Highland athlete Luke McDowall swaps HMAC Inverness for Thailand as he competes at world’s first purpose-built Muay Thai stadium
Although mixed martial-arts in general has grown in the Highlands in recent years, not many people will have packed in their job and moved to the other side of the world to train.
That, though, is exactly what Luke McDowall did, travelling to Thailand to immerse himself in Muay Thai over the last couple of months.
The Inverness resident, who moved south from Wick in 2018, had already been training under former MMA world champion Ross Houston at HMAC Inverness.
However, he upped sticks and moved to Bangkok to train at the Yokkao gym, which is home to world champions and “The Kicking Machine” Superlek, who is regarded as one of the finest fighters of his generation.
So popular is the sport over there that events are held every single day at Rajadamnern Stadium, the first purpose-built Muay Thai stadium in the world.
McDowall was invited to compete on their March 11 show, and won his A Class debut by a second round knockout.
“The move to Thailand had been in the works for a while,” McDowall said.
“I saved up and quit my job to fly out to Bangkok for three months so that I could live and breathe the Muay Thai lifestyle – and take in the culture.
“It wasn’t really a big adjustment in the ring, more just a completely different world and way of life in general. It was a bit of an eye-opener really.
“My gym helped me incredibly. The trainers are so passionate and care so much – fighting is their life. I’m grateful for their help.
“Rajadamnern is the first Muay Thai stadium in the world, and one of the most prestigious. It was an unbelievable show with a very strong crowd hosting mostly Thai fighters but with some international athletes like myself.
“I felt proud to represent Scotland and the Highlands on a big stage and show our fighting spirit, and to come away with the win.
“It isn’t rare for Scottish and British fighters to come out here to train and compete. With the ever-growing scene of Muay Thai now it’s definitely on the rise!”
Many Muay Thai fighters also try to establish themselves in the MMA ranks, and McDowall has already dabbled in other disciplines after winning his cage boxing debut around 18 months ago.
However, he sees his future as being in Muay Thai itself once he gets back to the Highland capital, adding: “I’m going to finish off my trip soaking up as much as I can before I return to Scotland and go back to HMAC Inverness under head coach Ross Houston. The hard work never stops.”