Claire ‘Chun-Li’ Rankine’s name is already making waves at Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA, and for good reason. Though a recent addition to the team, Claire’s journey has been anything but ordinary, marked by grit and perseverance that few can match.
Initially drawn to MMA as a form of self-defense sparked by past struggles, Claire’s interest quickly grew into a passion. One amateur fight was all it took to set her path in stone. Determined to push her limits, she packed up and moved to Thailand, diving into the deep end of its fighting culture. For five years, Phuket Top Team was her proving ground, where she notched an impressive record and gained valuable experience. When the gym shut its doors, Claire had to adapt, bouncing between places until she found what she was looking for at Bangtao.
The welcome wasn’t exactly smooth. Within a week of joining, Claire started feeling sharp pain in her face. As any seasoned fighter might, she shrugged it off as a routine sparring knock. But when the pain became unbearable, she sought medical help, only to be misdiagnosed with shingles. It wasn’t until her face swelled to the point that she could barely see out of one eye that the true diagnosis came through—cellulitis, and it was severe.
“They kept me in the hospital for four days,” Claire said. “They had to cut my head open and drain it, and I was hooked to an IV the whole time. Even after getting discharged, I had to go back daily for wound cleaning for two weeks.” The recovery was slow and frustrating. By the time she was cleared to train, restrictions were still in place. “I had to be careful—no clinching, no sparring—just pads and bags until I got the all-clear.”
Coming back wasn’t just about getting back in shape. It was rebuilding her confidence in a new gym, trying to prove herself to new teammates and coaches while managing the physical and emotional toll. “It was tough,” Claire admitted. “I wanted to show what kind of fighter I am while still getting used to a new training style. But the team gave me space to heal at my own pace, and that made all the difference.”
The real test came just weeks later. Only 2.5 weeks after being cleared for full training, Claire accepted a fight. A rapid 10 kg cut and limited prep time pushed her to the edge. “I was nervous,” she said. “Coming off an illness, not knowing how my body would hold up—it was a lot to handle.” But fight day told a different story. Using her boxing and relentless forward pressure, Claire walked her opponent down, threading elbows and knees that spoke to her skill and resilience.
“When they raised my hand, it was overwhelming,” she admitted. “With everything I’d gone through that month, it was hard not to get emotional. I’m my own harshest critic, so I wasn’t totally satisfied with my performance, but I had to remind myself what I overcame just to be there.”
With 35 professional fights and a #2 WBC World Ranking, Claire’s trajectory with Bangtao looks promising. “I’m ready to keep pushing, to show what I can really do now that I’m healthy. The support here has been everything, and I want to give back with better performances.”
Stay tuned as Claire ‘Chun-Li’ Rankine continues to push boundaries at Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA, a fighter proving that setbacks are just fuel for the next round.