About

Coach since 2004
Former professional fighter
30+ years in combat sports

Experience That Helps Students Progress Faster

Ronnie Najjar has coached Muay Thai since 2004 and brings more than three decades of experience in combat sports as a coach and former professional fighter.

During his fighting career, he competed in Muay Thai, kickboxing, and boxing, finishing with 22 professional fights. In 2008, he was ranked No. 3 Cruiserweight in Australia by the World Muaythai Council (WMC). Beyond competition, he has trained and coached internationally while studying a wide range of coaching methods and fighting styles. Those experiences have shaped a coaching approach built on strong fundamentals, technical precision, and continual improvement.

Today, that experience helps students avoid common mistakes, develop sound technique from the beginning, and make consistent progress with greater confidence and understanding.

Coaching Philosophy

Ronnie believes good Muay Thai is beautiful.

His coaching focuses on helping students understand not only how techniques work, but why they work. Rather than simply memorizing combinations or relying on toughness alone, every lesson is designed to develop understanding, timing, balance, precision, and composure.

Training is structured progressively, allowing students to build a strong technical foundation before moving on to more advanced skills. The goal is not simply to teach techniques, but to help students become capable, confident martial artists who continue improving for years to come.

Whether someone is training for fitness, self-defense, or competition, the principles remain the same: master the fundamentals, train deliberately, and pursue continual improvement.

Built Through Experience

Ronnie's coaching philosophy has been shaped by decades of learning, competing, and teaching.

Over the past three decades, he has spent over three years training in Thailand and has trained, coached, and taught seminars across more than 30 countries. Rather than just collecting techniques from different gyms and coaches, he has always been driven to understand why they work and what principles consistently produce long-term improvement.

Although his time in Thailand broadened his perspective, it was back in Australia, training and fighting at Sityodtong Academy under his longtime coach Jeab Sityodtong, where his understanding of Muay Thai truly developed. Years of patient instruction instilled an appreciation for detail, strong fundamentals, and the subtle aspects of the art that continue to shape the way he teaches today.

That curiosity remains at the heart of Ronnie's coaching. He continues to study, refine, and evolve his understanding of Muay Thai while remaining committed to the principles that matter most: strong fundamentals, technical precision, and helping every student reach their potential.

One of Ronnie's earliest and most influential coaches, Jeab. The lessons learned through years of patient instruction continue to shape the way he teaches today.

What Training at 8 Tribe Is Like

8 Tribe was founded on the understanding that quality coaching comes from attention, relationships, and efficiency, not simply going through the motions for a workouts sake.

Classes remain intentionally small so every student receives individual coaching and meaningful feedback. Whether someone is stepping into the ring for the first time or preparing for competition, the focus remains the same: develop strong fundamentals, improve steadily, and enjoy the process of learning.

Students are encouraged to ask questions, think critically, and understand the art rather than simply copy movements. The aim is to build skill that lasts long after class is over.

Who This Is For

8 Tribe is for people who genuinely want to learn Muay Thai.

You don't need previous experience, exceptional fitness, or ambitions of becoming a fighter. What matters is a willingness to learn, accept coaching, and improve over time.

Whether your goal is fitness, self-defense, competition, or simply mastering a challenging skill, Ronnie's objective is the same: to help you become more capable, more confident, and better through Muay Thai.

Train With Ronnie

If you're looking for technical Muay Thai coaching in a supportive environment, 8Tribe welcomes beginners, experienced practitioners, and competitors alike.

Interested in one-on-one coaching?
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