Many thanks to Prapon for sending this one along… I’m looking really looking forward to seeing this one. I’m a massive fan of documentaries… in many ways I feel like it’s something I would like to do in my life.  I’ve got a friend who makes them… I’ve been trying to figure out how to collaborate with him.

There has been a moderate amount of content done on MuayThai, I don’t think I’ve ever seen one done from a “Thai” perspective.  Documentaries are all about telling stories, they either vilifying or lionizing the subject.

Anyway, It looks like it’s going to be an honest look into the lives of these young nakmuay’s.

From their youtube page:

“Lumpinee”

Supported by Jan Vrijman Fund, IDFA, Netherlands.

“in a world of violence, there?s passion in the silent soul”

Synopsis – Destiny brings a group of hopeless kids into Thai boxing world of violence. It may look like an unjust deed in some people?s eyes. But Thai boxing is a two-sided coin in Thai society. For these kids, it could mean an opportunity to flip their life?s crisis into a chance. For them, it?s all about passion, determination, and faith.

More info at www.jaikao.com/lumpinee

Many thanks to mark for passing this classic along, and loopnoub for the upload. It features Den Muengsurin (in the blue)  and Nuathoranee Thongraja.  Both fighters are multiple Lumpini and Rajadomnern stadium champs.  Den has had some notable battles with Orono and Ramon Dekkers.  However he is most noted for getting the plow banned from MuayThai. (Holding your opponents leg, and taking multiple steps)  You can watch that footage here.

Anyway that wasn’t the point of this post.  Wanted you guys to see this war… be sure to watch until the end.  Enjoy!

Ninja’s… Buakaw?  I’m all over this… to be honest by the time I’m back in BKK in Dec, this would have already come and gone.   Which is a bit of a bummer, gonna have to find the dvd…

Sombat Snappin Necks and Cashin checks! I’m curious to see how much Sombat is actually in this flick.  The way he described it, I thought he was going to be in the background smashing fools, but it appears he actually get’s some screen time.

If you pause it at 2:52 I’m pretty sure that’s Yodsanklai doing his best superfly snuka impersonation.

Props to Juufry for posting this.

Many thanks to Mark for shooting this one over.  I love seeing famous nakmuay’s in random Thai ads. As you know Somrak is fast approaching his fight with JCVD.  It’s going to be a complete circus but honestly I can’t wait.

let’s just hope JCVD doesn’t have any delicious minty chocolate candies tucked away.   For those of you who are new to MuayThai, that’s Somrak Khamsing, former Olympic Gold Medalist boxer and all around national hero.  Somrak is know for his skills, Mae Mai MuayThai.  In addition to being a MuayThai badass was also Sanchai’s former trainer.

His opponent, is none other than Khaosai Galaxy. Khaosai is another legendary figure in Thai sports.  Khaosai is a member of the International boxing hall of fame, and is listed as no. 19 as Ring Magazines 100 greatest punchers of all time.  Khaosai was a former WBA Champion, with a 49- 1 record, 43 of his wins coming by KO!  Like a lot of champion thai boxers, Khaosai began his early life as a Nak Muay.

Hola mmt…  Here is the clip of Sanchai vs. Wang Wei.  This bout took place a couple of weeks ago and was a part of the same show that Buakaw was on.

Many thanks to hanhan of the K1-Fans forum for posting the link. I’m sorry the quality is so crap but I downloaded it from the original Youku clip, so it’s a copy of a copy.

I’m sitting here trying to look busy at work, so I haven’t watched it yet.  Anyway… enjoy.

Part 1

Part 2

Once again, many thanks to Loopnoub for uploading and sharing with us.  This fight took place back in December in Lyon as part of the A1 world challenge.

Some of you might remember there was some controversy surrounding the event… this was the show, the French promoter (Marouf) stiffed the Chuwattana fighters.

Anyway, that’s old news.  I wonder if he’s put on any shows since?   Anyway this clip is of Jomthong Chuwattana vs. Albert Chey.  Jomthong is unleashing some savage arm kicks on Chey.  I’m honestly surprised that he was able to continue using them.  I suspect Chey must do a lot of arm conditioning drills…

I’m kind a sucker for these compilation videos… and to be honest 50% of this isn’t muaythai.  How is ground and pound muaythai?

I know a lot of the Thai old timers/legends have been in the States for decades training Americans.  Saekson, Bunkerd, Coban, et al.  That being said, I credit Anderson Silva for introducing muaythai to mainstream America.

I remember the moment, it was his first fight with Rich Franklin, where he clinched him up and abused him. (see 1:17)  I was absolutely stunned at Franklin’s defense, (which was to put his hands down) that’s MuayThai 101.  If some of you are reading this and you don’t know what I mean, ask your trainers.  If your trainers don’t have a clue then pack your bags because your kickboxing.

After that fight everyone was talking about the muaythai “plum”…  anyway, you’ll catch some of his upward elbows in the clip (3:26) , pretty devastating…

If you turned on your TV this morning you would have seen that the Thai government has finally made good on it’s promise.  I’m sorry that there has to be loss of human life, but I’m not sure how the protesters thought this was going to end.  I’m actually pretty shocked at how the media has been covering this, particularly Dan Rivers and CNN.  Most of the time when you see video footage of the red shirts they always show the same image of the protesters shooting sling shots, or bottle rockets.   The rarely show footage of the black shirts (the ex-military militia used by the red shirts) returning fire.  There is loads that the media isn’t covering.  I guess the media likes to always portray big brother oppressing the “peaceful protesters”.

One of the only networks that seems to have a balance portrayal of the situation is Al Jazeera.

Once again for all the MMT brothers and sisters who are in Bangkok, I hope you are safe.

I saw a decent amount of promotion online for this event.  Judging by the vid though the place looks empty!

Sanchai has to be loving life, he gets to travel, put on a show, get treated like a super star and get paid.  I’ve seen him fight a handful of times, each of the fights  have been outside of Thailand.  To be honest they haven’t really been fights.   You’ve seen it, he goes out there does his shuffle a cartwheel kick and everyone has a good laugh.  Most of his fights as of late resemble exhibitions.

I sort of feel like the fighters who get in the ring with Sanchai are looking to have a good sparring session with him.  I don’t feel like any of them are really expecting or even looking to win.  I had a chance to speak with him after one of his fights and he mentioned that he “didn’t want to hurt” the other fighter.

Yetkin clearly didn’t get the memo…  Clearly he’s never seen the Harlem Globetrotters in action. Apparently Yetkin came to fight.  This Sanchai differs to most of the fights I’ve seen in that, Sanchai’s demeanor changes after he get’s caught with that kick.  The only other time I’ve seen Sanchai KO someone was that footage from LA.  I think he’s happy to put on a show, but if you want to fight, then he’s gonna fight.

From the recent Muay Thai in America event in Los Angeles, here’s the video of Malaipet “the Diamond” Sitarwut’s fight against the tough Swiss nak muay, Christophe Pruvost.  Enjoy!

[APOLOGIES: Unfortunately our video had to be taken down, by request from the event promoters.]

I was so happy to finally see this online.  Kaiyasit is one of my favourite fighters, not just of the Chuwattana camp, in general, and few people I’ve met outside of Thailand know who he is.  Actually, I don’t know if I’ve met anyone outside of Thailand who does, but you should. He’s technical, fiercely intelligent and has held a number of belts.  I’m about five hours away from Chuwattana right now and I don’t have this kid’s number, but if I remember correctly, he’s been a WBC champion, Rajdamnern Stadium champion…..ah man, I wish I could do him justice here, but I can’t….he’s in his early thirties, fights consistently (meaning every month or so), has been fighting out of Chuwattana since he was a kid and of all the guys that have come and gone in that gym over the past year, I always watch this one – I just try to learn as much as I can.

I’ve seen his name listed as Kaiyasit, Kaiyasith, Gaiyasit and Gaiyasith…..he’s in red.

More about Laura

I’m a Canadian who decided to quit my job, sell most of what I own, pack a suitcase, and skip continents to pursue a martial art I’m not particularly efficient in. A minimalist. A modern nomad. A kid who just likes having a good time.

My attraction to muay thai is that it’s an art with no wasted motion. It has been the greatest vehicle for my continual education. It’s incredibly challenging to me – both the physical and the mental game. The latter probably more so than the former.

Currently I’m in Bangkok training muay thai fulltime. The plan is to be here for a few years, but realistically, I have no idea where this path is leading, or what the timeline is. I like change and pushing my comfort zone. A lot. Nevertheless, muay thai will be the constant among the variables.

Be prepared for updates, rambling, video content and anything I’ve learned that I think may of use to you.

This hasn’t been easy, but so far, its been a pretty sick ride.

Props to Dan and Gusnark for sending this along.  This was the main event of the It’ Showtime event in Milan.  It features Giorgio aka young John Turturro and Kem SitSongPeeNong. (two brothers gym)

Wow… hair rock still very much alive in Milan Italy!  I think Kem did ok, but he still needs to adjust his game if he want to find future success in K-1.  It’s sort of similar to boxing vs. olympic boxing.  A major component of K-1 is looking busy… if you are constantly moving foward and peppering your opponent with shots you’ll always be outscored.