Giorgio Petrosyan vs Fabio Pinca (video)

Watch: http://youtu.be/nW0Rx9NIVZ4

Here are two fighters at the top of the European circuit that made their name from Muay Thai fights, and are now fighting in a kickboxing rules tournament. Despite the limitations on their clinch and the ban on their elbows, this fight is interesting because of the reputations these two carry with them.

Fabio Pinca has fought THE best Thai's at 135-140 lbs, and even defeated Saenchai in a close bout earlier this year. He also won the big Thai Fight tournament in Thailand last year, beating Lumpinee talent Petchmongkon Petchfocus. He was supposed to fight Buakaw a couple months back, but Buakaw had ran into some management issues. Fabio does have his share of losses, but only to some of the top ranked competition (which includes Saenchai...they are 1 and 1).

Giorgo is the current K-1 max champion, who has had one of the most dominant runs in the history of the tournament. He not only beat former champions Kraus and Souwer, but out classed them. Giorgio has also had competitive fights with Kem Sitsongpeenong and Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee under kickboxing rules. He beat both under kickboxing rules. Giorgio only has a couple stains on his record, one of which was a draw against Buakaw and the other which was a loss to one of Buakaw's old team mates (Nonthanan Por Pramuk).

WHY

Kru Jen has been talking about a concept of author Simon Sinek's book: Start with WHY.

Here is the full video of Simon's golden circle: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/en/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action.html

I'd invite you to watch the video, and like Kru said, analyze your "why" in relation to Muay Thai. I think once you've done this, it will help you take all of the other aspects in your life into better perspective. Looking at your purpose for training is an excellent starting point because it's something that you CHOOSE to do. You can really learn a lot more about yourself through it.

While I personally don't agree with every single thing Sinek has ever written or said, I support his message and his work. I've been following his talks and blogs for a while now, and it's definitely worth taking a look at if you like what you have heard so far. Here is a post I made a while back that links to some more of Simon's philosophies: http://yorkmuaythai.blogspot.ca/2011/02/what-you-do.html


Also a great bit is Simon Sinek's talk about purpose (great for people in leadership positions): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-fzwk3ScF0

Matt Embree talks about win over Nils Widlund at Lion Fight Muay Thai VI

Ajahn Suchart at York Muay Thai THIS Tuesday May 29!

Guess who is coming to YMT NEXT Tuesday for a 2 hour seminar PLUS a group run! Ajahn Suchart! REGISTER: $25+tax (group run at 5:30pm) Class from 6pm - 8pm! DON'T MISS THE MASTER. Both early and late classes are canceled due to the seminar. Kru

York Muay Thai at RBC Diversity Week (pics)

York Muay Thai tore it up at RBC's Diversity Week. Thanks to Tranny, Tbook and GLau for volunteering along with Kru Jen to deliver a great display of Muay Thai!

Mom Dad and Me FREE Trial/Orientation THIS SATURDAY at York Muay Thai!!

See poster below for details (click to enlarge)! Come on out!

Sittichai vs Damien Alamos (video)

Fight from two years ago featuring Sittichai (Top ranked Lumpinee fighter) and Damien (a young fighter who is steadily gaining titles and recognition). Watch: http://youtu.be/J-1RvHJGIuY

YMT Bowling Winners!

Top bowlers and winner of 1 hour private lesson with Kru Jen: PC Suraj, Durst, Daniel, Kim.

In addition to an overall fun time, we all got to witness the miraculous results of Kru Jen's fireball technique, as well as work up a sweat busting out 50 pushups in the lanes LOL

Weekend Action: Matt Embree vs Coke Chunhawat 3 (video)

In case you missed the Lion Fight 5 card, here is Matt vs Coke 3! These two fought twice prior to this card, winning a split decision each. This is their final match for the WBC title at 135 lbs.

Watch: http://youtu.be/dHwfwbG-Ri8

Want to Train?

Good point from Kru Nick Bautista...something a beginner to the sport may want to consider.

"Just a thought...

Training 1x/week= Little benefit. Our bodies get in good shape when we spend more than we take in (food). Training once a week simply isn't enough to combat the other 6 days of sedentary life style and food. Skill wise, it's not enough practice or instruction for any technical improvement to occur.

2x/week= Some benefit. Depending on how hard one trains when they attend, 2x/week can be very effective, BUT you have to bust your ASS. No breaks, no slacking. You also must be very diligent with your technique. What you lack in time, you can make up for in quality.

3x/week and up= Much benefit. Your training more than the average and will most likely experience above average conditioning and technique. Be careful to not overtrain and under nourish. Eat Nutrient dense foods and REST. Those who train this often are like high powered machines that have needs. Fail to provide the needs and your machine will fail you. Get proper nutrition and proper rest and improvements will grow by the bounds."

YMT Team Bowling Tourney THIS Saturday! Don't forget to register!!

Remember to REGISTER with a YMT front desk person before the tourney! This Saturday is going to be bomb!

39 Ways to Not be Like Everyone Else

Great Read about Nutrition from my friend Roxy Richardson!

http://jasonferruggia.com/39-ways-to-not-be-like-everyone-else/

Leg Work: Dernchonlek Sor. Sor. Niyom vs Antuan Siangboxing (video)

Knees and kicks in action! Breaking the limits of the body!
http://youtu.be/amgOhS2D7z0

The Muay Thai Road Show Interviews Simon Marcus- Post Schilling 2 Fight

TotalMuayThai.com interviews Bad Bwoy (video)

After thoughts with Greg from Total Muay Thai

Congrats to Simon and Matt (recap)! Fight Night Success!

Fight Night at York Muay Thai was a success! We had Southside, Kombat, Elite, Siam No.1, Training Ground, TKMT and Victory MT family over for some friendly sparring. The floor was covered with Muay Thai students sparring and learning with each other. 


A big thanks to all the YMT volunteers who helped run things!


Now on to the fight recaps...





*bear in mind that these are based off purely memory, which can be faulty at times.. ya know!*

Matt vs Nils:




Round 1: Matt started in what most of us recognized/expected to be a traditional Thai "slow start". Mostly a tight defense as Nils came in hard with combinations. Nils looked sharp with his hands, throwing fluidly in combinations. Matt was content to throw a few kicks in retaliation, but for the most part appeared to be observing as he absorbed the opposition's fire.


Round 2: Nils continued to press the attack with his combinations, and it started to become clear that Matt was not returning fire often enough to even out the score. As tight as his defense was, the round seemed definitely lost for Matt, and it became clear that he needed to make a statement in the next 3 rounds to pull a decisive win. With these 2 rounds down, you could only trust that he was going to step it up Thai style.


The Tipping Point


Round 3: Sure enough, Matt came out with a noticeable spring in his step, and started to throw what felt like more than he had in the last 2 rounds combined. Starting with some single leg kicks, he sliced through Nils' thigh like a razor. Matt then used some simple long range punch combinations that allowed him to close distance and take the fight to the clinch. In this arena, Nils' flame began to fade as it was smothered by Matt's elbows and knees. 


Rounds 4 and 5: Matt continued his success with the same formula of the 3rd round. Taking Nils leg with sharp kicks, he transitioned off long punches into a clinch that Nils' could not get off in. It became clear that Matt's advantage came from a stalking ring control that pressed Nils' to the ropes: not allowing Nils' any other choice but to fight in close. Nil's fluidity had become staggered and frozen for the most part, as it appeared that the heavy clinching was draining him of energy. Even when separated, it seemed as if Nils' had lost the pop to fire off the lightning combinations of the first 2 rounds. Until the final bell, Matt continued to force his way in and score with his knees, while slicing up top with elbows. 


With Matt's slow start, especially with the fight being scored outside of Thailand, made for a tense 5 rounds. However, his patience and persistence in that fight was what made it special. 
Nils' defeat came from an almost venomous game plan. The poison slowly but surely took over and crippled his chance of winning.


Matt took the victory by split decision. 




Simon vs Joe



A Shaky Start





Round 1: The bell had rung and both fighters were coming out just as we had expected...Joe pressed forward with Simon countering and tying up in the clinch. It didn't seem like this was going to be a telling round...But with one left hook, that changed. Joe caught Simon with a short punch that didn't make any of us think he was hurt; but out impressions changed as Bad Bwoy would not get up right away, and stayed on one knee to take an 8 count from the ref. It wasn't clear exactly how hurt he was from the strike, but Joe must have caught him pretty damn hard if he needed to take that 8 seconds. He may have just been taking his time to make sure he was fully recovered, but it still meant that the shot was a good one.
Simon seemed like he knew he had to catch up and came out with more aggression following that count. His attack was answered right back by Joe, who knew he had the makings of a KO right there. Simon made it into the clinch, where he was able to get off with some knees before the bell. The shocking first round ended, and it seemed like Simon had recovered from the strike. 


The Tide Turns


Round 2-5:
The rest of the fight was a blur. Simon and Joe came out hard again, and it was clear that neither were really pulling their punches or merely setting something up. Both were throwing 100% power, 100% of the time. Joe got off with some teeps to face, but Simon would not let those go without giving his own foot a chance to feel Joe's nose. 


Simon, like Matt, found his ace in the hole when he clinched up. Joe mostly tried to get space to elbow, but Simon had preferred a tight body lock and scored hard with skip knees. In this range, Joe was stifled and could do little to answer back. Simon's performance here was reminiscent of Matt's, as he dominated the close space and seemed to drain his opponent's energy. After his lengthy volleys of knees, Simon would throw Joe to the canvas (without anyone's head being landed on). 

With clinch clearly not being in Joe's favour, Joe did his best to keep the fight at range, utilizing some teeps and landing a few straight rights. Simon would press forward though and was not letting himself become outdone on the outside game. He would walk Joe to the ropes and unleash his lead left kick to Joe's body multiple times. These exchanges were largely a prelude to the clinch though. Eventually, both fighters would lock up and Simon would score his points through knees and throws.





In the last stanza of the fight, both fighters looked visible tired (5 rounds ain't a walk in the park folks). The big difference between them though, was in their movement. Simon, despite visible fatigue, bounded forward with hunger to initiate, while Joe was mostly peddling on the back foot. I'll never forget that look of hunger. After being dropped in the first round, Simon's push to the 5th round and the end of the fight was nothing short of epic. For a fighter that normally dominates his opponents without being caught by anything telling, it was really something to see him chase the prize like that. Real heart.


Simon took a Majority decision (2 judges scored the fight to Simon, the other scored a draw).


Simon now has the WBC Interim World Championship, and the right to fight Artem Levin for the undisputed World Title at "Battle for the Belts" on June 9th, 2012, at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.



That, ladies and gentlemen, was a night of Muay Thai.

*Lion Fight Promotion Pictures by the talented Bennie Palmore and Scott Hirano*

Nong-O Kaiyanghadao vs Singdam Kiatmoo9 (video)

Two of the best go at it @ Lumpinee!

Watch: http://youtu.be/DXvA5ZHbpv0

Don't miss Fight Night!

THIS SATURDAY, May 12th: YMT hosts Fight Night! A great way to hang out with the gym, spar, train and watch fights!



Full details:
5:00pm - 6:00pm Warm up
6:00pm -7:00pm Interclub Sparring
7:00pm - 7:30pm - BBQ & Eats
7:30pm - 8:00pm Ajahn Suchart's Bareknuckle fight from Thailand
8:00pm - 12:00am Live Showing of Simon BadBoy Marcus vs Joe schilling 2 & Matt Embree vs Nils Widlund

Food and drinks will be available.
Come out for an exceptionally unique evening.

Cover $5

THESE ARE NOT DEMONSTRATIONS. This is just sparring.

We do not have showers however you are welcome to have a 'Thai' shower out back.

Please make sure you ask your Kru/Ajahn if you can come to spar. Please wear THAI shorts and have all relevant equipment. Leather shin guards please.

Penek Sitnumnoi vs Sam-A Kaiyanghadaogym (video)

Sam A and Penek do it up Muay Thai style.
Big fight between the lil guys:

http://youtu.be/riDYAkREQl4

YMT Bowling Tournament Facebook event is up!

Check it out here: http://www.facebook.com/events/447300071950701/

and enter to win some great Muay Thai prizes! The details are in the event :)

6pm @ Bowlerama

5837 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON

Sittichai Sitsongpeenong vs Pechasawin Chitranpheuri (video)

A pretty good catch from Lumpini stadium at 148 lbs. All 8 weapons on display here!

Watch: http://youtu.be/ZuTyRf3oIIw

Fight Night at York Muay Thai: May 12 2012!

On top of sparring with our friends, we will also be watching some of the best Muay Thai fighters live! 

• Saturday, May 12, 2012

Come out for a night of fighting, fighting and more fighting. This line up is sick.

5:00pm - 6:00pm: Warm up
6:00pm -7:00pm: Interclub Sparring
7:00pm - 7:30pm:  BBQ & Eats
7:30pm - 8:00pm: Ajahn Suchart's Bareknuckle fight from Thailand
8:00pm - 12:00am: Live Showing of Simon BadBoy Marcus vs Joe schilling 2 & Matt Embree vs Nils Widlund

Food and drinks will be available.
Come out for an exceptionally unique evening.

Cover $5 

We do not have showers however you are welcome to have a 'Thai' shower out back.

Please make sure you ask your Kru/Ajahn if you can come to spar. Please wear thai shorts and have all  relevant equipment. Leather shin guards please. 


FACEBOOK EVENT: http://www.facebook.com/events/381810511858105/

Simon Marcus vs 2 Opponents in a Row (video)

Here are Simon's fights from China, where he took on 2 opponents in a row in one night!
http://v.qq.com/page/Q/H/J/Q0010EWyvHJ.html