“…Looking at the next challenge” – Savvas Michael.

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Savvas Michael gives us a peek into what it’s like in the head of a 23-year-old Muay Thai star once they get closer to having the golden belt on their waist.

Michael’s about to get vulnerable one more time, drop to the foot of the ladder, and restart his climb to the zenith. He’s about to make the switch to another sport. He believes that this transition is necessary for creating a lasting legacy for himself and his nation.

While Savvas Michael aka The Baby Face Killer is focused on shifting joints, cracking bones, and spilling blood in his ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix semifinal matchup on Friday, August 26,  with Rodtang Jitmuangnon, he’s also looking forward to doing the same at MMA soon.

This isn’t peculiar with the Cypriot striker…

Thai megastar and #2-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Jonathan Haggerty also intends to make a transition to MMA in the future and just as eagles fly with eagles, Michael is moving to the next level with those fighters in his class.

He said:

“I’m 23 now and at the peak of my sport fighting in ONE Championship. I’m fighting the best ones in the world, and they are interested to go to MMA as well. Therefore, I would like to try MMA as well because there are more aspects that you have to develop or think about.”

No doubt, Michael is one of the best Muay fighters born outside of Thai… The Cypriot holds a 44-4 professional record, currently owns the #4-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender’s spot and is both a former WBC and WMC Muay Thai World Champion. He deserves to fly with champions like himself because he has worked hard for the achievements he holds today.

The Baby Face Killer’s got faces to punch off, bones to crack, tooth’s to pull, blood to spill, and fights to win.

Before he makes the jump to another sport, the Petchyindee Academy standout first wants to win the Grand Prix, beat Rodtang for the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship, and then get a few World Title defenses under his belt.

Michael said:

“If I end up winning the title and defending it a few times, I should be looking at the next challenge. I want to keep challenging myself, and MMA will give that to me.”

The champion sculptors — Petchyindee Academy.

In Thailand, fighting it’s more of a job

Five years ago Savvas Michael moved to Bangkok Thailand, and luckily for him, he made one good decision that’s already paying off and promises to pay off forever — That’s joining the Petchyindee Academy.

Michael said:

“There’s a huge difference between training in Thailand and training in Europe. Here, we live and breathe in the gym. We are here six days a week, and there are no coffee breaks to see your friends. Meanwhile, fighters in Europe are a bit looser in terms of discipline.

“In Thailand, it’s more of a job because they have to provide for their families. It’s a different perspective that opened my eyes from a very young age. I have to fight for something, and it’s just made me the fighter that I am now.”

If they say I can do it, why would I not listen to them?

The Baby Face Killer has always possessed a championship mentality, but the world-class gym’s culture quickly broadened his horizons when he relocated to Bangkok, Thailand.

The Petchyindee academy mindset and culture that Michael grasped at an early age is what he has used to climb to the top of Muay Thai. This same mindset and culture are what makes the Cypriot champ prepared for the long-awaited ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix semifinal matchup on Friday, August 26,  with Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon — the flyweight king that hasn’t lost a Muay Thai or kickboxing match in ONE Championship yet.

And more than the mindset and culture tenants, there’s an uncommon support that comes from the teammates at Petchyindee academy. According to The Baby Face Killer, this uncommon support has given him strength and makes him believe he’ll square off out of the ring as champion in his ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix semifinal matchup on Friday, August 26.

Michael said:

“I embraced that mentality wherein I might not survive if I don’t win. Some fighters here have to fight every three weeks.

“It’s a different ballgame in Thailand, and that’s why I’m confident coming into this fight with Rodtang because I’ve lived with these guys and they believe in me. If they say I can do it, why would I not listen to them? They’ve seen me mature and made me feel confident that I am ready for this.”

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