Behind the Gloves: Sam Khalaj on Discipline, Fighting, and Mentorship

At Kingdom Muay Thai, fighters are shaped not only by hard rounds and long hours, but by an unwavering commitment to growth. Sam Khalaj embodies that mindset. With years of consistent training, international fight experience in Thailand, and a growing role as a mentor to the next generation of athletes, Sam represents the modern Muay Thai fighter who is disciplined, honest, and deeply invested in the craft. 

Tell me a bit about your Muay Thai background? What got you into it and how long have you been training?

Sam Khalaj: “Honestly, I can’t really pinpoint one specific reason that got me into Muay Thai. At the time, I was pretty bored and just wanted to try something new as a hobby. Once I started training, it didn’t take long for me to become hooked. What began as a way to stay busy quickly became a passion, and not long after that, I knew I wanted to fight. I’ve been training consistently for about three years now, and Muay Thai has become a major part of my life.”

What is your favourite part about training at Kingdom Muay Thai? How has it helped you grow in the sport?

“The biggest thing for me is the quality of the coaches and the people you’re surrounded by at Kingdom. There’s a strong sense of community in the gym, and it really pushes you to be better. Kru Yai Arash and Coach Hamed are very invested in developing fighters and giving them real opportunities to compete. They actively help guide you toward fights and higher-level experiences. On top of that, the gym itself is top notch, which makes a big difference when you’re spending so much time in the gym.”

You went to Thailand recently for training and to fight, how was that experience? What were the highlights and what lessons did you learn while you were there?

“Training and fighting in Thailand was an unreal experience. The highlight was definitely competing in my second professional fight, especially doing it in the birthplace of Muay Thai. Being immersed in that environment teaches you a lot very quickly. The most valuable lesson I took away was learning to fight without being too focused on the outcome. As long as you’re learning from the experience, and you’re growing as a fighter, that’s what truly matters.”

How do you prepare for a fight? What does your training routine look like? What mental space do you have to get in?

“My preparation is pretty simple and consistent. I show up every day, train hard, and trust the process. That includes getting my bag work in, pad work with my coach, hard sparring, and making sure I’m doing my runs. I follow what my coach has planned for the day and focus on executing it properly. Mentally, I don’t overthink things. I accept the reality that you could get hurt when you fight. Once you accept it, you just show up and do what needs to be done.”

You’re now leading the fight training for the youth students at Kingdom Muay Thai. What teaching philosophies do you use when teaching the next generation of fighters? What can they expect from working with you?

“My main philosophy is about showing up and putting in the work no matter what. Even if you don’t have someone to train with, you still train. Muay Thai is a solo sport at the end of the day, and no one can make you train if you don’t want to. I also put a big emphasis on mental strength. Being mentally strong will take you much further than just being physically strong. When the kids train with me, they can expect honesty, discipline, and a focus on consistency and resilience.”

What are your goals you’re looking to work towards in Muay Thai? 

“My main goal is to stay active and keep building experience. I’m aiming to have ten or more fights this year and continue moving up. Fighting at Rajadamnern Stadium is a goal for me, and winning a Rajadamnern belt is the dream. That belt is the highest achievement in Muay Thai, and only one Iranian fighter has ever won it. Rajadamnern is also a huge part of the sport’s history. It’s the first and oldest stadium dedicated to Muay Thai, almost like a Mecca for fighters, and so many legends have fought there. Just being able to fight in that stadium would be a massive milestone for me. Beyond that, I’d love to eventually compete on platforms like ONE Championship or RWS and see how far I can push myself.”