Grand opening

Muay Thai Kickboxing, known as “The Art of 8 Limbs,” is a time-honored martial art originating in Thailand. Developed for both war and sport, it’s defined by the use of fists, elbows, knees, and shins—turning the human body into a weapon of controlled power and precision. Its roots run deep in Thai culture, with a rich tradition of discipline, respect, and ferocity. 

At Honey Badger Muay Thai, we honor that tradition while forging a modern path for all who train with us. Our style is based on Dragonleg Muay Thai, the system developed by 5-time world champion Matee “Dragonleg” Jadeepitak—one of the most respected names in the global Muay Thai Kickboxing community. Our founder trained directly under this system, earning rank and guidance from Dragonleg himself, blending that authentic Thai technique with decades of cross-training in other striking disciplines. 

For many years, our team was the driving force behind the Hybrid Training Academy, where we built and led competitive amateur and professional Muay Thai Kickboxing and MMA teams. That experience shaped a powerful curriculum—technical, intense, and battle-proven in competition. 

The launch of Honey Badger Muay Thai represents the next evolution of that work. Inspired by the honey badger—an animal known for being small, fearless, strategic, and unstoppable—we’ve created a space where anyone, regardless of size, background, or gender, can train like a fighter and grow like a warrior. 

We offer a structured traditional armband ranking system for all ages:

         • Kids (Ages 5–13): A fun, disciplined program focused on confidence, fitness, and life skills.

         • Teens & Adults (14+): Authentic Muay Thai technique, conditioning, and competition development for hobbyists and fighters alike.

Our team. Our coaching staff brings over 50 years of combined experience—in striking arts, coaching, and competition. And uniquely, the majority of our coaches are women, including champions, medalists, and internationally ranked fighters. This creates an incredibly empowering environment where women and girls can see themselves represented, respected, and leading from the front.

Our training integrates over 30 years of black belt level karate expertise, adding unique elements of movement, timing, and precision that elevate our Muay Thai foundation. The result is a dynamic, effective, and technical style that honors tradition while pushing boundaries. We are world-class, with fighters earning local, regional, and international titles—but our impact goes beyond the ring. Our founder is the creator of the Lambs to Lions anti-bullying initiative, a youth empowerment program featured on CBC and CTV, which uses martial arts to transform lives through mentorship, confidence, and resilience. 

We are built on tradition, driven by tenacity, and committed to real transformation. Rooted in the heart of Essex Ontario we’re more than just a gym — we’re part of a growing family of local businesses and are proud to serve our community with world-class training and small-town grit.