Saturday, July 30, 2011

Kickboxing Knockouts

When looking at striking arts and sports, many will argue which techniques work best in certain situations. They argue that their style is more lethal than the next and some their techniques can't be practiced on people and the sport aspect is not realistic. Well, all I can see is get in the ring and touch 'em. Look at this video and ask yourself if this something you'd like to be able to do. The great thing about kickboxing is that it doesn't care what your style is. It doesn't care what your belt is. The belt is in the ring. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U3hQ9Szat4

Friday, July 29, 2011

Want To Be A Champion?

There are a lot of fighters out there but there is only one Champ. Why is it that one fighter dominates and the other fighters just wish for it. Wishing, dreaming, hoping, and all that is great. To be a champion, you have to tell yourself that you are a winner and that you can beat everybody else. Once you have your basic foundation down and you have some experience, you have to say to yourself, "I am here and I am the best". To many fighters avoid the hard and tough fights and don't think their ready to step it up. I say go for it. To be the best, fight the best. It's a win win. If you lose, you know where you are and if your can play with the big boys. If you win, then that's even better. Wait and it will be too late. Look at the confidence of that the champions you idolize. The have big egos and believe in their abilities. I have seen a lot of gifted athletes never reach their potential because the didn't have the mental strength to do so. As I always say, "Believe it to achieve it"!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Sons of the God Hand

Mas Oyama (known as "The God Hand")  produced some of Kyokushin Karate's greats. In this clip you will a who's who of great karate fighters (Filho, Matsui, Kazumi, etc.). Look at the extreme training methods and fight footage. Kyokushin (The Ultimate Truth) gave a way to full contact karate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3ZLEBDIXBI&feature=related

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Anderson Silva is the Best

Ask me who the best fighter in MMA is and I will say the "Spider" Anderson Silva. I think he is the most versatile fighter in the sport. The highlight video explains it. You name a technique in martial arts and he's displayed it fights. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa2HCWJ3bMw

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Lechi Kurbanov Highlight

Here's a recent highlight of one of Kyokushin Karate's top fighters, Lechi Kurbanov. Kurbanov is known for his aerial kicks. Check this out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj9M3rP9_Xk

Monday, July 25, 2011

Want To Stay On Your Feet And Strike?

I watch a lot of fights where Stand Up fighters will step in to the ring or cage in MMA fights and are not able to have the striking advantage they thought they'd have. In order to compete in MMA a fighter has to have take down defense. Grappling arts like wrestling and judo that focus on take downs and throws are ideal. Strikes have to embrace a grappling art like these in order to strike effectively. In the mid-90s I started seriously studying judo to help me get ready for the Shidokan (The Triathlon: bare knuckle karate, thai boxing, grappling). Since then I've trained with athletes from almost every grappling background (brazilian jiu jitsu, wrestling, judo, etc.). I recommend training with take down artists and competing in grappling tournaments of some kind. To learn some in class or training is one thing. When compete in a specialized event, you are forced to apply what you learn and you learn faster.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Judo Applied Off The Mat

Here's a couple of entertaining application of judo throws being used in non combat sports and business.

Soccer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s8Ji_mD_8Q

Court
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djdy_fhvZuM

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Really Want To Learn Self Defense?

I was asked by someone the other day to teach some self defense moves. I tell people you can't go to a seminar and learn to defend yourself. You can practice a combat art for months or years and still not be able to defend yourself. Self defense is a mental projection of readiness. It is an attitude. Attackers prey on those who are not aware. Most of the violent encounters young men get into can be avoided. You guys know what I'm talking about (drink with your boys, go to the bar and look for a fight, or somebody talks to your girl and you want to beat him up). For the ladies, it can be very different. You go out with a new guy and he gets too touchy and you may have to fight him off. A lot of women want to learn self defense, but when they see students on the ground grappling, they don't want to do that "grappling stuff" and I say, "how are you going to learn self defense because if you get attacked, it will probably be some grabbing involved. My number one self defense rule: Study people! When you were a kid and came in after curfew, you knew by the look in your mother's face (without her saying it) what was coming. Be aware of your surroundings especially when your hanging out late at night (remember what your father said "nothing good happens at 1am in the morning").

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

How Should You Spar?

Sparring can be done in many ways. Hard, light, medium, etc. You can spar kicks only, hands, only, hands and feet, clinching sparring, etc. The best way to spar is to put on the boxing gloves, headgear, shin and foot guards and go at it. Pad up well and use some contact. You don't have to give your partner brain damage, but be sure to make good body contact and 70% to the head. It is best to segment your sparring (i.e. hands only for a couple of rounds, kick only, hands and feet) to develop all areas. When doing light sparring you can get by without wearing headgear, but medium to hard sparring, wear one. Go to a boxing gym and watch some pros spar and you will see why they wear head gear. Remember that you need to created the atmosphere of a fight. Pad up well so you can create the intensity without the injury. Train hard.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

The Blue Eyed Samurai

Andy Hug was known as the "Blue Eyed Samurai". He had superb technique and super kicking ability. He died at the young age of 35. He one of a few to win the K-1 grand prix (that didn't come from Holland). He is a Kickboxing and Karate Legend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-n1qAhtUCs

Monday, July 18, 2011

The Axe Kick

The Axe Kick is a kick that you won't see a lot in full contact competition because few fighters are flexible enough and have the skill to do it. When it lands properly it can be very effective. The heel of the kicking leg slams down into whatever it hits. See this video on the Axe kick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGl-UfrzxNU

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Round of the Century

This is one of the most brutal rounds to see. This is a throw back to the Ray Robinson, Jack Dempsey, type of wars. Ward and Gatti, two warriors who put on some of the most memorable rounds in fight history.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/764324-boxing-round-of-the-day-arturo-gatti-and-micky-ward-in-round-of-the-cenury

Friday, July 15, 2011

Muay Thai's Best

Saenchai is one of the best Muay Thai fighters in the world. He is truly a showman. Observe his technique in this playful sparring at a Muay Thai expo with some of the best in the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TN1N7KNH7AE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TN1N7KNH7AE

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Shadow Boxing

One of the most overlooked and misunderstood training methods in fighting is shadowboxing. You tell fighters to shadow box and they move around, throw punches, make hissing sounds, not rotate their hips, not work defensive, moves, and talk to their workout partners. Nope, that ain't how it is supposed to be done. You must visualize and see an imaginary opponent. You have to know when to move and when to sit down on your punches and understand that for everything you do, somebody's going to do something back. Make you shadowboxing a fight. Put your mind into it. It is just as important as hitting the pads, bags, skipping rope, etc. Check out superstar Lucia Rijker (World Champion in boxing and kickboxing) shadowboxing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FM4_3KSw3Y8&feature=fvst

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

More Judo Throws in MMA

There are many ways to take an opponent down in a fight. Here are some real life throws and takedowns in this clip. The throws here are judo throws with no gi. As MMA evolves we see all kinds of martial arts techniques being added to the game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lirsjWqzxWI

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Another Shidokan Fight

Here another Shidokan MMA match. Pretty intense match with grabs, throws, and a lot of action. Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwF6Ejpvsic&feature=channel_video_title
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUyss0AQcRg&feature=related

Monday, July 11, 2011

Shidokan Cup Fights

Here's a couple of fights from the 2009 Shidokan Cup in Japan. This is an annual event that feature bare knuckle karate and gloved karate (kickboxing). Shidokan bare knuckle allows clinching, throws and submissions. On the ground the referee will give you 5 seconds to apply a submission. That doesn't sound like a lot of time and you have to be good to do it. It creates a since of urgency to finish an opponent quickly (and that's a good thing). Look for some good judo throws in the first one too (by Ryo Sakai).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2w_0Te16iY&feature=related

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Spin Kick Knockout

Spin kicks are high risk maneuvers with high returns if landed. Check out this KO clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va6g20PrBWQ&feature=feedrec_grec_index

Friday, July 8, 2011

Peter Aerts

Here is a highlight of one of the greatest kickboxers of all time. The Lumberjack, Peter Aerts. Check this out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIgnlktx9zI&feature=related

Thursday, July 7, 2011

How Can I Get Better

A lot of young athletes seek the holy grail when it comes to training. They try all kinds of supplements, training routines they see top athletes do, etc. But the first thing I notice is lack of technique. We've all heard the philosophy that all being equal, the stronger athlete wins. In a perfect scenario, this may be true. But in all my years as a combat athlete, I've never seen that to be true. There are always guys who are stronger, faster, etc. than an opponent. One guy may be able to lift more, run longer, do more sit ups, but still his fear to fight prevents him from performing to his best. Another guy might half ass train but when because he just meaner than the other guy. My suggestion is to perfect your technique to the best of your ability before looking for some special tool to get you to that next level. If your technique is sound then you  know that you can count on it when all else fails. Do your cardio, strength and conditioning, etc. but develop your skills. And remember success comes from inside. Train your mind to think like a winner.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Hand Speed of the Boxer

Of all the martial arts, boxers have the fastest hands (boxing specializes on fists). Check out this highlight of some of the fastest punches in the sport of boxing. You will be amazed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URyaqxK-1fI&feature=feedrec_grec_index

Can You Take The Pain?

I watched the David Haye vs. Wladamir Klitchko fight this past weekend. I thought Kiltchko tried to make a good fight out of it, but Haye ran for 12 rounds. At the end of the bout he said he couldn't push off is right foot (his power side) and this his "Haye'-maker (but he could run for 12 rounds). I'm of of the believe that if you are really injured or hurt you won't fight. Athletes are always injured. I know of fighters to fight with busted ribs, broken noses, etc. In an earlier blog, I put a video of me fighting with a torn ACL in a tournament. So, it's not like one bout and you just fight off of the adrenaline. You get to go cool down some, wait on your next fight, start swelling in a cold room and go back out for another match. Here's another video 2 years later of me having problems with the same injury (I have torn both knees in the ring in fights). Now I was definitely fighting for far less than what Haye fought for in last Saturday's Heavyweight title bout.

Here is a clip for the final match of The 2004 Shidokan Welterweight World Open agains the tough "Hollywood" Dave Huelett. I turn of the pain receptors until the end of the match. As you will see I still throw some kicks with it. Round kicks are OK, but straight kicks, nope.  I basically limp around during the match.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36lUPGk6558

Monday, July 4, 2011

Tae Kwon Players! Get Rid Of The Chest Protectors!

I am former Tae Kwon Do player and I enjoyed the sport in the late 80s and 90s. Now when I looked at it, the emphasis has changed. To score back in the day, you had to cause trembling shock. If you landed a kick and feel, no point. Now, the contact can be a touch and you can fall and still get a point. The best thing they can do is get rid of chest protector and let us see some blows land that will make fighters keep their hands up.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Unbeatable

Cael Sanderson is a legend in the sport of Wrestling. He was truly unbeatable. His college record was 159 and 0 losses.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-i4pIa1SG0

Friday, July 1, 2011

Stuff That Doesn't Really Work!

There are lots of styles that teach connectivity (trapping, locking, sticky hands) to an opponent's limb. There is a lot of stuff out there with a lot of wrist locks of over grabbing punches or knife attacks. A lot of what self defense experts present out there doesn't work like they say it does. It may work on a slow punch or push, but not on fast hard attacks where people half way no how to attack. A lot of what is taught in martial arts are techniques that are supposed to work against someone not trained in what you are doing. So, yeah, maybe some of it will work against your drunk buddy at a party. Most predators are going to do do more than push or hold your wrist. I have never seen a grown man grab another grown man by the wrist  (not even school boys).