Thai fighters have been training since they were very, very young. And on top of that, you couldn't contact your friends and family while you were there.

Did you go through any periods where you doubted the path you chose?

It was probably after my first fight with Orono. I had to get 21 stitches above my eyebrow. That was very painful. He must have gone through a nerve ending.

The very first time that I fought, I was seventeen years old and a Thai knocked me out in 30 seconds. I developed a fear of fighting Thais for about two years.

Then I got the opportunity to move to Thailand. So when it came time to fight my next Thai, it was a bit daunting. Also, it was my first fight that I was allowed to throw elbows. Just before I got into the ring, one of the Thai gamblers came up to me and said that if I win by elbows, he'd give me a tip of 1500 Baht. I threw non-stop elbows for four rounds until I knocked him out.

Sure enough, the gentleman came up and gave me my 1500 baht. And that got me over my fear of fighting Thais with elbows.

I then went on to win my next nine fights in Thailand, which helped catapult me to the top five in Lumpinee stadium. [Note: Lumpinee stadium is one of the most, if not the most, prestigious stadiums in Thailand].

Did you ever want to leave Thailand?

It crossed my mind, but fighting became such a way of life.

I'd hate training because it was so gruelling. Then I'd have a fight and win. I'd be on TV and in the magazines. I would get recognized. So that would make me excited to fight, but as soon as training camp started, I'd start hating it again. It was just this evil cycle that I couldn't get off of.

Who's Richard Vell?

Richard Vell is like a father figure to me. He accepted me into his family.