There have been many star athletes to break through the glass ceiling of Perry High’s athletic department: Markus Howard, Cade Burks, Lane Veach, and many more. Most of them continued in their sports, but Perry alumni Max Arredondo chose a different path: amateur Muay Thai fighting.

Before graduating from Perry in 2012, Arredondo participated in varsity baseball and varsity football. Varsity football head coach Preston Jones remembers Arredondo as a “hard, hard worker” whose “work ethic was top notch.” Jones explains he is not surprised Arredondo pursued this career because he was “mentally and physically tough” and was the “type of kid who likes the combat, physicality and challenges.”

Arredondo describes his favorite memory from his high school career as defeating Marcos de Niza’s baseball team with a score of 12-0 in 2011, as well as playing in Perry baseball’s first state championship game. He says he “enjoyed trying to put Perry on the map” making a name for themselves.

In a playoff game leading up to state, Arredondo hit a home-run, potentially securing the team’s victory. What many do not know is Arredondo had injured his elbow in the previous play. “Basically I just used the similar trade of trying to be tough and walk it out. During that game I didn’t think twice about it, I just wanted to play,” he explains.

The strength and perseverance he exhibited in this game has helped him develop his stamina for fighting.

Arredondo says he started training Muay Thai in high school at Power MMA to stay in shape and have fun during football off-season. Muay Thai is defined as “a combat sport of Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques.” To prepare for upcoming fights, he trains and exercises five days a week while following a strict low-carb, high fat and protein diet

Jana Arredondo, Max’s mom, explains how Muay Thai has affected his life: “He has a healthy, clear mindset.  He’s always been focused, but it’s a different focus. He’s calm, confident, determined, and in the best shape of his life.”

As of now, Arredondo is “on the right track” with a record of 4-0. He says he trains with “dudes who have 45 fights and pros who have 300.”

Arredondo explains that amatuer fighers like himself “can’t make that much money” in this career. In comparison to China, where Muay Thai fighting is more popular, fighters make up to $150,000 each fight. According to Arredondo, the only way to make a decent profit is to participate in national fighting leagues that are fundraised by sponsors, such as Glory and Lion Fights.

He plans on continuing his fighting career short term, going day by day and having fun: “Maybe I’ll get to around 15 fights and I’ll really decide what I want to do. I couldn’t imagine stopping now and then having that be my story- I only fought four average fights. I really want to test my limits and make it to 15 fights.”

Arredondo is very humbled with how far he has come, and is excited to continue his Muay Thai career.