Like Father, Like Son: 12-Year-Old Set for Muay Thai Debut

At just 12 years old, Roc Luistro is stepping into the ring for his official Muay Thai debut on August 9 at Domination, one of Western Australia’s premier combat sports events.

Son of respected UFC coach and trainer Romel Luistro, Roc’s upcoming bout is a natural progression for a young talent who’s grown up surrounded by the fight game.

Early Martial Arts Experience

This won’t be Roc’s first taste of competition. He’s already dabbled in jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and interclub Muay Thai sparring. In fact, he’s previously faced the same opponent he'll meet on fight night, Xavier Phillips, an experienced, full-time Muay Thai athlete out of Kao Sok Muay Thai.

But this time, it’s the real thing, under the bright lights, with pads on for safety but pressure on for real.

A Lesson in Preparation

For Romel, this fight marks more than just a debut, it’s a lesson.

“This is me exposing him to what it’s actually like to prepare for a real fight,”

Romel explained.

"Before, everything was just training and showing up to compete. This time, he’s going through a proper fight camp, getting a taste of what it takes behind the scenes.”

Training With Western Australia's Best

Roc is currently training at Southern Power Boxing Gym in Gosnells under Andy Green, and sharpening his Muay Thai under Blair Smith and Roy Wills at The Pit.

He’s putting in full-contact-style prep, learning the discipline and routine that come with the territory.

Making Weight and Building Discipline

At 51kg, Roc will cut down slightly to compete at 48kg, nothing extreme, but another taste of what it means to be a fighter.

His training also includes portion control, mental focus, and the grit that builds champions.

"He's just a kid at the end of the day," Romel reminds us jokingly. "It just means no KFC for a couple weeks, which is tough for him."

A Long-Term Vision in MMA

The long-term vision? A slow and steady build through Muay Thai, boxing, jiu-jitsu, and wrestling, with dreams of one day following the footsteps of child MMA prodigies like Cody Haddon.

“He looks up to guys like Cody [Haddon] and Quill [Quillan Salkilld],”

Romel said.

“He knows what Cody was like as a kid and wants to emulate that kind of path.”

A True Student of the Game

What makes Roc unique, even among other kids in the gym, is his obsession with the sport. He doesn’t need to be pushed into it — he lives and breathes it.

“I wake up and he’s already watching fights. He’s on Instagram reading news, predicting matchups. Before Quill got the Anshul Jubli fight, Roc had already called it,” Romel laughed. “He’s all over it.”

Balancing Passion with Caution

But with passion comes responsibility, and Romel is mindful of the balance.

“From a parent’s point of view, I was skeptical at first,” he admitted.

“Do I want him taking contact at this age? But then I look around and see other kids who’ve been doing it for years, kids who are now adults like Cody, and they’re perfectly fine. There’s so much discipline, self-control, and life skills that come with this. That’s what I want him to learn.”

Safety First

With headgear, shin guards and body protectors, the safety element is a priority. And while kids don’t generate the kind of power adults do, the experience is invaluable.

Roc's Mindset Before the Fight

Roc’s excitement ahead of the fight is exactly what you’d expect from a 12-year-old.

“I’ve always wanted to do this, so my dad got me a fight,” he said with a grin. “I’m just excited to get in there.”

Nervous? Not quite.

“There’s no real game plan,” he shrugged. “Just go out there and do what I can do.”

But when asked about his opponent, it’s clear Roc’s been thinking things through.

“He’s got a lot of kicks. I need to block, fire back, work the body, and stay sharp… then hopefully I’ll come out with the win.”

Turns out, there’s a game plan after all.

The Future of MMA in Australia

For Roc Luistro, August 9 marks more than just a debut — it’s a clear signal that MMA in Australia is growing from the ground up, with the next generation already stepping into the spotlight.

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