Grapple Asia Interview Ep. 44: Nick Chapman | Making Myanmar's National Sport: Lethwei, Global
Nick's Socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickheadhunter/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nick.h.chapman/Lethwei Fighting Championship: https://www.facebook.com/bkfclethweihttps://www.instagram.com/lethweifightingchampionshipSponsors:Fight Aesthetic is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brand founded in the UK by Malaysian British visionaries of the Gentle Art in 2012. Get 10% OFFCode: GRAPPLEASIAhttps://www.fightaesthetic.asia Soft Spot Açaíhttps://www.instagram.com/softspot.acai/Creontes.comThe memetic lifestyle brand in grappling and performance sports. They create stylish Jiu-Jitsu apparel with a twist of humour. They've got quite the cult community and following. Use the discount code GRAPPLEASIA for 10% on all orders. Give them a follow on instagram at @chiefcreonte.Your one-stop shop for high quality Jiu-Jitsu gear!Bangkok BJJhttps://bkkbjj.comInstagram: BKK.BJJ.ShopRecorded and Edited by Modal Creative Studio: https://www.modalstudio.coOur mission here at Grapple Asia is to show case the hard work Jiujiteros in Asia doing what they love and making an impact through the power of Jiu-Jitsu. ===========================Connect with us! =============================IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/grplasia/IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/grappleasiapod/ FB: ➡︎ https://www.facebook.com/grplasia/===========================Subscribe and Listen to the Grapple Asia Podcast HERE===========================➡︎YT: https://www.youtube.com/@GRPLASIA ➡︎Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/grapple-asia-podcast/id1717848251➡︎Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XC4Ct28MhyxJRHe8dpP0j?si=4893974dfb24499fDescription:Grapple Asia interviews UK MMA pioneer Nick Chapman, a prolific student of both Combat and Business now based in Thailand and working with the Myanmar Sports Federation to make the sport of Lethwei Global.Chapman recounts early influences (judo at five, taekwondo, Bruce Lee and Rocky), discovering early UFC, and training in the UK’s developing MMA scene, including time training with Roger Gracie and GSP. Nick educates us on how he consistently secured major sponsorships by pitching value, and how sports psychology and arousal control shaped his performance and business approach. Chapman stresses MMA is show business: fighters must market themselves, sell tickets, and engage audiences. Nick describes building Fight Science gyms, moving to Thailand, working with Fairtex and One, and pursuing Lethwei after officiating events, including bringing Burmese fighters to Thailand and organizing the Buakaw vs Saenchai bare-knuckle fight. He details efforts to launch a global Lethwei organization with traditional and international rules, we discuss our mutual experiences in Myanmar building a rapport with federation, outlines his disciplined learning routine, and shares advice on self-awareness, discipline, and improving weaknesses.War & Business This is Nick Chapman's Story.Timestamps-----------------------------00:00 Sponsors Shoutouts01:33 Guest Introduction: Nick Chapman02:08 Early Combat Roots03:06 Discovering UFC & MMA04:26 Training & Roger Gracie06:25 Sponsorship Masterclass: Adding Value08:57 Fighter Meets Businessman11:15 Mindset & Combat Sports Psychology14:56 "It's Show Business" - Reality Check21:46 Post Fight Career & Thailand24:06 Why Thailand Won Him Over26:09 Fairtex to One Championship28:59 Finding Lethwei a 2000 year tradition31:41 Burmese Fighters Arrive33:04 Thailand Support Push33:55 Winning Over Federation37:34 Myanmar First Impressions39:06 Making Buakaw vs Saenchai Deal45:42 Yangon: A hope for Love & Unity49:32 International Lethwei Rules55:44 Discipline an&d Study Routine59:17 Gratitude-----------------------------===========================Here are the ways to work with us here at Grapple Asia: ===========================⚡️For Support inquires, or Business inquiries, please email ➡︎ mac@grappleasia.com
