Last Saturday marked another chapter for Ubud Muay Thai with "Backyard Fight 2", following our inaugural event earlier this year. As we mirror the evolving martial arts community in Bali, our aim with Backyard Fight 2 was not just to continue the legacy. In a move that has set us as pioneers in Ubud, we also sought to provide a platform for budding fighters, giving them the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and evolve in their martial journey.
For our second event, we decided to shake things up a bit. In light of the varying number of fighters and their different weight classes, we shifted gears from our usual competition format. This time we wanted to offer something special, we introduced a "sparring showcase tournament", an engaging setup where fighters had an opportunity to shift their focus towards demonstrating techniques, strategies, and skills, rather than solely vying for victory.
This fresh approach offered an invaluable platform for up-and-coming fighters to gain hands-on fighting experience. Eleven passionate fighters from seven renowned Muay Thai gyms across Bali eagerly embraced this opportunity, showcasing their prowess and dedication to all in attendance.
Ubud Muay Thai's Founder, Adiyoso “Ocho” Maruto, couldn’t help but express his admiration for the competitors. “The fighters showcased a sparring session that was nothing short of electrifying. It was filled with precise calculations, deft techniques, and a passion for the sport, making it a gripping spectacle. The talent was so remarkable that the judges took extra time to make their decisions. This sparring showcase proves that there are still many young blood out there with very high potential in the world of Martial Arts, particularly in Muay Thai.”.
In harmony with Ocho's thoughts, our co-founder, Edsar “Eddie” Buno, reflected on the broader vision of Ubud Muay Thai. "We were determined to present a top-tier sparring showcase for both our local Ubud community and our visiting peers from gyms across Bali. Our unwavering commitment remains to bolster the Martial Arts community here, ensuring it stands resilient, while growing and evolving collectively.".
This event would not have been the success it was without the commitment and zeal of the participants, and the generous support of our sponsors. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our sponsors: Simply Social Bali, Namaskara Coffee & Superfoods, Coca Gift Bar, and Bali Top Fighter who stood by our vision and magnified the event's impact.
Equally important was ensuring the well-being and safety of our participants. For this, we're grateful to Yayasan Bumi Sehat for providing essential medical supplies, ensuring health and safety throughout the event.
Lastly, the heart of the event—the fighters and their respective gyms—deserve special recognition. A massive shoutout to the participating gyms for showcasing the best of Bali's Muay Thai talent: Fight Right, Satria Suci, Dewata Warrior, Ubud Warrior, Jimbaran Warrior, Dee Muay Thai, and SOMA Fight Club. Your energy, skill, and passion were the lifeblood of this tournament, and for that, we salute you.
For those who couldn't be with us this time, fret not. Ubud Muay Thai promises that Backyard Fight will return, bigger and better. The chance to witness Bali's finest Muay Thai talents is something you won't want to miss. As always, let's keep the passion burning, and here’s to many more electrifying bouts in the future!
Fight Recap
Exhibition Match
Don Bosco (Dee Muay Thai) VS Hanzo (SOMA Fight Club)
1st Match
Riduan (Satria Suci) VS Richard (Dewata Warrior)
Winner: Riduan (Satria Suci)
2nd Match
Turah Rama (Fight Right) VS Brian (SOMA Fight Club)
Winner: Brian (SOMA Fight Club)
3rd Match
John (Ubud Warrior) VS Dwi (Dee Muay Thai)
Winner: John (Ubud Warrior)
4th Match
Riduan (Fight Right) VS Komang (Dee Muay Thai)
Winner: Komang (Dee Muay Thai)
5th Match
Brian (SOMA Fight Club) VS Theo (Jimbaran Warrior)
Winner: Brian (SOMA Fight Club)
6th Match
Muffin (Fight Right) VS John (Ubud Warrior)
Winner: Muffin (Fight Right)
7th Match
Komang (Dee Muay Thai) VS Richard (Dewata Warrior)
Winner: Komang (Dee Muay Thai)