Blog

Elaborates on topics from class with articles, videos, and discussion.

The Ambush blog supplements our Muay Thai classes, providing articles, videos, and discussion that elaborates on topics that we train in class. See our blog index page for a categorized index of our blog posts.


Posts in Muay Thai
Langsuan and The Straight Knee

From Coach Jason Webster: Following on today's classes, especially the segments concerning the trajectory of the straight (that is, non-clinch) knee I'm adding this vid for your enjoyment and edification. This match up between Langsuan Panyuthapum and Pongsiri "Rambo" Ruamrudee became an instant classic, so much so that the pair returned to the ring (in their late 40s...circa 2013) due to audience demand.  Langsuan remains one of the best all - around fighters who was, nonetheless, a knee specialist. Fighting out of the Osotsopha camp, Langsuan would go on to become a dominant champion. His opponent Rambo was at the time sort of a people's champion; lacking the raw athleticism of his contemporaries, Rambo won fights, and the crowd, with his never-say-die, blood-and-guts style.

You may become mesmerized early by this fight's pace...for those of you to have dared enter the squared circle will be delighted with and awed at the superhuman pace. As a complement to what I shared in class, notice first Langsuan's continual forward motion. While you will see him reverse to pull Rambo in for a sharp knee, mostly he is surging forward.

Secondly, and most salient viz our class, pay attention to the angle and trajectory of his plentiful straight knees. (Incidentally also take notice of the fluidity of ranges, all of which feature his pistoning knees. One thing that might escape scrutiny, if it weren't for the overpowering number of these type of knees thrown, is the way Langsuan is able to deliver those beautiful knees straight down the pipe while still remaining engaged and or entwined with Rambo's furious fists an arms. How does he do it? Simple. By using that hollow body to both make room and keep contact. Enjoy.

One other side note that might interest Muay Thai aficionados: The fighter who would take the ring name of "Rambah" (also known as Somdet M16) fighting out of Pattaya did so as a play on words (so to speak). The term "bah" in Thai is a slang curse word. Sort of indicating that he was "the crazy Rambo".

http://bit.ly/1KMhWGm
Manipulating Position in Clinch

From Coach Jason Webster: Here is a fight that displays some of the elements of Saturday's Muay Thai clinch class where we worked on using the hands and arms to manipulate your opponent's position. Both of these fighters were elite class and had been stadium champions. Oley (red), who passed away recently, had an inimitable style with complex footwork and a disarmingly subtle laid back presence. Chamuakpet was a fierce fighter who, in addition to his stadium standing(s), beat the bejabbers out of a world champ American kickboxer on the Muay Thai show that featured the epic battle between Changpuek Kiatsongrit and Rick Roufus (if you don't know what I'm referencing then it's the cone of shame and 10k kicks for you...).

Watch both fighters mix their punches and clinch with the straight arm tactic of keeping distance and off-balancing their opponent. Notice too how high the arm is kept and its dynamic interplay between offensive pressuring and providing a defensive cover for the opponent's strikes.

 

21/5 1993 Lumpinee

* Addendum from Coach Elton Wells: For anyone not familiar with Kiatsongrit vs Roufus, after you finish your 10K kicks check out this excellent Lawrence Kenshin video about it.

Check out my new book on striking: www.StrikingTechniques.com This bout forever changed the landscape of kickboxing, Muay Thai, and MMA in North America. You'll find no other fight that is as dramatic, with both fighters displaying tremendous heart.
Elasticity in Clinch

From Coach Jason Webster: Here is a great fight (ca Golden Age of Muay Thai) that is a great example of what we talked about in Saturday's clinch class. To wit, Rajasak in the red corner was a very feared fighter who fought almost exclusively with knees.  Watch him continually "hollow out" his shoulders and chest, move his hips back to knee. Also notice his intense forward pressure that continually expands and contracts "elastically" even while maintaining tight contact with his opponent.

Uploaded by Rinkeby Muay Thai on 2014-01-17.
"The Low-Kick Round"

Good round from a Rajadamnern fight courtesy of Muayties, good action and a lot of low kicks.

On December 24th 2014, Seksan Or. Kwanmuang and Songkom Nayoksanya entered the Rajadamnern Stadium ring in Bangkok, like they had done many times before. What happened in round 3, was one of the most grueling leg-kick exchanges in recent history. Here it is again "The Low-Kick Round", for the first time in Full HD.
Aldo vs Faber: Strong kicks in action

This week we worked on developing a strong kick.  Check out these highlights from Aldo vs Faber, Aldo's kick is very strong and he employs it frequently.  You can see some of the mechanics that we worked on, with impressive results.

31 Leg kicks Jose Aldo in Urijah Faber
A simple sweep from clinch

Tonight we worked on sweeps and throws from clinch. Here's a video from Muay Thai Guy demonstrating one of the sweeps we drilled tonight.

http://www.muay-thai-guy.com/clinch-video-series.html --- Dominate The Clinch with this Free 3-Part Video Course This is my favorite sweep technique to utilize inside the Muay Thai clinch. This basic clinch technique is simple but very effective, especially if you're able to time your opponents knee with your sweeping motion.
Saenchai and Pot clinching at Sinbi

Clinch work in class tonight.  Here's a good video from Sinbi Muay Thai in Thailand with Saenchai clinching with Pot, one of their trainers.  Saenchai is P4P one of the best fighters in the world, but Pot is able to control him at close range with excellent clinch technique and flow.

Pot Clinching with Saenchai at Sinbi Muay Thai Camp
Yodsanklai and clinching with a larger opponent

Nice video analysis by Tristar coach Firas Zahabi on how Yodsanklai deals with a larger opponent in the clinch via an underhook + reverse cross face and inside bicep control position.

When Fighting a bigger stronger opponent a common problem occurs. Fighting them form the outside can be difficult since they have the longer reach and fighting them from the inside can also be difficult because the height allows them a lot of leverage for the Muay Thai plum.
Ramon Dekkers tribute

Two years ago today Muay Thai legend Ramon Dekkers passed away.  In honor of his memory check out this highlight tribute.

My highlight/tribute video of one of the greatest fighters of all time. May he rest in peace. Ramon "The Diamond" Dekkers (4 September 1969 -- 27 February 2013) was a Dutch kickboxer and an eight time Muay Thai world champion. Dekkers had a tendency to go head-to-head with his opponents, which made him a favorite with fight fans.
Muay ThaiAmbush Muay Thai
John Wayne Parr on JRE

John Wayne Parr, an Australian Muay Thai fighter who has won multiple world titles, recently appeared on the Joe Rogan podcast.  This was a great discussion of Muay Thai and Thai culture, well worth a listen.

John Wayne Parr is an Australian middleweight kickboxer and boxer, fighting out of Boonchu Gym in Gold Coast, Queensland. He is a 10-time World Champion in Muay Thai and runner up in The Contender Asia.
Muay ThaiAmbush Muay Thai
Tyrone Spong Hand Trap KO Setup

In a couple of recent classes we've worked trapping a hand to setup a power punch or elbow.  Check out this clip of Tyrone Spong setting up a KO straight right hand by first trapping the defending hand.  (Fast-forward to 4:01, or go to this link.)

Check out my new book on striking: www.StrikingTechniques.com Website: http://www.lawrencekenshin.com Patreon [Help Keep the Content Alive]: http://patreon.com/lawrencekenshin Facebook Updates: https://www.facebook.com/LawrenceKenshinBreakdowns/ Twitter Updates: https://twitter.com/LawrenceKenshin Kenshin Gear: http://lawrencekenshin.spreadshirt.com/ Tyrone had to move up weight-classes because he was beating them all. Being one of the most technical fighters is how he became "King of the Ring".
The Knees of Simon Marcus

Another good video from Lawrence Kenshin Striking Breakdowns highlighting knees, this time from Simon Marcus.

Check out my new book on striking: www.StrikingTechniques.com New Website: http://www.lawrencekenshin.com Become a Patron: http://patreon.com/lawrencekenshin Facebook Updates: https://www.facebook.com/LawrenceKenshinBreakdowns Twitter Updates: https://twitter.com/LawrenceKenshin Get some Kenshin Gear: http://lawrencekenshin.spreadshirt.com/ Simon Marcus is a great Muay Thai champion and he strikes with vicious power. Check out some of his wicked knee setups.
Muay Thai, KneeAmbush Muay Thai
Tribute to Dieselnoi

Last week we worked a lot of knees in class. Check out this tribute from Lawrence Kenshin Striking Breakdowns on Dieselnoi, a great Muay Thai fighter who had a devastating knee attack.

Check out my new book on striking: www.StrikingTechniques.com Nak Muay Nation: http://www.nakmuaynation.com New Website: http://www.lawrencekenshin.com Become a Patron: http://patreon.com/lawrencekenshin Facebook Updates: http://facebook.com/LawrenceKenshinBreakdowns Twitter Updates: https://twitter.com/LawrenceKenshin Get some Kenshin Gear: http://lawrencekenshin.spreadshirt.com/ Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn is one of the biggest legends in Muay Thai.
Muay Thai, KneeAmbush Muay Thai