upcoming Virtual World Championships. When they are taking place and how you can get involved. I'm sure many of you have questions regarding a Virtual Muaythai tournament, but Michael is here to answer some of those questions and we will, of course, share more information as we get it. Once again, thank you for all your support these years. And here is to 100 more episodes. And...Muay Thai is Life, ALWAYS!

In this episode of The Striking Corner Podcast, we speak with Head Coach of Pittsburgh Muay Thai and Head Judge of the United States Muaythai Federation, Stephen Strotmeyer. In addition to his years of expertise in Muay Thai, Stephen also has a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the University of Pittsburgh and currently serves as a Trauma Epidemiologist at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. Many of our listeners are either gym owners, coaches, or students of Muay Thai gyms across the US. We know that many of you are most likely looking for answers about reopening your gyms or going back to train safely as the U.S. begins a phased approach to easing out of lockdown. In this podcast, we try to get more answers about COVID-19. What steps you should take to safeguard your gyms and your students, masks, rate of infections, and more. We wanted to get this info from someone that not only works in the study of infectious diseases but is also passionate about our sport, is understanding of the economic ramifications of the lockdown, and is genuinely interested in getting everyone back in business safely.

In this episode, we speak with our friend Carl Gebhardt, who is the head coach & owner of Steel MMA and Fitness in San Diego, California. We discuss his journey in martial arts and as a gym owner. We also discuss the momentum of U.S. Muay Thai before the COVID-19 crisis as well as the frustrations about owning a Muay Thai gym during this time of quarantine. Chatting Muay Thai during these crazy times and hoping all of our friends in the Muay Thai community can get back to work soon!

This episode was our first attempt at a Facebook LIVE. We cut out a bit of the technical difficulties and the time we waited for a few more people to jump in before starting. With everyone on lockdown due to the pandemic, we decided it would be a good time to talk about the movies, fights, coaches, and other inspirations that got us all into Muay Thai. We also discuss why you should support your local gym in this time of crisis as for many of us our gyms are more than just a place we train, they are a family and our home away from home.

This is our first ever video podcast of The Striking Corner! The audio-only version of the podcast is of course still available on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, iHeartRadio, etc.. We are very excited to be able to offer the video version of the podcast in addition to the audio version, and while it is still a work in progress, we hope you all enjoy it! Leave us comments below.   With the current situation around the world with COVID-19, it is a bittersweet time to get this video podcast started but because many if not all of us have seen our ability to go outside limited, we hope this podcast will offer at least a brief respite from the situation and we can discuss Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and everything combat sports related.  This will blow over soon and we are confident that in time we will be back to our normal routines.  In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the show and stay safe.  Our guest in this episode is our good friend and world-class Muay Thai coach, Bryan Popejoy from Boxing Works.  We discuss Janet Todd's recent win in ONE Championship and more!

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast we speak with up and coming women's Muay Thai fighter, Jackie Buntan. Training out of Boxing Works in Torrance, California; Jackie has been active in Muay Thai since she was 11 years old and won her first TBA Muay Thai World Expo title at just 13 years old. We discuss Jackie's journey in Muay Thai and discuss the recent news that she has signed with rapidly flourishing Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and MMA promotion ONE Championship.

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast we speak with LA-based fighter and 2019 IFMA World Championship Silver Medalist, Kennedy-Reilly Maze. Kennedy discusses her journey through Muay Thai, how the sport has shaped her life and helped her overcome past issues and insecurities. Kennedy is an extremely focused and driven athlete who feels that her journey in the sport is just beginning. She is definitely a fighter to look out for as it is evident that she is willing to sacrifice everything to get to the top of the sport. We had a great time speaking with Kennedy and we know you will enjoy this episode!

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast we speak with New York-based fighter Jessica Ng. Jessica is one of the most recognizable female fighters in the NYC Muay Thai scene, in addition she has represented Team USA on various occasions at both the IFMA World Championships and the IFMA Pan-American Championships. We discuss her passion for the sport, her experiences at IFMA, the growth of Women's Muay Thai and Women's combat sports, and Eric completely sticks his foot in his mouth at one point...so Enjoy!

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast we talk with Rami "The Son of Palestine" Ibrahim. Rami has had a long successful career in both the American and International Muay Thai scene. In addition to being an accomplished fighter, Rami is also a passionate and successful coach that has instilled the same dedication and sacrifice in his students that he has always demanded from himself. Rami, has always been a confident, passionate, and fearless individual who speaks his mind and has a gift of inspiring those around him to push harder and be better. He has helped coach both the US Youth and Adult teams as part of the USMF at international competitions. This man no doubt loves the sport of Muay Thai and it was a pleasure to have him on the podcast. If you are currently a fighter or are new to Muay Thai, this episode with Rami will no doubt motivate you and also help you understand the kind of dedication and discipline that is required if you want to make it to he highest levels of this sport.

This is it! One of our biggest podcasts to date! Recorded at the 2019 TBA Classic Muay Thai World Classic in Des Moines, Iowa, Vinny and Eric sit down with a few of the top coaches in the US; Bryan Dobler of Double Dose Muay Thai, Bryan Popejoy of Boxing Works, Danny Brandt of Dan's Gym, Pete Peterson of the TBA and Roundkick Gym, Stephen Strotmeyer of Pittsburgh Muay Thai, Patrick Rivera of Valor Training Center, Sean Madden of Easton Training Center, and last but not least USMF President, Michael "Chase" Corley of Heritage Muay Thai. It was a late night round table discussion with some of the top Muay Thai minds in America after a long day of Muay Thai fights. We go all in on the growth of Muay Thai in America...somewhat unfiltered. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Striking Corner, we speak with Muay Thai photographer extraordinaire, Jeff Dojillo. If you are a fan of Muay Thai and follow the sport, chances are you have seen Jeff's work. Jeff is a professional photographer that luckily for the Muay Thai community fell in love with the sport and has used his talent to capture the beauty of Muay Thai and showcase it to the world. Aside from photography, Jeff is now also the Chief Brand Officer for the USMF and helps them with everything from social media to digital marketing. In addition, Jeff has decided to put together a Muay Thai documentary covering Team USA as they compete in the upcoming IFMA World Muaythai Championships in Bangkok. But he needs the help of the Muay Thai community to raise the funds...and that is where we all have to lend a helping hand! Listen, learn, and if you can donate!

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast, we speak with Muay Thai power couple, Pete & Pam Peterson. Since 2007, they have been the minds behind the largest, and one of the most respected and organized Muay Thai only tournaments in the U.S., The TBA Classic Muay Thai World Expo, known in the Muay Thai community as simply, "The T.B.A.'s We discuss what it takes to put together a tournament of this size, their favorite and least favorite moments of organizing the event, and how it all began. We also, of course, discuss the growth of Muay Thai in the U.S. and much more!

In this episode of The Striking Corner Podcast, we speak with USMF Vice President Marcy Maxwell. Marcy is extremely passionate about the growth of Muay Thai in America and has been an integral part of the United States Muaythai Federation's efforts to organize and grow the sport in the US and help our athletes gain recognition as well as experience internationally. In addition to her work for the USMF, Marcy also works with the Sport is Your Gang initiative in order to help at-risk youth stay off the streets and out of trouble by introducing Muay Thai into their lives. It was a pleasure having Marcy on the podcast as we discussed everything from Women's Muay Thai and Youth Muay Thai to "Love Muay Thai More" (which is something her coach and mentor, Jongsanan Fairtex once told her) and placing the sport above all else in certain situations, which is something that is definitely easier said than done.

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast, we speak with 3x Muay Thai World Champion and renowned coach, Kieran Keddle. We discuss Kieran's move from the UK to Canada, both the opportunities and issues he sees in North American Muay Thai, European vs North American Muay Thai, his promotional aspirations, and more! Kieran is accomplished coach and former fighter with a wealth of knowledge and was genuinely a pleasure to talk to. We're sure you will enjoy this episode! Check it out!

In this episode, we speak with IFMA Pan-American Gold Medalist and Canadian Pro Muay Thai fighter, Scott "Smash" MacKenzie. Scott has been on an absolute tear as of late in his Muay Thai career and will soon be facing his biggest test as he makes his professional debut versus Naruepol Fairtex at Triumphant 7 on April 13th. We discuss Scott's recent change of fight camp and how it has helped his game, his journey so far in Muay Thai, the Canadian Muay Thai scene, and we also discuss Scott's staunch defense of the Canadian craft beer scene, Celine Dion, the Canadian National Anthem and more.

In this episode of The Striking Corner we speak with USMF Referee and Judge, Joshua "JJ" Ferraro. JJ has reffed over 2,000+ Muay Thai and MMA bouts throughout his officiating career and currently assists the United States Muaythai Federation in conducting Judging and Refereeing courses throughout the United States. We discuss the rules of Muay Thai and the differences between judging and refereeing a Muay Thai fight as opposed to MMA. We also discuss Muay Thai scoring and the criteria that experienced Muay Thai judges and referees are using to score a fight. If you have ever been on what you feel has been the wrong side of a decision or you THINK you know what scores or does not score in Muay Thai, you should definitely be listening to this episode! Enjoy!

In this episode of The Striking Corner, we speak with writer, fighter, and a total pain in Eric's ass, Matt Lucas! Matt currently lives in Thailand where he works as a fight commentator for Max Muay Thai and the Social Media Manager for Fairtex. Matt truly lives and breathes the sport of Muay Thai so we decided to speak with him about the current state of Muay Thai in Thailand, his perspective on the growth and current direction of American Muay Thai, the growth of promotions like One Championship and Max Muay Thai...and much more! Matt jumped on the podcast as a replacement for a guest that had to reschedule and we ended up having a great episode. Matt is still disappointed by Eric's perpetual lack of commitment and Eric still thinks Matt is a pain in the ass...but what are friends for? Enjoy!

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast we speak with Mark "The Hyena" Beecher. Mark is without a doubt a straight shooter who is brutally honest and well...likes to talk a little shit and drop some "Beecherisms" from time to time. But his dedication, knowledge, and passion for Muay Thai is without question so he feels very strongly about protecting the sports integrity and toughness and does not want to see it get watered down. Also, if you are one of those "no touch knockout" masters...Mark would like to fight you. You know, just to test a theory. Enjoy!

In this episode, co-host Vinny Scotto and guest Patrick Rivera join the podcast from Stockton, Calfornia as Kru Patrick Rivera just finished up another edition of his very popular Muaythai Youth Academy workshop. These workshops are designed to help coaches, gym owners, and future business owners understand the value of starting a Youth Muaythai Program in their gyms. Patrick Rivera has help develop amazing young athletes that have gone on to compete in word class tournaments and bring home gold. The future of Muay Thai is in our youth and once again Patrick shares his knowledge with us and how YOU can become a successful business owner by focusing on the youth. Always a pleasure having him on the show.

It's 2019! New Year, New TSC! Yes....we are back from our holiday although Vinny argues that our self-imposed holiday had more to do with Eric's inability to juggle a new job and the podcast than taking a holiday break. And while there is some truth to that accusation, we used the time off to change our website, begin to make some changes with our equipment, and refocus our efforts for 2019! We have new guests, a new contest, and a new way for you to sponsor our podcast if you are interested in getting some exposure for your gym while helping us out. It's going to be an amazing year for Muay Thai & Kickboxing and we tell you why! 15 days into 2019 and here is our first episode of the year...FINALLY!

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast Eric and Vinny speak with Triumphant Muay Thai Series promoter Geoff Quares. In our conversation with Geoff we discuss his background in martial arts, how he got into promoting, his passion for the sport, and of course...what it takes to run a successful promotion and some of the headaches that come along with it. Often times a lot of promoters get a bad rap because some seem to be in it for all the wrong reasons and do not have the best interests of either the sport or the fighters at heart. Geoff is definitely one of the good guys and we hope to see Triumphant have continued success. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast Eric and Vinny welcome back our friend Jason Farrell to the show. We discuss one of Jason's newest projects that will serve as a website/database for fighters and promoters to track fighter's records and keep tabs on their progress as well as the various organizations they have fought under. In addition we talk about cherry picking opponents, matchmaking or promoting at events where your own fighters are competing, and we also touch on one of our favorite topics which is; Is In-N-Out Burger overrated? Let the controversy begin!

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast Eric and Vinny once again speak with Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and soon to be MMA star, Gaston "Dreamkiller" Bolaños. Gaston is undeniably one of the top Muay Thai fighters and Kickboxers in the US. However, he explains that as a competitor he also wanted to try his hand at MMA. A decision that leads him to a current record of 3-1 in Bellator MMA along with earning 2018's Knockout of the Year for the organization. The guys discuss Gaston's plans to compete in Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and MMA. His recent appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast, his hopes for Muay Thai's growth in the US, and much more! Enjoy!

In this episode of The Striking Corner, Eric & Vinny speak with 3x IFMA Youth Muaythai World Championship gold medalist, Bekah Irwin. At only 17 years old Bekah already has a string of high-level accomplishments in the sport of Muay Thai. Her incredibly focused and quiet determination is one thing that stood out the most in this episode. Bekah wins because she absolutely must and because the thought of anything other than winning is something she will not tolerate. Her determination coupled with the coaching of USMF President and Heritage Muay Thai owner, Michael "Chase" Corley are part of the reason for her success. The guys discuss IFMA, Bekah's "Killer Instinct", marketing yourself on social media, and much more on this podcast. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast, we sit down with USMF and Dan's Gym coach, Daniel Brandt as well as his daughter, 2018 IFMA gold medalist Tierra Brandt. We discuss Daniel's start in Muay Thai, coaching for the USMF, and the success of the USMF Junior Team's recent success at the 2018 IFMA Youth Muaythai World Championships. We also talk with Tierra about her love of Muay Thai, her fights at IFMA and earning one of the 8 gold medals for Team USA as well as discussing what it is like as having your dad as your coach. We had a great time speaking with them and they share plenty of their knowledge, experience, and excitement for the future of Muay Thai in America. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast Eric and Vinny speak with Head Coach of Bang Muay Thai at Onnit Gym in Austin, Texas; Alex Anoushian. Alex is an experienced coach who has trained and fought in Thailand on multiple occasions. We discuss how he chose to leave it all behind and travel to Thailand to pursue his passion for Muay Thai, and how his journey to Thailand eventually led him to meet his wife and start a family. We discuss his return to the US, the Bang Muay Thai system, traditional Muay Thai and how it can continue growing in the US, and much more! Enjoy!

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast, Eric & Vinny speak with Professional Muay Thai fighter Magalie Alvarez. Magalie fights out of Muay Thai America Gym (MTAG) in North Hollywood, California and was undefeated as an amateur before making the jump to pro Muay Thai. In the ring, Magalie is a firecracker who works non-stop and hits HARD! Outside of the ring, Magalie works as a personal trainer but has also begun using her voice to address mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. A fighter both in and out of the ring, Magalie is using her voice to talk about her own battle with mental health while encouraging others to not be ashamed to share their stories. This is a podcast we were very proud to make as Eric has also battled with mental health issues and believes that speaking up about them is important in helping others know that they are not alone and that there is help. One of our favorite podcasts to date where we talk Muay Thai, Mental Health, Social Media, and just have a few laughs. We truly hope you all enjoy!

In this episode of The Striking Corner Podcast, Vinny & Eric speak with San Diego's Selina Flores. A talented Muay Thai fighter that has quickly made a name for herself in the California Muay Thai scene, Selina recently competed as part of Team USA at the IFMA Muaythai World Championships where she fought in the Elite A Class looking to compete with the very best the sport has to offer. Selina is competitive, driven, and hungry. She and the guys talk California Muay Thai, takeaways from her experiences at IFMA, the amateur and pro debate, and how she is determined to bring home the gold from IFMA in 2019. Also in this episode, Vinny makes a controversial statement about Tacos, talks about NY water and why it is the best, and of course our new brand Striking Professional. Listen, learn, laugh, enjoy!

In this episode of The Striking Corner, Vinny and Eric discuss the recent IFMA Muaythai World Championships, supporting Team USA (USMF), and how we as Americans need to understand that the pro and amateur model we use in the United States is out of step with the rest of the world. The guys also rant about fighters pulling out of fights in order to preserve their undefeated record, social media fighters, and why fighters should be choosing gaining experience, fighting against the best fighters in the world, and growing the level of the sport over "getting paid" or "going pro". This podcast may piss a few people off or open some eyes, but the goal is to educate and start (or continue) the conversation about growing the sport in the US and increasing the level to compete on par with the major teams worldwide. The guys also talk about The Striking Corner's new official clothing brand, Striking Professional.

In this episode of The Striking Corner, Eric and Vinny speak with former professional fighter, coach, and Smash Gym owner Rudi Ott. Rudi started out his career in Sanshou, also known as Chinese Kickboxing, which is the same fighting discipline that both Eric and Vinny started in before making the transition to Muay Thai. Rudi talks about the old Sanshou scene in his native Boston, how he made his way out west and began training with Cung Le, his career in Sanshou, making the transition to Muay Thai, and much more. We had a great chat with one of the OG's in the Sanshou scene and now a highly respected coach in the U.S. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Striking Corner Eric and Vinny are together once again IN THE SAME STUDIO as Eric traveled to NYC this past weekend to provide ringside commentary for the Triumph Kombat 4 event which was held at the iconic Madison Square Garden. The guys discuss the event and Vinny's student Abel Cardenas' fight, they also answer fan questions about how to grow Muay Thai in America without going the WWE route, gym hopping, "not leaving it to the judges" (uggh), and Eric receives his results from Ancestry DNA. Enjoy! And if you have any topic ideas or questions you would like us to answer during a podcast, drop us a line at info@strikingcorner.com or on our Instagram accounts: @strikingcorner, @ericrivera_tsc, and @vinnyscotto

On Friday, March 2nd, 2018, Friday Night Fights will be the first Muay Thai promotion to stream LIVE on UFC Fight Pass. Proof of the continuing growth of Muay Thai and Kickboxing in the US! In this special episode, Vinny and Eric speak with Friday Nights Fights (FNF) promoter Justin Blair to discuss this historic event for US Muay Thai and the guys also speak with the two stars of the main event, Phoenix, Arizona's Travis Clay and New Jersey's very own, Ognjen Topic. Two top American talents facing off in the ring of one of the longest running Muay Thai shows in America, LIVE on UFC Fight Pass! Support the Sport, tune in, and continue showing these networks that it is worth their time and money to continue broadcasting Muay Thai. The promoters and fighters are doing their part to grow the sport, we have to do ours!

In this episode of the podcast, Eric & Vinny speak with USMF President Michael "Chase" Corley and Muaythai Youth Academy co-creator Patrick Rivera. Both of these gentlemen have played a major role in growing Muay Thai in the United States as well as pushing Muay Thai towards getting recognized by the USOC (United State Olympic Committee). Michael and Patrick both feel that the future of American Muaythai lies in establishing a template and/or path for our youth Muay Thai athletes to get prepared, from an early age, for both national and international competition. In this episode, we discuss the importance of the USMF's Youth Development League, the upcoming Muaythai Youth Academy workshop at Patrick's Valor Training Center in Stockton, California, and we also discuss the phenomena performance by 4 of America's young female Muaythai athletes at a recent event in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Listen, learn, and believe, as the path to exponential growth of American Muay Thai is explained here on this podcast!

In this episode of The Striking Corner, Vinny and Eric speak with promoter, coach, gym owner, and entrepreneur, Eddie Cuello! Eddie has long been a friend of the podcast and The Striking Corner as Eric at one time fought on Eddie's old Take On Productions promotion and also served as a commentator on various shows. In this podcast, the guys discuss Eddie's growth from the days of Take On Productions to his new venture as a promoter of Triumph Kombat, as well as owning and coaching at his two locations of Rebel Thaiboxing in Long Island, New York in addition to other projects he works on. The guys talk East Coast Muay Thai, pro vs. amateur opportunities, Eddie's PROMISE to fly Eric out to New York for the next Triumph Kombat Card, and Vinny teaches Eric to properly pronounce Madison Square Garden. Enjoy fight fans!

In the first episode of 2018, we decided we needed to start off the new year of The Striking Corner right! And who better to kick off 2018, then CSA Gym owner and head coach extraordinaire, Kirian Fitzgibbons! "Coach K", as he is known to his many students and peers, is without a doubt one of the top striking coaches in North America, coaching the likes of Kevin Ross, Gaston Bolaños, Zoila Frausto, Zach Bunnell, Eddie Abasolo, Alexis Davis, Miriam Nakamoto, and the list goes on and on. Coach K has been a huge part of the growth of Muay Thai and Kickboxing in America for quite some time. He knows all the players and has seen it all. He is very passionate about combat sports, his students, and his brand. He pulls no punches when giving his opinions, takes no bullshit, and we love him for it. Yet for some, his take no prisoners attitude rubs them the wrong way however the success of his gym, his fighters, and his system cannot be denied. In this episode, we discuss everything from his background in combat sports and defensive tactics to the state of Muay Thai and Kickboxing in America. We also discuss why many fighters need to stop bitching, understand that in combat sports you have to learn to promote yourself and that there truly is no secret to success, it's all about hard work, structure, and the occasional usage of the term "motherfucker!" Enjoy!

In this episode of The Striking Corner, Eric and Vinny speak with the Head Coach of Boxings Works in Torrance, California and the USMF National Team, Bryan Popejoy. Bryan is considered one of the top Muay Thai coaches in the US and the guys we were definitely honored to have him as a guest on the podcast. In this episode, we discuss Bryan's background in Muay Thai, the history of Boxing Works, the California Muay Thai scene in the 1990's, the definition of "Traditional Muay Thai", fighting with pads, and much more!

In this episode of The Striking Corner, Vinny and Eric speak with one of our good friends and one of THE BEST coaches for Kickboxing in the U.S.; Eric Haycraft, head coach and owner of Real Fighters Gym in Louisville, Kentucky. Eric Haycraft is truly one of the most knowledgeable striking coaches in the United States today, especially in the realm of Kickboxing, sometimes referred to as "Dutch Kickboxing". Having trained extensively throughout his career with the likes of Rob Kaman and the late Ramon Dekkers, Eric has spent years trying to elevate the level and status of the sports of Muay Thai and Kickboxing in America. We discuss the "state of the union" for Kickboxing and Muay Thai in the U.S., why American fighters should stay amateur longer, the growth of the US Muaythai Federation and the big strides they have made in pushing Muay Thai forward, and so much more! This podcast is stacked with great conversation! And if you are a die-hard Muay Thai and Kickboxing fan, we know you will enjoy it.

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast, Eric & Vinny speak with physical therapists, coaches, and former fighters, Dr. Jason Park and Dr. Hiro Perera. The group discusses the misconceptions of physical therapy, why it's important to fighters, and a new endeavor both Dr. Park and Dr. Herera are embarking on, where they seek to educate fighters and coaches about the finer points of injury prevention and mobility for Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and MMA. Eric and Vinny also discuss Keto, why Stevia tastes horrible, and newborn babies. Check it out!

In this episode of The Striking Corner, Eric and Vinny sit down with Staten Island Muay Thai's Keto Master and Strength & Conditioning coach, John "Jay" Campbell. Eric talks about being in the home stretch of his wife giving birth to their second son, Vinny posts a picture of Eric's stupid face on the internet, and Jay discusses the benefits of the Keto Diet. Eric and Vinny commit to getting on Jay's Diet Plan and will report back in a few weeks to discuss their TRIUMPHS or failures...

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast, Eric & Vinny speak with Dan LaSavage. Dan is a former professional Muay Thai and MMA fighter who now owns Combat Corner, a successful combat sports equipment brand. We discuss his career in martial arts, what drove him to start his own brand, the growth of combat sports in America, and why he believes YOU should stop worrying about how many ounces your gloves weigh. Listen and enjoy!

In this episode, Eric and Vinny discuss Eric's evacuation from Florida for Hurricane Irma, the recent controversy surrounding Yokkao, Eric rants about the Canelo vs. GGG decision, corruption in boxing, politics in fight sports, and more. Eric had fun with this one and talked a lot more than usual if that's possible. You be the judge!

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast, Eric and Vinny speak with head coach and owner of Valor Training Center in Stockton, California, Patrick Rivera. Patrick is also currently the co-director of the Youth Development League (YDL), which is the USMF's Youth Program designed to get America's youth Muay Thai fighters prepared for IFMA style competitions and world championships. Patrick has had incredible success with his youth program at Valor Training Center and also has youth fighters that have gone on to win medals at both IFMA Youth Muay Thai Championships (2016 & 2017). Patrick discusses why youth development is imperative to the growth of American Muay Thai, what the YDL's mission is to grow the youth Muay Thai scene in the United States, and we also discuss different ways of teaching Muay Thai to kids that will get them ready for IFMA and other fight competitions. We could have gone on for quite sometime with this podcast as Patrick has a wealth of knowledge and great ideas when it comes to the future of Muay Thai. There was so much more we could have talked about so we will definitely have Patrick on in the future. After all, he and Eric share the same last name, so you know Eric was excited about that, because well, he gets excited about everything! Enjoy this episode and share it you maniacs!

In this episode of The Striking Corner, Vinny and Eric speak with Muay Thai power couple Kate Allen and Charlie Cottone. They are the owners and instructors of 8 Limbs Muay Thai in Philadelphia, PA. Kate and Charlie discuss how they started in Muay Thai, how their relationship began, and their eventual decision of opening up their own Muay Thai gym together. Kate also talks about competing in the 2017 IFMA Muay Thai World Championships, leaving her career as a dental hygienist to focus on Muay Thai full time, and the decision of wanting to fight but also wanting to start a family. In addition, Charlie discusses the dynamic of being Kate's husband while also being her coach, We had a great chat with Charlie and Kate. This is was a fun podcast for us and we hope you will all feel the same! Enjoy!

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast, Eric and Vinny are joined by Muay Thai trainer, BJJ Purple Belt, and 5th Degree Tae Kwon Do Black Belt, Lonnie Beck! Lonnie runs two very successful gyms outside of Philadelphia and he discusses the ins and outs of the martial arts business, the ups and downs of running a gym, his learning experiences, and how traditional martial arts and combat sports can coexist in the current combat sports hungry environment. They also discuss McDojo's, large Martial Arts franchises, staying in your lane as a business, and much much more! If you dream of opening a gym one day or are a current gym owner looking to better your business this podcast is for you!

In this episode of The Striking Corner Podcast, Vinny and Eric speak with USMF (United States Muaythai Federation) President, Michael 'Chase' Corley. Michael is someone who has truly made Muay Thai his full-time job. First as a fighter and now as a coach at Houston Muay Thai and president of the USMF, Michael is looking to increase the recognition of Muay Thai in America. He is working hard to get Muay Thai recognized by the US Olympic Committee and bring together multiple organizations and tournaments in order to find the best Muay Thai athletes in America and take them to compete at major international tournaments such as the IFMA's, Pan-Americans, etc... The journey has just begun and Michael and the board of the USMF are no doubt making strides. However, the journey to get to where the sport is currently and to continue its growth is not without hiccups and setbacks. We discuss all of this and more, so this is definitely an informative podcast! Enjoy!

In this episode of The Striking Corner, Vinny and Eric chat about Eric's first week back in training, amateur fighters not making weight and how to deal with it, the TBA Muay Thai Expo, McDojo's teaching Cardio Kickboxing and calling it Muay Thai, and much more! We also talk new gear you should look out for and more additions to The Striking Corner shop.

In this episode, Eric & Vinny speak with 2017 IFMA Muay Thai Championship silver medalist and Team USA member, Emilio "Hydro" Pineda. We discuss his experience fighting on the world stage, his wins over Turkey and Denmark en route to the finals against Russia. Emilio explains that a silver medal was definitely not enough for him and how he will continue his quest for gold. We also discuss the new path for young fighters in the US to try out for Team USA, the importance of international competition, and more! Check it out!

In this episode of The Striking Corner Podcast, Eric & Vinny sit down with Muay Thai Fighter, Trainer, and Physical Therapist, Dr. Hiro Perera. We discuss common injuries in Muay Thai as opposed to other sports, injury prevention, treatment, as well as when it is time to contact a medical professional. We also discuss how to warm up properly and whether or not the way many Muay Thai gyms across the country warm up before and after a class is truly correct.

In this episode, Vinny and Eric speak with owner and head coach of Level Up Boxing, Jason Farrell. Jason is an accomplished striking coach who was recently tasked with being one of the coaches for the US National Muay Thai Team that competed at the IFMA World Muay Thai Championships in Minsk, Belarus. Jason discusses the large gap he witnessed between the financial support other country's teams received as opposed to that of our very own Team USA. The guys brainstorm about how to grow awareness, support, and why more of the Muay Thai community should be aware of the importance and magnitude of the IFMA World Championships. They also air a few grievances as well! As a side note, we wanted to apologize for the sound issues during the interview portion of this particular episode. We ran into some technical issues due to a misplaced mic and improper settings. If anything, blame ERIC!

In this bonus episode of The Striking Corner podcast Vinny rants about a recent experience where a fighter pulled out of a fight with one of his fighters at the last minute after not making weight. Vinny and Eric finally do a podcast in the same room together as opposed to the usual Skype setup. Also the guys review the awesome Fabio Pinca seminar The Striking Corner put together at Vinny's gym in NYC, Staten Island Muay Thai. Eric's fanboyism for top fighters continues and the guys discuss sharing a slice of pizza with Fabio Pinca and Mickael Piscitello. We happened to love how this episode came out so tell us your thoughts!

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast, Eric and Vinny are back after an extended Easter vacation and decide to do this episode sans guest in order to catch up on some news from the world of Muay Thai & Kickboxing. They discuss Bellator Kickboxing, our upcoming Striking Corner seminar featuring Fabio Pinca, and the much talked about rumor regarding a potential dream match up between Yodsanklai and Buakaw for a whopping one million dollar fight purse! In addition, the debate over In-N-Out Burger versus Five Guys continues and a special announcement about a new run of Striking Corner/Muay Thai is Life shirts! Check it out!