From humble beginnings in Phuket to being covered on TrueVisions, Jon Nutt and his team at Full Metal Dojo are changing how mixed martial arts is
perceived in Thailand and taking Team Thailand to new heights
perceived in Thailand and taking Team Thailand to new heights
| By Kelly Harvey Photos by Singaporemaven AFTER two years of hard work and dedication to promoting mixed martial arts (MMA) in Thailand and South East Asia, Jon Nutt and his team at Full Metal Dojo (FMD) have gone from strength to strength and proved the sports popularity ten-fold. Along with his partners Richard Arthur and Ree Webster, they aim to provide a professional platform upon which up and coming MMA fighters - both Thai and foreign - can be put on their mettle. Founded in 2014 by Jon Nutt, FMD1 was held at Seduction Nightclub in Phuket. With its widespread popularity the event moved to Bangkok and has become a fixture at Insanity Nightclub. Hosted by the founder himself, as well as the charismatic Mark Abbott, FMD is now covered on TrueVisions. With 12 events thus far, FMD is now Thailand’s largest MMA promotion and has gained an impressive list of sponsors including: TrueVisions, Oakley, Four Points Sheraton, Singha, Mövenpick, The Clubhouse, FITWHEY, Fairtex, Kong MMA, and Insanity Nightclub. |  |
   | But the true growth of FMD is shown directly in their cards; with repeat fighters as well as the likes of former UFC fighters Tommy Hayden and Will Chope entering the FMD ring. And through its colossal success FMD has helped in gaining Thailand recognition by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF). At their most recent event - FMD12: The 37th Chamber - FMD announced that in partnership with the Thailand Mixed Martial Arts Federation (TMMAF), starting in January next year they will be holding an all-amateur tournament for Thai MMA fighters across the four regions of Thailand, dubbed ‘Made in Thailand’. The winners of each weight category will then go on to represent Thailand at the prestigious 2017 IMMAF World Championships, part of the UFC’s annual International Fight Week held in Las Vegas. But FMD is not stopping there. In conjunction with the IMMAF, FMD is striving for MMA to be recognised as an Olympic sport by 2024 and they want Thailand to compete. Many Thai Muay Thai fighters have been training for years and have logged hundreds of fights. By adding some effective ground skills the most talented among them can dominate MMA in their respective weight classes. Judging by the accomplishments that this small start-up company has already achieved in the promotion of MMA in Thailand, Team Thailand may very well be on their way to the 2024 Olympics. When speaking to Jon Nutt on the subject he commented, “We want to focus on the grassroots and standards of the sport and ensure no corruption. We want to educate fighters and make them international champions.” But FMD doesn’t only educate their fighters; they also go to great lengths to protect them. For every event a contract is provided that favours the fighters above all else, blood tests as well as full health checks are also conducted before the event. Despite the high occurrence of Hepatitis in Thailand, FMD is the first combat sports organisation in Thailand to blood test their fighters. It’s no wonder the fighters keep coming back for more. The next action-packed event is scheduled for December 10 at Insanity Nightclub. Be sure not to miss out on history in the making. For more information visit www.fullmetaldojo.com Our top picks of MMA gyms across Thailand • Fighting Spirit Gym: 527/1 Silom Road (between Soi 9 & Soi 11), Bangkok. 088 552 8957. fightingspiritgym.com • EMAC: Executive Martial Arts Center: Executive house building, Soi Sanchao, Bangkok. 081 247 4422. emacthailand.net • The Fight Lab: 36/2 Soi Sukhumvit 69, Bangkok. 02 391 1754. bangkokfightlab.net • Zendokai Shingi Dojo: 1511/1-4 Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok. 087 829 2979. facebook.com/ShingidojoMMA • Phuket Top Team: 45 / 31 M.1 Soi Tadied Chalong, Phuket. 076 367 567. phukettopteam.com • Tiger Muay Thai: 7/35 Soi Ta-ied, Phuket. 076 367 071. tigermuaythai.com • AKA Thailand: 47/31-32 Moo 4 Soi Sermsuk, Wiset Road, Phuket. 076 604 004. akathailand.com • Chiang Mai Fight Fit: 108 CM Building 4th Floor, Lampang Road, Chiang Mai. 081 570 2321. facebook.com/cnxfightfit • Team Quest Thailand: 114/3 Moo. 1 T. Phadad, Chiang Mai. 086 091 1536. tqmmathailand.com • Legacy Gym: Pathum, Mueang Ubon Ratchathani District, Ubon Ratchathani. 089 627 8423. legacygym.com |
