One of the UK’s most decorated Muay Thai fighters, Joe Ryan, has announced his transition to MMA after a glittering career that saw him capture multiple world titles and make history on the sport’s biggest stages.
Still just 20, Ryan is one of the most accomplished fighters of his generation. A former 8x Junior Champion, 5x IFMA Gold Medallist, 2x Rajadamnern Stadium Champion, UK number one, 2x WMO World Champion, WBC World Champion, and ISKA World Champion, Ryan has achieved more before 21 than most fighters manage in a lifetime.
In December 2023, Ryan became the first Englishman to win a Rajadamnern Stadium Title, defeating Thai standout Petchmai — a landmark achievement that cemented his name in the history books.
Now, after reaching the top of the sport, Ryan has confirmed he will be switching his focus to MMA. While he hasn’t formally used the word “retirement,” his gym shared a post on Instagram saying “Having achieved everything he set out to do, it’s time for a new challenge — his MMA journey begins” suggesting his Muay Thai career may be coming to a close.
The Liverpool native’s move into MMA is perfectly timed with the city’s thriving mixed martial arts scene. Liverpool has become a real hotbed for talent in recent years producing notable names like Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett, who himself has had three Muay Thai fights before making waves in the UFC. With such a strong local scene and access to elite-level training, Ryan is well-positioned to develop the grappling side of his game and adapt quickly to the demands of MMA.
Ryan’s move reflects a growing trend of elite Muay Thai fighters stepping into the cage — a shift that, while exciting for MMA fans, is bittersweet for the Muay Thai world as more top-tier strikers trade the ring for the cage. Although no details have been confirmed yet regarding Ryan’s debut, training camp, or promotion, the announcement has already sparked major buzz across both combat sports scenes.
