Neutharonee vs Superlek

Elbows...can make or break you!!

Samkor Left Kick Assassin

One of the most explosive kickers in Muay Thai history.

"The Art of War Explained Through Sports" (video)

A very interesting video shared by PC Patrick. I won't say too much. The video will speak for itself :)

Watch "The Art of War Explained Through Sports": 
http://thechive.com/2016/01/19/the-art-of-war-explained-through-sports-video/

Samart vs Nizuma: If you don't know, now you know. (video)

An out of his prime Samart Payakaroon  showing some serious skill. Every straight punch month makes me think of this fight. Timing, distance, application...it's all so perfectly worked in here. Samart isn't even at the top of his game here, but he's just THAT good.

York MT Amateur Athlete Highlights of 2015 (video)

Here are your York Muay Thai amateur athlete highlights of 2015!
Many of the people in this video were first time fighters who decided to step up and test themselves. There were wins, losses, demonstrations of heart and skill...The experiences have only made us better.

We will only keep striving to improve!

Soundtrack:
Stand up- The Prodigy

Teeeeep! Simon Marcus vs Pavlo Kharchenko (video)

This is an old fight from the 2010 Beijing Sport Accord games, but it's the finisher that gets everyone talking.  Seeing as teep month is starting this week (and you know how much we love teep month), enjoy one of the flashiest we've seen in this battle between 2 tough light heavy weights!

Marcus vs Levin 2 (Glory Middleweight Title Fight) video

National Geographic on Muay Thai

A great documentary on Muay Thai featuring fighters from different levels in the Thai circuits...country fighter, Bangkok fighter and Lumpinee Champion.

Buakaw and Matt Embree's fights from the weekend (videos)

Buakaw and Matt both had big fights (not against each other) this weekend! Neither had an easy time and made for exciting match ups!!

Counter Elbows at the Highest Level

Kaopon Lek, former Thailand Fighter of the Year, pulling off a dirrrrty elbow counter off of Mehdi Zatout's switch uppercut. Enjoy!!

Lamnamoon Sor Sumalee Highlight

In honour of knee month ending, here is Lamnamoon! He developed a reputation for having a strong knee game, earning the nickname "Telephone Pole Knees" (yes...seriously). I profiled him years ago on this blog, but the good ones are always worth coming back to.

When watching videos, the primary goal shouldn't be to copy what you're seeing, but to look for things you have already learned and how they are used in real time at a high level. Then, for those with enough ring experience, you can look beyond and see how each fighter adjusts the technique to suit their needs in the moment.

Personal skill is an important part of Muay Thai, but must not be prioritized over basic technique. The significance of this is best described with the common metaphor of building a skyscraper. Without proper support and foundation at the bottom, the building will eventually fall. Your basic technique should always be the priority upon which you eventually build your personal skill. Reversing the process may make you tricky and successful early on, but easy to crumble under serious pressure when the stakes are higher.

PhetJee Jaa: The Prodigious Girl Who Fought Boys

Hard to top our previous post in terms of inspiration but here's that we can all (male or female) appreciate!
‪#‎nakmuayying‬



"In combat sports, it takes an extremely rare individual to defy limitations and become a catalyst inspiring meaningful change. PhetJee Jaa, at 13, is notorious in Thailand for being the girl who fought boys. 

Already a hero for many, she's destined for greatness. Her incredibly story and journey was largely untold in the west. Luckily for us, big thanks to female fighter and Awakening's female Journalist of the Year - Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu, for documenting it @ http://8limbs.us/phetjee-jaa"

Here are some of our ladies who also provide us with daily inspiration:

I am a Warrior Episode 1: Yoddecha Sityodtong

A true tale of triumph and human kindness. One of the century's most decorated champions takes us through how his Kru and team saved him and helped him become the icon that he is. The beauty of this story's ending is rivaled only by the suffering that begins it.

It's been posted before, but if you haven't seen it, now's your chance. If you have already seen it, re-watch it and be inspired. It's been a gloomy winter, but this will hopefully warm you up on the inside :')

Video link here:

Post by Evolve MMA.

Therdkiat vs Oley: Golden Era Battles (video)

The timing and fluidity of these exchanges are beautiful! The speed at which these fighters appear to deliver and defend their kicks is testament to their strong base. With solid footwork and technique, they are able to use the necessary strike or maneuver at the right time. Beautiful.



My favourite fights are the older grainy ones...Take some time and look further. You will see a mixture of high pace action, with subtle layers of strategy and timing that will keep you entertained and learning for years.

Blessed with Venom: JWP

A documentary following John Wayne Parr: one of the legends of the Muay Thai world. Parr's fighting career is one of the most recognized...having been around since the 90's and fought all over the world against a who's who list of champions.

Sittichai, Murthel and Andy Souwer- Kunlun Fight Tournament (videos)

Check out the latest fights from some of the world's top strikers! Andy is nothing short of a K-1 legend (multiple time winner), Murthel also a former K-1 champion, and Sittichai a decorated Muay Thai champion.

These fights are all under K-1 style rules, which mean no elbows and limited clinch work allowed. Throws/sweeps do not count for any points.

Buakaw, Pornsane and Sam-A at TopKing World Series Fights (video)

Here were the latest fights in Thailand, from well known stars Buakaw, Pornsanae and Sam-A.

Lots of action and lots to take in. I'd bookmark/favourite the video so you can come back to it as often as you need :)

YMT's 2014 highlights (video)

In case you missed it, here are all of York Muay Thai's highlights for the 2014 year!!  Everyone have a safe and amazing New Year. We are closed tonight and tomorrow (31st and 1st), and look forward to seeing you again Friday (the 2nd)!!  

Community events:

Amateur fights:

Part 1: 

Part 2: 

Part 3: 

An extension of last night's Advanced class:

The Angel Boxer's defense

As we head into a week focus on defense, here is a Thai legend Poot Lorlek demonstrating the basic foundation behind our study...



Some background behind Poot:

Poot was a Thai boxer with very colorful tactics, and is a real pleasure to watch. Sharp eyes, remarkable agility and speed was his trademark.

All these elements help explain why he was dubbed "The Angel Boxer." It was simply because he was rarely beaten. Out of some 80 matches, he was never knocked out, or even counted down: Poot was the star of his time remaining at its height for seven years from 1970-1977.

His records said it all. Poot once successfully took the Junior Featherweight championship from Samyar Singsorntorn. But he eventually had to relinquish the championship, simply because no one dared to challenge him. Poot was one of those Thai boxers who often encountered opponents heavier than himself. His skills and speed, however, helped him to come out on top always.

Poot eventually had to turn to international boxing because it became hard for him to find a challenger in Thai boxing.