In this episode, Jonathan Puu sits down with Ognjen Topić (@topicfight), one of the most respected Muay Thai fighters to ever come out of the United States. Recorded during his visit to Ventura for a seminar, Ognjen shares his journey from graphic designer in New Jersey to Omnoi Stadium Champion in Bangkok, Thailand
.

We cover:

• His breakout fight against Neungsiam from Fairtex and why it was a turning point for him.
• What it was really like to fight legends like Saenchai and face off under the brutal stadium system in Thailand.
• The harsh realities of the gambling culture, gym politics, and the infamous “Round 6” treatment fighters endure.
• Why Ognjen quit his steady 9–5 career in design to go all-in on Muay Thai, and how branding, social media, and content creation became critical to sustaining his career.
• His perspective on ONE Championship’s small-glove era, bonuses, and how the sport is changing for better or worse.
• What authenticity means in Muay Thai, why some fighters fall into “influencer fraud,” and how to truly stand out as a fighter.
• Reflections on his future as a coach, seminar leader, and what he believes is next for the sport.

This is a must-listen for fighters, coaches, and anyone passionate about the culture and evolution of Muay Thai.

👉 Follow Ognjen Topić on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/topicfight

Support the show

💬 What Do You Think? Join the Discussion!
📩 DM us on Instagram: @muaythaipodcast
💥 Join the Black Room VIP Community to talk more about this topic!

📺 WATCH & LISTEN NOW: Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & More!

👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!

Ever wondered which gloves ONE Championship fighters actually use and why they’re different from other Muay Thai gloves? In this episode of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, we break down the exact gear used in ONE Championship, why it matters for safety and performance, and how it compares to traditional Muay Thai gloves.

We’ll cover:

• The official gloves used in ONE Championship Muay Thai bouts
• How glove design impacts striking, defense, and fighter safety
• Why understanding the gear can change your training approach
• Insights from years of experience in Muay Thai competition and officiating

Support the show

💬 What Do You Think? Join the Discussion!
📩 DM us on Instagram: @muaythaipodcast
💥 Join the Black Room VIP Community to talk more about this topic!

📺 WATCH & LISTEN NOW: Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & More!

👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!

Should elbows to the back of the head be legal in Muay Thai? In Thailand, some stadiums say YES—while in the West, it’s a clear NO. In this episode, Jonathan Puu, an experienced referee and coach, unpacks the history, dangers, and rule variations behind this strike.

Inside this episode:

• The origins of “rabbit punches” and why they’re dangerous
• 12-to-6 elbows: from MMA ban to legalization
• How Thai stadium culture views back-of-the-head shots
• The viral KO that reignited the debate
• Jonathan’s verdict on whether these strikes should be allowed

If you’ve ever wondered why certain strikes are banned in one country and celebrated in another, you need to hear this.

👉 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muaythaipodcast/
👊 Join our Thailand training camp: https://thailand.puumuaythai.com/
🎙️ Subscribe for weekly Muay Thai insights

#MuayThaiPodcast #MuayThai #CombatSports #MartialArts #Elbows #MuayThaiRules #FighterSafety #MuayThaiTraining

Support the show

💬 What Do You Think? Join the Discussion!
📩 DM us on Instagram: @muaythaipodcast
💥 Join the Black Room VIP Community to talk more about this topic!

📺 WATCH & LISTEN NOW: Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & More!

👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!

In this episode of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu breaks down the gloves you should NEVER use for sparring—and why they’re putting you and your training partners at risk. From low-density foam to dangerous plastic reinforcements, we go deep on what makes a glove good or garbage.

Jonathan shares his professional experience as a fighter, coach of national champions, and ring official for thousands of fights. You'll also get recommendations for trusted brands like Top King, Fairtex, Twins Special, Windy, Combat Corner, Yuth, and Ghost Brand.

📦 Need gear or glove help? We carry recommended gloves at Pu’u Muay Thai Ventura.

🔗 Links:
• EAT SLEEP TEEP Events
• SIAM Standard Ring Official Certification
• Train in Thailand with Pu’u Muay Thai
• Ghost Brand Gloves

• Other sparring gear recommendations

Subscribe and share this with a teammate who needs to upgrade their gear!

Support the show

💬 What Do You Think? Join the Discussion!
📩 DM us on Instagram: @muaythaipodcast
💥 Join the Black Room VIP Community to talk more about this topic!

📺 WATCH & LISTEN NOW: Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & More!

👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!

This week on the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast (Episode 203), Jonathan sits down with Glory Munoz, Program Director at Pu’u Muay Thai Ventura and one of the academy’s first-ever hires. Glory shares her story of starting as a beginner student, rising through the ranks, and stepping into a leadership role where she now helps guide others through their Muay Thai journey.

From managing classes and events to mentoring students and upholding the academy’s high standards, Glory plays a vital role in the growth of Pu’u Muay Thai and its mission to make Muay Thai more accessible and empowering.

Follow Glory’s journey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idontdohair

Explore more from Pu’u Muay Thai:
 🇹🇭 Thailand Training Camp: https://thailand.puumuaythai.com
📚 Official Certification Courses: https://muaythairingofficial.com
🛡️ EAT SLEEP TEEP Events: https://eatsleepteep.com
📦 Seminars, Merch, and More: https://pmtlifestyle.com

Support the show

💬 What Do You Think? Join the Discussion!
📩 DM us on Instagram: @muaythaipodcast
💥 Join the Black Room VIP Community to talk more about this topic!

📺 WATCH & LISTEN NOW: Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & More!

👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!

Starting Muay Thai can be overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, Jonathan Puu breaks down the real challenges beginners face and how to overcome them. Learn why consistency beats talent, how to train through injuries, and what to do when motivation disappears.

Don’t miss updates on our Muay Thai training camp in Thailand, upcoming events, and how to become a certified Muay Thai official. Links below:

• Thailand Camp: thailand.puumuaythai.com
• SIAM Standard: muaythairingofficial.com
• EAT SLEEP TEEP: eatsleepteep.com
• Seminars & More: pmtlifestyle.com

Support the show

💬 What Do You Think? Join the Discussion!
📩 DM us on Instagram: @muaythaipodcast
💥 Join the Black Room VIP Community to talk more about this topic!

📺 WATCH & LISTEN NOW: Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & More!

👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!

In Episode 201 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, host Jonathan Puu unpacks breaking news around a controversial Muay Thai youth tournament in Italy that’s sparked global concern, with accusations of illegal full-contact bouts and Olympic ambitions being questioned. He also covers the latest on ONE Championship’s Muay Thai rule changes, WBC Muay Thai's fiery response, and the upcoming SIAM Standard Ring Officials Course and EAT SLEEP TEEP Semi Contact event. Plus, hear about the December Thailand training camp and updates from Teep Studios in Scottsdale.

🔗 Join the Thailand Camp: https://thailand.puumuaythai.com
🎓 Become a Certified Ring Official: https://muaythairingofficial.com
🥊 Upcoming Event Info: https://eatsleepteep.com
🖤 GH05T Brand Sponsor: https://gh05tbrand.com

Support the show

💬 What Do You Think? Join the Discussion!
📩 DM us on Instagram: @muaythaipodcast
💥 Join the Black Room VIP Community to talk more about this topic!

📺 WATCH & LISTEN NOW: Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & More!

👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!

A tragic incident shook the Muay Thai community when a young fighter passed away at a recent tournament in Des Moines, Iowa. In this episode, Jonathan Puu reflects on what happened, the emotional aftermath, and how the Muay Thai community is responding. We discuss the importance of safety, tournament culture, and what steps are taken here in USA to help reduce risks.

This conversation is about honoring the fighter’s legacy, supporting his family, and calling for better protections in the sport we all love.

🙏 You can support the family here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-anas-azizs-family-memorial

📩 Follow for more updates: @muaythaipodcast
 📍 Filmed at Teep Studios, Scottsdale, Arizona

Support the show

💬 What Do You Think? Join the Discussion!
📩 DM us on Instagram: @muaythaipodcast
💥 Join the Black Room VIP Community to talk more about this topic!

📺 WATCH & LISTEN NOW: Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & More!

👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!

In this in-depth conversation at Teep Studios in Scottsdale, Arizona, Coach Connor joins Jonathan Puu to talk about what it truly takes to coach Muay Thai in 2025. From developing real fighters to creating a sustainable training culture, they cover the highs and lows of coaching, why some athletes stagnate, and what separates a coach from a pad holder.

They also dig into the differences between American and Thai training methods, how to navigate ego in the gym, and why mentorship matters more than ever. Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or just a passionate fan of the sport, this episode brings raw, honest insights straight from the gym floor.

📍Follow for more behind-the-scenes Muay Thai stories and training wisdom.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube
 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @muaythaipodcast

🇹🇭 Interested in training in Thailand?
 Check out our upcoming camp ➡️ https://thailand.puumuaythai.com

Support the show

💬 What Do You Think? Join the Discussion!
📩 DM us on Instagram: @muaythaipodcast
💥 Join the Black Room VIP Community to talk more about this topic!

📺 WATCH & LISTEN NOW: Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & More!

👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!

Why Dana White Refuses to Promote Muay Thai – The Real Reason

UFC President Dana White recently made headlines after commenting on kickboxing and Muay Thai, saying he prefers Muay Thai over kickboxing—but still has no plans to promote it. In this solo episode, Jonathan Puu breaks down Dana's statements, the deeper reasons UFC is investing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and boxing, and what this means for the future of Muay Thai globally.

Jonathan also explores the missed opportunities for UFC to bring striking-only combat sports like Muay Thai to mainstream audiences, and whether "UFC Striking" could ever become a reality. If you’re passionate about Muay Thai, combat sports growth, or the evolution of UFC-style promotions, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

📲 Follow our dedicated Instagram page for the podcast: @muaythaipodcast

 💬 Drop your thoughts in our inbox: https://podcast.puumuaythai.com -  Would you watch UFC Muay Thai?

Support the show

💬 What Do You Think? Join the Discussion!
📩 DM us on Instagram: @muaythaipodcast
💥 Join the Black Room VIP Community to talk more about this topic!

📺 WATCH & LISTEN NOW: Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & More!

👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!