Michael Chase Corley

America’s position in the world of kickboxing is a strange one when you consider that it is an international powerhouse in nearly any other sport you care to mention. The sheer size of the USA means that it throws up elite athletes of all disciplines with regularity - all disciplines, that is, except Muay Thai and kickboxing. Whatever the reason - perhaps a pedigree in boxing, wrestling and latterly MMA - the USA has never fielded many strong competitors in Muay Thai and kickboxing and as such, it is not a country highly-regarded on the world scene. But in the last few years a quiet revolution has been taking place, spearheaded by American fighter such as Corley and Ky Hollenbeck. They take their kickboxing very seriously and have spent most of their careers competing overseas where the opportunities are better and the competition is tougher. Corley has often competed under full Thai rules, which permits use of the clinch and the elbow. But he has also had plenty of fights under kickboxing rules and so the transition between the two is not a problem for him. A tough, technical fighter, Corley has signed with GLORY to prove something to the world about American kickboxing. The potential rewards are enormous - America loves winners, and if he can win the tournament he is likely to earn considerable and lucrative attention in his homeland.