Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA Review (2026): Prices, Coaches, What to Expect
Bang Tao, on Phuket’s quieter northwest coast, is not where most people think to look for authentic muay thai training program — that reputation usually goes to Chalong, home to Tiger Muay Thai. But Bangtao Muay Thai & Mixed Martial Arts has built a genuinely excellent camp here in just a few years, and it has quickly become one of the names that comes up again and again when experienced fighters and coaches talk about where to train in Phuket for all levels of ability.
This review covers what the camp actually offers, what training there costs in 2026, the coaching team’s background, and — as always on this site — an honest read on who it suits and who might be better served elsewhere.
The Short Version
| Location | Cherngtalay, 400m from Bang Tao Beach |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2021, by George and Frank Hickman |
| Disciplines | Muay Thai, MMA, BJJ (gi and no-gi), wrestling, boxing, strength & conditioning |
| Facility size | Over 3,000 square meters, three boxing rings |
| Accommodation | ˿8,500–˿90,000 depending on room and duration (1 week to 3 months) |
| Best for | Serious multi-discipline training, MMA-curious Muay Thai students, intermediate to advanced fighters |
The Backstory: Built by Coaches Who Left Tiger Muay Thai
Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA’s origin story is one of the more interesting in Phuket’s training scene. The gym was founded in 2021 by brothers George and Frank Hickman after they left their coaching positions at Tiger Muay Thai — the island’s largest and most internationally recognized camp — to build something of their own. That background matters: the founders understood exactly what a large international camp does well, and exactly where a newer, more focused facility could improve on it.
What they built reflects that thinking. Rather than replicating Tiger’s scale, Bangtao positioned itself as a serious, multi-discipline premier training facility — Muay Thai alongside genuine MMA, BJJ, and wrestling programs, taught by a coaching team with real professional pedigree rather than a large rotating roster of instructors.
Notable detail: Bangtao’s training partner list includes some serious names in combat sports. UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is a current titleholder associated with the gym, and past training partners have included former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiří Procházka and former UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili. This level of association with active, elite-tier fighters is unusual for a camp of Bangtao’s size and age.
The Coaching Team
The coaching lineup is one of Bangtao’s clearest strengths, and it goes well beyond the two founders.
- George Hickman — Head coach, overseeing Muay Thai and the camp’s overall training philosophy
- Frank Hickman — Wrestling coach, bringing a wrestling-specific program that many Phuket camps simply do not offer at a serious level
- Alex Schild — BJJ coach, a former professional fighter with a strong grappling pedigree
- Andrew Wood — Strength & conditioning coach, running the gym’s fitness and physical preparation programming
Beyond the core team, assistant coaches are active professional fighters who trained directly under the Hickman brothers — meaning the coaching philosophy stays consistent even in classes not taught by the head coaches themselves. For MMA specifically, classes are structured to build skills progressively: striking fundamentals, grappling entries and takedowns, and finally combining both into complete MMA sequences, rather than teaching disciplines in isolation.
The Facility
Bang Tao Muay Thai & MMA occupies a large, purpose-built facility — a collective training area of more than 3,000 square meters, with three full-size boxing rings and numerous sized boxing bags for Muay Thai training. Beyond the Muay Thai area, the gym includes a dedicated BJJ and MMA mat space and a fully equipped strength and conditioning area with rowing machines, exercise bikes, and TRX equipment.
The location itself sits 400 meters from Bang Tao Beach, 500 meters from a 7-Eleven, and around 1,500 meters from Porto de Phuket, the upscale dining and retail development in the area — a genuinely convenient spot on the quieter northwest side of the island, without being isolated. An on-site restaurant, Bangtao Cafe, serves fresh food and snacks catering to different dietary requirements throughout the day, which matters more than it might sound over a multi-week training stay.
Prices and Packages (2026)
Bangtao runs a structured package system rather than simple drop-in pricing, with options built around specific goals and your skill level.
| Package | What it includes | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard training access | Access to all group martial arts classes: MMA, Muay Thai, BJJ, wrestling, and boxing | Anyone wanting broad access to train across disciplines |
| Beginner Package | Gear, structured coaching plan, and a clear path for complete beginners new to Muay Thai | First-timers who want guidance rather than open access |
| MMA Beginner Package | Three private session per week covering striking, grappling, and combining both into live MMA sequences | Beginners specifically wanting MMA, not just Muay Thai |
| Transformation Package | A personalized, all-inclusive plan built around weight loss and fitness goals | Fitness-focused visitors rather than combat sports-focused ones who want fitness instruction |
Accommodation
On-site or camp-affiliated accommodation is available and priced by both room tier and duration, ranging from approximately ˿8,500 for a basic one-week stay up to ˿90,000 for extended, higher-tier three-month stays. This wide range reflects genuinely different accommodation standards — confirm exactly what a quoted price includes before booking.
Gear
Bangtao sells its own Muay Thai gear packages for students who arrive without equipment, priced around ˿7,650 to ˿8,500 depending on promotions running at the time. If you already train at home, bringing your own gloves and wraps will save you this cost — but for anyone arriving without kit, having it available on-site removes a genuine hassle.
Always confirm current prices directly with the camp before booking — package pricing and promotions shift throughout the year.
What Guests Say
Bangtao’s reviews are consistently strong across both Google and TripAdvisor, and the pattern in what guests praise is telling: it is rarely just “good training,” it is specifically the coaching quality and the atmosphere. Reviewers describe Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA as praised for its excellent facilities, expert coaches, and vibrant community, with the coaching consistently called out by name.
One detail worth flagging from real guest feedback: a beginner reviewer noted that while the beginner Muay Thai package was excellent overall, the fundamental BJJ classes were already quite advanced for a total beginner, and there were no real entry-level BJJ classes fitting that level — worth knowing if grappling specifically, rather than Muay Thai or MMA broadly, is your main goal as a first-timer.
Age and experience range in the reviews is genuinely wide. One reviewer in their sixties described two weeks of training at Bangtao as simply “excellent” after having used many training facilities over the years, while multiple reviewers specifically mention returning after trying other Phuket gyms first — a meaningful signal for a camp still relatively new to the island.
How It Compares to Tiger Muay Thai and Sinbi
If you have read our comparison of Tiger Muay Thai and Sinbi Muay Thai, Bangtao sits in an interesting middle position between the two.
| Factor | Tiger Muay Thai | Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA | Sinbi Muay Thai |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scale | Very large, international | Mid-sized, focused | Smaller, traditional |
| Disciplines | Muay Thai, MMA, BJJ, fitness, yoga | Muay Thai, MMA, BJJ, wrestling, boxing, S&C | Muay Thai-focused |
| Location | Chalong (inland) | Bang Tao (beachside, quiet) | Rawai (near Nai Harn) |
| Coaching style | Large team, varies by class | Small elite team, consistent | Traditional Thai, hands-on |
| Best for | Beginners, social atmosphere | Serious multi-discipline training | Technical Muay Thai depth |
If Tiger’s scale feels overwhelming and Sinbi’s Muay Thai-only focus is too narrow for what you want, Bangtao is a genuine third option — particularly for anyone who wants real MMA and wrestling instruction alongside Muay Thai, taught by a small, elite, consistent coaching team rather than whoever happens to be teaching that hour.
Who Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA Suits
- MMA-curious visitors who want genuine cross-training in striking, wrestling, and BJJ rather than Muay Thai with MMA as an afterthought
- Intermediate to advanced fighters who want consistent, high-caliber coaching from a small, focused team
- Anyone staying in the Bang Tao, Cherngtalay, or Surin area who wants a serious camp without traveling across the island to Chalong
- Fitness-focused visitors interested in the Transformation Package rather than combat sports specifically. You can get in the best shape of your life
Who might be better served elsewhere
- Absolute beginners specifically wanting BJJ, where entry-level classes are limited based on guest feedback — Muay Thai and MMA beginner pathways are stronger
- Visitors wanting the widest possible social scene and on-site amenities — Tiger Muay Thai’s larger campus offers more of that
- Those specifically seeking a traditional, old-school Thai gym atmosphere — Sinbi leans further in that direction
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA?
Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA was founded in 2021 by brothers George and Frank Hickman, who previously coached at Tiger Muay Thai before starting their own camp in Bang Tao.
Does Bangtao Muay Thai train any famous former fighters?
The gym is associated with several high-profile fighters, including current UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, along with past training connections to former UFC champions Jiří Procházka and Zhang Weili.
Is Bangtao Muay Thai good for beginners?
Yes for Muay Thai and MMA specifically, where the camp runs structured beginner packages with clear coaching pathways. BJJ is the one area where beginner feedback has been mixed — fundamentals classes have been described as already fairly advanced for a total newcomer to grappling.
How much does training at Bangtao Muay Thai cost?
Pricing is structured by package rather than simple drop-in rates, covering standard group class access, beginner-specific packages, and a fitness-focused Transformation Package. Accommodation separately ranges from approximately ˿8,500 for a basic one-week stay up to ˿90,000 for extended premium stays. Confirm current pricing directly with the camp before booking.
Where is Bangtao Muay Thai located?
The camp is in Cherngtalay on Phuket’s northwest coast, about 400 meters from Bang Tao Beach and close to the Porto de Phuket dining and retail area — a quieter, beachside alternative to the more inland Chalong training hub.
The Bottom Line
Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA has built an authentic experience in a short amount of time. Founded by coaches who understood exactly what makes a Phuket training camp work — and where the gaps were — it has grown into one of the island’s most respected multi-discipline gyms, with a coaching pedigree and fighter associations that punch well above its relatively young age.
If your goal is genuine MMA cross-training, consistent coaching from a small elite team, and a quieter, beachside setting away from Chalong’s bustle, Bangtao deserves a serious look alongside Tiger Muay Thai and Sinbi on your shortlist.
Links:
Muay Thai Camps
Muay Thai Articles
Phuket Planning Guide
