THE BULL: MUAY THAI CAN BE FOUND IN HIS GRIP

REPORT BY BREANNA ARMSTRONG. PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY MARTINEZ

William “The Bull” Sriyapai was born on February 5, 1972 in Okinawa Japan. His legendary Muay Thai career and devotion start there.

“I had a broken family. It was just my mom and me. She then met a guy and he was abusive towards me so I was adopted by my friend’s family. We moved to America when I was 6 years old. I became friends with the guys who are now my brothers,” said Sriyapai.

William started Muay Thai when I he was just 8- years -old. “I was getting bullied by this kid named Brian. So I started learning Muay Thai. And, a couple years later, I got my revenge on him. So that was really cool.”

Sriyapai went on to say, “My dad was military so we moved around from base to base.” Sriyapai moved from Florida to Southern California’s Inland Empire, until Willie and his family finally settled down after his father retired where they have been in Southern California ever since.

Willie was the typical California kid. He skated, snow boarded, surfed, rode dirt bikes, BMX bikes and played the drums. But, he made sure to stick with his number one love – Thai boxing.

“I was 11 years old for my first fight. It was in North Hollywood. I remember being pretty damn nervous. One of my trainers gave me a shot of whisky to calm me. It worked because I won,” he remembers.

Since that young age, “The Bull’s” fighting career took off. Sriyapai moved out of his parent’s house at the age of 16 to become a live-in student at the Muay Thai Academy of America. Devoted to learning more, he also spent time with Master Toddy in Las Vegas, Nevada for a short period of time.

The young 'Bull'

“I didn’t get to finish college, because I turned professional at the age of 20. I got married at a very young age, when I was 21. And, divorced shortly after because I was always out of the country trying to make money to support me and my wife,” he said. “The fighting kept me from getting into trouble. I would stay focused and stuck to my game. It was something that I could take my frustrations out on.”

Sriyapai has a Muay Thai record of 220-30. He has been around the world to showcase his mastery of this martial art. “I have taken fights on three hour’s notice. I used to bring all of my gear to a fight. Just in case someone backed out, I would offer to fight. I think that’s another reason why I have so many fights,” he said. He has seen the changes in this sport. Muay Thai has been there through his ups-and- downs.

“I have fought in Thailand a couple times. It’s a lot different of a game than over here in America. They just recently let elbow strikes into this sport in America. Years and years of that quest being denied made everyone great with their knees. But over in Thailand, even their teenagers are using their elbows, and no one comes out severely injured. Yeah, you’re going to get cut sometimes-it’s a given. Now-a-days cage fighting has evolved, and Muay Thai allows elbows,” observed Sriyapai on how the sport of Muay Thai has evolved in America.

One of his proudest moments was “in 2003, I went over to Russia to fight their champion in his home town. I ended up winning. It was a grueling fight.”

Armstrong: What is the most important thing about Muay Thai?

Sriyapai: “Conditioning and the dedication. This sport has been years of punishment on my body.”
He proceeds to show me the scars from years of doing his favorite sport.
“It has made me tough, and it has taught me that I can always defend myself no matter what.”

Armstrong: Who has inspired you the most in your career?

Sriyapai: “My mentor growing up is Manny Rivera. He is the one who got me involved in Aikido. Aikido was an art that I leared to calm me down, cause I was beating everyone up with Muay Thai. I ended up doing that for 5 years and getting my second degree black belt in it.”

Armstrong: What is the lowest moment in your career?

Sriyapai: “I fought Jack Thames in Las Vegas on my birthday. We both hit each other with a spinning back elbow in the third round. I got a pretty nice sized cut near my eye. I thought he was going to get cut, but I was like Niagara Falls and had to get 30 stitches around my eye. After that fight, I was down and disappointed in myself.”

With so much already accomplished in his Muay Thai career, Sriyapai made the transition into Mixed Martial Arts in 1997. Now with a professional MMA record of 12 wins and 5 losses, ‘The Bull’ has become a well-rounded fighter. He has made a successful career in another discipline of martial arts.

“I met my trainers, Betiss and Romie, back in 1997. There were a bunch a guys doing jiu-jitsu. I had no clue what they were doing. They invited me to spar. I got all of my Muay Thai gear on, and we were doing strikes and takedowns. The first guy that I went up against was Javier Vasquez. He shot in on me. I push kicked him so hard in the face. Ever since then, they caught on to my style and worked with me on different angles. So I would train jiu-jitsu but not often, because I didn’t want to get hurt for my Muay Thai fights.”

Shortly after, Terry from King of the Cage made Willy an offer that he couldn’t refuse. Back in October of 1999, “he offered me $1,300 to fight Kip Cope, another Muay Thai guy. I went up against him. He had no clue what I was doing. I kept looking over at Romie and Betiss. They were telling me to choke him. I got him in a rear naked choke and won that way,” he reminisced with a smile.

He started teaching Muay Thai for the gym that his trainers owned, Millennia MMA, based out of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Teaching came natural to him. Soon he was able to pass on his legacy through his students.

“Willy has changed my entire game, especially in stand up. He taught me how to move. He is a really great guy and is willing to help anyone,” said Christian Harvey, a student of Sriyapai’s.

Willie and his student Christian, training at Millennia MMA.

“The most rewarding thing about teaching is what I have learned to make me more successful in my fights. I have taught my students, and they use it to make them more successful. Teaching these younger guys and having them use it, makes me proud,” William said.

Sriyapai’s last fight was back in June at Ultimate Chaos. He still likes to fight, doing it for his fans. “I fight smart. I use my movement well. I use it to my advantage. I fight to not get hurt. I will never quit a fight, even if I’m tired. I have a lot of heart, and I’ll never back down. I have never been knocked out in a fight. Knock on wood,” he added.

He has two children, who are walking in their father’s footsteps as he teaches them one of the most valuable lessons that he has to offer. “The main thing I live by is to support my kids. My son Isaac just turned 10 and my daughter Jaylene just turned 7. I teach them, and they like training. My daughter has one hell of a rear naked choke,” William said.

“The number one thing I will be remembered for is my head kicks. What I do are basic techniques that I accumulated over years and years of training. I want to be known as a humble person, who loves to teach the heart of Muay Thai. I want to be known as a great teacher,” he said.

He is an inspiration to his family, to his students and to those who know him.

William ‘The Bull’ Sriyapai has left his hand print on this sport and continues to do so. Muay Thai can be found in his grip. ‘The Bull’ is back in the ring this Friday, May 21, 2010 as he takes on Halim Issaoui at K-1 World GP in Romania that will be aired on HD NET.