STRIKING 101HOUSE OF CHAMPIONSSTRIKING 101 · HOUSE OF CHAMPIONS
World champions. Pioneers. Teachers.
Meet the martial artists who have visited our academies.
Friends, teachers and collaborators of our founder, Sensei Jonathan Paul Ruiz—connected through Striking 101, Super Seminars World Series, World Kickboxing Series and martial arts media.
Two-time K-1 World MAX champion
A Dutch kickboxing great who won K-1 World MAX in 2005 and 2007. His combination work and tournament success made him a defining figure in modern kickboxing.
Friend and seminar collaborator at Striking 101 H.Q. and around the world.
Jonathan’s World Kickboxing Series partner and Super Seminars World Series co-founder.
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Six-time Lumpinee Stadium champion
A Muay Thai icon whose six Lumpinee Stadium titles and extraordinary creativity earned worldwide recognition. His feints, balance and ability to outmaneuver opponents have inspired generations.
Friend and seminar collaborator at Striking 101 H.Q. and around the world.
According to Sensei Jonathan Paul Ruiz, he brought Saenchai to the United States for the first time and worked with YOKKAO to organize its U.S. tour, bringing together academy owners from his nationwide network.
YOKKAO’s New York seminar announcement
Muay Thai world champion
The “Hitman” is one of Britain’s best-known Muay Thai fighters. World titles, more than 100 bouts and an aggressive pressure style established his international reputation.
Friend and seminar collaborator at Striking 101 H.Q. and around the world.
Shared footage from a New York Super Seminars session and tagged Jonathan directly.
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UFC Hall of Fame pioneer
A former UFC heavyweight champion, Pancrase great and UFC Hall of Fame inductee. “El Guapo” helped shape early mixed martial arts and became a respected analyst and teacher.
Friend and seminar collaborator at Striking 101 H.Q. and around the world.
Featured in the New York Super Seminar lineup and a Striking 101 online seminar discussing MMA history.
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European Muay Thai champion
A French Muay Thai great and three-time European champion who built his reputation against elite opposition in Thailand. He also appeared as a Muay Thai coach on The Ultimate Fighter.
Friend and seminar collaborator at Striking 101 H.Q. and around the world.
Featured in Striking 101 academy footage and a documentary listed by filmmaker Taison Okai.
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Former two-division ONE MMA world champion
Myanmar-born “The Burmese Python” held ONE’s Middleweight and Light Heavyweight MMA world titles. He became Myanmar’s first MMA world champion in 2017 and added his second division’s title in 2018.
A good friend of Sensei Jonathan Paul Ruiz, Aung La N Sang has taught alongside him through Super Seminars World Series and supported his work with World Kickboxing Series.
ONE world champion in two sports
“The Immortal” has captured ONE lightweight world titles in both kickboxing and Muay Thai. The Surinamese-Dutch striker is known for disciplined pressure and sustained championship-level performances.
Friend and seminar collaborator at Striking 101 H.Q. and around the world.
Announced as World Kickboxing Series’ South America team captain; has led seminars and trained at Striking 101.
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K-1 lightweight champion
A Kyokushin world tournament winner who captured the K-1 lightweight title in 2023 before competing in ONE Championship. His karate background informs his distinctive kicking game.
Friend and seminar collaborator at Striking 101 H.Q. and around the world.
Striking 101 documented his New York sparring and seminar visit. Related World Kickboxing Series footage features Jonathan discussing upcoming events.
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ONE strawweight kickboxing world champion
An Italian-Canadian kickboxer who reached the top of ONE’s strawweight division. Raised in his family’s gym, he developed the speed, boxing skills and technical discipline behind his championship success.
Friend and seminar collaborator at Striking 101 H.Q. and around the world.
Trained with Regian Eersel at Striking 101 for his 2025 world-title preparations. ONE described the academy as belonging to a friend of his father.
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Bellator Kickboxing & Lion Fight champion
“The Soul Assassin” is a leading figure in American Muay Thai, with a career that includes Lion Fight and Bellator Kickboxing championship success.
Friend and seminar collaborator at Striking 101 H.Q. and around the world.
Named in a Super Seminars World Series Coast to Coast promotional post associated with the event.
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Brazilian karate champion
A decorated Brazilian karate champion, professional MMA fighter and leader of Machida Karate. His career connects traditional Shotokan principles with modern combat sports.
Friend and seminar collaborator at Striking 101 H.Q. and around the world.
Named in the New York Super Seminar lineup alongside Bas Rutten, Duane Ludwig, Andy Souwer and Shane Fazen.
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Seven-time striking world champion
A seven-time kickboxing and Muay Thai world champion, Anissa is renowned for precise combinations, high-volume attacks and technical control against elite opposition.
Friend and seminar collaborator at Striking 101 H.Q. and around the world.
Announced as World Kickboxing Series’ France team captain; also featured in Super Seminars World Series.
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Eight-time Muay Thai world champion
Celebrated for elusive defense, relaxed movement and exceptional timing, Lerdsila became an eight-time Muay Thai world champion and one of the sport’s most recognizable technicians.
Friend and seminar collaborator at Striking 101 H.Q. and around the world.
Announced as World Kickboxing Series’ Asia team captain. Striking 101 also documents his Muay Thai seminar instruction.
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BANG Muay Thai founder
A world-class kickboxer, UFC veteran and influential striking coach. His BANG Muay Thai system bridges technical striking and the demands of mixed martial arts.
Friend and seminar collaborator at Striking 101 H.Q. and around the world.
Announced as World Kickboxing Series’ United States team captain; also featured in the Super Seminars network.
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Lion Fight & WMC world champion
“Smokin’ Jo” earned Lion Fight titles in two divisions and a WMC Muay Thai world title. His powerful, attacking style has been tested against elite opposition in ONE Championship.
Friend and seminar collaborator at Striking 101 H.Q. and around the world.
Named in a Super Seminars World Series Coast to Coast promotional post associated with the event.
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American Muay Thai standout
Known as “Silky Smooth,” Eddie is an American Muay Thai stylist who competed in ONE Championship. His fluid movement, rhythm and creative striking distinguish his approach.
Friend and seminar collaborator at Striking 101 H.Q. and around the world.
Named in a Super Seminars World Series Coast to Coast promotional post associated with the event.
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Karate Combat world champion
Brooklyn-born “Turbo” won the Karate Combat middleweight championship in 2022. His background spans American sport karate, professional kickboxing and a doctorate in physical therapy.
Friend and seminar collaborator at Striking 101 H.Q. and around the world.
His karate and kickboxing masterclass was published by Jonathan’s Striking 101 academy.
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FIGHTTIPS founder
A striking coach and founder of FIGHTTIPS, Shane has helped make martial arts instruction accessible to a worldwide audience through practical training videos and courses.
Friend and seminar collaborator at Striking 101 H.Q. and around the world.
Visited Striking 101 with Vinnie for FIGHTTIPS’ Hidden Gyms series, featuring Jonathan, the academy’s karate roots, youth program and fight team.
Connection sourceSENSEI JONATHAN PAUL RUIZ
Friendships that reach around the world
Sensei Jonathan Paul Ruiz’s friendships and seminar partnerships bring these martial artists’ experience to Striking 101 H.Q. and students around the world.
Through WKS, Sensei Jonathan Paul Ruiz and his partner Andy Souwer connect champions with developing fighters. Jonathan selected legends as team captains representing Canada, the USA, Mexico, South America, Europe and other regions.
The publicly announced WKS captains include Duane Ludwig for the USA, Regian Eersel for South America, Andy Souwer for Europe, Lerdsila for Asia and Anissa Meksen for France.
Meet the announced WKS captainsCo-founded by Sensei Jonathan Paul Ruiz and Andy Souwer, Super Seminars World Series brings martial arts legends and students together through seminars around the world.
Jonathan reports a multimillion-dollar agreement with Princess Cruises to take Super Seminars World Series and its instructors around the world. Princess Cruises is part of the multibillion-dollar Carnival Corporation group.
Published coverage of the Caribbean Dreams cruise seminar partnership names Andy Souwer, Regian Eersel and Anissa Meksen among the guest instructors.
Caribbean Dreams cruise seminarsAbout the Carnival group