Taekwondo black belt Ethan Gillanders is set for a 175-lb kickboxing bout at Caldwell Fight Night 3, bringing years of training and a dream of ONE Championship glory.
At just 20 years old, Ethan Gillanders is already proving himself as one of Idaho’s most exciting young martial artists. With a third-degree black belt in taekwondo, years of experience in MMA, and a growing kickboxing and Muay Thai arsenal, Gillanders is stepping into a 175-lb bout at Caldwell Fight Night 3 with a lifetime of training behind him.
With kickboxing and MMA exploding across Idaho and the Mountain West, local fighters are drawing regional and national attention. Gillanders’ unique journey from childhood karate classes to full-contact competition highlights the discipline, resilience, and humility it takes to succeed in combat sports.
So the big question is, “How does a 20-year-old balance school, work, and the dream of becoming a professional fighter while preparing for the toughest competition of his life?”
On this episode of The Gordie Tamayo Show, host Gordie Tamayo sits down with Gillanders to talk about his early beginnings, his martial arts influences, and his vision for the future.
Key Discussion Points:
- Early beginnings in taekwondo: How starting at age four shaped his character and fighting style.
- Kickboxing and Muay Thai evolution: Adapting from precision striking to clinching, sweeps, and the grind of full-contact fighting.
- Balancing dreams and reality: His goals of fighting in ONE Championship, while also pursuing a career in dentistry.
*** PRESS PLAY ***
Guest Bio:
Ethan Gillanders is a professional mixed martial artist training with Team No Excuse MMA. A third-degree black belt in taekwondo, he has been immersed in martial arts since the age of four and has competed in full-contact kickboxing and Muay Thai since 2023. Known for his explosive kicks and technical movement, Gillanders is also a student working toward a future career in dentistry; proving that both discipline in the gym and dedication in the classroom can coexist.
This event is sponsored by: Rodriguez Tortillas, Jiffy Lube, Radix Construction, Premier Mortgage Resources, Essink Real Estate, Mark Freemyer Family Insurance, and powered by Digital Unicorn.
