the voice behind the fight

Jordan Gerbs

Fighter · Commentator · Team Stalder Muay Thai, QLD

I first came across Jordan online through the reels she was posting about upcoming fight shows. I loved how involved she was in the Muay Thai scene and how much she seemed to genuinely enjoy being a part of it.
I eventually met her at a fight show, and I've since had the chance to fight on her gym's promotion (Conquest Muay Thai Promotions - the best amateur show around I would say)
Jordan is a fighter herself and has recently been getting behind the commentary desk, so I wanted to hear more about her journey in Muay Thai, her experience competing and how she found her way into it all.

FOLLOW HER JOURNEY ↓

@jordangerbs

BEFORE MUAY THAI

How did you first get into sport, and what did your background look like before Muay Thai?

I first got into Muay Thai specifically for off-season fitness and the challenge of trying something new.
I'd been a football (soccer) and futsal player my whole life, and was feeling burnt out and uninspired at regular commercial gyms.

I joined TSMT with a friend, and fell in love with it pretty quickly. I was not good at it... I was awkward, flat footed, but kinda loved being 'bad' at something compared to my comfort zone on the football field.

I decided to step away from football due to work commitments, so it gave me more time to put into Muay Thai. Slowly, I started to improve and thats when I thought about competing.

THE FIRST FIGHT

What do you remember about your first fight?

Oh man, it was rough. It’s almost impossible to predict what a first time fighter versus another first time fighter match will be like and what the outcome will be - you just have to get the first one under your belt.

I remember getting hit with the first punch in 10 or 12oz gloves and going, “oh damn, this is real.” Lots of bruises from calf kicks and super cute black eyes were worn as a souvenir afterwards, but I was genuinely in good spirits the whole time.

Looking back at the photos, I could see I managed to have nice technique, especially in my kicks, so I was proud of that.

WHAT FIGHTING TAUGHT HER

What has competing taught you about yourself?

Going from being super experienced in a team sport, to brand new in an individual sport, taught me a lot about my ego and my pride.

People don’t like to talk about their ego because it might make them look bad, but I’m not afraid to admit that at the start I often got frustrated or upset and would blame it on everything else except myself. Work, sleep, nutrition, my age, other people…

But there’s nowhere to hide in Muay Thai. You can’t blame the striker for not scoring the goal, or the goalkeeper for not saving it. Any mistake or shortcoming is yours, and yours alone.

I didn’t realise I had that tendency until it was exposed in the gym, and now I’m able to train and fight honestly, with far less ego attached.

THE JOURNEY SO FAR

What has your journey in Muay Thai looked like so far?

I started Muay Thai at 24 or 25. I’d taken classes and 1:1 training elsewhere sporadically before then, but Team Stalder is where I started and stayed for my journey.

I’ve had four fights, with one win. Although I would’ve loved to win them all, it’s taught me some really valuable (and sometimes confronting) lessons super early in my journey which I’m grateful for.

I’ve fought on Conquest Muay Thai Promotions on the Sunshine Coast three times, before getting an opportunity on Muay Thai League 14 in 2025.

During times of injury and where fights have fallen through, I’ve been able to help corner fighters, train some juniors, volunteer at shows, and learn heaps about the sport.

I love fighting, but I also love the sport, and being part of more than just the fighting bit I think actually makes me a better fighter and teammate.

FINDING HER VOICE

How did you get into commentating Muay Thai fights?

Don’t let the teachers tell you that you talk too much in class, because you just might end up becoming a commentator!

Nakia from Muay Thai League first asked me to commentate after I started posting videos to my socials about the match ups, and it all started happening from there!

I love the storyline behind a fighter, and every fighter has a story to tell. To help share that story to the masses watching at home is what I want fighters and viewers to take away from my commentary.

WHAT THE VIEWER MISSES

What’s something you notice when watching a fight that you think the average viewer might miss?

If you haven’t seen Muay Thai (or any combat sport) live and up close, I’d say watching the corners.

You can see in real time what makes a corner great, which can win you the fight compared to a not-so-great corner.

The feedback that people like Max McVicker or Matt Bones give during and between rounds is fascinating and so high level. It is far harder than you think to make reads and determine adjustments within seconds.

If you’re at a show live, I recommend trying to tune into a corner.

WHAT MAKES A GREAT FIGHT?

What do you think makes a great Muay Thai fight?

A great fight starts before the bell even goes. It’s good match making, first and foremost.

A clash of styles is always entertaining because the best game plan wins. I enjoy the tactical, strategic fights. It’s usually not the KOs, but one where it’s balancing on the edge of a knife it’s that close - and you can get those at every level of the game, not just the top.

THE LONG WAY AROUND

You’ve had some time away from competing due to injury - what has that period been like for you?

My hip reconstruction in January was inevitable, and I knew it had to happen at some point.

Thanks to my EP and Physio, every step of the way I’ve been able to do ‘something’, which has kept me from going insane.

The idea of hip surgery made me pretty scared, and I think I mentally wrote off competing again without admitting it to myself out loud, so when I was kicking only 5 months afterwards, I definitely had a few happy tears on the car ride home from training.

Rehab has been a full time job to ensure recovery has been perfect, but it’s been worth it.

I wouldn’t have started posting to social media if I didn’t stop training and start watching more fights, which wouldn’t have led to commentating, which wouldn’t have made me who I am today.

The universe has a weird way of rerouting you, and I’m glad to be so close to full health again. I might be back in the ring sooner than you think…

THE NEXT CHAPTER

Has staying involved in Muay Thai through commentary changed how you feel about getting back in the ring?

I think the whole experience has given me another way to be involved in the sport while I’ve been away from competing, and I’ve really enjoyed being able to learn from watching fights and being around fight nights.

Do you see yourself competing again?

I might be back in the ring sooner than you think…

What are you looking forward to in the next chapter of your Muay Thai journey?

Through the last year, I’ve become a more confident version of myself in Muay Thai. I’ve started being more unapologetic about myself, my content, and who I am in and out of the ring.

I tried to replicate others in the sport to ‘fit in’ for way too long, but I’ve found so many more opportunities recently just being myself.

I’m taking it as it comes, I’m just looking forward to where that takes me.