Yokkao

YOKKAO
Company typePrivate
IndustryMuay Thai, Kickboxing Brand
Founded1 January 2010 (2010-01-01) in Bangkok, Thailand
HeadquartersBang Sao Thong District, ,
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
ProductsBoxing equipment, sporting equipment, clothing, accessories
ServicesManufacturer, Muay Thai Events, fighter management
Websiteyokkao.com

Yokkao Boxing is a Muay Thai brand headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand.[2][1]

The name "Yokkao," derived from the Thai word for "white jade,"[3] stands for "strength and connections".[4]

History

YOKKAO was founded in Bangkok on 1 January 2010 by Philip Villa.[5] The company initially produced Muay Thai shorts and training equipment. In February 2011, the company established the YOKKAO Fight Team, a sponsorship program for Muay Thai fighters around the world. Early members included Buakaw Banchamek, Yoddecha Sityodtong, Jordan Watson, Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee, Saenchai P.K. Saenchai, Dzhabar Askerov, Cedric Muller and Liam Harrison.[6] YOKKAO also collaborated with established training camps, including Sityodtong Gym, 13 Coins and Pro Pramuk Gym.[7]

In November 2011, YOKKAO began promoting fight events. Its first major international event, YOKKAO Extreme, was held on 21 January 2012 at the Forum di Assago in Milan, Italy.[8][9]

On 11 October 2014, YOKKAO introduced championship titles at events YOKKAO 10 and YOKKAO 11 in the 65 kg and 70 kg weight classes. Pakorn won the 65 kg title by defeating Greg Wootton, while Jordan Watson won the 70 kg title by knockout against Mickael Piscitello.[10]

YOKKAO has held fight events in multiple countries, including Italy, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, China, Argentina, Australia, Mexico, and Thailand.[11][12][13][14][15]

The company signed more fighters into its team over the years including Singdam Kiatmoo9, Pakorn P.K. Saenchai Muaythaigym, Tetsuya Yamato, Manachai, Yodchai, Petpanomrung Kiatmuu9, and Superlek Kiatmuu9.[16]

On 1 January 2019, the company introduced an updated logo design.[17]

In November 2020, YOKKAO founder, Philip Villa announced over social media the signing of Rodtang Jitmuangnon, Nuenglanlek Jitmuangnon and Sakaengam Jitmuangnon under a 3-year sponsorship deal.[18]

In February 2021, YOKKAO signed female Muay Thai champions Duangdawnoi Looksaikongdin and Aida Looksaikongdin as well as transgender fighter, Nong Rose Baan Charoensuk.[19]

In 2021, YOKKAO debuted a streetwear collection at Milan Fashion Week, presenting its first full apparel range alongside other international brands; fashion media cited the collection as an example of a combat-sports label expanding into lifestyle and streetwear.[20][21]

In 2023, YOKKAO announced the launch of its MMA division and a partnership with American Top Team.[22]

In 2024, YOKKAO announced a broadcasting partnership with New Power Group, covering more than 50 Muay Thai events from Rajadamnern Stadium for 2025,[23] as well as a collaboration with musician Wiz Khalifa.[24]

In late 2025, the company entered a partnership with Mexico Fight League (MFL), becoming the official gear and apparel provider.[25]

In January 2026, YOKKAO was reported to have more than 45 million monthly video views across its social media channels, with over 500 million yearly views.[26]

Business model

YOKKAO operates a vertically integrated business model combining manufacturing, direct-to-consumer sales, wholesale distribution, athlete sponsorship, training facilities, and event promotion.[27][28]

The company manufactures its products at its production facility in Samut Prakan, Thailand.[29] Finished goods are sold primarily through its e-commerce platforms and distributed via warehouses in Asia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe.[30]

In addition to product sales, YOKKAO operates and licenses training facilities. The company runs official YOKKAO Training Centers in Thailand[31][32] and maintains a network of affiliated gyms through partnerships with local operators. These affiliated locations operate in countries including Australia, Canada, Argentina, the United Kingdom, the Republic of San Marino, Croatia, Bahrain, Hong Kong, China, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand.[29]

YOKKAO also generates revenue through the promotion of combat sports events,[33] athlete sponsorship agreements,[18] and the organization of training seminars and workshops aimed at international practitioners of Muay Thai.[34]

Past events

# Event Date Venue Location
YOKKAO - New Power Group Every Wednesday (ongoing) Rajadamnern Stadium Bangkok, Thailand
156–164 YOKKAO - New Power Group JanuaryMarch 2026 (9 events) Rajadamnern Stadium Bangkok, Thailand
105–155 YOKKAO - New Power Group JanuaryDecember 2025 (51 events) Rajadamnern Stadium Bangkok, Thailand
90–104 YOKKAO - New Power Group 4 September15 December 2024 (15 events) Rajadamnern Stadium Bangkok, Thailand
89 YOKKAO 50 8 August 2021 University of Bolton Stadium Bolton, England
88 YOKKAO 49 8 August 2021 University of Bolton Stadium Bolton, England
87 YOKKAO in da Club 25 October 2020 The Big Club Turin, Italy
86 YOKKAO 48 7 March 2020 University of Bolton Stadium Bolton, England
85 YOKKAO 47 7 March 2020 University of Bolton Stadium Bolton, England
84 YOKKAO Next Generation & Kids 7 March 2020 University of Bolton Stadium Bolton, England
83 YOKKAO 46 25 January 2020 PalaRuffini Turin, Italy
82 YOKKAO 45 25 January 2020 PalaRuffini Turin, Italy
81 YOKKAO Next Generation 25 January 2020 PalaRuffini Turin, Italy
80 YOKKAO Kids 25 January 2020 PalaRuffini Turin, Italy
79 YOKKAO Fight Night 30 November 2019 Via Caselle Bologna, Italy
78 YOKKAO Kids 30 November 2019 Palasport di Sant'Agnello Naples, Italy
77 YOKKAO 44 26 October 2019 University of Bolton Stadium Bolton, England
76 YOKKAO 43 26 October 2019 University of Bolton Stadium Bolton, England
75 YOKKAO 42 27 July 2019 National Basketball Arena Dublin, Ireland
74 YOKKAO 41 27 July 2019 National Basketball Arena Dublin, Ireland
72 YOKKAO 40 25 May 2019 Australian Technology Park Sydney, Australia
71 YOKKAO 39 25 May 2019 Australian Technology Park Sydney, Australia
70 YOKKAO Next Generation Phuket 3 April 2019 Bangla Boxing Stadium Phuket, Thailand
69 YOKKAO 38 23 March 2019 University of Bolton Stadium Bolton, England
68 YOKKAO 37 23 March 2019 University of Bolton Stadium Bolton, England
67 YOKKAO Next Generation Kids 27 January 2019 PalaRuffini Turin, Italy
66 YOKKAO 36 26 January 2019 PalaRuffini Turin, Italy
65 YOKKAO 35 26 January 2019 PalaRuffini Turin, Italy
64 YOKKAO Next Generation Phuket 23 December 2018 Bangla Boxing Stadium Phuket, Thailand
63 YOKKAO Next Generation Kids 16 December 2018 Turin Turin, Italy
62 YOKKAO Next Generation 16 December 2018 Turin Turin, Italy
61 YOKKAO Next Generation 1 December 2018 Bologna Bologna, Italy
60 YOKKAO 34 29 October 2018 Hong Kong Hong Kong, China
59 YOKKAO 33 29 October 2018 Hong Kong Hong Kong, China
58 YOKKAO 32 13 October 2018 University of Bolton Stadium Bolton, England
57 YOKKAO 31 13 October 2018[35] University of Bolton Stadium Bolton, England
56 YOKKAO Next Generation Phuket 30 September 2018 Bangla Boxing Stadium Phuket, Thailand
55 YOKKAO Next Generation Scotland 22 September 2018 On-X Linwood Sports Centre Paisley, Scotland
54 YOKKAO Next Generation Kids 21 July 2018 Barnsley Metrodome Barnsley, England
53 YOKKAO Next Generation Sydney 26 May 2018 Marrickville Town Hall Sydney, Australia
52 YOKKAO Next Generation Kids 26 May 2018 Barnsley Metrodome Barnsley, England
51 YOKKAO Next Generation Southampton 29 April 2018 Oceana Southampton Southampton, England
50 YOKKAO UK Open 2018 14 April 2018 Barnsley Metrodome Barnsley, England
49 YOKKAO Next Generation Kids 31 March 2018 Grangemouth Sports Complex Paisley, Scotland
48 YOKKAO 30 10 March 2018 Macron Stadium Bolton, England
47 YOKKAO 29 10 March 2018 Macron Stadium Bolton, England
46 YOKKAO Next Generation Scotland 28 February 2018 On-X Linwood Sports Centre Paisley, Scotland
45 YOKKAO Next Generation Kids 10 February 2018 Barnsley Metrodome Barnsley, England
44 YOKKAO Next Generation Kids 26 November 2017 Barnsley Metrodome Barnsley, England
43 YOKKAO 28 15 October 2017 Macron Stadium Bolton, England
42 YOKKAO 27 15 October 2017 Macron Stadium Bolton, England
41 YOKKAO 26 28 September 2017 Hong Kong Hong Kong, China
40 YOKKAO 25 28 September 2017 Hong Kong Hong Kong, China
39 YOKKAO 24 25 March 2017 Macron Stadium Bolton, England
38 YOKKAO 23 25 March 2017 Macron Stadium Bolton, England
37 YOKKAO 22 28 October 2016 Hong Kong Hong Kong, China
36 YOKKAO 21 28 October 2016 Hong Kong Hong Kong, China
35 YOKKAO 20 8 October 2016 Macron Stadium Bolton, England
34 YOKKAO 19 8 October 2016 Macron Stadium Bolton, England
33 YOKKAO Next Generation UK 8 October 2016 Macron Stadium Bolton, England
32 YOKKAO Next Generation Thailand 16 September 2016 Sisaket Boxing Stadium Sisaket, Thailand
31 YOKKAO Next Generation Uruguay 16 November 2016 Colegio San Juan Bautista Montevideo, Uruguay
30 YOKKAO Next Generation Mexico 24 September 2016 Arena Xalapa Xalapa, Mexico
29 YOKKAO Next Generation Melbourne 27 August 2016 Meat Market Melbourne, Australia
28 YOKKAO Next Generation Thailand 29 July 2016 BIG C Surin Surin, Thailand
27 YOKKAO Next Generation Thailand 31 May 2016 Khorat Yamo Khorat, Thailand
26 YOKKAO Next Generation Mexico 27 May 2016 Arena Xalapa Xalapa, Mexico
25 YOKKAO Next Generation Sydney 21 May 2016 Srg YOKKAO Training Center Sydney, Australia
24 YOKKAO Next Generation Thailand 30 March 2016 MBK Bangkok, Thailand
23 YOKKAO Next Generation Thailand 23 March 2016 MBK Bangkok, Thailand
22 YOKKAO Next Generation Thailand 22 March 2016 MBK Bangkok, Thailand
21 YOKKAO 18 19 March 2016 Macron Stadium Bolton, England
20 YOKKAO 17 19 March 2016 Macron Stadium Bolton, England
19 YOKKAO Next Generation UK 19 March 2016 Macron Stadium Bolton, England
18 YOKKAO Next Generation Thailand 17 March 2016 MBK Bangkok, Thailand
17 YOKKAO Next Generation Thailand 9 March 2016 MBK Bangkok, Thailand
16 YOKKAO 16 13 November 2015 Metropolitano Rosario, Argentina
15 YOKKAO 15 10 October 2015 Macron Stadium Bolton, England
14 YOKKAO 14 10 October 2015 Macron Stadium Bolton, England
13 YOKKAO 13 21 March 2015 Macron Stadium Bolton, England
12 YOKKAO 12 21 March 2015 Macron Stadium Bolton, England
11 YOKKAO 11 11 October 2014 Reebok Stadium Bolton, England
10 YOKKAO 10 11 October 2014 Reebok Stadium Bolton, England
9 YOKKAO 9 24 May 2014 Xinyang Football Stadium Xinyang, China
8 YOKKAO 8 29 January 2014 Macron Stadium Bolton, England
7 YOKKAO 7 19 February 2014 Pattaya World Boxing Stadium Pattaya, Thailand
6 YOKKAO 6 3 January 2014 Pattaya World Boxing Stadium Pattaya, Thailand
5 YOKKAO 5 15 November 2013 Pattaya World Boxing Stadium Pattaya, Thailand
4 YOKKAO EXTREME 2013 26 January 2013 Forum d'Assago Milan, Italy
3 Muay Thai Combat Mania 30 December 2013 Pattaya World Boxing Stadium Pattaya, Thailand
2 Muay Thai Combat Mania 14 July 2012 Piazza S. Martino Riccione, Italy
1 YOKKAO EXTREME 21 January 2012 Forum d'Assago Milan, Italy

Champions

Diamond champions

Weight Champion Since
66 kg Saenchai 25 January 2020

World champions

Current champions

Weight Champion Since Title defenses
- - - -
- - - -

-65kg

# Date Champion Event Venue Notes
5 15 October 2017 Liam Harrison YOKKAO 27 Macron Stadium defeated Kevin Burmester in title defense (round 2 KO by leg kick)
4 25 March 2017 Liam Harrison YOKKAO 24 Macron Stadium defeated Rayan Mekki in title defense (round 3 TKO by ref. stoppage)
3 19 March 2016 Liam Harrison YOKKAO 17 Macron Stadium defeated Tetsuya Yamato over vacant title (previous title holder Pakorn lost the belt after 3 straight losses) (split decision)
2 21 March 2015 Pakorn PKSaenchaimuaythaigym YOKKAO 13 Macron Stadium defeated Liam Harrison in title defense (unanimous decision)
1 11 October 2014 Pakorn PKSaenchaimuaythaigym YOKKAO 11 Macron Stadium defeated Greg Wootton to be crowned inaugural YOKKAO world champion (unanimous decision)

-70kg

# Date Champion Event Venue Notes
5 15 October 2017 Jordan Watson YOKKAO 28 Macron Stadium defeated Pongsiri PKSaenchaimuaythaigym in title defense (round 2 KO by head kick)
4 25 March 2017 Jordan Watson YOKKAO 23 Macron Stadium defeated Sorgraw Petchyindee in title defense (unanimous decision)
3 19 March 2016 Jordan Watson YOKKAO 18 Macron Stadium defeated Sanny Dahlbeck to regain title (unanimous decision)
2 21 March 2015 Sanny Dahlbeck YOKKAO 12 Macron Stadium defeated Jordan Watson to be crowned new YOKKAO World champion (round 4 TKO by 3 knockdowns)
1 11 October 2014 Jordan Watson YOKKAO 10 Macron Stadium defeated Mickaël Piscitello to be crowned inaugural YOKKAO world champion (round 3 TKO leg injury)

Training center

YOKKAO Training Center Bangkok is the official YOKKAO gym located in the downtown of Bangkok, Thailand. It was opened in 2016 when it became the home and training camp of the YOKKAO Thailand Fight Team. The gym is also opened to the public for training.[36]

YOKKAO Training Center Bangkok has hosted professional fighters and celebrities for Muay Thai training including UK Muay Thai fighter, Liam Harrison, Joe Jonas and Cole Whittle of American pop band DNCE,[37] and fashion model Mia Kang.

Fight team

Agency fighters

Notable alumni

See also

References

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  2. ^ "Muay Thai looks to the future". MSN.
  3. ^ Bakian, Written in Partnership with Amir (21 December 2022). "YOKKAO: Philip Villa and the Blueprint for Muay Thai Success". The Village Voice. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
  4. ^ "About us". Yokkao. Yokkao USA. Retrieved 12 February 2026.
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  6. ^ "Yokkao Extreme". Muaythaitv. Archived from the original on 4 May 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
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  9. ^ "YOKKAO EXTREME - Muay Thai - 2012 FORUM ASSAGO MILANO - 21 Gennaio". www.k1rules.com. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  10. ^ Reid, Roberto (28 October 2014). "Yokkao 10 & 11 highlights: the Power of a Dream! - MMA Plus". MMA Plus. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
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  13. ^ Aripez, Steven (27 August 2015). "Yokkao 16 set for Argentina on November 13th". Muay Thai Authority. Archived from the original on 5 May 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
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  18. ^ a b "Rodtang Jitmuangnon Signs Sponsorship Deal With YOKKAO". Fight Record. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  19. ^ "Philip Villa Signs Transgender Fighter Nong Rose to Yokkao Fight Team". LA Progressive. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
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  24. ^ Pengpis, Pongsakorn (23 November 2024). "Wiz Khalifa บุกซ้อม 'มวยไทย' ถึงภูเก็ต ยกเป็นประสบการณ์ระดับ 10 เต็ม 10". THE STANDARD (in Thai). Retrieved 12 February 2026.
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  33. ^ "Yokkao and Stefania Picelli sign a multi-year contract with Supershowdown to held Yokkao events in UK!". Muay Thai Combat. 21 March 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
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  35. ^ "Joe Craven vs. Jake Purdy set for Yokkao's October event - Fight Record". Fight Record. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
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  37. ^ "DNCE Joe Jonas and Cole Whittle meet YOKKAO Team in Bangkok!". YOKKAO. 30 November 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2020.