By TXMMA Staff | Photos via Michael Chase Corley
Michael Chase Corley looks to grow Houston Muay Thai; Exhibition sparring event this Saturday
HOUSTON, TX, August 19, 2013 – As a veteran with a ten year background in the eight-limbed art of Muay Thai, Houston’s Michael Chase Corley has had quite the history with the sport and the passion to go along with it.
From humble beginnings training with (UFC fighter) Yves Edwards and making long drives to Dallas (to train and fight in smokers) with respected trainer Saekson Janjira to pulling the trigger to leave US life behind for a few years in order to work and train with the best at the revered Fairtex Muay Thai Fitness camp in Bangplee, Thailand, the Texas A&M graduate has go has committed much of his recent life to the sport.
To date he has 25 professional Muay Thai fights spanning seven countries and has fought in the mecca of the sport – Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok. He also has a 3-0 record as a pro boxer after slowing down in competitive Muay Thai since moving back to Houston but “the art of eight limbs” remains one of his main loves.
Recently, Michael Chase Corley has spent his time since returning to Houston as the Head Muay Thai Coach for the Team Tooke Mixed Martial Arts Academy in North Houston. He’s also made it a point to introduce more of the Houston fight community by hosting a series of Muay Thai sparring exhibition events at the Savarese Fight Fit building in downtown Houston.
With the next one looming for this Saturday and an open-door policy in terms of both who can participate and who can come watch, we caught up with Michael Chase Corley to learn more about what he’s doing with these events and why he’s continuing to push Muay Thai.
Interview – Michael Chase Corley
I started with Yves Edwards in 2002 after I started boxing as an amateur in my junior year in high school. Yves recommended making drives up to Saekson’s when I could (to train and participate in smoker events to get experience). 2008 was my first trip to Thailand. I loved it and eventually moved there and took a job as Fairtex Bangplee Camp Manager in Dec 2009 – April 2011. I’ve been competing in Muay Thai from 2003 until now.
Why do you love the sport/art? What drew you into it?
It’s one of the most brutal arts, everything standing. I also like the history and culture that are with the art. With the art being so brutal there’s usually a mutual respect amongst Muay Thai fighters and camps that you don’t see in other combative sports.
This Saturday will be your second time holding exhibitions to promote Muay Thai in Houston. Tell us what you’re hoping to accomplish with your event.
I would like to see them keep growing. I would like to have gyms that haven’t participated in these events to come out. The last one was great. There was great respect amongst all the coaches and participants and that’s great. Hopefully if we can keep doing these we can continue to grow the Muay Thai community here in Houston.
What do you think of Houston’s potential for Muay Thai growth?
If we maintain consistency with exhibitions and actual amateur/pro events it can definitely grow. I am trying to create an outlet for people interested in competing Muay Thai, so they don’t have to drive/fly across the country just to get a match. I hope that these exhibitions create awareness and build a talent pool. If this sparring night goes as well as the last I will definitely put on amateur show (in the near future).
It’s a passion sport and not a money sport. There’s not a lot of money in Muay Thai. Fighting in Muay Thai however gives you a feeling that no other competition can give you. So find a good trainer and school that has active guys competing in Muay Thai and get to work!
Any other details about the upcoming event on Saturday?
This event is welcome to all schools/gyms. If anyone has question feel free to email me at texasmuaythai@gmail.com.