From Rustavi, Georgia, Aleksandre Okropiridze's path to becoming "The Georgian Giant" began far from the ring. A 7-time ballroom dancing champion as a child and avid gamer, fighting wasn't initially on his radar. But coming from a Georgian family where combat sports are held in the highest regard, martial arts became his calling after high school graduation when boredom set in and he needed something new.

Beginning Muay Thai training in 2022 at Ground Control Owings Mills under coaches John Vu and Paul Yohn, Aleksandre had no intention to compete—he simply wanted to train. But his work ethic caught his coaches' attention, and what started as "just one fight" turned into a competitive career. In just three years, he's compiled an 8-2 Muay Thai record and a 1-0 boxing record, earning the Grand Nationals Championship, Warriors Cup 118lbs Championship, and a WBC Muay Thai World Festival Bronze Medal.

His most memorable moment came at Warriors Cup, where he entered as the underdog and B-side fighter. Few believed in him, but his team's unwavering faith propelled him through five rounds to capture the 118lbs championship. The journey to that moment was forged in the winter streets of Georgia, where Aleksandre spent five months training at an elite boxing gym that produced Olympic medalists and world champions. As an "American" in Georgia, he had to earn respect through brutal daily training, leaving the gym bloody and walking home through increasingly harsh winter conditions—an experience that shaped both his technical skills and his character.

Known for his nonstop forward pressure and incredible output, Aleksandre incorporates Lomachenko-inspired footwork into his Muay Thai, creating a boxing-heavy style that overwhelms opponents. His philosophy is simple: "Hard work is talent itself." Guided by Coach Paul's words—"Work ethic is something that can't be taken away from you"—Aleksandre finds beauty in his flaws and believes that overcoming them defines true growth.

Balancing full-time university studies with a job and an ambitious fight schedule, "The Georgian Giant" fights to make his father proud and to prove his coaches, Vu and Paul, are the best in the world. Despite perceptions of being a "scary, emotionless killer from Eastern Europe," Aleksandre insists he's just a normal person—one who happens to embody the warrior spirit of his homeland while remaining grounded and grateful to those who support him.

Support Aleksandre as he continues his ascent in the Muay Thai world.