Thornton Martial Arts and Fitness officially came to life in 2011. Kru Ed Thornton took over Sityodtong CT, a section subleased from New England MMA. From there, Kru took the Thornton Martial Arts and Fitness operation to Park St. in Hartford one year later. TMA was operating out of Park St. for two years, until moving to its current location in East Hartford in 2014.

Thornton Martial Arts and Fitness is the only school in the state of Connecticut allowed to hold the official affiliation with Sityodtong. Kru Ed is a student of Kru Mark DellaGrotte, who is the owner & operator of Sityodtong USA. Kru Mark is known and respected worldwide for his ability to teach and adapt Muay Thai for Mixed Martial Arts. He is also known for his work as a trainer and corner man, and for his ability to create a strategy based on the weaknesses of his student’s opponents. Kru Yodtong, founder of Sityodtong Thailand, appointed Mark to teach, conserve, and promote Thai style boxing. Kru Yodtong was known throughout the world for his ability to teach, preserve and promote the original ancient art of Muay Thai. The first Doctor of Muay Thai, appointed by the kingdom of Thailand, placed his efforts on globalizing Muay Thai and bringing the bounty of Thai culture to the rest of the world.

Today, Kru Mark is known as Kru Yodtong’s top representative worldwide and is recognized as an international conservator of Thai style boxing. In 2011, Kru Ed Thornton tested for his instructor rank in Muay Thai under Kru DellaGrotte and continues to accumulate rank in the style of Muay Thai. Kru Ed Thornton has competed many times in amateur Muay Thai fights, has competed in MMA bouts, and has cornered many of his students in competition.

The USA Branch of Sityodtong offers quality training and instruction, ranging from self-defense, to physical fitness, to sport. We are dedicated to providing you with the quality educational services you deserve, and helping you develop physical fitness, self-confidence and mental well-being. You can learn more about Sityodtong USA at https://sityodtong.com/about-us/ (Be sure to check out this video, it features TMA’s own Kru Ed!)