Phuket has plenty going for it. As Thailand’s largest tropical island, it’s got all the beaches, nature hikes, and fresh ocean air you could ask for. But it’s not just about the views and the vibes, Phuket also boasts top-tier international schools, world-class hospitals, and all the resources needed to sharpen your skills in the cage.
Michael “The Count” Bisping sees the untapped potential of MMA in Phuket and is on his way here to Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA for an exclusive two-day seminar this August 9 & 10, 2025—marking his first-ever appearance at our world-renowned facility.
Since opening in 2022, Bangtao has welcomed a plethora of both active and retired UFC fighters. Jon Jones and Georges St-Pierre, both tied as three-time UFC Champions across two divisions, have spent a significant amount of time in Phuket. Both Jones and GSP have even hosted sold-out seminars here at Bangtao. Among active UFC fighters, the most notable would have to be current UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski and current UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Zhang Weili, who chose Bangtao’s world-class facilities for their training.
But what is it about this island in particular? Is it the beaches? Or maybe it’s the weather and affordable living? Is it just the gyms? And why is it drawing in so many UFC fighters and combat sports enthusiasts?
Rooted in a rich history of Muay Thai, Thailand’s national sport, Phuket is fast becoming a global destination for combat sports. From world-class coaches and fully equipped training facilities to top-tier sports nutrition and comprehensive recovery programs—not to mention weekly Muay Thai fights—Phuket is quickly earning its nickname as the “Fight Island.”
So far, Thailand has welcomed only a single fighter to the Octagon, 29-year-old Loma Lookboonmee. Hailing from Buriram, she started her MMA career right here in Phuket. Debuting in 2019 in Singapore, Loma had the Hickman Brothers and Alex and Woody in her corner. Although she was fighting out of Tiger Muay Thai at the time, it was Bangtao’s founders who honed the skills of the nine-time Muay Thai champion to become the first-ever Thai athlete to compete in the UFC. Her transition is still considered one of the fastest in MMA history. With the great precision and dedication of her team, Thai MMA has made impressive strides. And Loma is now on a four-fight winning streak in the UFC.
Bisping was right there in the Octagon for her latest victory at UFC on ESPN: Emmett vs. Murphy this past April, handling her post-fight interview. Even more recently (just last month), he met up with the Hickman Brothers at UFC Fight Night: Hill vs. Rountree Jr., where Bisping was working as part of the commentary team.
With Bangtao’s strong UFC connections and growing reputation, it makes perfect sense for Bisping to host his first Phuket seminar here.
Having a legend like Bisping step on the mats here at Bangtao is an incredible honor. It’s also a massive step in the right direction for the development of Thai MMA and for “Fight Island” to continue growing as a global hub for combat sports.