From Manassas Park, Virginia, the Raequaun "Skinny Gorilla" Turner’s path to Muay Thai began with watching Bruce Lee, Jet Li, and Jackie Chan as a kid, later discovering the UFC and becoming obsessed with MMA. But his real purpose arrived when he became a young father to twin daughters. Fighting became his way to show them that dreams are worth chasing and that perseverance pays off.
Starting in January 2020 at Ubon Muay Thai in Ashburn under coaches Tony Phanethong and Steve Rossillo, the Skinny Gorilla's journey hit immediate turbulence. After compiling a 6-1 record with 2 unsanctioned smokers and 7 amateur fights, he faced two years of fight cancellations between 2023-2024. Most fighters would've quit. He never stopped training. "I kept telling myself God was making me wait for bigger and better opportunities and my time will come!"
His patience paid off. After the two-year drought, he returned and defeated the 5-time national champion and current Freedom Champion, capturing the 2025 ISKA National Championship. Now he's set to compete for the ISKA AMA World Title in Brisbane, Australia—proof that faith and relentless training eventually break through.
Two fights define his journey. The first was a decision loss at Warriors Cup in New York—a fight he felt he won but didn't get the nod. He calls it his "canon event," the catalyst for massive growth. The second was his battle against Nico Aliaga, the first time he'd been truly pushed. "We both leveled up a lot that day," he reflects, appreciating the growth that comes from facing someone with equal will.
Known for his unpredictable, high-flying Muay Khao style, the Skinny Gorilla's signature weapon is the spinning back elbow—his bread and butter. "Prepare for takeoff," he warns. "I love to do jumping/spinning shit!" His mindset going into fights is simple: cool, calm, collected. "You either win or you LEARN. What's the point of fighting if you aren't enjoying it?"
Guided by Muhammad Ali's "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. Rumble, young man rumble!" and the anime-inspired "Set your heart ablaze," he embodies a fighter who refuses to be defined by setbacks. His philosophy: "Dare to be great! We aren't defined by our losses! It's about how you come back from one!"
Working as a school safety officer at Manassas Park High School allows him to train comfortably and still be home in time to grab his daughters off the bus. His wife Karen holds it down at home, enabling countless training hours. His coaches Tony and Steve push him daily. Teammates like Kent Nguyen sacrifice their free time to condition with him. And his friend Atef Ben Said, who introduced him to Muay Thai, keeps him sharp and provides the best advice—"I truly believe he's one of the very best in the DMV."
Muay Thai taught him discipline, self-protection, and how to be a better person. The grind and relationships built along the way changed his life in ways he never imagined. Now, as he heads to Australia to compete for a world title, his message is clear: "Don't ever let someone tell you what you can and can't do or how your story goes. You're the author of your own book! Keep God close and ANYTHING is possible!"
Support the Raequaun "Skinny Gorilla" Turner as he continues his ascent toward becoming a multiple-time champion, proving that setbacks are just setups for greater comebacks. When he steps in the ring, prepare for takeoff—because this family man from Manassas Park is just getting started. #1of1
