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Tale of The Cup
Warriors Cup Muay Thai, founded in 2006 by former fighter Chris Tran, emerged from the scarcity of Muay Thai events in the Tri-State area at that time. Tran, who is now a full-time coach at Weapons 9 Gym, sought to create an opportunity for his trainees to test their skills, starting with smoker/exhibition events at his club’s location.
During that period, the only major event in New York was Lou Neglia’s Combat at The Capitale, a prominent mix of kickboxing and Modified Rules Muay Thai. Competitors would often face opponents from karate schools or MMA hybrid gyms.
Tran, initially inexperienced in promotion, had to learn how to secure judges and referees, and establish rules and criteria for officiating Muay Thai bouts. The primary goal was to allow gyms and schools to test themselves without risking serious injuries.
Facing a decline in enthusiasm for promoting alongside former partners who were more focused on MMA, Tran considered stepping away. However, Eddie Marini and James Guccione, then associated with Friday Night Fights, reached out to him. Their collaboration led to the formation of Three Pillar Promotions. Although their first planned event coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and had to be canceled, subsequent shows were immensely successful once restrictions lifted.
Warriors Cup is now sanctioned by GAMMA and approved by the WBC Muay Thai. It stands out as the only show in the U.S. affiliated with One Championship, providing a platform for new talent to secure potential contracts. Hosting an average of 9-10 shows per year, Warriors Cup aims to elevate athletes to rival the top Muay Thai competitors globally.