Strikeforce Muaythai Gym is a well-established martial arts club located in Burleigh Heads, Australia. Founded in 1988 by a group of passionate martial artists, the gym has grown to become one of the premier Muay Thai training facilities in the country.
Originally starting out as a small classroom at Miami High School, the founders, including Matt Bolwell, Steven Rosten, and Mark Simpson, all came from various martial arts backgrounds. Combining their skills and expertise, they began to experience success in title fights. It was in 1989 that they were introduced to Muay Thai by Bob Jones, a renowned martial artist, during his stay at one of the founder's houses. From then on, they were all captivated by the art and became fully immersed in Muay Thai.
In 1990, the gym moved to its first rented factory space, marking a significant milestone in its growth. At the time, they had secured a sponsorship deal with a popular nightclub, with all their fighters proudly wearing the nightclub's logo on their tracksuits and pants. This increased visibility allowed the gym to attract more members, and Muay Thai's popularity continued to soar.
In 1991, the founders took their first trip to Thailand to further their training and compete. It was a challenging period as many gyms were not initially receptive to training them. However, in 1993, a breakthrough came when a friend recommended a gym based at a camp called Thai Rung Rehia. For the next three years, Aaron Warner and another founder trained and fought in Thailand, documenting everything they learned through journal entries and videos.
In 1998, Jongsanan “Woodenman” Fairtex invited two of the gym's members, Ben “Pixie” Burton and Dru Livingstone, to train and fight at the Fairtex camp in Bangkok. Impressed by the training and facilities, they trained there for two months, gaining recognition in the local media and fighting in renowned stadiums. This sparked a connexion with Fairtex, and the gym continued to train and fight from there over the next three years.
To further enhance their knowledge and develop their fighters, the gym started bringing in a trainer/fighter named "Meow” from Eminent Air gym in Bangkok in 2002. This collaboration allowed them to expand their skillset and deepen their understanding of Muay Thai. Additionally, Aaron “TS2” Leigh travelled to Eminent Air to train and compete, further solidifying the gym's relationship with the gym.
In 2008, Strikeforce Muaythai Gym moved to a larger, full-time facility in Burleigh Heads, equipped with two boxing rings (one full-sized and one smaller grappling ring), numerous bags, pads, weights, and exercise gear. This new location provided a spacious and modern training environment, elevating the gym's facilities to be among the best in Australia.
Today, Strikeforce Muaythai Gym continues to be a hub for dedicated martial artists, offering a range of classes, including traditional Muay Thai training. With a team of experienced trainers who have achieved various championships and titles, the gym is renowned for its commitment to excellence and nurturing a supportive community.
Operating from Monday to Friday, the gym welcomes individuals of all skill levels and ages. Whether a beginner looking to get fit or an experienced fighter aiming to compete, Strikeforce Muaythai Gym provides a welcoming and inclusive environment to help individuals reach their martial arts goals.