Tuesday and Friday at the incredible Wand Fight Team in Las Vegas is sparring night. In this file footage, Wand is seen first sparring with Michael ‘The Big Boss’ Costa. Costa is the head Muay Thai coach at Wand FT, and a professional fighter himself.

It would be unkind to accuse Costa of being cocky, but the fighter/coach shows some flashy moves, including a brief takedown. Then Costa lands an unexpected axe kick. At this point, having already dropped Costa a couple of times, Wand establishes with remarkable clarity who the real big boss is.

Costa ends up in a heap being pummeled, but was entirely unphazed. Then the round ends and it is time for the next fighter.

Originally from Brazil, Michael resides in Las Vegas to further himself as a professional MMA fighter, and to train side-by-side with people that motivate him and share his training mentality. An athlete throughout his career, Michael has trained alongside Wanderlei in the Chute Boxe Academy, along with such experienced fighters as Anderson ‘Spider’ Silva, Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua and Fabricio Werdum.

He’s had the ability to learn alongside great champions and has acquired valuable experience from all of them. Learning and receiving his black belt in Muay Thai under the tutelage of Rafael Cordeiro, considered one of the best trainers and creators of champions in the world. Michael is also a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, receiving his instruction at Gracie Humaita Academy under Grand Master Royler Gracie.

With 17 professional MMA bouts, he has competed in events such as Pancrase, Shooto, Sengoku Japan, and Art of War in China. His personal goal in life, and as a part of Wand Fight Team, is to continue learning and to claim his space among the best, as well as contributing to forming great athletes and champions, both inside and out, on the team.