Camp Location: Pai, Thailand (near Chang Mai) and Naklua, Thailand (near Bangkok)
Michael Katsidis is a fighter who marches to the beat of his own training drum. While it is not uncommon for fighters to isolate themselves during training, Katsidis takes this to another level as he trains in Thailand and travels over 3,600 miles from his native Towoomba, Australia for camp. For over seven years, Katsidis has called Thailand his pre-fight home as his team owns and operates three private training locations in the country.
Katsidis enjoys the simple, humble lifestyle that Thailand offers. He does not rely on state-of-the-art training equipment, but rather the bare necessities.
“I would say our camps are very ‘old school,'” said Katsidis. “In order to make it through, you have to be hungry. I leave little room for luxuries to distract me from my goals. During down time, I like to read or watch movies to relax my mind, but I mostly rest in preparation for the next day’s work.”
Katsidis’ trainer/manager Brendon Smith has been with the Australian warrior since he was 11 years old and works closely with Katsidis to oversee their three training facilities. With training times varying as they move from location to location, there is not usually a regimented training schedule.
“If it’s not broken, we don’t fix it,” continued Katsidis. “We have had really great camps here and I am learning from each one. There aren’t any major adjustments from camp-to-camp. The one difference this time is that I am fighting a southpaw and there are adjustments to be made there, but otherwise, everything is standard practice.”
