The Challenger Muaythai blog - Mostafa Abdollahi part 2

by Mostafa Abdollahi

After my first fight and my victory by KO against Jay Woodham from the UK, I had a bad injury and my rib was cracked from his knee. I was in pain, even that night I couldn't sleep. After one day rest and recovery, I started very light training again. In the 3rd quarter final match when Jordan Watson faced off against Cedric Muller, Marco Pique and I were the only to fighters remaining to fight in the quarter final.

The blue team trainers and I focused all that week on training to beat Marco's fight style. We tried more to fight Thai style and attack with hard kicks because I knew Marco being based in Nederland’s has a Dutch style which is more K-1 with punch and kick combinations. I was planning to be opposite from his techniques. Also I knew that Marco had a very bad injury in his previous fight against Frankie.

THE FIGHT
From the start I tried to control the game and use my leg kicks and make him hurt. I knew if I wanted to achieve my goal and go to the semi-finals, I needed to win this fight. I really tried to catch the judge’s eyes with my kicks and knees. Marco was in pain and I could tell, but he was trying so hard to win this match. In between my corner men always made me relax during the fight. I used more hands and left

The Challenger Muaythai blog - Jay Woodham

by Jay Woodham
I train at the Lamiamuaythai Camp Koh Samui with Tum Mardsua, he had already been chosen to take part in the show. They were looking for another fighter, I got asked to do a video interview like a screen test so I did that. They knew I was a decent fighter from videos and recommendations and that was that really, a few weeks later I got the call and the producers said I was in the show. I was just so happy to be a part of Muaythai history to be in the very first season of The Challenger Muaythai and really excited to show the world what I could do, as I left the UK almost two years ago as a high level fighter and I feel I have improved. It was great to finally get to show case that.

The Challenger Muaythai blog - Michael Corley

by Michael Corley

After spending close to two years in Thailand working and competing I returned home to Houston, Texas late April 2011. I was happy to get back to Texas and enjoy some time off relaxing and eating some American food! So after about 2-3 weeks being in the States I got the call to be on The Challenger Muaythai Reality Show. I had made an alright name for myself competing in Thailand in The Challenger Qualifier 8-Man in Pattaya and competing in events like the Toyota Cup, and was really excited to get out and test myself against some top international fighters.

I think I was kind of a wild card getting on the show, so I was on a flight 3 days after I got the call and headed to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. When all the fighters arrived at the house I noticed some world champion competitors for the show Jordan Watson, Marco Pique, Madsua, Franki Giorgi, Colossa etc… then I also noticed 2 competitors that I had fought before in Thailand Jason Woodham and Faizal Ramli. Lastly I saw my friend Cyrus Washington and him, me, Rhyse Saliba, and Jesse Miles all roomed together. We all got along and were pretty chilled and a relaxed room.

September tryout for "In Search of America's Muay Thai Team" postponed, additional tryouts across select states likely

Muay Thai Authority has been informed by the president of Muay Thai In America and Atma'Sphere Entertainment, Don McDaniels, that the September 16th tryout and the training camp scheduled for September 17th and 18th for "In Search of America's Muay Thai Team" has been postponed.

Furthermore, McDaniels stated that the reason behind the postponement was due to network concerns, regarding fighters from all over America not having the chance to audition for "In Search of America's Muay Thai Team." To ensure fair competition, the auditions for "In Search of America's Muay Thai Team" will now be spread across select states within the United States. Currently, no exact dates are known for the additional auditions or which states they will be held in.

Date change for second tryout of reality TV show "In Search of America's Muay Thai Team"

Muay Thai In America and Atmasphere Entertainment announced today that they have received an overwhelming response to the announcement of the second audition for the reality TV show “In Search of America’s Muay Thai Team”. Due to the huge response from fighters around the country it will be necessary to push back the date of the second audition a couple of weeks to accommodate the production scheduling.

The new tryout date has been moved to Friday September 16th at Double Dose Muay Thai in Fontana, Ca. Those who make it through the second tryout as well as those that made the cut from the first tryout will be attending the training camp the following two days, September 17th-18th.

Second audition added for In Search of America's Muay Thai Team TV show

Second chances don't come often, but for anyone who did not try out for "In Search of America's Muay Thai Team" the first time you have just received your second chance. The reality TV show which is being produced by Atma'Sphere Entertainment and the International Muay Thai Federation (IMTF) has recently added a second date of auditions for the show. Those who did not try out for the initial audition have one last chance to try and make the training camp portion of the show.

Pictures: In Search of America's Muay Thai Team tryouts

Photographer Joséphine Runneboom was on hand for Muay Thai Authority at the tryouts of "In Search of America's Muay Thai Team" the reality show which is being produced by Atma'Sphere Entertainment and the International Muay Thai Federation (IMTF). She captured some excellent shots of what was a long and grueling day for the fighters hoping to get a chance to represent America on an international level.

In Search of America's Muay Thai Team FAQ

With the recent announcement of the new reality TV Muay Thai show "In Search of America's Muay Thai Team" many questions have been asked. To help keep fighters informed president of "In Search of America's Muay Thai Team" Don McDaniels has provided Muay Thai Authority with the following FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) list. The FAQ provides answers to many of the questions that are being asked by fighters, and further explain the show and the tryouts. 

More information on reality TV show "In Search of America's Muay Thai Team"

Muay Thai Authority has confirmed the start time of 7:00 AM for the July 2nd tryouts at Double Dose Muay Thai in Fontana, CA for the upcoming Reality TV Muay Thai show "In Search of America's Muay Thai Team". In addition Muay Thai Authority has confirmed that the fighters that make it past the initial audition at Double Dose in Fontana, CA will then be included in a second round of auditions that will take place the weekend of July 15th in Big Bear, CA.

The coaches and judges will determine the participants they would like to see fight during the first of four professional Muay Thai competitions that will take place at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, CA.

Keep checking back at MuayThaiAuthority.com to stay up to date on "In Search of America's Muay Thai Team". 

Reality TV Muay Thai show set to take place in the United States

Muay Thai Authority has confirmed with sources close to the situation that Atma' Sphere Entertainment and the International Muay Thai Federation are working together to produce a new reality TV Muay Thai show. The title of the show is "In Search of America's Muay Thai Team".

The premise of the show will be to to build a five man team to represent the United States and compete internationally. Not many details are known at the moment except that tryouts for the show will begin in the next few weeks. Currently there are no fighters confirmed or rumored to be participating on the show.