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".

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.

 

* 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.

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.

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.