Remdizz: The Muay Thai Fighter Who Founded King of the Ring Manchester
Every underground fighting organization begins with one person who decides that the fights in their head need to become real. For King of the Ring (KOTR), that person is Remdizz -- a former Muay Thai fighter from Manchester who transformed a back garden boxing event into one of the most watched underground fighting platforms in the United Kingdom. What started in 2021 as an impromptu gathering of willing fighters in a residential backyard has grown into a movement with millions of YouTube views, a TikTok following, a Channel 4 documentary feature, and a mission statement that resonates far beyond the ring: "PUT DOWN THE KNIFE, USE YOUR LEFT AND RIGHT."
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Name | Remdizz |
| Origin | Manchester, United Kingdom |
| Role | Founder / Fighter |
| Foundation Style | Muay Thai |
| Organization | King of the Ring (KOTR) |
| KOTR Founded | 2021 |
| KOTR Format | 3 rounds x 1 minute, boxing gloves, foam-wrapped ring |
| KOTR Motto | "Put down the knife, use your left and right" |
| Social Media | Instagram (@kotr_manny), TikTok (@kotr_uk), X (@kotr_manny) |
| Known For | Creating KOTR as alternative to knife violence |
Overview
Remdizz is not just a fighter -- he is the architect of a movement. As the founder and driving force behind King of the Ring Manchester, he has created an underground fighting platform that serves a dual purpose: providing exciting, raw combat entertainment while simultaneously addressing one of the most pressing social issues facing young people in Manchester and across the United Kingdom -- knife violence.
The numbers tell a stark story. Knife crime in Manchester has risen by over 200% in recent years, making it one of the most dangerous cities in the UK for young men. Against this backdrop, Remdizz founded KOTR with a simple but powerful philosophy: give young men a controlled environment to settle disputes and prove themselves, and you remove the incentive to reach for a weapon. The motto -- "Put down the knife, use your left and right" -- is not just marketing. It is a genuine expression of the organization's founding purpose.
What makes Remdizz's story compelling beyond the social mission is the fact that he is a legitimate fighter himself. His background in Muay Thai -- one of the most demanding and effective striking arts in the world -- gives him the credibility to organize fights and the knowledge to ensure that events, while raw and underground in spirit, maintain a baseline level of safety and structure. Fighters wear boxing gloves. Bouts are limited to three one-minute rounds. The ring, while makeshift, is constructed from foam-wrapped fence posts that provide some degree of protection. These concessions to safety, born from Remdizz's own fighting experience, distinguish KOTR from the truly no-rules organizations that operate elsewhere in Europe.
Background
Manchester Roots
Manchester has always been a fighting city. From the boxing gyms of Moss Side and Collyhurst that produced world champions like Ricky Hatton and Anthony Crolla to the mixed martial arts scene that has grown rapidly across the North of England, the city's culture celebrates toughness, directness, and the willingness to stand your ground. Remdizz grew up immersed in this culture, and his path to Muay Thai was a natural extension of the competitive fighting spirit that permeates Manchester's working-class neighborhoods.
The city's relationship with violence is more complex than its boxing heritage might suggest. Manchester has experienced a significant increase in knife crime, particularly among young men, and the resulting atmosphere of fear and aggression has devastated communities. For Remdizz, the connection between the city's fighting culture and its violence problem was obvious -- young men were going to fight regardless. The question was whether those fights would happen in a controlled environment with gloves and rules, or on the streets with knives and no rules at all.
Muay Thai Background
Remdizz's training in Muay Thai provided him with more than just fighting skills -- it gave him a framework for understanding combat as a discipline rather than mere aggression. Muay Thai, known as "the art of eight limbs" for its use of fists, elbows, knees, and shins, is one of the world's most effective and demanding striking arts. The training develops not only physical toughness but also mental discipline, respect for opponents, and an understanding of the structure and rules that make fighting a sport rather than simple violence.
These principles directly informed the creation of KOTR. Unlike truly no-rules organizations where fighters compete without gloves or time limits, KOTR incorporates structure -- three rounds of one minute each, boxing gloves, a defined ring space -- that reflects Remdizz's belief in combat as an organized activity rather than uncontrolled chaos. His Muay Thai background taught him that fighting is most valuable when it operates within a framework, and that framework is what makes KOTR something more than just another backyard brawl.
Founding KOTR in a Back Garden
The first King of the Ring event took place in 2021 in a back garden in Manchester. The concept was straightforward: set up a ring, invite fighters, and let them settle their differences with their fists rather than with weapons. What Remdizz may not have anticipated was the speed at which the concept would resonate.
The early KOTR events were filmed and posted on social media, where they quickly gained traction. The raw, authentic footage of real people fighting in real neighborhoods -- combined with the powerful anti-knife-violence messaging -- struck a chord with audiences across the UK and beyond. YouTube views climbed into the millions. TikTok clips went viral. And before long, what had started as a back garden experiment was being covered by mainstream media, including a Channel 4 documentary and a Vice article.
The growth forced Remdizz to evolve from fighter and organizer into something more: a promoter, a community leader, and a public advocate for the idea that organized combat can serve as a positive social force. It is a role he has embraced without abandoning the grassroots authenticity that made KOTR compelling in the first place.
Fighting Style
As a former Muay Thai fighter, Remdizz brings a skill set to the ring that is built on one of the world's most battle-tested striking disciplines.
Muay Thai Foundations
Muay Thai fighters are trained to use their entire body as a weapon. The art's emphasis on powerful kicks, clinch work, elbows, and knees produces fighters who are comfortable at every range and who possess a toughness forged through some of the hardest training in combat sports. While KOTR's boxing-gloves format limits the tools available compared to a full Muay Thai bout, the physical conditioning, timing, and fight IQ that Muay Thai develops translate directly to any striking format.
Remdizz's Muay Thai background is evident in his composure under pressure. Muay Thai fighters are trained to remain calm in the heat of exchanges, to read their opponents' patterns, and to respond with precision rather than panic. In the chaotic atmosphere of a KOTR event -- with crowds pressing close and the energy of the street fight environment all around -- this composure is a significant advantage.
Adaptability
The KOTR format -- three one-minute rounds with boxing gloves -- requires a different approach than a five-round Muay Thai bout. The shorter rounds place a premium on explosive output and early aggression, while the boxing gloves limit the clinch work and elbow strikes that are central to traditional Muay Thai. Remdizz has adapted his style to fit the format he created, demonstrating the kind of fight intelligence that comes from years of training in a demanding martial art.
Leading by Example
Perhaps the most important aspect of Remdizz's fighting is the example it sets for KOTR participants. By competing in his own events, he demonstrates that the founder of the organization is not above the competition -- that he is willing to risk the same punishment he asks of his fighters. This credibility is essential in the underground fighting world, where respect is earned through action rather than authority.
KOTR: Building the Organization
Format and Structure
King of the Ring operates with a defined format that balances the raw energy of underground fighting with sensible safety measures. Fights are three rounds of one minute each. Fighters wear boxing gloves. The ring is constructed from foam-wrapped fence posts. Events are held at rotating secret locations in Manchester, with postcodes sent to attendees by text message days before the event.
This structure reflects Remdizz's understanding that underground fighting needs rules to be sustainable. The organizations that operate with no rules and no safety measures eventually produce catastrophic injuries that draw law enforcement attention and public condemnation. By incorporating basic protections, KOTR has been able to grow without the kind of negative incidents that would force it to shut down.
Social Impact
The anti-knife-violence mission is not incidental to KOTR -- it is central. Remdizz has spoken publicly about the devastating impact of knife crime on Manchester's youth, and KOTR events frequently feature messaging and outreach that reinforces the "put down the knife" ethos. The organization provides young men with an alternative path for expressing aggression and settling disputes, channeling the energy that might otherwise lead to street violence into a controlled, relatively safe competitive environment.
The effectiveness of this approach is difficult to quantify, but the anecdotal evidence is compelling. KOTR events draw large, enthusiastic crowds of young men who are engaged in combat sports rather than street violence. The organization has created a community around fighting that emphasizes respect, courage, and personal accountability -- values that stand in direct opposition to the nihilism that drives knife crime.
Media Recognition
KOTR's growth has attracted attention from mainstream media, including a Channel 4 documentary that profiled the organization and its social mission, and a Vice article that explored the phenomenon of underground boxing clubs in the UK. This coverage has amplified KOTR's message and helped Remdizz reach audiences far beyond Manchester's city limits.
Legacy
Remdizz's legacy is twofold. As a fighter, he represents the Muay Thai tradition adapted for the underground boxing format -- a trained martial artist who uses his skills and experience to compete credibly while also serving as a role model for the young men who participate in and attend KOTR events.
As a founder and organizer, Remdizz has created something genuinely significant. King of the Ring is not just an underground fighting platform -- it is a social enterprise that addresses a real and pressing crisis in British society. The knife violence epidemic in Manchester and across the UK has claimed lives and destroyed communities, and KOTR's mission to provide an alternative to that violence gives the organization a purpose that transcends entertainment.
The model Remdizz has built -- underground fighting with a social conscience, structured enough to be sustainable but raw enough to be authentic -- could serve as a template for similar initiatives in other cities facing similar challenges. His ability to bridge the gap between the worlds of martial arts, underground fighting, and community activism is rare and valuable.
For the broader underground fighting scene, Remdizz and KOTR represent the possibility that these organizations can be forces for good -- that the energy and aggression that young men naturally possess can be channeled into something constructive rather than destructive. It is a vision that began in a Manchester back garden and has grown into a movement with millions of viewers and a message that resonates far beyond the ring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Remdizz?
Remdizz is a former Muay Thai fighter from Manchester who founded King of the Ring (KOTR), one of the most popular underground boxing platforms in the United Kingdom. He created KOTR in 2021 as an alternative to knife violence.
What is King of the Ring (KOTR)?
KOTR is an underground boxing organization based in Manchester, UK, founded by Remdizz in 2021. Events feature three-round, one-minute boxing matches held at secret locations. The organization's motto is "Put down the knife, use your left and right."
Why was KOTR founded?
Remdizz founded KOTR in response to rising knife violence in Manchester, which has increased by over 200%. The organization provides young men with a controlled environment to settle disputes and channel aggression without resorting to weapons.
What is Remdizz's fighting background?
Remdizz is a former Muay Thai fighter. His training in the Thai martial art provided him with the fighting knowledge and discipline to both compete in and organize KOTR events with appropriate structure and safety measures.
Where can I watch KOTR fights?
KOTR events are posted on the organization's YouTube channel and TikTok (@kotr_uk). The organization has also been featured in a Channel 4 documentary and a Vice article. Live events are held at rotating secret locations in Manchester, with postcodes shared via text.