ONE Championship: How Kulabdam Is Changing Children’s Lives Through Sombunfarm Gym

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Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai's left hand has produced knockout win after knockout win in ONE Championship. And while he's fighting for the betterment of his own life, there's a larger mission at hand for the Thai star.

The 25-year-old's next outing pits him against former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama at ONE Friday Fights 58: Superbon vs. Grigorian II on Saturday, 6 April.

A victory in Bangkok, Thailand's Lumpinee Boxing Stadium would allow him to further build Sombunfarm Gym and help kids in his community through Muay Thai.

"When I was young, I wanted to be a Muay Thai fighter, but I couldn't find any gyms in my area. So I packed soil into fertilizer sacks to make a DIY sandbag. I want to build a gym that meets standards for kids," Kulabdam said.

"In the next five to 10 years, I would like to see representative athletes from my gym competing in the capital, Bangkok. I would be more than happy if I could support those fighters to have the opportunity to compete in ONE and change their lives."

Competing full-time in combat sports sounds like a dream to many. But in Thailand, it's sometimes a necessity. In fact, when they say it's a way of life, it's because for many, it's their only escape.

Kids and teenagers do it not for themselves, but to give their families a better shot at life and a nicer home to live in. For Kulabdam, he's been using each and every fight to build Sombunfarm Gym to help kids find their own path through Muay Thai.

But it has been a solo effort for Kulabdam. That's why each victory and every knockout means a lot. If fighting a Muay Thai legend in Nong-O wasn't enough motivation for him, the compensation and repercussions of triumph are.

"The main problem was lack of funds, so I collected money gradually until I achieved my goal. The bonus money I got from the previous two fights helped a lot," Kulabdam said.

"I have no partner. It's me alone. I can tell you all the money I invest in the gym comes from the money I earn from competing in ONE.

"The most rewarding part is that I can bring the children in my community to learn Muay Thai and take them to compete in local rings, so that they can get fight money to support their families."