May 3–4, 2025 | Edmond, OK
No crowd chants. No shiny belts. No bright lights. Just sweat, skill, and straight-up Muay Thai.
This weekend, the TBA-SA Muay Thai scrimmage lit up Edmond, Oklahoma with two days of back-to-back bouts, gritty learning, and one of the tightest showings of heart the Midwest has seen in a while. Eighteen teams. Four states. Dozens of athletes stepping in not for glory — but for growth.
This Ain’t a Tournament — It’s a Proving Ground
Forget the win column. In this arena, there are no winners and losers — just learners. That’s the whole philosophy behind the TBA-SA scrimmage format.
These are light-contact, technical bouts where every athlete is judged individually on their performance. No corners screaming for knockouts. No chasing points. Just clean Muay Thai and honest feedback. Every fighter gets a breakdown — a report card from a judge locked in on their movement, balance, timing, technique. It’s how you find out what works. It’s how you fix what doesn’t.
It’s the kind of development you can’t fake. And everyone — fighters, coaches, judges — walks out better than they walked in.
From First Timers to Future Champions
Saturday was for the kids. Sunday was the adults’ turn. Whether it was someone’s very first time touching canvas or a seasoned athlete sharpening their edge, the intensity was real.
We saw nervous first-timers level up in real time — walk in unsure, walk out grinning. We saw crisp, technical exchanges that reminded everyone what sharp Muay Thai looks like. But the real beauty? After every bout: smiles, high fives, respect all around. Young fighters hugging it out. Teams from different states connecting like family.
This is what happens when ego leaves the room and purpose steps in.
Running the Show
Shout-out to the crew behind the chaos: Jason Epps and Jesse Cargill, who kept the wheels turning all weekend. And big props to Billy Clark, whose presence brought structure, experience, and steady leadership to the floor. Behind every bout was a team of judges, refs, and volunteers keeping things safe, tight, and professional — and it ran like clockwork.
The TBA-SA standard was on full display. Arjan Chai’s vision for building the sport with integrity showed up in every detail, every protocol, and every respectful bow before and after the rounds.
Also, a big thank-you to Jenna Lagrange of Jenna Lagrange Photography, who captured the grit, grace, and raw energy of the weekend through her lens. We’ll be posting links soon to all of her incredible photos — trust us, you’re going to want to relive this one.
Real Muay Thai Vibes Only
The atmosphere? Electric. Real ones know there’s nothing like a room full of people who get it. Coaches helping other teams. Parents cheering for fighters they’d never met. Kids becoming friends after trading teeps and combos. This was Muay Thai as it should be — raw, respectful, and united.
It wasn’t just a scrimmage. It was a reminder that community builds champions.
Coming Up Next
The momentum’s real. The next TBA-SA scrimmage is lined up for October, and this time there’s talk of adding a third ring to keep up with the demand. On top of that, the community’s buzzing about a possible full-contact kids tournamentin the near future.
So if you’re not training for it yet — get on it.
Because in this world, fighters aren’t born. They’re built — one round at a time.