Burrage, 37, remains as hungry as ever to compete despite featuring in more than 100 fights.

He and partner Sam Barnett head off to Thailand on Monday for a six-week tour which will encompass training and bouts.

Burrage, who has won a world championship belt in the sport, has developed a special affinity with the south-east Asian nation.

“I first went to Thailand in 2002 for my first fight and it was an eye-opener all right,” Burrage said.

“I was able to stop my opponent in the third round and it has all continued from there.”

Many Australians go to the country for the beaches and the resorts, but this odyssey will not be a holiday for the dynamic North West duo.

Burrage is set to have up to three bouts, fitness and injury willing, including two bare-knuckle contests.

“Muay Boran rules is where they bandage your hands with rope around them,” he said.

“That fight at the Samui International Stadium is within a week of when we land and on a big fight show called Card Cheuk.

“Provided I get through that one, I’ll have a Muay Thai bout in Phuket and another bare knuckle contest back in Koh Samui.

“It is always hard to get suitable fights in Australia when it comes to Muay Thai, but not over there because there’s so many fighters and they are in action every three or four weeks.”

Barnett, 32, is embarking on her third trip to the nation.

After first joining the gym for aerobic classes, Barnett has made the transition to Muay Thai with aplomb and built up an excellent record as Burrage explained.

“Sam has had eight fights so far for six wins,” he said.

“She is locked in for one bout against a local fighter, which she is looking forward to and will also do a lot of high-intensity training during the trip.”

Burrage said the atmosphere generated ringside also added to the spectacle, with large crowds regularly in attendance at fight nights.

“They love it,” he said.

“You can be a professional over there with the number of opportunities to fight, where over here in Australia you have to still juggle work (Burrage runs the Fighting Arts Tamworth gym).

“I’ve never been based in Thailand full-time, but regularly done three-month stints over there during the years.”

Burrage said the trip would not be possible without the generosity of some within the Tamworth community.

“I want to say thanks to Craig Power from the Pub Group and Nick Weir from the Albert Hotel for their continued support,” he said.