The Striking Corner

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast Eric and Vinny speak with Triumphant Muay Thai Series promoter Geoff Quares. In our conversation with Geoff we discuss his background in martial arts, how he got into promoting, his passion for the sport, and of course...what it takes to run a successful promotion and some of the headaches that come along with it.

Often times a lot of promoters get a bad rap because some seem to be in it for all the wrong reasons and do not have the best interests of either the sport or the fighters at heart. Geoff is definitely one of the good guys and we hope to see Triumphant have continued success. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast Eric and Vinny welcome back our friend Jason Farrell to the show. We discuss one of Jason's newest projects that will serve as a website/database for fighters and promoters to track fighter's records and keep tabs on their progress as well as the various organizations they have fought under.

In addition we talk about cherry picking opponents, matchmaking or promoting at events where your own fighters are competing, and we also touch on one of our favorite topics which is; Is In-N-Out Burger overrated? Let the controversy begin!

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast Eric and Vinny once again speak with Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and soon to be MMA star, Gaston "Dreamkiller" Bolaños.

Gaston is undeniably one of the top Muay Thai fighters and Kickboxers in the US. However, he explains that as a competitor he also wanted to try his hand at MMA. A decision that leads him to a current record of 3-1 in Bellator MMA along with earning 2018's Knockout of the Year for the organization.

The guys discuss Gaston's plans to compete in Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and MMA. His recent appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast, his hopes for Muay Thai's growth in the US, and much more! Enjoy!

In this episode of The Striking Corner, Eric & Vinny speak with 3x IFMA Youth Muaythai World Championship gold medalist, Bekah Irwin. At only 17 years old Bekah already has a string of high-level accomplishments in the sport of Muay Thai.

Her incredibly focused and quiet determination is one thing that stood out the most in this episode. Bekah wins because she absolutely must and because the thought of anything other than winning is something she will not tolerate. Her determination coupled with the coaching of USMF President and Heritage Muay Thai owner, Michael "Chase" Corley are part of the reason for her success.

The guys discuss IFMA, Bekah's "Killer Instinct", marketing yourself on social media, and much more on this podcast.

Enjoy!

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast, we sit down with USMF and Dan's Gym coach, Daniel Brandt as well as his daughter, 2018 IFMA gold medalist Tierra Brandt. We discuss Daniel's start in Muay Thai, coaching for the USMF, and the success of the USMF Junior Team's recent success at the 2018 IFMA Youth Muaythai World Championships.

We also talk with Tierra about her love of Muay Thai, her fights at IFMA and earning one of the 8 gold medals for Team USA as well as discussing what it is like as having your dad as your coach. We had a great time speaking with them and they share plenty of their knowledge, experience, and excitement for the future of Muay Thai in America. Enjoy!

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast Eric and Vinny speak with Head Coach of Bang Muay Thai at Onnit Gym in Austin, Texas; Alex Anoushian.

Alex is an experienced coach who has trained and fought in Thailand on multiple occasions. We discuss how he chose to leave it all behind and travel to Thailand to pursue his passion for Muay Thai, and how his journey to Thailand eventually led him to meet his wife and start a family. We discuss his return to the US, the Bang Muay Thai system, traditional Muay Thai and how it can continue growing in the US, and much more! Enjoy!

In this episode of The Striking Corner podcast, Eric & Vinny speak with Professional Muay Thai fighter Magalie Alvarez. Magalie fights out of Muay Thai America Gym (MTAG) in North Hollywood, California and was undefeated as an amateur before making the jump to pro Muay Thai.

In the ring, Magalie is a firecracker who works non-stop and hits HARD! Outside of the ring, Magalie works as a personal trainer but has also begun using her voice to address mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. A fighter both in and out of the ring, Magalie is using her voice to talk about her own battle with mental health while encouraging others to not be ashamed to share their stories.

This is a podcast we were very proud to make as Eric has also battled with mental health issues and believes that speaking up about them is important in helping others know that they are not alone and that there is help. One of our favorite podcasts to date where we talk Muay Thai, Mental Health, Social Media, and just have a few laughs. We truly hope you all enjoy!

In this episode of The Striking Corner Podcast, Vinny & Eric speak with San Diego's Selina Flores. A talented Muay Thai fighter that has quickly made a name for herself in the California Muay Thai scene, Selina recently competed as part of Team USA at the IFMA Muaythai World Championships where she fought in the Elite A Class looking to compete with the very best the sport has to offer.

Selina is competitive, driven, and hungry. She and the guys talk California Muay Thai, takeaways from her experiences at IFMA, the amateur and pro debate, and how she is determined to bring home the gold from IFMA in 2019.

Also in this episode, Vinny makes a controversial statement about Tacos, talks about NY water and why it is the best, and of course our new brand Striking Professional. Listen, learn, laugh, enjoy!

In this episode of The Striking Corner, Vinny and Eric discuss the recent IFMA Muaythai World Championships, supporting Team USA (USMF), and how we as Americans need to understand that the pro and amateur model we use in the United States is out of step with the rest of the world.

The guys also rant about fighters pulling out of fights in order to preserve their undefeated record, social media fighters, and why fighters should be choosing gaining experience, fighting against the best fighters in the world, and growing the level of the sport over "getting paid" or "going pro".

This podcast may piss a few people off or open some eyes, but the goal is to educate and start (or continue) the conversation about growing the sport in the US and increasing the level to compete on par with the major teams worldwide.

The guys also talk about The Striking Corner's new official clothing brand, Striking Professional.

In this episode of The Striking Corner, Eric and Vinny speak with former professional fighter, coach, and Smash Gym owner Rudi Ott. Rudi started out his career in Sanshou, also known as Chinese Kickboxing, which is the same fighting discipline that both Eric and Vinny started in before making the transition to Muay Thai.

Rudi talks about the old Sanshou scene in his native Boston, how he made his way out west and began training with Cung Le, his career in Sanshou, making the transition to Muay Thai, and much more. We had a great chat with one of the OG's in the Sanshou scene and now a highly respected coach in the U.S. Enjoy!