Not motivated by money, motivated by Glory!

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We’ve built what we have without a promoter building us. We travel on our own dollar, sweated, bled, tasted defeat and the glory of victory in the face of over whelming odds. And while we’re grateful of everything that we’ve been able to do and accomplish, we still have much more to do. We train, travel and fight. Obviously we have limited funds, families, bills, homes, jobs and responsibilities, so we try to do the best with what we have.
2014 has been an exciting year for the Muay thai team at Revolution Dojo Houston. As I look back over 2014 and reminisce about the accomplishment we’ve made, it astounds me as to how far we’ve made it. We’ve come a long way, and we couldn’t have done it without being a team, without all the amazing support from everyone.

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Everything from training in Thailand at Sitmonchai to representing our country at the IFMA World Championships astounds me. We’ve had so many great people around us that we’ve help make this happen, and I personally feel honored and grateful for the love people have shown us. We’ve made so many great friends, and done so much.
In 2015 we look forward to continuing the upwards trend.
We coach a lot of fighters, and obviously it’s a team effort. All the coaches, Sam, Uriel, Jenn and I all train full time and work full time, and when you lead from the front… you earn the love and respect of your fighters/students. When you’re out there sweating, running in rain or 109deg weather and giving 110 percent of what you ask of your students people are inspired, inspired to be more than they were yesterday.

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In 2014 we scooped up 7 titles, and I hope to keep this going into 2015. Jenn came back with the 2015 Women’s Class-A WKA champion, defeating her opponent from Russia and the other from Florida with an almost undefeated record of 7w-1l Martin in classic Martin fashion won by TKO in the pre-finals, and a decision in the championships, against a more experienced opponents bring home the nation novice division title and advances his record to 4w-0l. Woody put on a great performance against a more experienced opponent and loss a really close fight against the multiple time nation champion. With the hot and cold flash weather we’ve been having, Sammy ended up getting sick on the plane ride to Virginia. Good thing is that at least he got to play coach.
At the US Muay Thai Open in Tempe AZ which hosted the IFMA qualifiers this year, Sammy and Jenn picked up the 2015 USMTO open class national titles and was awarded a slot to once again represent our country at the highest level.

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Sam won a hard close fight at LK1, at which we hope will continue to be a success for promoting Kickboxing and Muay thai. Something that all the talent in the armature brackets has been toiling away in obscurity and it look as if all our hard work might be finally rewarded. Media exposure, and finally a real chance to go professional after all these years. I’m optimistic that whatever happens, LK has great potential to open doors for kickboxing. And who knows, maybe one day a LK vs Lion fights series would be amazing! Have a great week!

TheKrastaGroupMuayThaiAddict

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Week out from LK1

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*wrote this before the LK1 event on Jan16th

 

In a couple of days my brother Samuel Mongonia will be stepping into the ring against an opponent with twice his experience for Legacy FC’s LK1 event Jan 16th. In the weeks leading up to this fight, we’ve had one hurdle after another. It’s been one big battle from day one, but looking back I’m glad we’re at where we’re at. When you get in the ring, the allusion is that it’s just the fighter, but to quote my brother “it’s me in there, but it’s all of us”. What makes a great fighter isn’t solely his/her talent and hard work; it’s the village that builds the fighter. You can’t be a great fighter and a narcissist. I take personal responsibility for each and every person that I put in the ring. It’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly, and it often weighs heavy on my heart because each and every single one of my fighters is my friend and my family. In all honesty, it’s a big scary world out there. You’ve got a lot of promoters that are looking only to use your guys as tomato cans; my family is too precious to me to be someone’s kicking can. One reason I like tournaments, is because it allows you to get fights against high level guys and get attention, while fighting guys on neutral ground. When I book fights for my guys, I try to book good fights. Not easy fights, but fights that they’re prepared for. I pour my whole heart into my family, and those that are worth my time and being called family do likewise… We couldn’t do this without the all the people, from fellow fighter Jennifer Guerrero and coach Uriel Figueroa to the friendships and everyone whom walked with Sam every step of the day, and that includes the hobbyist’s like Brad and the morning crew that get up in the awful time of the morning to run and train in the freezing wet cold that is a Houston winter.

I whole heartedly believe that the key to our success isn’t one person, but all of us… all of Revolution. We must always remember a fast rise, leads to a fast fall. It’s about earning fights… it’s about building a legacy, and there is no substitute for experience. It’s been a long road for us, but all the hard work is worth it. Legacy FC is starting a kick boxing league called LK1 and Muay Thai Kingdom, has continued to be successful hosting good shows. So the future for Houston Kickboxing and Muay Thai looks bright.

 

TheKrastaGroupMuayThaiAddict

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The Fighting Pride of the Irish, the Son of Texas Michael “Chase” Corley

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I’d like to take today to highlight IFMA, Toyota tournaments and Lumpinee Stadium and Challenger Asia Superstar, The Fighting Pride of the Irish, The Son of Texas…

Michael “Chase” Corley.

The talented young man that put his work in overseas and abroad returned home to Houston in recent years to mentor many Coaches and Fighters in the Houston area, as well as UFC rising star Andrew “Highlight” Craig, who’s Muay Thai and boxing picked his opponent apart in his latest showing.

There is no doubt that there is one man, which we all want to see fighting in Lion Fights, that man, is the modern day James “Cinderella Man” Braddock, that man is Michael Corley.

Watch the Highlight and you’ll agree.

Muay Thai Kingdom 2

Sorry Guys, but I have bad news for March 22nd. due to last minute drops and low ticket sales, MTK2 has been postponed until a later date.

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The Kresta Group

I want to welcome our newest team member, The Kresta Group.

This company hits home, as my brother used them to find his house.

One of the biggest things that TheKrestaGroup prides themselves on, is their honesty and integrity. I know Shane Kresta personally, and can say that he is a up standing man of integrity. so if you’re looking for someone to find what you need, and help you avoid the pitfalls of purchasing a house, contact The Kresta Group

Nete Sponser the winning team-page-0

Revolution Dojo: Muay Thai Kingdom II

Promo highlighting the muay thai fighters from Revolution Dojo, leading up to Muay Thai Kingdom II
Shot and Directed By: Cm Black Pixels
http://www.cmblackpixels.com
Highlighted Fighters:
Jennifer Guerrero
Uriel Figueroa
TJ Johnson
Ray Aninzo

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StriKing Champion representing orginization at Lion Fight 10

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(TFL)
As always, it’s a pleasure to have DJ back with us on TheFightersLife.net and welcome back!
Last we spoke you had just vindicated yourself against Eric Haycraft’s fighter, Adam Edgerton, and took the StriKing Junior middleweight title. (www.Strikingfights.com)
that gold strap looks good on ya!
Tell us what you’ve been up to since last we spoke?

(DJM) I’ve recently switched gyms and intensified my training taking on 7 day a week training camps and working on my boxing a whole lot more

(TFL) How has training been going?

(DJM) Training has been going very good. I’m waking up every morning anxious to knowing where my athleticism will be taken everyday.

(TFL) What changes have you made recently to your game?

(DJM) boxing, boxing, and boxing, really looking to showcase what I’ve learned by utilizing my hands a little bit more.

(TFL) I see you’ve got a huge shot at a pro qualifier fight with Lion Fights?

(DJM) Yes I do. I’ve taken this fight on short notice, but with the way my gym trains, I’m pretty much training for a championship bout everyday regularly. So it will be a great opportunity and a great experience.

(TFL) You must be excited. Tell us your reaction when you where given the opportunity?

(DJM) I literally froze. I woke up to a text message by StriKing promoter Ty Pilgrim, asking if I wanted to fight on Lion Fights amateur card. I re-read the message five times and couldn’t believe what I was being asked. The feeling was amazing

(TFL) Who are you fighting, and what school are they from?

(DJM) I’m fighting Niko Ruiz from Saekson Muay Thai. Saekson Janjira is a legend and one of my all time favorite fighters. I know he trains every one of his fighter’s very well so I’ll know Ruiz will come with an A game, which is what I want.

(TFL) What do you know about your opponent’s style?

(DJM) From the footage I found on him I’ve noticed he likes the clinch very much. I also love the clinch, but I will aim for keeping the fight at my distance so I can work my skills and put on a good show for the fans.

(TFL) Tell us a bit of your training and fighting history, where you started and where you are now?

(DJM) My training is vigorous, a combination of sprints, circuit/weight training, bag work, boxing drills, body conditioning, it’s the complete package. My very first fight was in a club. I climbed up the ladder for a short time by knocking around MMA guys trying to do Muay Thai until I finally started get matched up with kickboxers, and it all has just been getting better from that point. I’ve watched Lionfight on TV and the internet and it’s so surreal that I am actually going to be a part of it.

(TFL)
As a Muay Thai fighter, we often have to work more and spend a lot of money fighting as amateurs, with little pay off… There’s no UFC for us. How long of a road has it been for you?

(DJM) It’s been a long road. I’ve been training and fighting for 4 years and have dreamed of traveling the world and competing as a Muay Thai fighter. To me it’s not about the money, it’s about a passion. I don’t have to have a 10 story house with 5 Ferraris in the driveway, As long as I’m able to do what I love, that’s my payout

(TFL) Well DJ, it’s great to have you back… we’ll be cheering you on at #Lionfight10 and #TFL

(DJM) Thank you, I’ll keep everyone posted via Facebook, right after security yanks me off of Yodsanklai. (Laughs)

(TFL) Don’t forget to catch DJ’s fight and many other great Muay Thai fights July 26th at Lion Fight 10 on AXS.TV

Follow the conversation at @NMONGONIA #Lionfight10

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