Weekend Fight Post

This is for those of you who can appreciate the up close stuff...some nasty elbows and knees as these two fighters tie up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MG1SANZ_iQ&feature=feedu

Fight Video Grind: Journey Fight Series II

Here you go! Full videos of the 8 man tournament with some of North America's top MT talent at the 140 lbs division, including Siam no1's Matt Embree. These were the elimination bouts. The semi finals are set to take place June 11th.

Mark Deluca vs Josh Palmer

Nate Smandych vs Justin Greskiewicz

Parwez Ghulman vs Coke Chunhawat

Matt Embree vs Rami Ibrahim

You can watch them all here: http://muaythaitko.com/West/tvstation_viewer_v2.html

YMT students rep at Marathon!

Congrats to Mike Zhang-alang, Serge Mr. Nice Guy and Super Serge!

Mike and Mr. Nice Guy ran the half marathon and Super ran the full.

Mike made 1:28, and ranked #13 in his age group.

Nice work guys!

Monday Action: Simon Marcus vs Aaron Meisner

Here's your Monday action! Enjoy this MT clinic

http://youtu.be/3x4XEKUUg8I

THIS Sunday!!!

Help us introduce Muay Thai to the masses in a FREE ALL-day event, and supporting amateur athletes in an evening fundraiser party!

Student of the Month (April 2011): Deanna

Monday Action: Saketdao vs Singdam.

Recently, it's been rare to see Thai fighters go hard all five rounds. They usually take it slow in the first, build up to an apex in the third or fourth, then coast to the end when either feels like they did enough to win. This fight is not one of those fights.

Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qkr6RfZEBc&feature=feedf

Weekend Fight Post: Jomthong vs Nong O

This one gets pretty heated, until they start show boating. Enjoy the action though...there's lightning fast work being done here

Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZgfg_aKdx0&feature=feedf

Wednesday Kicks: Andrei Kulebin vs Angelo Campoli

A great display of Muay Thai techniques by two European fighters

Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMt_aw1KwC0

The Attitude of Champions

Click!

Calling you out

Kongsak is a powerful southpaw who has been winning fights with his devastating left kick. Sam-A, one of Thailand's current top contenders, is Kongsak's next opponent, and sends him a short message via youtube video. He adds a little touch at the end. You don't have to understand Thai:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxohGorwwGg&feature=feedf

Hype is an interesting aspect of combat sports. Personally, I could care less about Georges St Pierre or Yodsanklai destroying a loud mouthed challenger who doesn't reach their caliber...

My interest is very much about the technical match ups. Does the fight present an interesting clash of styles or skill sets?

For me, the Hominick vs Aldo fight on the UFC 129 card was the only fight I was really interested in prior to the actual event. The interest wasn't from any kind of Koscheck or Lesnar talk/reputation, but from seeing both fighters abilities. Luckily, I was not disappointed. That fight even surpassed my expectations. Aside from his skill set, Hominick's show of heart alone is reason enough to have interest in any fight he takes.

There was no "bad guy" in the cage. The audience didn't need an orchestrated drama to side with either fighter. They only needed the fighters themselves. I doubt anyone wanted to see a Knockout in that fight for any other reason than their respect for either fighter's explosiveness.

The fabled Pacquiao vs Mayweather match up is intriguing for the same reason. Yes, Mayweather is a talker (which admittedly does make you want settle on who the greatest is), but the primary reason for anyone wanting to see that fight is an appreciation of both fighters' skill. The only reason I'd even want to see either knocked out is simply for proof that it is possible.

We've all heard some terrible things said by fans of every combat sport, and sometimes even worse by the fighters. It's easy to get caught up in the image, because the image is what sells. We like identifying with fighters and athletes, even when we have no idea who they really are. Apparently Josh Koscheck is a really nice guy outside of TV. Is he really? If that's true, he shouldn't have to be a dick to sell a fight. We should side with him because we respect his wrestling, or side against him because we think his opponent is a legitimate threat.

Try not to forget that. As you train more and more, learn to appreciate the fights not for the drama or image, but for the fighters and love of the game.

Thank You Kru David

York Muay Thai would like to thank Kru David Crawley for the great seminar (May 1st) he hosted at Brampton Muay Thai. An excellent work out and Muay Thai drills made for a Sunday well spent!