YOKKAO and MTL Australia Sign Strategic Partnership to Elevate Muay Thai in Australia

YOKKAO, one of the world’s leading Muay Thai brands, has officially signed a strategic partnership with MTL Australia, marking an important step toward strengthening and expanding the Muay Thai scene across the country.

Through this collaboration, YOKKAO will become the official technical sponsor of MTL, supporting the promotion with its world renowned Muay Thai gear while helping bring greater international exposure and new opportunities for Australian fighters.
The partnership begins in 2026, with the first event expected to be announced soon. The long term vision will fully unfold in 2027, when the calendar will feature eight major events throughout the year, including flagship events presented under the banner “MTL presents YOKKAO.”
These events will also mark the return of YOKKAO events to Australia, reconnecting the brand with one of the most passionate Muay Thai communities in the world.

Building a New Platform for Australian Muay Thai

Australia has long produced elite Muay Thai talent, with fighters respected internationally for their toughness, technical skill and fighting spirit. However, the local scene has often lacked a consistent global platform capable of showcasing these athletes to a wider international audience.
The partnership between YOKKAO and MTL aims to change that.

By combining MTL’s strong presence in the Australian Muay Thai community with YOKKAO’s global network, the collaboration will help create a professional pathway for fighters to gain international recognition.
Selected fighters competing at MTL events will have the opportunity to be invited to compete at the prestigious weekly YOKKAO events held at Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, one of the most historic and iconic venues in Muay Thai.
This initiative will allow Australian fighters to test themselves on the global stage, competing in Thailand against some of the best Muay Thai athletes in the world.

The Return of YOKKAO Events to Australia

The announcement also signals an important milestone with the return of YOKKAO branded events to Australia.
In 2027, two events will be held under the banner “MTL presents YOKKAO”, delivering a premium fight experience and further strengthening the connection between the Australian Muay Thai scene and the global stage.

These events will feature:

• Top Australian fighters
• International matchups
• High level competition
• Global media visibility

With eight events planned for the year, the collaboration will create a consistent and exciting calendar for fans and fighters alike while contributing to the continued growth of Muay Thai in Australia.

Philip Villa, founder of YOKKAO states:
" After the first successful year of YOKKAO events at Rajadamnern Stadium, we are now ready to expand our events worldwide with an innovative format built around collaborations with promotions around the world. MTL has quickly demonstrated a strong commitment to raising the bar and bringing Muay Thai to the global stage in terms of both production quality and fight level. The collaboration between YOKKAO and MTL will create an electrifying experience for fans while offering fighters a platform to reach a global audience."

Nakia Wright, founder of MTL commented:
"I have always made it clear that I believe Muay Thai deserves to be the biggest combat sport in the world. But to make this happen, we must combine high quality fights with modern day media and entertainment. YOKKAO has proven this time and time again with its cutting edge design and consistent efforts to put Muay Thai into the spotlight. I'm beyond grateful to align MTL with YOKKAO as we come together to raise the level of Muay Thai globally and create more opportunities for Australian fighters."

A Shared Vision for the Future

The partnership between YOKKAO and MTL Australia is driven by a shared mission to elevate Muay Thai, support fighters and build a stronger global community for the sport.
Through this collaboration, Australian fighters will gain greater exposure, fans will experience high quality events and the connection between Australia and the heart of Muay Thai in Thailand will grow stronger than ever.
With the first event announcement expected soon, the partnership already signals an exciting new chapter for Muay Thai in Australia and another step forward in YOKKAO’s global commitment to developing the next generation of Muay Thai champions.

About MTL Australia
MTL Australia is a growing Muay Thai promotion committed to showcasing high level competition while pushing the sport forward through modern production and media. With a vision to elevate Muay Thai to a global audience, MTL focuses on delivering exciting fight cards and creating opportunities for fighters to compete on bigger stages. Through its events and partnerships, MTL continues to contribute to the development and recognition of Muay Thai in Australia.

About YOKKAO
Founded in 2010, YOKKAO is one of the world’s leading Muay Thai brands, known for its premium fight gear, apparel and global events. The company produces high quality equipment used by professional fighters and enthusiasts worldwide and organizes weekly Muay Thai events at the legendary Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok. With a strong presence in the international Muay Thai community, YOKKAO continues to support the growth of the sport through events, athlete sponsorships and global collaborations.