As the sport of mixed martial arts continues to ride a wave of popularity, other combat sports like kickboxing and its close cousin, Muay Thai, have steadily made their mark in the United States. This venerable Thai discipline, long revered in its homeland, has sent ripples across the global fight community. WBC Muay Thai world champion Selina Flores underscored its rising influence when she joined EssentiallySports for an exclusive interview to discuss the sport’s evolution in America.

For decades, boxing reigned supreme in the American combat sports world, leaving little room for mixed martial arts to gain a foothold. The UFC’s early days in Denver highlighted this resistance, as authorities and lawmakers met the fledgling promotion with sharp criticism, even once branding it “human cockfighting.” Yet the tides have turned dramatically. Today, the fight business flourishes, and the landscape has transformed completely, with regulators, athletic commissions, and even former President Donald Trump now woven into the narrative of MMA’s rise.

Selina Flores talks leading the Muay Thai movement in the U.S

Last week, fans filled the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium to witness ONE Fight Night 36, which featured the unification title clash between Jonathan Di Bella and Prajanchai P.K. Saenchaimuaythaigym. Amid all the excitement, American Muay Thai sensation Selina Flores stole the spotlight. After the event, the 27-year-old powerhouse sat down with EssentiallySports’ Andrew Whitelaw for an exclusive interview, where she spoke about the growing Muay Thai scene in the U.S. and her ambitions in ONE Championship.

Whitelaw asked, “Can you talk to us about the US scene? Because America is a giant in most sports, but not in Muay Thai. Are you here to fly the flag and take this forward?” Without missing a beat, Selina Flores responded, “Absolutely,” drawing attention to the sport’s rising presence in America. She emphasized, “I think America is definitely growing,” and she cited major tournaments like FMI and WBC as evidence of the discipline’s expanding footprint.

When discussing her role in this movement, ‘The Teep Queen’ added, “Yeah, I’d love to hold a torch here, and I know there are some other great Americans who fight for ONE, and I’d love to be a part of that. I think I’m something special; I think I have that ‘it’ factor, and I can kind of push Americans upwards and onwards, in my opinion, as well as continue to grow as a fighter and just be the best I can be here.”

According to Tapology, Flores has competed in both Muay Thai and kickboxing. She began her career in kickboxing before transitioning to the “Art of Eight Limbs,” earning recognition in major promotions such as GLORY and ONE Championship. Examining her WBC record, Flores captured the WBC World Title in the super bantamweight division and successfully defended her crown against Barbara Fersan in 2025, cementing her status as one of the sport’s rising stars.

How did ‘The Teep Queen’ enter the world of kickboxing and Muay Thai?

Muay Thai traces its roots back centuries, originally forged as a rigorous form of military training to prepare soldiers for the chaos of the battlefield. Over time, it evolved into a system of self-defense and eventually blossomed into a competitive sport, historically dominated by men. The art grew from humble village contests into the grand stadium competitions of Bangkok, where skill and tradition converged under bright lights and raucous crowds.

With the waves of globalization, Muay Thai leapt beyond Thailand’s borders, captivating audiences worldwide. Its cinematic showcase in Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior ignited the imaginations of young viewers everywhere, turning a local combat tradition into a global fascination. For Selina Flores, however, martial arts never held the same allure. Gymnastics had captivated her, drawn to its elegance and discipline. Yet her father envisioned a path that combined personal growth with practical self-defense. Despite her initial resistance, he enrolled her at a local MMA gym.

“My dad immediately started looking for a gym. He found me a local MMA gym, and they had a Muay Thai program within the gym. So it was boxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, MMA, and then the Muay Thai program,” Flores recalled. “I was crying, kicking, and screaming, telling them that I hated them, both of my parents. They forced me to do it. On the first day, I remember coming home crying, and I told the coaches that I hated it.”

Today, the 27-year-old star has steadily carved her name into the Muay Thai scene, turning early tears into triumphs. The question now looms: can Selina Flores forge her path in Muay Thai with the same tenacity and impact that MMA fighters wield in their careers? Share your thoughts below.