Phuket Top Team
Phuket, Chalong (Soi Taied) | Muay Thai • MMA • Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu • Boxing • Wrestling • Strength & Conditioning
Quick Facts
Overview
Phuket Top Team (PTT), established in 2012, is Phuket's premier MMA training facility located on Fitness Street in Chalong. While neighboring Tiger Muay Thai grew into a mega resort, PTT maintained its focus on serious martial arts training with world-class instruction across all disciplines. The gym is particularly renowned for its BJJ program under Professor Olavo Abreu (4-stripe black belt under Carlson Gracie Jr), and Muay Thai from legendary fighters like Lerdsila and Namsaknoi. With 25+ heavy bags, 2 rings, full-size MMA cage, ice bath, and sauna, PTT offers Tiger's facilities without the commercial atmosphere.
What Makes Phuket Top Team Special
- ✓Professor Olavo Abreu - 4-stripe BJJ black belt under Carlson Gracie Jr (consistently praised as exceptional)
- ✓Legendary Muay Thai trainers: Lerdsila, Namsaknoi, Nonsai Sor Sanyakorn
- ✓Full-size MMA cage and professional boxing ring
- ✓25+ heavy bags with extensive equipment
- ✓Ice bath and sauna for recovery
- ✓Serious training atmosphere - less touristy than Tiger
- ✓Strong international fighter community
- ✓On-site accommodation with training packages
History: Founded in 2012 on Soi Taied next to Tiger Muay Thai, Phuket Top Team positioned itself as the serious alternative to Tiger's increasingly commercial operation. PTT attracted world-class instructors including Muay Thai legends and one of Thailand's best BJJ professors. The gym has become the go-to for MMA fighters and serious martial artists in Phuket while maintaining smaller class sizes and team-oriented culture.
Who Trains Here: Serious international students, MMA fighters, BJJ practitioners, and dedicated martial artists. Mix of competitors preparing for fights, long-term students (1-6 months), and committed hobbyists. Strong team atmosphere with less tourist crowd than Tiger. Age range 20-40s, fitness level intermediate to advanced primarily, though beginners welcomed.
Head Trainer & Credentials ⭐
Professor Olavo Abreu
Credentials: 4-stripe Black Belt under Carlson Gracie Jr, Head BJJ Instructor
Specialties:
Notable Students: Numerous international BJJ competitors, MMA fighters training for major promotions
Senior Trainers
Lerdsila
Muay Thai legend, multiple Lumpinee and Rajadamnern Stadium champion
Specialties: Technical Muay Thai, Elusive movement, Creative striking, Fighter IQ
Namsaknoi Yudthagarngamtorn
7x Lumpinee Stadium Champion across 4 weight classes
Specialties: Technical mastery, Clinch work, Championship training, Traditional Muay Thai
Nonsai Sor Sanyakorn
Former stadium champion with 300+ fights
Specialties: Power striking, Pad work excellence, Fighter conditioning, Traditional training
Boxing & MMA Coaches
Experienced Western and Thai coaches
Specialties: Western boxing, Wrestling, MMA integration, Strength & conditioning
Training Programs & Schedule ⭐
Daily Schedule
Morning: 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Muay Thai, BJJ, and conditioning classes
Afternoon: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Afternoon training sessions across all disciplines
Evening: 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Peak hours with full schedule - MT, BJJ, MMA, Boxing
Program Types
Beginner Program
Beginner-friendly but less hand-holding than Tiger. Trainers will adapt to your level in Muay Thai pad work. BJJ has dedicated fundamentals classes. Better for beginners with some athletic background or those ready to be challenged.
Intermediate Program
Ideal sweet spot for PTT. Full integration into all classes, extensive sparring options, serious training partners. Can train 2 sessions daily and mix disciplines. Excellent technical development.
Pro Fighter Program
Elite fighter preparation across MMA, BJJ, and Muay Thai. Competition team training, fight arrangements available, experienced cornering. Multiple active fighters training for ONE Championship, UFC, and other promotions. This is a legitimate fighter development gym.
Class Structure: Mid-size group training (15-25 students typical) ensuring better attention than Tiger while maintaining energy. Muay Thai: traditional format with pad rotation. BJJ: technique instruction, drilling, positional training, free rolling. MMA: integration work with cage strategy. Professional atmosphere with minimal waiting.
Private Training: Available. 600 THB per hour - excellent value for quality of instruction
Special Programs: MMA competition team, BJJ tournament preparation, Muay Thai fight training and arrangements, Strength & conditioning programs, Recovery protocols (ice bath, sauna), Training + accommodation packages (30,000 THB/month)
Price Breakdown ⭐
Drop-in
500 THB single session
Weekly
3,000 THB
Monthly
12,000 THB (unlimited classes)
3-Month Package
30,000 THB
6-Month Package
55,000 THB
What's Included
- ✓Unlimited training across all disciplines
- ✓Access to full MMA cage
- ✓25+ heavy bags and equipment
- ✓Ice bath and sauna access
- ✓Locker facilities
- ✓Drinking water
- ✓Training under world-class instructors
What Costs Extra
- +Accommodation (if not in package)
- +Training + accommodation package: 30,000 THB/month with 2 meals
- +Gloves and equipment (buy or rent)
- +Private training (600 THB/hour)
- +Gi for BJJ classes
- +Fight arrangements and cornering
- +Massage and physiotherapy
Accommodation & Living Options ⭐
On-Site Accommodation
Room Types: Basic rooms for students, Shared and private options
Pricing: Training + accommodation package: 30,000 THB/month (includes morning and evening sessions + 2 meals/day)
Amenities:
Nearby Accommodation
Chalong/Fitness Street has abundant accommodation from budget to mid-range. Many apartments and guesthouses within 5-minute walk. Fighter-friendly landlords understand training schedules.
Price Range: 6,000-15,000 THB/month for studio apartments nearby, 15,000-25,000 THB for nicer one-bedroom condos
Food & Dining Quality ⭐
On-Site Dining
Quality: Basic Thai meals included in accommodation packages
Menu Highlights: Thai rice dishes, Protein-rich meals, Post-training nutrition, 2 meals daily in 30k package
Pricing: Included in accommodation package, or nearby restaurants
Nearby Dining
Fitness Street offers dozens of healthy eating options, Thai restaurants, Western food, meal prep services. Everything within walking distance. Fighter-focused nutrition available.
Price Range: 60-120 THB for Thai meals, 150-300 THB for Western/healthy options, 200-300 THB for meal prep delivery
Healthy Options: Yes, widely available
Location & Nightlife Access
Address: Soi Taied, Chalong, Phuket (next to Tiger Muay Thai)
Beach
10-15 minutes to Chalong Pier, 15-20 minutes to Kata/Karon beaches
Nightlife
15-20 minutes to Rawai restaurants/bars, 25-30 minutes to Patong nightlife
Restaurants
Dozens of restaurants within 5 minute walk on Fitness Street
Transportation
Area Vibe
Fitness Street location - completely focused on training lifestyle. International martial arts community, English everywhere, fighter-friendly environment. Central Phuket position makes beaches accessible but area itself is gym-centric, not touristy or scenic. Good for dedicated training without distractions.
What Reddit Says 💬
Most Mentioned Pros
- ✓Professor Olavo consistently praised as world-class BJJ instructor
- ✓Legendary Muay Thai trainers (Lerdsila, Namsaknoi)
- ✓Serious training atmosphere without Tiger's crowds
- ✓Better trainer-to-student ratio than Tiger
- ✓Strong team community and culture
- ✓Excellent facilities (cage, ice bath, sauna)
- ✓Good value - Tiger quality at lower price
- ✓Professional organization and scheduling
Most Mentioned Cons
- −Can get crowded during peak season (though less than Tiger)
- −BJJ mats reported as slippery during rolling
- −Front desk staff sometimes unfriendly
- −Not near beach or tourist attractions
- −Limited beginner hand-holding compared to Tiger
- −Some reviewers note facility showing age vs. newer gyms
Common Themes
- • Better alternative to Tiger for serious students
- • BJJ program is world-class - Olavo is exceptional
- • Muay Thai trainers are legends but teaching quality varies by individual
- • Strong international community of dedicated martial artists
- • Good balance of quality and price
- • Less commercial atmosphere than Tiger
- • Ideal for MMA training in Phuket
Direct Quotes
"Olavo is by far the best instructor I've ever seen. Worth coming to PTT for the BJJ alone."
"Trained at both Tiger and PTT - PTT has better atmosphere and attention for half the crowds."
"Learning Muay Thai from Lerdsila is incredible. His technical understanding is on another level."
"Great place to train BJJ and Muay Thai together. Average of three black belts on the mat every day with visitors from all over."
"If you want to actually train MMA in Phuket, not just fitness classes, PTT is the spot. Real cage work and serious sparring."
⚠️ Red Flags Mentioned
- • One long review noted issues during COVID and no longer recommends (outdated)
- • Slippery mats during BJJ rolling mentioned multiple times
⭐ Standout Praise
- • Professor Olavo's BJJ instruction
- • Training with Muay Thai legends
- • Serious training atmosphere
- • Better trainer attention than mega gyms
- • Strong community culture
- • Comprehensive MMA program
Last Updated: November 2025
Sources: r/MuayThai, r/Thailand, r/digitalnomad
Best For & Bottom Line
✓ Perfect For
- • MMA fighters wanting comprehensive training
- • BJJ practitioners seeking world-class instruction
- • Serious Muay Thai students wanting legendary trainers
- • Multi-discipline martial artists
- • Students wanting Tiger facilities without crowds
- • Intermediate to advanced practitioners
- • Fighters preparing for competitions
- • Long-term students (1-6 months)
- • Those seeking team-oriented community
✗ Not Ideal For
- • Complete beginners needing lots of hand-holding
- • Tourists wanting beach/resort atmosphere
- • Pure fitness enthusiasts (not fighter-focused)
- • Those wanting brand-name training experience
- • Students needing extensive yoga/wellness programs
- • People uncomfortable with serious sparring culture
- • Those requiring luxury accommodations
Overall Value Assessment
Excellent value. At 12,000 THB/month with training from legends like Lerdsila, Namsaknoi, and Olavo Abreu, PTT offers exceptional value. You're getting world-class instruction across multiple disciplines at Tiger-competitor pricing but with better attention and atmosphere. The 30,000 THB all-inclusive package is competitive and convenient. Private training at 600 THB/hour is outstanding value for instruction quality. For serious martial artists in Phuket, PTT represents possibly the best value-to-quality ratio.