Here's our review of Xianglong Martial Arts Academy.Rooted in Taipei, this is the ultimate martial arts academy, bringing Thai Grandmaster Saenchai's unique techniques to the world.

DFA Xianglong Combat Center is conveniently located near Shandao Temple MRT Station, just a three-minute walk from Exit 4 or 5. This venue offers a comprehensive curriculum in various global combat techniques, including Muay Thai, Taipei Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and wrestling, allowing students to master the essence of diverse martial arts right here in Taipei. Each discipline has its unique strengths: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu emphasizes counter-attacks and ground control, Muay Thai focuses on comprehensive striking techniques and footwork, while MMA aims for all-around proficiency. Through a diverse range of classes and expert coaching, students can effectively learn the exciting nuances of different martial arts.

Venue owner Wang Yi-Tian places great importance on the mental well-being of martial arts practitioners. He emphasizes that the name DFA Xianglong Combat Center reflects the hope that everyone can "subdue the dragon within." An uncontrolled mind cannot unleash its full power; the goal is to remain unaffected by mood swings, consistently do what needs to be done, and stay on the right path.

The owner, Wang Yi-tian, is the only person in Taiwan who has traveled to Thailand to train under the legendary Muay Thai fighter Saenchai, making him an authentic lineage holder who brings world-class martial arts expertise to students in Taiwan. Wang says that throughout his professional and teaching career, he has seen many fighters suffer severe brain injuries, leading to long-term, irreversible conditions. He is against any system that either pushes fighters to become so strong they are invincible, or one that fails to teach them how to interpret an opponent's movements, leading to head trauma. After much searching, he discovered that Grandmaster Saenchai had never sustained a serious injury in his entire career, frequently using footwork and body movement to deflect head attacks. This convinced Wang that such a system could save many people from debilitating brain conditions later in life, prompting him to seek out Saenchai as his teacher.

Wang traveled to Thailand with a nervous heart, approaching his training as a beginner. He naturally adopted Saenchai's usual routines and was eventually accepted as a disciple, marking a significant milestone in his more than two decades of martial arts. His goal in promoting this system back in Taiwan is to help people understand that martial arts should not cause long-term harm to the body. Instead, it should teach how a weaker person can contend with a stronger one, becoming a better way to strengthen both body and mind.

The interior space is divided into two main areas. Upon entering the DFA Xianglong Combat Center, you'll see a large open area for free practice and group classes, often bustling with people sparring or taking classes. Further inside, there's an MMA octagon cage for realistic training, providing students with a more immersive experience. Adjacent to this are several open spaces and punching bags, suitable for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, Muay Thai, and various other classes. Each area features the most modern and professional combat-grade wall padding and floor mats, designed to be both flame-retardant and shock-absorbent, ensuring students can train and spar safely.

There are dedicated changing rooms, restrooms, and shower facilities for both men and women, along with shelves for personal belongings. The venue is also equipped with free weights, treadmills, and dumbbells, allowing students to enhance their physical fitness outside of class and fully commit to their training.

DFA Xianglong Combat Center specializes in Muay Thai and MMA, offering a wide range of popular classes suitable for all ages. They also provide other courses like wrestling and Bajiquan, and even a special "Saenchai Gate" class to teach the new techniques of Muay Thai legend Saenchai.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced practitioner, learning martial arts can be both enjoyable and frustrating. DFA Xianglong Combat Center aims to guide and demonstrate through words and actions, helping students understand that these feelings are a normal part of the process. The coaching team helps students release negative emotions, build experience, and face challenges without fear. This approach stems from decades of accumulated wisdom and experience from the gym owner and team, incorporating unique training methods like meditation to enhance mental fortitude.

The coaching team at DFA Xianglong Combat Center brings real-world combat and competition experience to their Taipei Boxing instruction, ensuring that their teaching goes beyond theory to truly convey the practical application of techniques. The owner lived in Canada for 18 years, where he won two Muay Thai championship belts. After returning to Taiwan to establish DFA Xianglong Combat Center, he continued to win Taiwanese Muay Thai and stand-up combat championships, and he constantly learns and promotes new martial arts systems.

The other coaches also boast impressive credentials. Will, for example, previously experienced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under another renowned instructor, Eliot, a former professional BJJ and MMA fighter with 20 years of teaching experience. Eliot is uniquely skilled at teaching in both Chinese and English, a rare find in Taiwan. The other coaches are also top performers in their respective fields, ensuring that all instruction is guided and progressive.

DFA Xianglong Combat Center offers clearly graded classes, with dedicated beginner sessions for those new to Taipei Boxing, so you don't need prior athletic or combat experience to get started. Students come from all walks of life—teachers, police officers, engineers, lawyers, students, and more—and everyone is welcome. The main goal is for participants to consciously seek self-improvement and learn the true spirit of martial arts. If you aspire to become a professional fighter, the coaching team here can provide significant support and guidance on that path. The venue also regularly hosts sparring competitions to help everyone improve their competitive skills.

The introductory fitness experience is NT$400, while a martial arts experience is NT$600. To become a member, you pay a one-time lifetime membership fee and a monthly fee to purchase credits, which are deducted differently depending on the class. You can also use sports currency for discounts. To encourage attendance, there's a "Warrior Mission" program: meet a certain attendance threshold each month and receive cash back—the more you attend, the more you earn!

The class was led by venue owner Wang Yi-tian, who broke down each movement and body application, from warm-ups and footwork to striking techniques. Rather than focusing on power output from the start, the owner emphasized building foundational concepts like distance, weight transfer, breathing rhythm, and maintaining stability while moving.

The owner explained that Saenchai's boxing style is that of a true champion. It's not about building a body that can withstand heavy blows, but rather a rigorous and effective method developed from a mindset of longevity in a professional career, family responsibilities, and gratitude for team support. This philosophy, executed through a complete system, allowed him to sustain a professional career for over two decades without major injury, cementing his status as a Muay Thai legend.

The Taipei Boxing class starts with a progressive warm-up: light jogging, then shuttle runs to get everyone moving. Next, the instructor guides students through basic footwork, step by step. The owner spends a good amount of time on movement and positioning, explaining in detail how to face an opponent, create space by stepping back, dodge attacks, or pivot. Footwork isn't just about the feet; it integrates the entire body and breath, teaching you how to use your whole self for agile movement.

Only then does the striking technique instruction begin. You learn how to use your fists, elbows, knees, and feet for both offense and defense, with demonstrations of timing, technique, and how to leverage your body's momentum. This part also requires practicing with the footwork learned earlier, so you understand how to generate momentum in your body as you advance and retreat, and then channel that power into your strikes.

This Taipei Boxing group class had about 10 students, many of whom seemed to have some prior experience; only Will was a complete beginner. But the coach's patient guidance helped Will keep up with the class, and the hands-on instruction made it easier for him to grasp the techniques. Fellow students were also kind enough to help guide him, pointing out ways to improve his movements. Master Sanchai is known for deflecting opponents' attacks and winning with unexpected tactics, and this class incorporated that philosophy, but with more basic moves and logic that everyone could easily understand.

At the end of the group class, students paired up to spar with pads, and the gym owner provided detailed guidance during the sparring. Afterward, students were free to practice with each other or the owner for further real-world experience. Overall, the class atmosphere was excellent, with no issues for beginners to get started, and the two hours felt both fast-paced and fulfilling.