With 400+ fighters attending from the United States, Canada, and beyond, the 2011 Muay Thai Classic tournament presented a unique opportunity for this young fighter to gain some invaluable experience and test himself against the best young fighters from around the nation.
As it turns out, Alexis passed the test with flying colors, winning his first two fights en route to making it to the championship fight of his division while learning some important lessons along the way.
In the following interview, we speak to Alexis about his recent beginnings in Texas combat sports, what it’s like training with Houston Muay Thai guru Kru Pong, and what may lie ahead for his fighting future in the near future.
Alexis, congratulations on your performance at the 2011 Muay Thai Classic. To begin with, why don’t you tell our readers a little bit about yourself.
Hi guys. My name is Alexis Chavarria and I’m from Northside Houston. Like most Mexicans, I grew up from an immigrant family but I didn’t exactly grow up with a structured family. I definitely feel like I grew up differently than most people. My beliefs and lifestyle would probably not be approved by most people. In fact, most people think I am crazy because of my mentality. Life is great though. I’m a simple person, all I ever want to do is train and I do get to do that 5 to 6 days a week.
How long have you been training in Muay Thai?
That’s a unique background. How do you blend the two?
Well I love boxing but I feel the same way about elbows and knees. I really wanted to learn all the devastating elbow and knee combinations. When you look at fighters like Samart Payakaroon or Jomhod Kiatadisak you see how devastating these combos are. I believe my style is very different. I love fluid combinations and I believe all 8 limbs should be utilized in combinations so I definitely throw combinations that most people wouldn’t think of. I want to revolutionize what is capable of being accomplished in a fight. I want to land beautiful combinations that inspire people to train harder and open there minds to their true creativity. Free your mind.
You train with arguably the father of Houston Muay Thai in Kru Pong. Describe what it’s like training with him.
Fun! I love it! I fell in love with that place from the moment I walked in there. We train completely different than any other gym. I noticed only boxing and Thai boxing gyms run the same way – like a fighter’s gym; whereas most MMA gyms run like karate schools (hour block schedules).
What’s the best part about being a Muay Thai fighter in Texas? How about the worst?
The best part – I train under Kru Pong. The worst part is there is not enough Muay Thai fights in Texas. If Texas had a steady market for Muay Thai, I would fight every month if possible. Texas needs Muay Thai, we are already a hot bed for boxing so why not Muay Thai?
Being a Muay Thai fighter in Texas, you often have to travel far and wide to find competition, like the 2011 Muay Thai Classic. What made you want to travel so far for that one?
For this sport, its biggest tournament in North America, the highest level of competition. All I heard was “high level competition” and I jumped on the opportunity to test myself. I haven’t trained as long as some other people so I wanted to see how far I’ve progressed so far.
What were your goals for the tournament before you went?
I wanted to go out there and win my second title. I didn’t have any KO wins before this so I definitely wanted to KO all my opponents. I am an exciting fighter I wanted to make every fight as high-paced as possible.
How did you prepare for the 2011 Muay Thai Classic?
Oh, the same as every fight – pad work, bag work, sparring, clinching, kettlebells, jump roping, running all the usual stuff. I’m a Thai boxer I train the same for every fight. I’m not really concerned if my opponent knows what I am doing because you already know what I’m going to do…punch, kick, elbow and knee you.
How was the trip to Iowa?
The trip sucked! It was a 22 hour bus trip and I hated it. Probably one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had. The most difficult part was sitting in a bus full of people I don’t know or don’t like and just sitting. I am too energetic to just sit around.
Once you got there, what was the environment like at the tournament?
It was really cool actually. Most MMA shows I’ve gone to are pretty terrible. Everybody puffs their chest out and walks around like they got the biggest [expletive] in the world. You can almost smell the testosterone in the air. Over there, everybody was really polite, real mellow, no ego, all respect. I liked it because I am a martial artist and a fighter and too many people forget the martial arts part of it. Hell, I took pictures with some of the guys I fought. We hung out before and after the fights. The Canadians were great. Probably the nicest people I’ve ever met.
400+ fighters from all over. California, New York, Kansas, Florida, Canada, all over the place.
Let’s talk about your fight experience. Take us through each your matches.
My first fight I fought Daniel Parodi from Philadephia, Pennsylvania. I won by KO in 1:45 in the first round with a knee to the body. The bell rang and we both came out swinging. I put him against the ropes threw couple shots to bring his hands up and threw a body knee. He fell and the ref stopped the fight without giving him a count. It took him a few minutes to stand up again.
Then in my second fight, I fought Cody Moberly from Kansas. I won by TKO in 1:15 in round 4 with leg kicks. He won the first round because he kept catching my kicks and sweeping me. In the second round, I caught him with a left hook and dropped him. After he made the count, I did not have enough time in the round to finish it. Finally, in the third round he came out aggressive he immediately opened with a head kick that landed! Luckily I have an amazing chin so I didn’t feel too much from it. It was the same as first in that round where he would catch my kicks and sweep me. We actually went to a 4th round because it was a draw after three. In the fourth round he looked tired and I had energy to GO! So after a few leg kicks he dropped and couldn’t get up, giving me the win.
In the championship fight, I fought Massimo Palladino from Canada. Well honestly I don’t know what to say… I felt fine and don’t believe I was never in any danger. It was definitely close. We went back and forth but they gave him the decision. I’d like to review the tapes to see what the judges saw that edged it out for for win.
As for my whole tournament experience, I’m happy that all the fights were exciting all were back and forth WARS. Big shouts out to Daniel Parodi, Cody Moberly, and Massimo Palladino. Everyone was amazing. Great fighters!
Looking back, how do you feel about your experience at the tournament?
I feel okay because I actually called the KO’s before they happened. I knew what I had worked on and I knew that’s how I would win. But yeah, honestly I’m very disappointed in myself in the finals. I feel like I got caught up brawling and I am not a brawler. I am technical and aggressive much like Julio Cesar Chavez. I’ll learn from it and come back stronger next time!
What’s the future hold for you in Muay Thai and other combat sports?
I’m fighting in four weeks in Oklahoma for another title. I actually already hold their title from last year so I got to reclaim it. Looking at tough competition out there too so I got to be ready for that. as far as other sports…jajaja…I started joining jiu-jitsu under Rilion Gracie. so not only do I have a Thai teaching me Muay Thai but I also have one of the world’s best jiu jitsu masters teaching me jiu jitsu. The MMA world needs to watch out. With this combination they are going to transform me to a whole different kind of being. I plan to do something special in MMA my creativity and aggression is like no one else. I plan to become a legend in MMA. The 135 division is still very open for someone to take over and dominate. I want to put Houston on my shoulders and fight everyone everywhere. It’s going to take a couple of years to get all my fights and experience in but I’m ready for it. I am a unique individual and there has never been another being like me on this planet. The world needs me.
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