r/MuayThai

Kimura is a karate and boxing champion who has recently started doing kickboxing. Her forward kick has created quite a buzz and she's proven herself as more than a gimmick by winning her first 4 fights. Obviously, she's very experienced and comfortable in the ring but what are your thoughts on her longevity in this sport?

I’ve followed ONE for years and it used to be my favourite promotion by a mile. It felt different. While the UFC was all about trash talk and selling personalities, ONE let the fights do the talking. Fighters carried themselves with respect and the whole product felt aligned with the actual values of Muay Thai and martial arts. It stood out. It felt refreshing.

That’s what makes the current direction so frustrating.

Now they’re putting kids up there talking trash like they’re in the UFC. Cringe callouts, manufactured beef, teenagers acting like they’re Conor McGregor. That’s the exact thing ONE used to be the antidote to. They’ve abandoned the identity that made them special.

The Muay Thai events themselves just don’t hit the same anymore. The matchmaking feels less competitive and the quality has dropped off.

And now they’ve launched ONE Inner Circle, a monthly subscription to watch their content. For a product that’s been going downhill? Not a chance. Why would I pay monthly for something I’m already enjoying less for free. It feels like monetising a declining product and hoping fans don’t notice. Or maybe this is Chatri trying to get fans to fund all those bonuses he’s been handing out so freely.

Meanwhile RWS has been fantastic. Real Muay Thai, proper atmosphere, fighters who show up to fight. No drama, no gimmicks, just the sport.

Anyone else feel like they’ve lost the plot? What are you watching instead?