From Sterling, Virginia by way of Syria, Mahmoud "Bones" Beddawi's journey to becoming a Muay Thai champion began with a childhood dream. Moving to the United States in 2013, young Mahmoud faced the challenge of adjusting to a new country and culture. At six or seven years old, he would tell everyone he was going to be a "Brave Champion"—words no one understood at the time, not even Mahmoud himself. But he figured it out.
In June 2017, at the start of middle school, Mahmoud began training Muay Thai. The sport gave him something he'd been missing: control. Training under coaches Derek Villegas, Scott Howard, and John Vu at Mime Muay Thai MD and Disciple MMA Sterling, Mahmoud gained the self-confidence and self-belief that had eluded him during his transition to America. In Muay Thai, he found himself fully in control.
His competitive career exploded with a memorable first fight at just 13 years old, where he faced an older opponent and delivered relentless knees until securing a TKO victory. Now at 20, Mahmoud has compiled a 7-1 record with 5 KO/TKOs across 8 fights and 2 smokers. His trophy case includes the 2025 Grand Nationals Novice Division Championship at 147lbs and the Thai Championship Boxing (TCB) 145lbs Championship.
His first loss came at the 2025 ISKA Nationals, where he competed in both kickboxing and Muay Thai divisions but fell short in the kickboxing finals and couldn't compete in the Muay Thai finals due to medical clearance issues. The experience taught him invaluable lessons: how to fight after getting dropped, how to maintain composure in adversity, and most importantly, that losing hurts—motivation to always work toward being on the winning end.
Known for his Femur/Khao hybrid style, Mahmoud uses his long range to his advantage before breaking opponents with knees. His nickname "Bones" reflects his lanky frame, which he weaponizes with devastating effect. His mindset is simple but fierce: "Win, lose, or draw, my opponent will know he was in a fight."
Living by the motto "There is no courage without fear," Mahmoud acknowledges being scared and anxious before every fight—but he steps into the ring anyway. His philosophy centers on that word he's been chasing since childhood: control. "Muay Thai to me means I am in control."
Balancing work in security with an ambitious fight schedule, Mahmoud keeps himself on track by remembering that Muay Thai is a privilege that must be earned through handling all other responsibilities first. His upcoming schedule is packed: October 18th for the Warriors Cup Welterweight U.S. Title, November 22nd for his TCB 145lbs title defense, and possibly Warriors Cup again on December 12th.
With a lengthy amateur career ahead before turning professional, Mahmoud isn't rushing. He's focused on gaining every experience necessary to succeed at the highest level. His message is direct: "I am just getting started. I have lots more to prove."
Coach Derek Villegas has been crucial in keeping Mahmoud on track and accelerating his progression, while Coach Scott Howard believed in him from the start and got him to stick with Muay Thai when he was young. The support from the community fuels his journey, though he's quick to remind everyone: "Although it is an individual sport, I am grateful for all of the connections and bonds I have had with everyone in the community."
Support Mahmoud "Bones" Beddawi as he continues climbing the ranks toward his lifelong goal—to be exactly what he promised as a child: a Brave Champion.
