Muay Thai fighter Yousef Kazoun was born in Ismailia, Egypt, and grew up in the UAE, where he got to chase his dreams and build a name for himself as a fighter. Today, he sees himself as representing both nations, carrying a piece of each wherever he goes.
Representing Two Countries
“Walking into the ring carrying both the Egyptian and UAE flags reminded me of where I came from and everything I’ve built. I wasn’t just fighting for myself; I was representing both countries.”
In addition to competing in Muay Thai, K-1, and MMA, Kazoun has pushed his limits even further, becoming a marathon and running champion.
“I’ve always believed in pushing my limits. Whether it’s fighting or running, I love challenging myself.”
A Win That Means More
Kazoun has earned championship titles in Muay Thai, K-1 and MMA. Beyond the ring, Youssef is a national champion in marathon and running races, collecting more than 25 major medals throughout his athletic journey.
Yet, he still holds one win closer to his heart than the rest: his second UAE Muay Thai Championship title, where he represented Egypt.
“It proved to me that all the hard work and sacrifices were worth it, and it gave me the confidence to keep going and show the world what young Egyptian athletes can do.”
More Than Just Fighting
One misconception Kazoun hopes to correct about Muay Thai is that it’s about violence. For him, the sport is about discipline, respect and self-control.
“The biggest lesson is that you learn how to fight so you don’t have to.”
A Difficult First International Fight
On his first international Muay Thai fight in Bangkok, Thailand, Kazoun spent 12 hours in airport immigration detention, where he was questioned about the situation in the Middle East. The experience weighed on him both mentally and physically, especially with a professional fight scheduled for that same evening.
“Instead of breaking me, it made me even more hungry to win. I knew I came to Bangkok for one mission: to show the world that champions can rise and perform even in the worst situations.”
A Message to Young Arab Athletes
Kazoun still hopes young Arab athletes don’t feel limited by their background or where they come from.
“With discipline, hard work, and belief, you can compete on the biggest stages and make your country proud.”
The People Behind the Fighter
On a more personal note, Kazoun sees his family as one of his biggest sources of motivation. “I started fighting to make them proud,” he says.
If he could go back in time and speak to his younger self, his advice would be simple: stay disciplined and dream big, no matter the circumstances.
“Keep working on your mentality, stay open to different cultures, and learn from every person and experience you meet. One day, you’ll look back and realize every sacrifice was worth it.”
What’s Next?
After a career filled with success across different sports from a young age, Kazoun still has plenty left to chase. This year, he hopes to add another title to his name while continuing to represent Egypt and the UAE on the international stage.
For Kazoun, the journey is about more than medals and championships. It’s about continuing to push his limits, making his family and countries proud, and proving that with enough discipline and determination, no dream is too big.
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