Surviving homelessness in Thailand, Chatri Sityodtong received an MBA from Harvard in 1999. Not long after he became a management consultant at the storied Bain and Company. Eventually he moved out on his own, and was involved in Internet start ups, hedge fund management, real estate, and other ventures, creating wealth.
As a child, the half Japanese, half Thai Chatri began training in Muay Thai under Kru Yodtong Senanan at Sityodtong Camp in Pattaya, Thailand. Kru Yodtong eventually bestowed on him the name Yodchatri Sityodtong, and appointed him as one of four conservators worldwide of Sityodtong Muay Thai.
Chatri’s fighting and financial careers overlapped, with the last of his 30 fights taking place in 2008.
That same year, Chatri founded the Evolve MMA chain of martial arts academies. By 2013, Evolve MMA was widely regarded as the top MMA gym in Asia, and Chatri as one of the sport’s top coaches. He has trained, coached, or cornered MMA fighters such as UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos, Shinya Aoki, Rich Franklin, BJJ world champions Zorobabel Moreira and Leandro Issa Da Silva, and strikers including Muay Thai world champion Yoddecha Sityodtong, and former WBA world champion Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai.
In 2013 he launched Evolve University, Asia’s largest online university for martial arts.
Chatri is also a sought after motivational speaker, and is involved with a number of charitable efforts, including Project Sunshine for terminally-ill children, Singapore’s Boys Town Home for orphans and troubled children, and Singapore Children’s Society for underprivileged children.
Recently, one of Thailand’s leading periodicals in their national sport, Champ Boxing Magazine, featured Evolve MMA as one of the most talked about Muay Thai camps today.”
Per capita GNP in Thailand is barely 1/10th that of the USA. Thai fighters make little, and make less still if they become trainers. However, Evolve MMA is a glowing exception.
Translation courtesy of Evolve MMA.
Life After Muay Thai For A Champion
It is common knowledge that the life of a professional Muay Thai fighter in Thailand is no bed of roses. Most fighters in Thailand start Muay Thai as children to earn money for their impoverished families. Farmers have a hard life and live in poverty. As such, their children are drawn to prizefighting as an opportunity to make money to help their parents and a chance to escape poverty. These children must lace up their gloves and step into the ring, leaving the loving warmth of their parents to grow up as tough fighters in the harsh reality of professional Muay Thai camps.
It takes years of hard training to become a prizefighter and the window to earn money is at best only 10 years long. And usually around the age of 30, the careers of fighters come to an abrupt end when their bodies fail them. Unfortunately, as their careers end, they still have responsibilities such as taking care of their wives, their children, their parents, and so forth. Even a champion who has won 10 world titles must ask the same question to himself, When I quit fighting, how will I earn enough money to eat?
Fortunately, there are many Muay Thai camps mushrooming everywhere today in Thailand and abroad due to the growing popularity of Muay Thai. So retired fighters now have the opportunity to become Muay Thai teachers (or Krus in Thai) as a career path. It leverages their skills and knowledge so the transition is smooth.
One of the most talked about Muay Thai camps in the world right now is a camp called EVOLVE in Singapore. Many famous champions have found a new life at this camp and have spread the word about the excitement of working together. EVOLVE has the most number of champions of any camp in the world today. Salaries start at an amazing 125,000 baht per month and can go up to a maximum of 400,000 baht per month based on experience and teaching skills. It is no secret that this camp offers the highest salaries in the world for Muay Thai teachers. It also provides good benefits such as 1 month paid vacation per year, free housing, a warm family-style working environment, and so forth. This compensation package is better than what a bank manager can earn in Thailand!
Several trainers interviewed at this camp say that it has been a life-changing place to work; it is a wonderful place where they feel immense pride, where students respect them, and their boss is caring. According to these trainers, they have a career full of happiness. Most importantly, they feel secure in their futures and they can provide for their families’ future. The legendary champions at EVOLVE include Yodsanan, Dejdamrong, Nonthachai, Sagetdao, Orono, Namsaknoi, Muangfalek, Pornsanae, Penake, Nong-O, and many others.
The big boss of EVOLVE is no stranger to Muay Thai. In fact, he is Thai and many people are familiar with his name. He is none other than Chatri Sityodtong or Yodchatri Sityodtong, the long-time student of Kru Yodtong Senanan. The late Kru Yodtong won 57 titles with his students. Chatri Sityodtong has been involved in Muay Thai for over 30 years as a student, a fighter, and a teacher. Today, he is an entrepreneur who owns several businesses such as ONE Championship, Asia’s largest sports media property that is broadcast to 1 billion homes in 75 countries around the world. Believe it or not, but despite his hectic schedule, he still trains Muay Thai almost every day because Muay Thai is in his blood.
Through EVOLVE, he wants to provide a better life for retired champions. Fighters now have a career path after fighting. If a fighter is willing to work hard, there is now a better life awaiting him at EVOLVE.
Photos with captions:
1. Chatri Sityodtong, owner of EVOLVE
I came here 4 years ago. EVOLVE changed my life dramatically. I am able to save a minimum of 100,000 baht ($2,800) per month. I send all of it home every month. I also teach private lessons for 2,200 baht ($60) per hour. I have made more money here in 4 years than all of the money in total of the 17 years I fought as a fighter.
3. Namsaknoi Yudthagarngamtorn
I have learned a lot here about life. It has also taught me about work and teamwork. When my career ended as a fighter, I had no money at all. Since I joined here, my life is now much better. I make good money and I have savings now. My parents don’t need to work. This place has given me more than just a job as a teacher of Muay Thai. It has given me a new life. We are a family here. It is not work here. It is my 2nd home. Chatri is like a big brother to me. I can ask him for advice about anything. If I did not come here, I would not have the good life that I have today.
“EVOLVE is a camp that only has world champions as teachers. Our students can believe in us. I am very happy and I really enjoy working here. EVOLVE pays me a big salary of 125,000 baht ($3,500) per month, excluding my private lessons. It gives me a good life and I can save a lot of money for my future.
