Yokkao

Yokkao Boxing is a Muay Thai brand headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand.^[1][2]

YOKKAO

YOKKAO Boxing
Company type	Private
Industry	Muay Thai, Kickboxing Brand
Founded	1 January 2010; 14 years ago (2010-01-01) in Bangkok, Thailand
Founder	Philip Villa, Doungjaj Tananan
Headquarters	Bang Sao Thong District, Samut Prakan , Thailand
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Boxing equipment, sporting equipment, clothing, accessories
Services	Manufacturer, Muay Thai Events, fighter management
Website	yokkao.com

History

YOKKAO was founded in Bangkok on 1 January 2010 by Philip Villa^[3] and Doungjaj Tananan. It began by producing Muay Thai shorts and training equipment. In February 2011, YOKKAO started the YOKKAO Fight Team which sponsors Muay Thai Fighters around the world. The earliest line-up of the fight team included Buakaw Banchamek, Yoddecha Sityodtong, Jordan Watson, Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee, Saenchai P.K. Saenchai, Dzhabar Askerov, Cedric Muller and Liam Harrison.^[4] They also partnered up with Muay Thai camps such as Sityodtong.

In November 2011, the company started Muay Thai fight promotion by holding preliminary selections where winners would go on to fight at the first major YOKKAO fight event. The show was titled YOKKAO Extreme and took place on 21 January 2012 at the Forum di Assago in Milan, Italy.^[5][6][7][8] The fight events were later briefly titled Muay Thai Combat Mania YOKKAO due to the partnership with Muay Thai Combat before, shortening to the current name with the 9th event on 24 May 2014.

On 11 October 2014, YOKKAO World Titles for 65k g and 70 kg were introduced at YOKKAO 10 & 11. Pakorn defeated Greg Wootton while Jordan Watson took a KO win over Mickael Piscitello to become the first YOKKAO World Champions at 65 kg and 70 kg respectively.^[9]

YOKKAO has held fight events in Italy, UK, Hong Kong, China, Argentina, Australia, Mexico and Thailand.^{[10][11][12][13][14]}

YOKKAO signed more fighters into its team over the years including Singdam Kiatmoo9, Pakorn PKSaenchaiMuayThaiGym, Tetsuya Yamato, Manachai, and Yodchai.

On 1 January 2019, YOKKAO updated its logo design.^[15]

In November 2020, YOKKAO founder, Philip Villa announced over social media the signing of Rodtang Jitmuangnon, Nuenglanlek Jitmuangnon and Sakaengam Jitmuangnon under a 3-year sponsorship deal.^[16]

In February 2021, YOKKAO signed female Muay Thai champions Duangdawnoi Looksaikongdin and Aida Looksaikongdin as well as transgender fighter, Nong Rose Baan Charoensuk.^[17]

In March 2021, YOKKAO signed Glory Kickboxing world champion, Petpanomrung Kiatmuu9.

Business model

YOKKAO has training centers around the world through partnership in local gyms. Locations include Australia, Canada, Argentina, the UK, the Republic of San Marino, Croatia, Bahrain, Hong Kong, China, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand.^[18][19]

In September 2013, YOKKAO announced the start of YOKKAO fight events in the UK.^[20] The events started formally with YOKKAO 8 on 8 March 2014, at the Macron Stadium in Bolton, UK. The stadium has since become a regular venue for YOKKAO events in the UK.

In early 2016, the company opened the first YOKKAO Training Center in Bangkok. It's located in the centralised district of Sukhumvit and is the official training camp for the YOKKAO fight team.^[21]

In February 2017, YOKKAO was featured on CNN for using social media in driving the brand's global exposure.^[22][23]

In July 2017, the company announced the establishment of an YOKKAO warehouse in Republic of San Marino.^{[citation needed]}

On 29 October 2018, YOKKAO hosted its first WBC title fight where Manachai fought against Julio Lobo from Brazil for the vacant WBC Muay Thai world welterweight title on YOKKAO 34 in Hong Kong. Manachai won the fight by decision to clinch the championship belt.^[24][25][26]

On 8 April 2019, YOKKAO announced that it will host its official event for the first time in Sydney, Australia.^{[citation needed]}

On 18 April 2019, YOKKAO announced the launch of its fighter management branch, YOKKAO Agency.^{[citation needed]}

On 27 July 2019, YOKKAO held its first Ireland event in Dublin where Singdam fought against Craig Coakley for the WBC Muay Thai Diamond Super-Lightweight title.^{[27][28][29][30]} Singdam won the fight via decision to clinch the WBC diamond belt.^[31]

Past events

#	Event	Date	Venue	Location
89	YOKKAO 50	8 August 2021	University of Bolton Stadium	Bolton, England
88	YOKKAO 49	8 August 2021	University of Bolton Stadium	Bolton, England
87	YOKKAO in da Club	25 October 2020	The Big Club	Turin, Italy
86	YOKKAO 48	7 March 2020	University of Bolton Stadium	Bolton, England
85	YOKKAO 47	7 March 2020	University of Bolton Stadium	Bolton, England
84	YOKKAO Next Generation & Kids	7 March 2020	University of Bolton Stadium	Bolton, England
83	YOKKAO 46	25 January 2020	PalaRuffini	Turin, Italy
82	YOKKAO 45	25 January 2020	PalaRuffini	Turin, Italy
81	YOKKAO Next Generation	25 January 2020	PalaRuffini	Turin, Italy
80	YOKKAO Kids	25 January 2020	PalaRuffini	Turin, Italy
79	YOKKAO Fight Night	30 November 2019	Via Caselle	Bologna, Italy
78	YOKKAO Kids	30 November 2019	Palasport di Sant'Agnello	Naples, Italy
77	YOKKAO 44	26 October 2019	University of Bolton Stadium	Bolton, England
76	YOKKAO 43	26 October 2019	University of Bolton Stadium	Bolton, England
75	YOKKAO 42	27 July 2019	National Basketball Arena	Dublin, Ireland
74	YOKKAO 41	27 July 2019	National Basketball Arena	Dublin, Ireland
72	YOKKAO 40	25 May 2019	Australian Technology Park	Sydney, Australia
71	YOKKAO 39	25 May 2019	Australian Technology Park	Sydney, Australia
70	YOKKAO Next Generation Phuket	3 April 2019	Bangla Boxing Stadium	Phuket, Thailand
69	YOKKAO 38	23 March 2019	University of Bolton Stadium	Bolton, England
68	YOKKAO 37	23 March 2019	University of Bolton Stadium	Bolton, England
67	YOKKAO Next Generation Kids	27 January 2019	PalaRuffini	Turin, Italy
66	YOKKAO 36	26 January 2019	PalaRuffini	Turin, Italy
65	YOKKAO 35	26 January 2019	PalaRuffini	Turin, Italy
64	YOKKAO Next Generation Phuket	23 December 2018	Bangla Boxing Stadium	Phuket, Thailand
63	YOKKAO Next Generation Kids	16 December 2018	Turin	Turin, Italy
62	YOKKAO Next Generation	16 December 2018	Turin	Turin, Italy
61	YOKKAO Next Generation	1 December 2018	Bologna	Bologna, Italy
60	YOKKAO 34	29 October 2018	Hong Kong	Hong Kong, China
59	YOKKAO 33	29 October 2018	Hong Kong	Hong Kong, China
58	YOKKAO 32	13 October 2018	University of Bolton Stadium	Bolton, England
57	YOKKAO 31	13 October 2018[32]	University of Bolton Stadium	Bolton, England
56	YOKKAO Next Generation Phuket	30 September 2018	Bangla Boxing Stadium	Phuket, Thailand
55	YOKKAO Next Generation Scotland	22 September 2018	On-X Linwood Sports Centre	Paisley, Scotland
54	YOKKAO Next Generation Kids	21 July 2018	Barnsley Metrodome	Barnsley, England
53	YOKKAO Next Generation Sydney	26 May 2018	Marrickville Town Hall	Sydney, Australia
52	YOKKAO Next Generation Kids	26 May 2018	Barnsley Metrodome	Barnsley, England
51	YOKKAO Next Generation Southampton	29 April 2018	Oceana Southampton	Southampton, England
50	YOKKAO UK Open 2018	14 April 2018	Barnsley Metrodome	Barnsley, England
49	YOKKAO Next Generation Kids	31 March 2018	Grangemouth Sports Complex	Paisley, Scotland
48	YOKKAO 30	10 March 2018	Macron Stadium	Bolton, England
47	YOKKAO 29	10 March 2018	Macron Stadium	Bolton, England
46	YOKKAO Next Generation Scotland	28 February 2018	On-X Linwood Sports Centre	Paisley, Scotland
45	YOKKAO Next Generation Kids	10 February 2018	Barnsley Metrodome	Barnsley, England
44	YOKKAO Next Generation Kids	26 November 2017	Barnsley Metrodome	Barnsley, England
43	YOKKAO 28	15 October 2017	Macron Stadium	Bolton, England
42	YOKKAO 27	15 October 2017	Macron Stadium	Bolton, England
41	YOKKAO 26	28 September 2017	Hong Kong	Hong Kong, China
40	YOKKAO 25	28 September 2017	Hong Kong	Hong Kong, China
39	YOKKAO 24	25 March 2017	Macron Stadium	Bolton, England
38	YOKKAO 23	25 March 2017	Macron Stadium	Bolton, England
37	YOKKAO 22	28 October 2016	Hong Kong	Hong Kong, China
36	YOKKAO 21	28 October 2016	Hong Kong	Hong Kong, China
35	YOKKAO 20	8 October 2016	Macron Stadium	Bolton, England
34	YOKKAO 19	8 October 2016	Macron Stadium	Bolton, England
33	YOKKAO Next Generation UK	8 October 2016	Macron Stadium	Bolton, England
32	YOKKAO Next Generation Thailand	16 September 2016	Sisaket Boxing Stadium	Sisaket, Thailand
31	YOKKAO Next Generation Uruguay	16 November 2016	Colegio San Juan Bautista	Montevideo, Uruguay
30	YOKKAO Next Generation Mexico	24 September 2016	Arena Xalapa	Xalapa, Mexico
29	YOKKAO Next Generation Melbourne	27 August 2016	Meat Market	Melbourne, Australia
28	YOKKAO Next Generation Thailand	29 July 2016	BIG C Surin	Surin, Thailand
27	YOKKAO Next Generation Thailand	31 May 2016	Khorat Yamo	Khorat, Thailand
26	YOKKAO Next Generation Mexico	27 May 2016	Arena Xalapa	Xalapa, Mexico
25	YOKKAO Next Generation Sydney	21 May 2016	Srg YOKKAO Training Center	Sydney, Australia
24	YOKKAO Next Generation Thailand	30 March 2016	MBK	Bangkok, Thailand
23	YOKKAO Next Generation Thailand	23 March 2016	MBK	Bangkok, Thailand
22	YOKKAO Next Generation Thailand	22 March 2016	MBK	Bangkok, Thailand
21	YOKKAO 18	19 March 2016	Macron Stadium	Bolton, England
20	YOKKAO 17	19 March 2016	Macron Stadium	Bolton, England
19	YOKKAO Next Generation UK	19 March 2016	Macron Stadium	Bolton, England
18	YOKKAO Next Generation Thailand	17 March 2016	MBK	Bangkok, Thailand
17	YOKKAO Next Generation Thailand	9 March 2016	MBK	Bangkok, Thailand
16	YOKKAO 16	13 November 2015	Metropolitano	Rosario, Argentina
15	YOKKAO 15	10 October 2015	Macron Stadium	Bolton, England
14	YOKKAO 14	10 October 2015	Macron Stadium	Bolton, England
13	YOKKAO 13	21 March 2015	Macron Stadium	Bolton, England
12	YOKKAO 12	21 March 2015	Macron Stadium	Bolton, England
11	YOKKAO 11	11 October 2014	Reebok Stadium	Bolton, England
10	YOKKAO 10	11 October 2014	Reebok Stadium	Bolton, England
9	YOKKAO 9	24 May 2014	Xinyang Football Stadium	Xinyang, China
8	YOKKAO 8	29 January 2014	Macron Stadium	Bolton, England
7	YOKKAO 7	19 February 2014	Pattaya World Boxing Stadium	Pattaya, Thailand
6	YOKKAO 6	3 January 2014	Pattaya World Boxing Stadium	Pattaya, Thailand
5	YOKKAO 5	15 November 2013	Pattaya World Boxing Stadium	Pattaya, Thailand
4	YOKKAO EXTREME 2013	26 January 2013	Forum d'Assago	Milan, Italy
3	Muay Thai Combat Mania	30 December 2013	Pattaya World Boxing Stadium	Pattaya, Thailand
2	Muay Thai Combat Mania	14 July 2012	Piazza S. Martino	Riccione, Italy
1	YOKKAO EXTREME	21 January 2012	Forum d'Assago	Milan, Italy

Champions

Diamond champions

Weight	Champion	Since
66 kg	Saenchai	25 January 2020

World champions

Current champions

Weight	Champion	Since	Title defenses
-	-	-	-
-	-	-	-

-65kg

#	Date	Champion	Event	Venue	Notes
5	15 October 2017	Liam Harrison	YOKKAO 27	Macron Stadium	defeated Kevin Burmester in title defense (round 2 KO by leg kick)
4	25 March 2017	Liam Harrison	YOKKAO 24	Macron Stadium	defeated Rayan Mekki in title defense (round 3 TKO by ref. stoppage)
3	19 March 2016	Liam Harrison	YOKKAO 17	Macron Stadium	defeated Tetsuya Yamato over vacant title (previous title holder Pakorn lost the belt after 3 straight losses) (split decision)
2	21 March 2015	Pakorn PKSaenchaimuaythaigym	YOKKAO 13	Macron Stadium	defeated Liam Harrison in title defense (unanimous decision)
1	11 October 2014	Pakorn PKSaenchaimuaythaigym	YOKKAO 11	Macron Stadium	defeated Greg Wootton to be crowned inaugural YOKKAO world champion (unanimous decision)

-70kg

#	Date	Champion	Event	Venue	Notes
5	15 October 2017	Jordan Watson	YOKKAO 28	Macron Stadium	defeated Pongsiri PKSaenchaimuaythaigym in title defense (round 2 KO by head kick)
4	25 March 2017	Jordan Watson	YOKKAO 23	Macron Stadium	defeated Sorgraw Petchyindee in title defense (unanimous decision)
3	19 March 2016	Jordan Watson	YOKKAO 18	Macron Stadium	defeated Sanny Dahlbeck to regain title (unanimous decision)
2	21 March 2015	Sanny Dahlbeck	YOKKAO 12	Macron Stadium	defeated Jordan Watson to be crowned new YOKKAO World champion (round 4 TKO by 3 knockdowns)
1	11 October 2014	Jordan Watson	YOKKAO 10	Macron Stadium	defeated Mickaël Piscitello to be crowned inaugural YOKKAO world champion (round 3 TKO leg injury)

Training center

YOKKAO Training Center Bangkok is the official YOKKAO gym located in the downtown of Bangkok, Thailand. It was opened in 2016 when it became the home and training camp of the YOKKAO Thailand Fight Team. The gym is also opened to the public for training.^[33]

YOKKAO Training Center Bangkok has hosted professional fighters and celebrities for Muay Thai training including UK Muay Thai fighter, Liam Harrison, Joe Jonas and Cole Whittle of American pop band DNCE,^[34] and fashion model Mia Kang.^{[citation needed]}

Fight team

• Saenchai
• Singdam YOKKAOSaenchaiGym
• Yodchai YOKKAOSaenchaiGym
• Superlek Kiatmuu9
• Petpanomrung Kiatmuu9
• Rodtang Jitmuangnon
• Nuenglanlek Jitmuangnon
• Sakaengam Jitmuangnon
• Liam Harrison
• Spencer Brown
• Tetsuya Yamato

Agency fighters

• Saenchai
• Singdam
• Yodchai
• Manachai
• Superlek Kiatmuu9
• Petpanomrung Kiatmuu9
• Rodtang Jitmuangnon
• Nuenglanlek Jitmuangnon
• Sakaengam Jitmuangnon
• Spencer Brown

Notable alumni

• Buakaw Banchamek
• Saenchai
• Singdam Kiatmuu9
• Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee
• Yodsanklai Fairtex
• Pakorn PKSaenchaimuaythaigym
• Superlek Kiatmuu9
• Manachai
• Kem Sitsongpeenong
• Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong
• Phetmorakot Wor Sangprapai
• Rungravee Sasiprapa
• Aikpracha Meenayothin
• Liam Harrison
• Daniel McGowan
• Jordan Watson
• Spencer Brown
• Tim Thomas (kickboxer)
• Fabio Pinca
• Houcine Bennoui
• Karim Bennoui
• Mickaël Piscitello
• Giorgio Petrosyan
• Armen Petrosyan
• Marco Piqué
• Sanny Dahlbeck
• Andy Souwer
• Abraham Roqueñi
• Ognjen Topic
• Dzhabar Askerov
• Tetsuya Yamato
• Yi Long
• Qiu Jianliang
• Fang Bian
• Dzhabar Askerov
• Frank Giorgi
• Jonathan Haggerty
• Craig Coakley

See also

• Companies portal
• Thailand portal

• List of fitness wear brands
• List of companies of Thailand

References

1. "Muay Thai looks to the future". MSN.
2. Karacs, Sarah (14 February 2017). "The Muay Thai brand using social media to take the fight to its rivals". CNN. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
3. "Yokkao Founder Philip Villa: Passion, Intuition, Vision". Muay Thai Citizen. 3 September 2020. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
4. "Yokkao Extreme". Muaythaitv. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
5. "Yokkao Extreme 2012: Buakaw Por Pramuk vs Dzhabar Askerov". Muay Thai Blog - News, Articles, Videos of Muay Thai, K1 and MMA. 4 September 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
6. "Yokkao Extreme promoter Stefania Picelli talks about her upcoming venture with Yokkao Boxing - Muay Thai Authority". Yokkao Extreme promoter Stefania Picelli talks about her upcoming venture with Yokkao Boxing - Muay Thai Authority. 1 July 2011. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
7. "YOKKAO EXTREME - Muay Thai - 2012 FORUM ASSAGO MILANO - 21 Gennaio". www.k1rules.com. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
8. "Muay thai". win.ilguerriero.it. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
9. Reid, Roberto (28 October 2014). "Yokkao 10 & 11 highlights: the Power of a Dream! - MMA Plus". MMA Plus. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
10. "World Muaythai Council » Yokkao 25 and 26 in Hong Kong". www.wmcmuaythai.org. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
11. "Yokkao 9: Muaythai vs Shaolin Kung Fu". Muay Guy. 25 April 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
12. Aripez, Steven (27 August 2015). "Yokkao 16 set for Argentina on November 13th". Muay Thai Authority. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
13. "STEFANIA PICELLI CO-ORGANISATRICE DES YOKKAO EVENTS PREND LA PAROLE". www.muaythaigalaxy.com (in French). Retrieved 13 December 2018.
14. Veniero, Angelo (14 October 2018). "Yokkao, lo show dei record!". Fighting Zone Italia (in Italian). Retrieved 13 December 2018.
15. "YOKKAO Debuts Brand New Logo". Muay Thai Citizen. 2 January 2019. Retrieved 2 January 2019.
16. "Rodtang Jitmuangnon Signs Sponsorship Deal With YOKKAO". Fight Record. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
17. "Philip Villa Signs Transgender Fighter Nong Rose to Yokkao Fight Team". LA Progressive. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
18. "Bad Company are sponsored by Yokkao. - Bad Company". Bad Company. 18 May 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
19. Asia, KFit. "Join KFit to experience your favourite activities near you". access.kfit.com. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
20. "Yokkao and Stefania Picelli sign a multi-year contract with Supershowdown to held Yokkao events in UK!". Muay Thai Blog - News, Articles, Videos of Muay Thai, K1 and MMA. 21 March 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
21. "Gym Review: Yokkao Training Center Bangkok - Muay Thai Citizen". Muay Thai Citizen. 4 December 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
22. Karacs, Sarah (14 February 2017). "The Muay Thai brand using social media to take the fight to its rivals". CNNMoney. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
23. "How Social Media is Driving this Sports Brand - MMA Public Relations". Everything-PR: Public Relations, Marketing and Social Media News. 21 February 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
24. "Manachai險勝盧保奪WBC泰拳金腰帶". 東方日報 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved 13 December 2018.
25. "Manachai Claims WBC Title With Win Over Julio Lobo". Muay Thai Citizen. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
26. "Vidéo YOKKAO 33 & 34 : MANACHAI champion du monde WBC, victoires pour SUPERLEK, SINGDAM et Abdelnour ALI KADA". Muaythaitv (in French). Retrieved 13 December 2018.
27. Kane, Mick (28 April 2019). "Craig Coakley faces Singdam at the first Yokkao Muay Thai event in Dublin". FIGHTMAG. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
28. Tan, Kay (24 July 2019). "Singdam vs Coakley title bout to headline Yokkao 41-42 | The Fight Nation". Retrieved 26 September 2019.
29. "::WBC MUAYTHAI (OFFICIAL WEBSITE)::". www.wbcmuaythai.com. Archived from the original on 2 November 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
30. "Fight Preview: Singdam vs Coakley WBC Diamond Title Bout". Muay Thai Citizen. 21 July 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
31. "Singdam Captures WBC Glory in Ireland". siamfightnews. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
32. "Joe Craven vs. Jake Purdy set for Yokkao's October event - Fight Record". Fight Record. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
33. "YOKKAO Training Center Bangkok - 2020 All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)". Tripadvisor. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
34. "DNCE Joe Jonas and Cole Whittle meet YOKKAO Team in Bangkok!". YOKKAO. 30 November 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2020.

External links

• Official Website