Flight to Fight: Thai Boxing in Thailand Ep. 6 - My Match

Check out the sixth episode of Bloody Elbow’s original series, where Eddie Mercado finally steps in the ring and lays it all on the line.

Welcome to the sixth episode of Flight to Fight: Thai Boxing in Thailand! Watch Bloody Elbow’s own Eddie Mercado, yours truly, travel around the globe to Tiger Muay Thai in Phuket, Thailand to train and fight.

In episode 1, I said my goodbyes back in the U.S. before hopping on the plane. In episode 2, I took the longest flight of my life before checking into Tiger Muay Thai. I got to training in episode 3, but really struggled to adapt to the climate of Phuket. Episode 4 involved me finally overcoming the hydration issue, thanks to UFC lightweight James Vick, which allowed me to start training like I wanted to. In episode 5, I took a trip to Pattaya to link up with TUF Season 6 veteran Dorian Price to catch some MAX Muay Thai bouts, and do some training at their gym.

In this installment, I finally make my professional Muay Thai debut against 70+ fight veteran อภิมหาสัตบุรุษ มหานครพิงงา at Suwit Stadium on December 28, 2018. My buddy from the U.S. Jimi Partyka flies in for my bout and captures behind the scenes footage as well as fight photos.

Jimi Partyka

The match has taught me a lot in terms of what it means to be a prize fighter. I learned a lot about the ups and downs, and the fact that not everyone makes it to the fight at 100%. It’s quite a moment of truth. Once the bell rings, nothing else in the world matters. You’re not thinking about about what you’re doing later, or any of your problems. It’s truly a situation where you are completely giving your attention to being in the moment. There are not many instances in life where humans get to experience such a feeling.

I’m honored to have been able to experience what that is like, and to come away no worse for the wear. Before this, I already had a ton of respect for anyone who competed in combat sports, and now that level of respect has been multiplied 10x. Watching as many fights as I do, you become somewhat desensitized to the human aspect of combat sports. It feels good to have some of that sensitivity restored.

Competing in combat sports is tough. I mean it’s extremely close to an actual fight, which is something so many people shy away from as is. I highly recommend anyone with the slightest passion for martial arts to give it a go. Even if it’s just once, you’ll never have to live with the regret of not knowing what it feels like to lay it all on the line, and you’ll gain a whole new perspective on combat sports. Plus, you learn a lot about yourself through both the journey and the fight itself. Lessons free of lies, because there is no hiding from your true self in combat. Take my advice and do it while you can!

This video series is presented by OddsShark, and also made possible by Spartyka Nation, Tiger Muay Thai, Diego Bispo Academy and Harvey Grasse Muay Thai, as well as MASF Supplements, as well as others.

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