The Greatest Underdog Story in Muay Thai: Yoddecha Sityodtong 

If you've seen the show "Human Weapon," you've seen Yoddecha. Many know him as the famous Muay Thai champion from the legendary Sityodtong camp, but not many know of his incredible story. Coming from an abusive household, Yoddecha Sidyodtong left home when he was 7 years old. Before he would eventually become a Muay Thai champion, Yoddecha had once been enslaved in a child smuggling ring where he was made to peddle food on the streets, and beaten up when the day’s earnings were too little. This went on for 3 years until he eventually escaped. Muay Thai and Sityodtong gym saved his life. But Yoddecha didn’t manage to find his way home until almost 10 years later. By then, his family thought he had died. This is Yoddecha’s harrowing story of how a poor kid who was constantly bullied and beaten eventually triumphed the odds and became a Muay Thai champion. ----------------------------------- This project is part of a documentary series with Human of Fighting. Follow us on Facebook to see more intimate conversations with legends of the sport: facebook.com/HumansOfFighting/ ----------------------------------- Check out my upcoming book Legendary Striking (60 pages free): www.legendarystriking.com If you'd like to see the exclusive tips and additional details, sign up to my mailing list. Website: www.lawrencekenshin.com Patreon: patreon.com/lawrencekenshin Instagram: instagram.com/strikingbreakdowns Facebook: facebook.com/lawrencekenshinbreakdowns First Book: www.strikingtechniques.com Free Saenchai Book: lawrencekenshin.com/saenchai

He's so humble. Every win he talks about, he talks about how lucky he was, instead of saying that he worked hard and stuff. Because this man clearly did work hard.

He was my primary trainer for 2 years back in 2011-12 , really a great guy that always motivated me and absolutely murdered me with the padwork. Always encouraged me. Him and Lamnamoon were my favourite trainers, never missed a session at all for 2 years!

Even he has been through in life so hard, he stay have a soft and gentle heart, he is good guy from inside... wish he succeed w/ opening gym in UK

Hi Lawrence Kenshin, he was my teacher and all I can say he is a humble and caring Kru I have ever meet. Thank u for featuring my Kru 🙏🙏

We'd never be hearing this story were it not for that taxi driver...

What a story. So sad. I have so much respect for him. Such an inspiration.

The rut of the litter becomes a champion. When life push this man to the bottom, he choose to rise to the the top. very inspirational. this made me cry.

Love it. Learning about the story of a man I’d otherwise never hear of.

I am a retired boxer living in istanbul. I remember clearly our coach said to us ' Guys you are semi-pro boxer. So you can beat terrible any one in street, but do not. Be ethical, professional. If you have to; step away form original Thai Fighers (there are many thai and myanmar ppl living here for working) cos they have no mercy, cos life doesn't show them mercy. (Our couach RIP. were lived 8 year in Bangkok)

that's why its was difficult to defeat a thai fighter...they fought for money ...for survival...its not a game for them....imagine if you lose and there's no food for your family...so they can't lose

I've known about his fighting for years, I never knew he had such a heart-wrenching, powerful story. Respect, admiration, inspiration, the only words that come to mind.

If I hear my kids complain about anything, I will have they watch this. His childhood was so unbelievable. The hardship he had to deal with at such a young age is so incredible, and in our society, kids are so spoiled and weakened by over protecting parents that allow them to do anything they damn please. This is a story of a warrior, in some comments I have seem people writing that Hollywood should make a movie, I think it should be a kids book

the moment he and his daughter was traing made me so happy and touched, I love this scene

Man.. These man are tough man. Resilient and massive heart. They don't dwell on what they lack or don't have, only strive for better no matter your circumstances. Thank🙏 you

I was training in Sityodtong camp before Kruu Sityodtong died, whom i had the honor to salute every morning. I think i met this guy there, maybe even trained me one time. Respect

Holy crap! The things some kids have to go through to reach adulthood. Unbelievable. Thank God the universe gave him a happy ending to his story.. An inspiration.

Hollywood should make a movie about him

What a captivating and touching story. What didn't kill you , will make you stronger. It's true.

I know the story is amazing, but why in god's name is this interview not done in his native language?! A missed opportunity.

Props to this man for doing this whole interview in English

I love no matters how ur mom n dad did u wrong . U still repay them for gave u a life. Love respect from San Diego CA US A

Training in Thailand for the first time and I cannot put in words how full my heart is... Incredible videos, inspiring and ful of the true essence of the Thai culture and braveness keep it up!

If this man opens a gym in the UK I will drive to it!!! It may be hours away but I would love to train under him, at least for just a few times. Could you please keep your Cham updated if this ever happens. Thanks for another outstanding video! Cheers mate.

Thank you for sharing his story to me. I am inspired. He had a rough childhood to say the least but a beautiful family now. We cannot underestimate what a little help and kindness can do for those that need it the most.

What an incredible story... Wow. Christmas time is always tough for me and I worry about the things I dont have in life and the things I have failed to achieve even tho I was given opportunities, I wasted them and let my life go off track. Hearing about tough situations like theses makes you realize how good you have actually had it.

Beautiful story, actually brought a tear to my eye. Such a down to earth person he is. Amazing story

Despite what he's been through, he can still be so gentle and calm. I guess he embodies what it is to be a true warrior.. I'm sure he makes an awesome dad BTW did anyone notice the Christmas Carol towards the end of the video? 🎄😂😂

youtube recommended me this video I don't know why but glad I clicked, thanks for sharing such an inspirational story

It's inspiring to learn the human side of these fighters and their struggles in life. Thank you.

Yoddecha I'm very appreciative of You for sharing your story... True Warrior of the highest degree much respect

He seems like such an honest genuine guy! I'm delighted for him that his life turned out good!

Now this is what I'm talking about! Keep up the good work, Mr Kenshin! Top tier quality content. Came back from a 12 hour night shift and saw this so I delayed my sleep.

When he says “HAPPY” and outs his hand over his heart, you can feel his happiness.

He seems like such a nice person. I can't imagine the amount of pain and fear he had in his heart. No kid deserves to be treated like that. Where I'm from of the neighborhood knew what was going on they would've stepped in and took care of his dad. Whatever that might need to be. That's crazy

I am in Singapore right now, I want to meet thia guy. But his no longer here. I respect and like people who have gone through hardship and able to overcome it.

Behind every champion there is a overcoming in their life, an inspiration to always go forward no matter what life tuf can be!

Excellent series. I look forward to more content like this. Puts a warm smile on my face as a fellow martial artist.

I spent three weeks at a Thai farm in rural Thailand last year. Hardest practitioners I've met in 40 years of combat sport. Also the nicest, humblest and most wonderful.

If you think you're having a bad day, watch this video. Dude's a LEGEND in Muay Thai....

This interview was amazing to watch. Hollywood could make a movie about him. Its really film worthy.

That was really moving. I'm glad he found happiness in his life. Thank you for posting.

He is true warrior true fighter! He is my new fav now.

Such a gentle soul despite what he went through. What a legend!

Mistreated by parents and kicked out but comes back an adult, takes care of them and even builds them a home. Is he not a God?

I WAS LITERALLY THINKING OF GOING TO SLEEP BUT YOU UPLOADED A VIDEO SO I DECIDED TO STAY AWAKE ;D

Powerful and moving - big thanks for this! I really appreciated both Yoddecha's English skills and the subtitles provided, I think the combination of the two made for a very authentic presentation of the story.

Wow, what a 'Hard Life' story. We need to see of more of these champions originals story. It's the stuff of great biography movies.

I had an absolutely horrendous childhood at times, like stuff that when I tell people jaws tend to drop. However, there were also plenty of great stuff as well, this guy didn't even have that. One tough dude right here.

This was an extremely heart warming story to watch, he is clearly a very genuine guy.

Thank you,Lawrence,for helping this guys tell their story.This will be invaluable for up and coming fighters,and not just fighters,this is a great inspiration every young guy who is going trough the troubles of life.Thank you.

First World Fighters: "I came all the way from the bottom!" Yoddecha: ... ... Yoddecha: "then y u no kill?"

You never cease to amaze us, Kenshin. Thank you for inspiring us. God bless and protect you and your family.

When he said he's mom was tired and she had no home I felt his sadness he really loves her mom and wife and daughter 😭♥️♥️♥️♥️

I’ve got a huge amount of respect for this man and many other Thai fighters who had such a hard upbringing, but remain so humble and genuine when they reach the top. I wish him good luck for the future, because he really deserves it.

Just when I think you cannot surpass your amazing videos you pull if off Lawrence! What an amazing story, so glad you made this video!

Woke up First video I clicked on Truly a amazing story If you can get that hunger and drive to help others ....the universe will reward you . For this amazing person he got rewarded with a family and a daughter to call his own 🙏.

I love how many times he had to stop and start the journey to muay thai champion, I think it sheds light on the journey to pursue something meaningful, how it's filled with so many obstacles

So inspirational story and lots of respect for all Thai warriors. Yoddecha's word "Kill" means so many things.

What an amazing story, thank you for featuring and sharing with us. 🙏🏼💙😌

This is more than a RU-vid channel, it's a encyclopedia of the striking world. Thank you for introcing me to my heroes!!

This is hands down your highest quality of work thus far! You and your content are a true boon to the world, thank you for taking the time to do this.

Muay Thai and Martial Arts build character, strength and wisdom.

He won matches and just kept saying 'lucky'. Eventough we know it was not just luck, it tooks everything he got. What a man. Respect!

I can remember him being at Evolve seeing his name up as a coach there with Rafael Lima I think? Wow you would never guess he was a street kid who left home at 7 my kid's can't even tie their laces at that age.. A sad and humbleing tale....and he's happy and smiling now after such a shitty start to life.

This is a wonderful upload. Thank you.

Such a heart warming story

You are a true warrior who's overcome all that life has thrown at you. You are a inspiration to all of humanity. God bless you and your family 💪🙏

This guy has a beautiful right high kick, a lit of snap. Beautiful to see his teacher imprint how to throw it and him later scoring high level knockouts with it.

He is such an amazing kind hearted man! I train with him and he is so kind and I am being great full he is teaching what saved him to me 💘

Love these interviews, I teared up on this one 😂!

Someone has to make a film on this story. Kind now.

this is the story every jacky chan or jet li fan is dreaming of. he learned a lot, but has a lot to work on. he lives a dream. god bless him

Hard times create strong men.... And boy did he go thru some epic hard times. Thanks for making this vid lawrence 😎🙏🙏

wow what an inspiring story

so sad , i am so sorry for your childhood . i am happy you have a good life now . gretings from the netherlands .

Awesome respect for Thai people,very resilient,strong,kind with massive hearts of GOLD.

I usually watch LK breakdowns for techniques and deeper understanding behind the reason and origin of training. This is by far the most beautiful martial arts story ever. Please get commissioned for a movie. At no point was the slo-mo or music off putting or made me want to skip ahead, all perfectly timed and placed.

What an absolute legend, both as a nak muay, and as a human being...... I was unaware of this exponent of the Thai arts, and have nought but the utmost respect for him. I wish to thank Lawrence Kenshin for bringing this Thai fighter to my awareness, and I will look into his career in the ring much more from here. Max respect, Yoddechai Sidyodtong.

Great . I loved this but i still cannot understand some parts like the story he talked about the taxi and him running etc even with the captions I find it hard to understand whats happening. But for most part I got that hes very humble and training hard and turned into a nice life for him with doors opening thanks to him requesting his kru to allow him to fight at lumpinee. Im so happy all that hard life of uncertainty and no family around turned to happiness. finding his mother caring and providing for her and having his own family and own gym in uk

RESPECT for Yoddecha Sityodtong

good luck my brother, God bless you and your family.

Awesome. All the best for him and his family

Very inspiring story. A testament to the human spirit of survival.

Fantastic story. Brought me to tears

This man's life deserves a movie

I don't watch fights, let alone 24 minutes videos. I watched this one.

He is a hungry boxer and a nice person fighting for family. I like him.

You can't hate this guy...Every times he win,he say's he's lucky something rarely heard coming out from the mouth of other winners or fighters

He is a real life & brave hard hero who steps up from many serious problems along the time.

I am proud of you very much. You are very inspiring to our society. LOVE FROM NEPAL.

Sawadikap muaythai boxer's Thailand the legend so long time I'm wasn't seen thanks Lauren for show up this video story of the best fighter from Thailand love you brother, sawadikap 🙏 kap kun from Malaysia 🇲🇾 army special forces komandos, the legend not die god bless you Master 🙏

Very humble as usual for Thai fighters

Super Interview! Yoddecha, great job taking care of all of your family. You Earned everything with your skills as a Fighter, Trainer, and a Super Buisness man with a strong Mind and a Wonderful Woman by your side.

God bless him. Just beautiful

I got different perspective of "lucky" from this video. Change my mindset for the future. Thank you

So powerful story. Respect ka.

Incredible story, indeed motivating. Thanks Lawrence Kenshin for the upload ! 👍

Awesome watch, and best of luck to him with his future gym endeavors!

That was just awesome. Thank you for bringing that to us Mr Kenshin.