‘I Want To See What God Has Created’ – Inside Marat Grigorian’s Passion For Exploring The World
For three-time Glory Kickboxing World Champion Marat Grigorian, an illustrious martial arts career has unlocked doors he never could have imagined while growing up.
That incredible journey continues next week as the 35-year-old superstar returns to action against Russian standout Mamuka Usubyan. The two will meet in a highly anticipated first round of the eight-man ONE SAMURAI Featherweight Kickboxing Tournament at The Inner Circle 25.
The star-studded card broadcasts live in Asia primetime from Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, August 7, exclusively available to subscribers at live.onefc.com.
Intense training camps and the heavy demands of competing on the global stage may dominate his calendar, but the Armenian athlete has found a way to carve out something just as meaningful in the spaces between them: a genuine, deep-rooted passion for exploring the world.
Every Journey Earned
Grigorian’s decorated kickboxing career has taken him across the globe, and it is a distinct privilege he certainly does not take for granted.
Raised by parents who worked tirelessly to build a better future for their family, and instilled with a strong Christian faith from a young age, he learned early on that anything worth having had to be earned.
Today, the former ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Title challenger makes a deliberate point to savor every single reward that his martial arts journey has brought him.
He told onefc.com:
“Traveling is one of the best ways to grow in experience. I’m blessed to be able to do that. But of course, I worked [hard] to be able to do this. My life wasn’t always nice and easy. I overcame struggles and many battles. So, making memories now is so important.
“Being able to experience new places is special. Above all, I’m a believer in God. And I want to see what God has created for us. I want to be able to see it and experience it with my own eyes and touch. I see beauty in a lot of things, and I’m really thankful for the countless experiences.”
Outside of profound gratitude, travel also serves a highly practical purpose for the Hemmers Gym representative once fight week comes to a close.
The rigors of a training camp, the immense pressure of competition, and the physical toll of performing in the world’s largest martial arts organization demand a complete reset. Grigorian has developed a recovery process that goes well beyond simple rest, and it is a key factor in keeping him competing at an elite level.
He added:
“After my fights, I take some time off just to focus on my life. There’s no better way to just shut down everything and relax at a destination. This helps me grow mentally.
“It keeps my mind fresh before and after fights, restores my energy levels, and keeps me sharp before I continue fight camp or training. I will not change it for anything. The man you see in the ring is because I always take my days off very seriously.”
Two Countries He Holds Dear
Taking his well-earned days off seriously has led Grigorian to some remarkable corners of the world over the years. From historic European cities to pristine Asian coastlines, few destinations have escaped his radar since his athletic career took flight.
Among all the places the globetrotter has explored, two specific countries consistently rise above the rest, each pulling at him for entirely different reasons.
The 35-year-old shared:
“One of the most special places or countries I’ve been to is Japan. You have to see it with your own eyes — the culture, the mentality, the mindset, the respect, and the cleanliness on the streets, and the big malls. It’s crazy to describe it in [a few words].
“The second place for me is Thailand. Yes, I’m focused on my fight here, but I have chances to clear my mind here. It’s also such a beautiful country with good food and good people. Like Japan, everything here is good.”
Japan’s profound appeal lies almost entirely in its rich culture and disciplined way of life. It is a country Grigorian last visited following his spectacular victory over Kaito at ONE SAMURAI 1 in Tokyo’s Ariake Arena this past April.
Thailand, meanwhile, has become something of a second home given how often his career has brought him through the iconic Lumpinee Stadium. Its tropical setting leaves him delightfully torn between two very different kinds of natural escapes.
The Belgium-based fighter reflected:
“I love just relaxing by the beach, but I also love going to the mountains, up the hills, and being among the trees. I love nature. I love the waterfalls, too. I grew up experiencing that a lot, and I still love it today just as much.”
His Dream Destination
Despite having already stamped his passport across multiple continents, the three-time Glory Kickboxing World Champion is far from finished mapping out where he wants to go next.
Much of Grigorian’s career has been driven by a sincere desire to give back to his parents for everything they sacrificed while raising him. That exact same purpose extends directly to his travel bucket list, and as a man of Christian faith, it centers on one deeply significant destination.
The Hemmers Gym athlete said:
“One of my dream destinations — one of my ultimate goals — is to bring my parents to Jerusalem to visit where all the significant events in the Bible took place.
“I want to [familiarize] myself with the places, and equip myself with more history about my religion. I want to take them to the mountains, to the sea, and wherever else that holds historical importance.”
For now, though, those grand plans will simply have to wait. Grigorian’s immediate, unwavering focus is on getting past Usubyan and anyone else standing between him and tournament glory.
If he successfully goes all the way to the final — with the ultimate victor earning a guaranteed shot at reigning ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon — the coming months will be an incredibly busy stretch with little room for holidays.
However, it is a trade-off the Armenian star is more than happy to make as he chases kickboxing’s ultimate prize.
Grigorian concluded:
“I actually don’t have anywhere planned for my next trip. But we’ll see. Now, I’m just focused on this fight and the tournament. I don’t want to think about my next holiday yet. If I win the tournament, I’ll maybe take a nice holiday and celebrate it with my parents.”
