Denis Puric may be busy preparing for one of the biggest fights of his career next weekend, but he is already paving the road for what comes next for him.

At ONE 167: Tawanchai vs. Nattawut II on Friday, June 7, “The Bosnian Menace” will face Rodtang “The Iron Man” Jitmuangnon in a flyweight kickboxing showdown inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. 

Denis Puric reveals why he opened Soi Dogs MMA

Since he arrived in ONE in 2022, Puric has targeted a match with the flyweight Muay Thai king, and he was awarded it after winning three of his last four outings in ONE Championship and taking the #3-ranked position in the stacked division.

However, competing isn’t the only thing the Bosnian-Canadian powerhouse has been focusing on. He opened Soi Dogs MMA last year after being pushed to give attention to the next chapter of his career by someone special in his life.

“My girlfriend [made me want to do it initially]. She said, ‘Babe, it’s time for you to open a damn gym. You can’t be fighting forever.’ She basically got me to do it, and I’m glad I did,” he said. 

“It’s hard to be a fighter and run a gym at the same time. So that’s why I was kinda waiting for my career to end, but she’s said, ‘It doesn’t look like you want to stop fighting, so just open a gym and still fight. Do your thing and keep it going.’”

After migrating to Canada from war-torn Bosnia, Puric experienced a troubled youth. Eventually, he discovered an outlet in combat sports and found a home with Kru Alin of House of Champions, which helped steer him in the right direction. 

“The Bosnian Menace” wants to be someone’s Kru Alin

His career went from strength to strength as he showcased his talents in various parts of the world, and he now wants to pay it forward by helping future competitors learn and grow. 

“I’m lucky that I found my Kru Alin, who showed me the path to greatness. There were many paths out there, but he showed me a path where I knew I could make something of myself in this lifetime,” the 38-year-old star said.

“And that meant a lot to me because, at that age, all you wanted to do was make your parents proud. I was an only child, and I got in trouble a lot, too. But, at the end of the day, my parents meant a lot to me because they came to this country so I could have a better life.” 

“I want to be somebody’s Kru Alin. I’m trying to do what’s been done for me and trying to pass on the knowledge, help people, and help them find their potential, whether it’s fighting or it’s something else.” 

Fulfilling his goal of defeating Rodtang will surely go a long way in inspiring his students at Soi Dogs MMA, so fans can expect Puric to go all out in their kickboxing showdown at ONE 167.