Ajarn Khan Phady Fight Night II - June 21, 2025

I’m a few weeks late posting this blog. My apologies to the community, but I’m sure you all understand how we can have off weeks sometimes. Better late than never! Get comfortable, as this is going to be a longer read!

Held on National Indigenous Peoples Day, this was a fight night like no other. Organized by Ajarn Khan Phady and Phady’s Muay Thai, fighters had been invited from Laos and Mexico to fight Canadian fighters, with A-Class fights covering more than half of the fight card. The event was televised with three commentators in three different languages. Even the fighters’ meeting was different! Kru Dylan asked the fighters to be classy. He even threatened the coaches! I had never seen Kru Dylan make threats against the coaches. He threatened to kick them out if they were a minute late to the ring. Kru Ahmed told the fighters that they had to be careful claiming they got hit in the groin, as there would be replays enlarged and in slow motion. I think the fear of having their groins enlarged in slow motion really got to the fighters, as there were very few groin hits that evening. Ajarn Phady noted repeatedly that the event had to start on time and run smoothly because it was televised.

I had a quick chat with Ajarn Phady prior to the event. Ajarn mentioned that Lao fighters are very much underrepresented, with almost no opportunity to grow as there is no money in Laos. They have no choice but to go to Thailand for fights, and once they do, they change names and are represented as Thai fighters. Ajarn wanted Fight Night II to be the first Canadian event to host Muay Lao. Ajarn also talked about when Muay Thai had not been legalized and noted he was the first to start the path to legalizing Muay Thai back in 2003. On Fight Night II, Kru Alin got on the stage and said that 25 years ago, when he first came to Canada, Phady’s Muay Thai (founded in 1987) was the first Muay Thai gym he stepped into. Kru Alin thanked Ajarn Phady for over 35 years of service to the community and the Muay Thai culture.

Can you all stop for a minute and imagine what it would be like if Muay Thai hadn’t been legalized? Kru Laura and Kru Dylan would be Mafia. Kru Rommel would be Michael Corleone.

As I mentioned, Fight Night II was televised and had to run smoothly, and most importantly, had to start on time… so it started an hour late and that’s a Muay Thai fight night for you. Here are only some of the highlights from that evening:

The U23 A-Class fight that evening was between Cole Dougan from Soi Dogs MT Hamilton and Damon Weeks Kay from Fifth Round. Damon started Muay Thai about four years ago when he had to choose between multiple bad decisions. Damon is also currently in the Muay Thai World Cup Tournament in Belleville, with three fights left this month. Dodging those bad decisions, Damon is also an authorized cannabis grower. Damon mentioned he used to get in the ring wanting to swing his opponents’ heads off, but now he tries to win with his fight IQ. Cole was a very fancy fighter that evening with great technique, but the several flying knees he threw made him gas out. Damon stayed calm and carefully observed Cole’s fancy play, and when the time came, he used his fight IQ and a full tank to win the belt. Damon mentioned he also had to cut a lot of weight for this fight. Well, I guess he doesn’t get munchies.

Sophia Phady-Dick from Phady’s MT Cambridge and Leona Murphy from Stride MT Toronto made their debut at Fight Night II (youth 9–10 years old). Kru Ahmed was a proud uncle in Sophia’s corner as she won gold that evening. The two young ladies were truly impressive, and I had never seen young warriors clinch with such clean technique in belly pads.

Dominik Bronakouski from Soi Dogs went against Leo Nguyen from Return of the Dragon that evening. Leo started in Kung Fu at the age of eight and soon switched to kickboxing. Leo’s parents never allowed him to compete as a kid, so his first competition was at the age of 20. Dominic started kickboxing at 15, after his 11-year-old brother came home from his first fight and, being high on gold, beat up Dominic. Dominic had his first fight a year later and now corners his little brother at his fights. As to who won the first fight between the two brothers, Mom the Judge and Dad the Jury decided it was best for the furniture if it was a tie. The fight between Dominik and Leo was so heated, Kru Laura was covered in smoke! I was amazed at how in control Leo was, waiting for opportunities to strike. Dominic seemed to be a little off-balance that evening, and his elbows were missing in action. Leo won the International Championship Belt that evening.

A very special bout on National Indigenous Peoples Day: William Jackson from Savage Muay Thai, Kingston, vs. Stevie Doxtator from London Muay Thai. Stevie wore the Native War Bonnet with the tallest feathers to the ring and showed excellent fight IQ using feints. He turned a kick catch into a Taekwondo kick, which I’m not sure scored a point for him, but his low kicks definitely turned the table for Stevie, and he won the International Title. I understand how one must earn the right to wear the Native War Bonnet, but I thought about wearing a tall feathery bonnet on my head walking to the ring at CMTO to gain a few inches in height and look intimidating. But again, if the AC is jacked up, I’d be at risk of levitating.

Katon Chiu from DCS Diaz Combat Sports, Vancouver, vs. Islam Chabane from Fight Factory, Ottawa: Islam has a strong background in boxing, winning regional championships in Algeria. It took Islam some time to get used to incorporating kicks, but once he did, he became the master of both worlds. Islam’s strong boxing allowed him to keep his guard down, setting baits, and Katon fell for every single one. Islam won the International Title. During my quick chat with Islam, he told me that at one of his tournaments in Algeria, his coach missed showing up to the ring, so Islam had to pick a cornerman randomly from the audience. That evening I made myself very visible to Islam, hoping to be the Cornerman Elect, but I was disappointed.

One of the fights I was really looking forward to that evening: Simon Bonello from Etobicoke Martial Arts vs. David MacDonald from Monette MA, Ottawa. Simon has been training since he was 12. Simon’s first international win was at the age 18 when Ajahn Suchart told him one day, “Let’s go to Mexico.” Simon travelled to Mexico all by himself and ate water and peanuts for the entire 36 hours that he was there. Not speaking any Spanish, Simon walked to the venue. Simon’s coaches couldn’t corner him in Mexico due to unspeakable Muay Thai politics, so Kru Rommel (Michael Corleone) stepped up and cornered Simon. After Simon won his fight, Ajahn Suchart called Simon a cab to take him to the airport. Did you know Ajahn Suchart speaks Spanish? Simon competed at IFMA last year. I asked Simon why he didn’t go this year, and he said, “Fighting at IFMA is all about skills, so I need to become my own version of the BEST in Canada.” Simon works at Etobicoke Martial Arts and is available for private training. As to the fight between Simon and David, it was a very quick match, which ended seconds into the first round due to David rupturing his bicep. Simon won the title that evening, but he wasn’t smiling.

Yan Zhang from Team Scorpion vs. Santiago Reyes from MAS Academy Cambridge, representing Canada and Colombia: Santiago started his journey 15 years ago in Colombia. After fighting so much in high school and being bad at soccer, he was handed over to a martial arts gym, and he found his calling. Santiago is very taken by the culture in our community and at his current gym, where people of all backgrounds train together with mutual respect. Their fight was clean, with short combos. Yan quickly learned that he had to avoid clinching Santiago. Santiago was very good at parrying Yan’s heavy punches, which made Yan gas out. Santiago won the International Title.

Now the most exciting fight of the evening: Jacob Ordonez from Milton Muay Thai, representing Canada and the Philippines, vs. Ricardo Sanchez from Naksu Muay Thai Gym, Mexico. So far, I had only heard of “Siga,” and I’m looking to get an interview with him so I know where the nickname comes from but let’s park that to the side for now. By far, the most aggressive and technical fight of the evening! Jacob split Ricardo’s ear open, and the fight had to be stopped to control the bleeding. This fight broke the Guinness World Record for over-the-rope action. Ricardo went over the ropes following the swing of his own missed kick three times. The two fighters fell over the ropes in clinch four times and in pursuit of clinch three times. There were more falls, but I think I lost count. And at the end, the fighters held hands and jumped off the ring together once (kidding). Jacob won the International Title. Watching Jacob’s fight live and knowing he won bronze at IFMA this year helped me understand the level of skill and precision required at the international level.

I need to note that Canada won every single fight against Mexico and Laos. It’s not very hospitable if you ask me, but it is what it is. Thank you Ajarn Khan Phady and Phady's Muay Thai for an incredible Fight Night!

A note to Mr. Misuraca, the announcer at the event, whose buttocks made a strong appearance in all my recordings due to him standing in the middle of the stage with his back to the audience while announcing the winners: thank you for all your hard work, your love for the Muay Thai community, and for doubling up all our reel editing efforts. No worries about calling a winner out of the wrong corner! May I just note how perfectly your shoes always match your pants?

Notes on the community:

• A few of our youth from Stride Muay Thai and York Muay Thai won gold at TBA!

• Grace Richard from Redemption Muay Thai & BJJ won gold at the WBC Championship in Italy. Grace won the final against France with a unanimous decision, though she felt she lost the battle with her never wanting to come off head guard!

• Krystyna Lavryk and Noah Zakss from TKMT won gold at the 2025 Copa Maya in Merida, Mexico. Kru Ruben celebrated by picking up the fighters, one on each side, and performing the Mexican Hat Dance.

• Congratulations to PC Kru Howard on his Big Bang located south of Etobicoke.

• Coach Hamed from Kingdom has said that if I win a belt (at CMTO) before he does, he will take his own life! We’re pulling in resources to put Coach Hamed on a suicide watch for 48 hours, August 17–19. If you’re available and willing to help, please DM.

• Lastly, the insurance premiums attached to my blogs are increasing, so please, if you have an issue with what I write, message me directly!

See you all on July 26th at RepreZent! Alireza Jadidi and Deval Garvey are the main event on the card, fighting for the 75 kg National Title. If you do not see me at this event, I’ve most likely been hit by a bus! Highly recommend not waiting till the last day to get tickets.

Photo by DS Photography

Photo by DS Photography

Photo by DS Photography

Photo by DS Photography