‘Physical: Asia’ Brings Combat Sports Stars to Netflix’s Toughest Competition Yet
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Netflix has doubled down on its hit format with ‘Physical: Asia’, a global spin-off of the wildly popular ‘Physical: 100’. This time, the platform raises the stakes with a team-based competition featuring elite athletes from across the continent. And they brought out some of the most recognizable names in combat sports today.
The new series unites competitors from Korea, Japan, Thailand, Mongolia, Australia, Türkiye, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Blending diverse athletic backgrounds into one high-intensity battlefield for pride and for country. But what truly sets ‘Physical: Asia‘ apart is its serious star power.
Past and present combat sports icons are stepping in not as celebrity cameos, but as full-fledged team captains ready to lead their squads into physically punishing challenges. Below is a breakdown of the combat sport legends bringing prestige, and high pressure, to their respective nations:
Dong Hyun Kim – Captain of Team Korea 🇰🇷
A pioneer for Asian MMA, Dong Hyun Kim last competed in the UFC in 2017. He retired with 13 UFC wins, the second-most by any Asian fighter in history. Stepping in as Korea’s captain, he brings not only veteran leadership, but a team stacked with experience.
Several Korean competitors previously appeared on ‘Physical: 100’, making them one of the most seasoned, and heavily favored, teams in the entire competition.
Superbon Singha Mawynn – Captain of Team Thailand 🇹🇭
Representing Thailand is none other than Superbon, the reigning ONE Championship Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion. Known worldwide for his precision striking and highlight-reel knockouts, Superbon gives Team Thailand instant credibility.
Under his leadership, the squad enters the competition with the aura and confidence knowing how to thrive under pressure. The goal is to embody the fighting spirit of Thailand, a tall task Superbon is up to.
Yushin Okami & Kana Watanabe – Team Japan’s Combat Duo 🇯🇵
Japan arrives with star power on multiple fronts. Yushin Okami, the nation’s team captain, holds the distinction of having the most UFC wins by an Asian fighter (14). Still active in MMA as of November 2024, Okami remains one of Japan’s most respected MMA figures.
He’s joined by Kana Watanabe, a standout in Bellator and most recently the PFL. Her judo-based style and high-level fighting IQ add a tactical edge to Japan’s already formidable squad. She’s an elite female athlete that welcomes the challenge against male competitors.
Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu – Mongolia’s X-Factor 🇲🇳
Team Mongolia may be one of the most diverse groups in the competition. But, Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu stands out as its competitive anchor. He won the inaugural Road to ONE: Mongolia tournament, securing a contract with the promotion.
Baatarkhuu brings real combat experience to a team full of powerful and unique athletes. His MMA background makes him a flexible chess piece in a format that demands strength, endurance, and strategy.
Robert Whittaker – Captain of Team Australia 🇦🇺
One of the biggest names in the entire cast is Robert Whittaker. Not only is he a former UFC Middleweight Champion, ‘The Reaper’ remains one of the sport’s elite active contenders.
As Team Australia’s captain, Whittaker leads a squad that might be the most physically imposing group on the show. With size, athleticism, and star quality, the Australians enter the competition as one of the clear favorites to take home the ‘Physical: Asia’ crown.
Manny Pacquiao – Captain of Team Philippines 🇵🇭
Netflix saved one of its biggest surprises for last when Manny Pacquiao appeared as the captain of Team Philippines. The only eight-division world champion in boxing history, Pacquiao’s arrival instantly created an unforgettable moment, with athletes from every nation lining up to greet him.
His presence alone elevated the prestige of the competition, bringing in a global icon whose legacy transcends combat sports. Though his time on the show was brief, his participation was one of the season’s biggest shockers.
Why You Should Watch
‘Physical: Asia’ isn’t just a spin-off, it’s a supercharged evolution of the original series. By assembling legendary athletes, national icons, and top-tier competitors from across the region, Netflix has created a spectacle that blends combat-sports credibility with reality competition entertainment.
It also gives competing nations a chance to spotlight their grassroots sports. Countries like Türkiye and Indonesia may not have featured traditional combat sports athletes, but they were still able to showcase elite talent from their own national sports. The result is a show where national pride meets peak physical performance.
Whether you’re a fan of MMA, kickboxing, boxing, or simply elite-level competition, ‘Physical: Asia’ is shaping up to be Netflix’s most adrenaline-packed series yet.
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