Bay Area’s Keelan Weekes Set to Defend WBC National Title in Houston

Keelan Weekes will defend his WBC 140-pound national amateur Muay Thai title on September 19 in Houston, Texas, when he headlines a Coalition Muay Thai card against Florida’s Zack Espinosa.

“Ever since I started competing, the goal as an amateur was to get the WBC title,” Weekes said. “And now I have it, and I’m defending it for the first time.”

Weekes trains out of Omni Movement in Hercules, California, where he’s part of a tight-knit Muay Thai community that’s grown rapidly over the last few years. He credits much of that development to the Bay Area’s unique fighting identity.

“California as a whole has very good Muay Thai,” he said. “But you’ll watch someone fight from the Bay Area—like Eddie Abasolo—and go, ‘Oh yeah, he’s got his own little swag to it.’ A lot of people in the Bay Area fight like that. They have their own dance and rhythm.”

Weekes has been competing across the globe, from the WBC Games in Mexico to recent bouts in Italy and Florida. This marks his first trip to Texas, and it comes with high expectations.

“I know [Espinosa] is a southpaw, and he’s very good technically,” Weekes said. “I know we both fought together on the same team in Mexico. I think it’s going to be fight of the night.”

Known for his crowd-pleasing style, Weekes doesn’t shy away from putting on a show.

“I definitely bring a lot of energy. I’m a performer at heart,” he said. “I love putting on shows for the crowd. One of the best ways to describe my style is non-stop tenacity and a very high level.”

He’s also excited to soak in his first trip to Texas—after business is handled.

“I’ve never been to Texas. I’m excited to get some barbecue after,” he said. “But when I’m fighting, it’s hard to think about being in another place. After the fight’s done and I get to go see the city, I’ll be able to look forward to it a little more. Until then, I just want to fight.”

Weekes said this is likely his second-to-last amateur bout. He plans to turn pro in early 2026, with clear long-term goals.

“[Going pro] will be beginning of next year,” he said. “The biggest thing I’m trying to shoot for right now is ONE Championship. That’s really my goal. I want to fight specifically Muay Thai in 4-ounce gloves. I think it’s going to be really good for my style.”

Weekes draws inspiration from a variety of fighters, especially those from Japan like Nautica and Yuki Yoza.

“They’re really good right now,” he said. “I think they’re going to be at the top of the leaderboards in all weight classes pretty soon in ONE Championship.”

Weekes started Muay Thai around 2016 or 2017 and found his coach, Steven Chao, at Omni Movement not long after. From there, the passion took over.

“When I first started, I was just doing it because I loved fighting. I’ve been an athlete my whole life, but not a fighter. This is the most competitive thing there is. Fighting another man is one of the best feelings in the world.”

Those around him weren’t surprised by his success.

“They were just like, ‘Of course you would choose to fight to try to make a living off of it,’” he said. “Everything that I really love, I’ve always put all my effort into. I just throw all my eggs in one basket. This was the first thing that I really, really loved.”

Weekes credits his basketball background—he played through high school—for his footwork. But he found his true identity in combat sports.

“I was like, ‘Oh, this is a lot better,’” he said.

He’ll be the only member of his team on this Coalition card, but says fans can expect to see his teammates soon.

“One of my teammates just won a title up here. He got a fourth-round TKO,” he said. “And one of my teammates is going to help corner—his name is Jordy. You’re for sure going to be seeing him soon in the WBC rankings. He’s one of the best in America. People just don’t know yet.”

Weekes currently holds a belt with California’s Rising Stars promotion and is racking up accolades before going pro.

“I’m just trying to collect as many accolades as I can before I end up going pro,” he said. “Money talks, but the prestige of the promotion means a lot too. If I could fight pro on a Coalition card and work toward a WBC belt as a pro, that would be amazing.”

He’s open to wherever the right opportunity leads, as long as it aligns with his ONE Championship ambitions.