5 Things You Didn’t Know About Muay Thai And MMA Star ‘Mini T’ Danial Williams
Danial Williams will look to continue his rise in mixed martial arts when he squares off against Zelang Zhaxi on Friday, 22 July.
The former WMC Muay Thai World Champion has turned heads since transitioning to MMA, and he’ll aim for his fifth consecutive victory in the all-around sport at ONE 159: De Ridder vs. Bigdash.
That impressive run features two straight wins in ONE Championship, including a powerful knockout of former ONE Strawweight World Champion Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke.
The 29-year-old also debuted in the promotion with an epic three-round striking war against ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon and is currently the #5-ranked strawweight Muay Thai contender.
The Thai-Australian’s stock is clearly on the rise, and his fan base grows exponentially with each explosive performance.
Before he steps back into the Circle at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, get to know “Mini T” a little better with these five interesting facts.
#1 He Cleaned Windows To Fund His Muay Thai Journey
Williams’ parents worked hard to ensure that he and his brother could live a comfortable life. And seeing their struggle, he never liked to ask his mom or dad for an extra penny.
In his late teens, the Perth resident took a job cleaning windows so he could fly to Asia and pursue a career in “the art of eight limbs.”
“Mini T” said:
“My first job out of high school was a window cleaner. I applied for it after seeing it advertised in the paper.
“When I started studying, I did it part-time. And that helped me fund my trips to train Muay Thai in Thailand.”
#2 He Has A Bachelor’s Degree In Criminology
Williams excelled in sports from a young age, but he was just as bright inside the classroom.
In fact, the Kao Sok Muay Thai and Scrappy MMA representative graduated from university with a Bachelor of Criminology, majoring in Criminal Behavior.
He recalled:
“I was so fascinated by the serial killer mindset, and that led me to study criminology. But mostly the pressure from my Thai mum to study something, and that degree was [one that] interested me the most out of all of them.”
#3 He Loves Animals
Williams and his partner saved a dog named Genghis from death row – and they’ve become absolutely inseparable ever since.
The Australian couple treats their furry friend like family, watching movies and even taking him on vacations.
However, a closer look at “Mini T’s” social media profile shows that he might be just as comfortable with other animals, including kangaroos, cats, and chickens.
#4 He Uses A Float Tank To Manage His Social Anxiety
Martial artists employ a variety of methods to help them manage their stress.
For some, reading a book or hitting the gym might work wonders. But Williams leans toward floatation therapy – a method that’s scientifically proven to help with sleep, muscle relaxation, and anxiety.
He said:
“Float tanks are something I’ve been using since I was 17. It helped me manage my busy lifestyle and prepare for my fights.
“Not only for recovery from training but for visualization, too. Things I would visualize in there for fighting would come true. But the best thing that happened was managing my social anxiety.”
#5 He Plays The Bass And Electric Guitar
Williams has always been focused on martial arts and studies, but when it’s time for a break, he can be found in his bedroom, strumming the bass or electric guitar to some classic rock tunes.
“Mini T” added:
“I started playing the bass at age 10 in a school band. I dreamed of being a rockstar as a young kid.
“I loved Nirvana, Metallica, and The Offspring as a kid, and so did my dad. But I’m definitely getting progressively worse at playing these instruments nowadays.”
