- 53 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Most people scrolling through social media see a viral video – a 9-year-old boy throwing perfect combinations while his father holds pads, both of them smiling, moving in perfect rhythm.
What they don't see is the story behind those moments, the phone calls from his mother's house asking if he can come train, the custody schedule carefully coordinated around training sessions, and the conscious effort to turn split time into a meaningful connection.
For 32-year-old Colombian-American striker Diego Paez, those viral training videos with his son Elias aren't content – they're documentation of a bond that refuses to be divided by circumstance.
On February 13 at ONE Fight Night 40 in Bangkok, Thailand, Diego faces Thai star Black Panther in a flyweight Muay Thai bout, and this time, his son will be in attendance. It’s the first time Elias has made the trek with his father to “The Land of Smiles,” and there’s sure to be plenty of smiles this week and beyond.
"It's everything to me. I bring him everywhere with me. It's crazy because I'm his father, but you learn a lot when you have a child. They don't even realize that they're like a coach as well, because I'm learning as I go," Diego reflected, capturing the reciprocal nature of their relationship.
This isn't the typical story of a father imposing his passion on his son. This is something that began before Elias even entered the world, back when Diego and his baby’s mama were still together, training together, and building something that would eventually become the foundation of a different kind of family structure.
"It happened when he was in the womb. I used to hold pads for his baby mama. As soon as he could walk, he knew how to punch, how to kick, how to do all that good stuff. And then, I just poured into that cup," Diego shared, painting a picture of a child literally born into martial arts.
Now, at 9 years old, Elias isn't just going through the motions because his dad fights. The youngster is genuinely passionate about training, calling from his mother's house during their custody time specifically to ask if he can come to the gym.
"He always wants to train. I'll get calls from him when he's with his mom asking if he can come train with us, if he can come take my class. And he does all the time," Diego explained, the pride in his voice unmistakable.
These training sessions have become more than just private father-son moments. Diego posts videos of their sessions on social media, and some have gone viral and done millions of views – not because of gimmicks or manufactured drama, but because there's something genuine and heartwarming about watching a father and son connect through martial arts.
Based in California and training at Classic Fight Team, Diego has built his own career while simultaneously nurturing Elias' development.
"This is my only child, but I'm fully devoted to him, his development, and everything for him. I'm grateful to have him. It made me a better man," the Colombian-American star said, articulating what many fathers feel but struggle to express.
Every time Diego steps into the ring, he's not just competing – he's showing his son what it means to pursue your dreams, to bounce back from losses, and to keep fighting even when things get difficult.
