Hello again, Fight Fam!

Summer might be winding down, but Canadian Muay Thai sure as hell isn't.

On Episode 183 of the Shout Out Fight Podcast, we're talking about one massive event that just wrapped up in Ontario — and another one that's coming fast.

The Canadian Muay Thai Open (CMTO) just finished up over the weekend, and what an event. More competitors. More gyms. More people getting involved. More eyes on Canadian Muay Thai. For years, we've watched huge amateur tournaments happening all over the world and thought, why can't we have something like that here?

Well... now we do.

It's phenomenal to see something like the CMTO continuing to grow in Canada, and I'm incredibly proud to be Canadian and to be a small part of this Muay Thai community. People around the world get to watch what we're building now — and that's pretty damn cool.

And Ontario isn't slowing down.

On September 13th at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, the Thailand vs. Canada Muay Thai Challenge goes down as part of Thai Fest 2026.

Some of Canada's best taking on some of Thailand's best, with four prestigious WMC title fights already announced - This one is going to be MASSIVE!

Since I'm flying solo for this episode, I also grabbed a couple of questions people wanted me to talk about.

First up: foot sweeps in Muay Thai. Legal? Illegal? What are my thoughts?

Then we get into a topic I've been thinking about a lot lately: what differences do I see between Muay Thai in Eastern and Western Canada?

I've been fortunate enough to spend a lot more time travelling across the country lately, watching fighters, coaches, gyms and events on both sides. My experience is still limited compared to people who've lived in both scenes for decades, but I've seen enough now to notice some genuine differences.

So I give you my opinion. No East vs. West slander, no trying to stir the pot — just what I've personally observed and why I think both sides have some things they could learn from each other.

We also quickly touch on the Quinn Wasylak vs. Jonathan Aiulu rematch. I haven't had a chance to watch the fight yet, so I'm not going to pretend I have, but after talking to some friends from both countries, and getting a little inside chat but by all accounts it sounds like these two gentlemen put on an absolute firecracker. Well done to both men!

Summer is almost over.

That means back to the grind. Back to training. Back to the gym. And back to the fights.

Let's get after it.

>>> Fighty Friends, if you're enjoying the Shout Out Fight Podcast, please take a second to subscribe on YouTube, follow us on Instagram and TikTok, follow or subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and leave us a five-star rating.

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Thank you, as always, for the support.

Hello again Fight friends!!

Last weekend, the Canadian Muay Thai Open went down in Ontario and I sent my young fighter, Aidan Dahms for some action. In Ontario, "smokers" count towards the number of fights you have had overall - which was a bit of a worry for me, because Aidan has more smokers than he does official fights, mixed with because of the all smokers - had to fight in A class. I personally was hoping for some good fights, experience and growth for Aidan. After Aidan's first win, the nerves and adrenaline hit me full on! haha.

Aidan had 2 hard and close fights, but comes away the CMTO A class champion! Aidan breaks down the weekend from his point of view all the way to his arm raised in the championship fight. This isn't about being the champion, this is what happens when you take control of your life and go chase what you want! I am unbelievably proud of Aidan, this journey has been so much more than about fighting...

congratulations champ - SHOUT OUT TO YOU AIDAN!

Hello again, Fight Fam!

Welcome back to another episode of the Shout Out Fight Podcast. We’ve got a few great ones coming down the pipe, and this is definitely one of them.

Today I got to sit down with two of Canada’s youngest, best, and most experienced young Muay Thai fighters — Tyson and Kai Garner, the Nakmuay Bros, out of Dunamis Martial Arts here in Calgary.

I’ve known these boys pretty much since day one. I’ve watched them grow from little cubs under the guidance of Chris McMillan into two incredibly talented young fighters and champions. It’s been a pleasure watching their journey — not only developing beautiful Muay Thai, but respecting the culture, travelling the world, gaining experience and, most importantly, growing into two really good young men.

And now, they’re closing one chapter and opening a pretty incredible new one.

Tyson and Kai aren’t leaving Canada behind — but they are moving on. They’re heading overseas to Cambodia and Thailand, where they’ll be closer to family while also going all-in on their Muay Thai journeys.

What an unbelievable opportunity for these two young men.

And I have to give a huge amount of respect to their parents as well. These boys have travelled the world competing in Muay Thai, and wherever Tyson and Kai needed to be, Mom and Dad had to be there too. That takes sacrifice, belief, money, time, patience and one hell of a commitment.

Respect. What a family.

In this episode, we talk about some of their favourite fights, their favourite places Muay Thai has taken them, what they’re excited about heading into this new chapter, what makes them a little nervous, and some of the things they’re going to miss about leaving Canada behind.

If you know these boys, you know they’re not big talkers. 😂

They’re quiet. They’re humble. They’re confident. And when it’s time to fight, they let their Muay Thai do the talking - Selfishly, I really do feel like Canada is losing two of its best.

I’m proud of these boys. Their coaches are proud of them. Their teammates are proud of them. Their family is proud of them. And I know a whole lot of people in the Canadian Muay Thai community are going to be watching to see where this journey takes them.

They’re going all-in on something they love — something I love, and all of us love: Muay Thai.

So let’s make sure we keep supporting these boys. Send them some positivity, show them some love, follow their journey and let’s see what happens when two talented young Canadians take a chance, move across the world and truly go for it.

SHOUT OUT TO YOU TYSON AND KAI!

-- And as always, if you enjoy the podcast, please hit us with a five-star rating. Follow, subscribe, like, comment and share on your socials — all that good stuff. It takes a minute, it’s completely free, and it genuinely helps us push the podcast out to more people.

I appreciate every bit of the love and support.

Enjoy the episode, Fight Fam.

Hello again fight fam!

I hope summer is treating you well up to this point, a lil smokey in Calgary unfortunately....

Today I got to have a chat with not only someone in the conversation of GOAT when it comes to American Muay Thai, but a proper champion and representative of the sport in the west - Chip Moraza Pollard!

I really started to take note of Chip from the early Lion Fight days on AXS TV 10 years ago or so. Lucky for me, I have also been able to commentate 2 of Chips title wins here in Canada. So it was cool to chat with Chip and ask a lot of questions and fill in the gaps for me over the last 10 years.

Chip takes us through his recent fight with Tim Lo at Capital Punishment in Ottawa and the game plan before as well as during the fight to get the victory. Chip was a long time champion for Lion Fight in the USA (mostly) and with lots of rumours about the promotion - I was curious how they treated their long reigning champ!

Chip tells us about how he got into Muay Thai after doing karate as a youngster, as well as making the transition from professional MMA to Professional Muay Thai and having to do a lot of learning on the job. I've always thought of Chip as a humble but confident champion, and someone who takes pride in the culture of Muay Thai just as much as the sport.

America is lucky to have Chip Moraza-Pollard as one of their greatest! SHOUT OUT TO YOU CHIP!!

--- Are you enjoying the podcast? please take a minute to like and share on all your socials, as well as subscribe on Youtube, Apple Podcasts and Instagram. It's free and really does help the podcast! I appreciate your support!

Hello again, fight friends! and welcome back to the Shout Out Fight Podcast. I hope you're having an incredible summer so far!

speaking of summer - WE HAVE A HOT ONE TODAY! we're stepping just a little outside our usual Muay Thai lane and diving into the world of MMA with one of Canada's fastest-rising featherweights, Red Deer's own Leo Bonin.

Before Saturday, Leo was already building a reputation as an exciting Alberta/Canadian prospect. After a wild post-fight confrontation that exploded to almost 7 million views, suddenly everyone was talking about not just the scrimmage - but Leo!

In this episode, Leo joins me for his first podcast since the viral weekend to give his side of the story. We break down the fight itself, the confrontation afterward, what he thinks lead to the heat and why he believes psychological warfare is simply another part of the game. For Leo, it's never personal—it's professional.

Beyond the headlines, we also get into what really drives him. We talk about his martial arts journey, the mindset required to compete at the highest level, where it all began, where he believes his career is headed, and the ultimate goals he's chasing. Whether you followed the viral clip or you're just discovering one of Canada's top up-and-coming 145-pound fighters, this conversation gives you a much deeper look at the man behind the moment. As always - I ask Leo his top 3 favourite fighters of all time, he gives his Shout Out!

I'm privileged to be the podcast to get to help break down what happened from Leo's point of view after a WILD weekend! SHOUT OUT TO YOU LEO!

If you enjoy this episode, please help support the podcast by hitting Like, Subscribe, and Share on all your socials! Be sure to check out the back catalogue for over 170 conversations with some of the WORLDS BEST, FIGHTERS, COACHES, GYM OWNERS AND TRAINERS from Canada and across the globe!

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Hello Fight Friends!

I apologize for this being 2 weeks late, I did 4 podcasts in 5 days before holidays - while making big changes at the gym... yikes! moving forward, these podcasts will be a priority when they are recorded.

Welcome to the Global Muay Thai Roundtable #2 with:

- Jonathan Pu'u - gym owner, coach and host of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast

- Joe Comerford - RWS commentator, Muay Thai content creator and host of Chok Muay Chats podcast.

- and me!

A lot of what we talked about in this one, was a lot about what happens out of my pond - so I did a little less talking and a lot of listening this one, even got a bit of an edgemacation!

The topics we discuss:

• RWS 200 preview and the biggest fights on the card
• The growth of Rajadamnern World Series
• Gambling, ticket sales, and the business of Muay Thai in Thailand
• The proposed restrictions on youth fighting in Thailand
• Women's Muay Thai reaching new heights worldwide
• Muay Thai pathways for international fighters
• Transgender athletes in combat sports
• New Muay Thai stadium developments in the United States
• Cross-promotion between organizations and international collaboration
• The future of Muay Thai across Thailand, North America, and beyond

The Global Muay Thai Roundtable brings together three different perspectives from three different countries to discuss the issues, trends, and stories that matter most to the international Muay Thai community.

This is a collaborative project and is also available on the channels of our guests.

Follow

- Joe Comerford instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joecomerfordmuaythai/

youtube:

https://youtube.com/@joecomerfordmuaythai

- Jonathan Pu'u

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/muaythaipodcast

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@Muaythaiventura:

----- Like the podcast? please make sure you like, comment and subscribe on all your social media and the 'Tube!

Hello Fighty Friends!

I tried getting this podcast out earlier... but I was on holidays and now trying getting this out while I sit at the Ottawa airport on my way back to Calgary.

This episode I get to chat with Sandy Heilig from Chang Noi Muay Thai in New Zealand - Sandy has recently been quite popular on platforms like instagram showcasing her coaching skills and knowledge in Muay Thai, sharing her openness about mental health struggles and simply being as real as they come - which we know doesn't happen much on social media!

We chat her life in Muay Thai "back in tha day" and some of the bigger moments and memories from that era. We discuss her helping pave the way for female fighters in Australia in the 90's - as well as some of the struggles for women to be able to compete regularly at the time. We also talk about her love to fight more than winning titles, and taking any opportunity that comes her way for a tilt and why?

Sandy also lets us in on her gym she had running, why she had to let it go, the lessons learned, the memories gained and a change needed for HER to live better moving forward inside and outside of Muay Thai.

Wether it's talking Muay Thai or life - Sandy is a real one! I love talking to the older generation and the lessons learned from their time under the Muay Thai lights. You can genuinely see Sandy is exactly as you see her online as in person - and I think this has been a huge part of her recent success, and I hope only more success comes her way - SHOUT OUT TO YOU SANDY!!

Hello from Kelowna fight fam!

I'm on vacation currently, but still PUMPING out pods for the people! Today I talk to fighter and coach out of Pu'u Muay Thai in Ventura California Zach FLASH Flores! Zach had a big fight about 1 month ago at the COOLEST gym ever in Vegas (One Kick's Gym) and came away with a BEAUT of a KO - so, I wanted to have a chat about it!!

I ask Zach to breakdown the KO for us in real time as well the fight up to the finish. We chat about his fight style he USED to have, to what he has turned it into. Of course I ask Zach who his favourite fighters are and if he had an opportunity to train with one fighter exclusively for 1 week - who would it be?

I also ask Zach about why he competes and what he wants out of Muay Thai fighting? while most chase title and glory - for Zach, his titles and glory are his self respect!! Zach lets us in on how childhood trauma mixed with anger, lack of self confidence, but yet with an overwhelming feeling of needing to protect his family as a Cub, brought him to the Muay Thai life.

Zach tells us that he still has to deal with those "demons" from his past - but through Muay Thai he's found purpose, drive and the competition to help scratch the itch. MORE IMPORTANTLY - in a positive, team oriented atmosphere and encouraging environment where people want to see you succeed and will champion you the whole way. THIS IS THE MARTIAL ARTS WAY!

Great chat with a humble young man looking to make a name in Muay Thai for himself, as well as pass it down to the "little Zach's" of the next generation - SHOUT OUT TO YOU ZACH!!

Happy summer Fighty Friends!

I still have 2 more podcasts I am trying to get out - can't stop/won't stop just because it's summer!

- BUT TODAY, we have a chat with Muay Thai fighter and instructor Zach FLASH Flores from Pu'u Muay Thai in Ventura California. Zach recently had a fight in Vegas at an UNREAL gym (One Kick's Gym) where he took a step up in competition and came away with a win by KO - and the kind of KO that goes viral! and after speaking to friend of the show Jonathan Pu'u, we figured it was time for a chat with Zach!

I ask Zach about how he set the trap for his KO win, or if it was simply instinct. We talk about the lead up the tilt with Zach knowing he was giving away experience, but why he felt this was his fight. Zach also beaks down the dust up from his point of view and talks about the real time adjustments needed for the finish. WHAT A BEAUT!

Aside from the KO it's self, I wanted to learn about the man behind the highlight, because it was evident to me right away, that this "fighting thing" is way deeper than a win or a loss. Zach talks about how childhood trauma lead to a mindset and early life of anger and confidence issues, but with a set in stone mindset of the need to protect his family - which ultimately lead him to martial arts and Muay Thai competition!

BUT THE IMPORTANT PART - Zach tells us WHY THIS STILL WORKS FOR HIM!!! from letting go of some rage, to finding self worth when it didn't seem it could happen, to raising your own hand in victory when you truly know you've earned your own self respect, which to Zach is everything. The important detail - this happens in an positive and encouraging environment where people want to see you genuinely succeed - THE GYM!

A great chat with a fella who loves the sport for himself, as well as passing it on to the next generation - SHOUT OUT TO YOU ZACH!

Hello Friends!

It's almost Canada Day which means it's almost America's birthday which means it's time for BUSHIDO 5 - LIVE MUAY THAI FIGHT NIGHT in Kemptville Ontario, presented by Boss Thaiboxing!! 2 title fights - one Canada vs the USA North American title fight and a fantastic undercard to match!

Today I chat with the Captain of Boss Thaiboxing and Bushido - Yuki Yamanaka! Yuki was recently on the podcast talking shop, but today it was about Bushido 5! I ask Yuki the general ins and outs like the stress of the preparation of course, but I also wanted to know what fights he AND we need to keep an eye out for, What Yuki himself gets out of running an event and what those in attendance can expect come show time - DOOD! EACH TEAM HAS ITS OWN ROOM!! - but this is not a surprise when you are working with someone like Yuki and Boss Thaiboxing!

CHECK THE BOSS THAIBOXING INSTAGRAM BIO FOR TICKETS AND THE PPV STREAM! - support local Muay Thai, Canadian Muay Thai and one of the good guys helping making it happen - SHOUT OUT TO YOU YUKI!!