My apologies for taking so long to get this post up,I was waiting to get my hands on a better clip of the fight. The footage comes from one of Kevin’s friends. He’s going to be doing a small project around Kevin, I’ll keep you guys posted.
We’ve had some pretty good feedback with the “In the ring posts” it’s so nice to have someone of Kevin’s caliber who’s able to clearly articulate and pass on his experiences to us. So continuing on the education theme, I’d like you guys to use this post to field any questions that you might have around the fight. Some of the standout questions will be used for future “In The Ring” posts.
It was an impressive performance by Kevin, I felt he controlled the fight from 2nd round on… I’m just not sure what’s going on at Malaipet’s camp. His conditioning has been a serious issue within the last 2 years. It’s widely know that he doesn’t really train that hard when fighting American opponents… ok I sort of get it. He’s at the point in his career where he’s already reached the top of his game, and now his career is winding down. He can take fights here and there and most of the time he doesn’t need to train. I get it… but this has got to sting.
I find it hard to believe that someone in Malaipet’s level could be okay with losing because lack of conditioning or training. Perhaps he’s surrounded by people who won’t give it to him straight. My ex-trainer Neungsiam, would throw himself into his training and allow Mark to crush him in the name of pride. I used to have long discussions with him about his training and his upcoming fights. The conversation would ultimately always circle back to face. His primary motivation was to not lose face… he knows he’s past his prime and that’s why he’s got to put in the time.
Props to Kevin for his a great fight. He’ll be fighting again in a couple of months, looking forward to it. Any of you guys make it to this? Would love to hear about the evening and your thoughts.
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
December 15, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Malaipet kikiet!!, mei somme muay, mei wing duay!
Good win for Ross dominating performance
December 15, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Seems like Malaipet is just content with getting a paycheck nowadays. He’s already proven all he needed to as a teen in the Thai stadiums anyway…
This time he couldn’t cruise it and be lazy/arrogant against a guy like Ross.
It’s OK Malaipet, i still love you man, you’ll come back!
December 15, 2010 at 3:40 pm
My question is this – it seems the Thais largely abandon the leg kick for the torso and neck kicks. I wouldn’t say never, but by my memory it’s rare that a Thai will really go after and punish the legs. It’s like it’s become an American or at least Farang technique. Kevin – do you see this too? Any thoughts as to why this is?
December 15, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Middle kicks score highest in thai rules. So there you have it. Correct me if Im wrong
December 15, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Middle kicks score highest in thai rules.
December 15, 2010 at 4:38 pm
sorry for double post…stupid laptop
December 15, 2010 at 4:51 pm
I agree with TexMT in that is seems the Thais don’t seem to go after the legs – and that it is almost exclusively a ‘Farang’ technique – the Japanese just love leg kicks.
I’m guessing two things;
My first guess is that under muay thai scoring, the leg kick, next to boxing strikes, is probably the least technical strike, it isn’t seen as a strike with a high level of difficulty. – Anyone can throw a low kick and it’ll hit something…
My second guess, which is also my own reason for not throwing too many leg kicks, is that higher kicks just seem more powerful, and can cause much more damage – arms, ribs, head etc…also, the less low kicks you throw, the more you can preserve your shins.
That being said – Buakaw is one Thai who doesn’t hold back on leg kicks. His recent fight against Imada was a win resulting purely from well timed leg kicks. He also punished Masato’s legs in 2007 in their rematch…
December 15, 2010 at 5:01 pm
The Thai scoring & fighting style evolved to the way it is for several reasons.
1) Punches
The reason for the punch scoring has more to do with the history of Muay Thai and the influence western boxing and the addition of padded gloves had on modern Muay Thai. The Japanese and Dutch punch more because they blended Boxing with it which the Thai’s are only doing in the last few decades. The reason the Thai’s don’t put much emphasis on the punch is because it wasn’t a dominant weapon in the old Muay Boran systems. The hand is a weak part of the body that is broken easily and that’s why they use their shins, knees, elbows and heads in those ancient systems instead of punching. Therefore, punches are only scored if they “affect” the opponent, either rock him, off-balance him or make him show pain or fear.
2) The low-kick
The low kick is a viable and very effective weapon in Muay Thai, the foreign fighters have recognized its effectiveness and adopted it as their own, but it’s a very easy kick to recognize and defend especially in the highest levels of MT, getting your leg checked over and over will fuck your shin up badly, in other words high risk low reward. Thai’s don’t low-kick each other that much. They fight three or four times a month to feed their families. One Thai is not going to injure another Thai’s leg just to win a fight when they can easily win on points and both get paid. The foreigners fighting in Thailand are the ones that get kicked in the legs by the Thais.
December 15, 2010 at 8:55 pm
I hadn’t thought of the scoring aspect but I think I have heard that. Does anyone have a good link or document explaining Thai rules? I’ve seen a number of comments about how Thai rules differ from K1 or whatever other system, but I’d love to read them for myself.
December 15, 2010 at 10:08 pm
I think a lot of people don’t kick the legs as much for the same reasons you don’t see a lot of body punchers. Not only the scoring aspect of it but also the fact that when you kick the legs or punch the body you don’t see immediate results. You can crush someone’s leg/body and they may not even flinch or show the damage, but as the fight go’s on and you continue to put the work in you will get results. For myself I love going after people’s body’s as well as the legs, regardless of the scoring, I know the more I smash your ribs and legs in the slower you are going to get and the more your going to break. As for the scoring I think it’s a little off. To me I find it a lot harder to go after the legs, especially at the top level, because it’s so much easier to defend leg kicks. Just like anything it’s all about whether you can do it correctly or not, sure most people don’t waste their time attacking the legs/body much because they don’t know how to properly do so. But you get someone that does and it can be devastating. I would much rather get kicked in the body,arms,then the legs by someone who can kick well, but that’s just me.
December 16, 2010 at 12:30 am
I am a very big fan of leg destruction. Two words folks ” Rambaa Somdet ” . Very entertaining leg damage affliction. I like the way you set your leg kicks up Kevin. Combos into leg kicks is really the most effective way to devastate the body as a whole. Plus, the punches help set up the sudden loss of foundational support in the legs. Great fight Kevin ! I was there to see it live. Much respect. Where can i get info on the February fight in LV. I dont want to miss it.
December 16, 2010 at 12:45 am
thanks brotha, http://lionfightpromotions.com/
December 16, 2010 at 12:51 am
see: ponsanei, anuwat, rambaa, saiyok.
December 16, 2010 at 1:14 am
Any input on the use of elbows as well? Seen plenty of fight videos where the use of elbows were open but hardly used. Here in the states, you’ll see elbows thrown from the opening round whereas Thais seem to be a little more conservative in its use. Does the whole “Thais fight several times a month and need to feed their families” rule relate to this?
December 16, 2010 at 1:39 am
well I can only speak for Americans and the fact that most don’t train or fight ‘real’ muay thai is a big reason
December 16, 2010 at 2:35 am
thai nak muays dont throw elbows casually. they only do it when there is a real opportunity. elbows are a very ‘inside’ maneuver, unless youre lamsongkram.
December 16, 2010 at 4:29 am
Thanks for the videos. Congrats Kevin. Great performance.
December 16, 2010 at 5:42 am
Probably the most comprehensive guide you can find online for Traditional MT scoring (with pictures):
http://www.muaythaionline.org/disciplines/judgeintroduction.html
December 16, 2010 at 6:08 am
From watching fights in the Major stadiums as well as the provinces i noticed that the Thais fight each other to win on points most importantly, not to entertain foreigners, the only ones who seem to be really entertained are the ones who are betting on the fights and the handlers of the fighters. Fights are really closely matched on skill level and someone could easily lose a fight on a missed kick or getting thrown off balance one time, so they’re really careful.
The only time i see a Thai trying really hard to KO another Thai with their hands is when they are really behind on the points and need the KO, otherwise KOs happen rarely, meaning if you go all out for the KO but keep getting tagged with knees and kicks, you’ll fuck yourself over on the scorecards. On the other hand, a Knockdown will most likely win you the round provided you don’t let your opponent come back too strong after getting up, but the risk is getting behind on the scorecards.
Either they go for the KO or if it’s too late in the game and they don’t think they can KO their opponent they accept the loss and just mess around or “play” for the remainder of the last round.
It’s interesting how Thais fight eachother lol….there is definitely an unspoken code/agreement with alot of the fights.
Full Thai rules outside of Thailand In the UK, France or Australia are far more spectacular & entertaining to casual viewers who aren’t gamblers and punches & kicks seem to be held in closer esteem by the judges.
December 16, 2010 at 6:10 am
^ correction a Knockdown will guarantee you win the round 10-8, but if your opponent comes back strong after the Knockdown, then he gets a 1 point justification to 10-9.
December 16, 2010 at 7:17 am
yea, fight’s were a lot more exciting and brutal back in the 90′s, think they’ve become more safe and more about polotics than about the war
December 16, 2010 at 7:49 am
I wana see kevin ross v jordan watson
December 16, 2010 at 8:58 am
shoot, how big you think I am? I’m just a lil’ fella!!!
December 16, 2010 at 9:17 am
nice link tibun. heres a quote that made me laugh:
“Since this time, often as a result of safety concerns, other techniques have been phased out. For example, when the legendary kneeing specialist Diesel Noi competed in the 1980s, it was legal to knee the groin area. The knee to the groin was in fact his most effective weapon winning many fights with this technique. It is no longer legal to for a boxer to knee their opponent’s testicles. “
December 16, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Thanks for the link Tibun.
December 16, 2010 at 7:56 pm
I heard about the shit SE. That’s crazy!
December 16, 2010 at 9:04 pm
As far as elbows are concerned, I believe it’s a lack of training them in north america. Everybody thinks they can use elbows, but in reality it’s like having good hands. Just witness the poor quality of them in the UFC.
As for the other reasons… part of it’s a respect thing (at least for me and I assume Thais). There’s no point carving up somebody’s face if the fight is already decided, or under control with other techniques. If it’s a close fight I’d def utilize them as I have range and am comfortable throwing them. They’re also something to use if you just hate the other guy or they need putting in their place.
Smart to use them if you know you’re out classed and are hoping for a stoppage. Thought this was a case in one of the SLAM events. All the dutch guys came out blazing with elbows looking for cuts, and succeeded in taking Lam’s belt that way.
December 19, 2010 at 8:29 pm
Great fight Kevin!!!! One thing I saw in your style that’s beautiful to watch is your right leg front kick comes a bit from the outside. Therefore, your round kick, front kick, shield and leg kick on the right side comes from the same angle. Disruptive – very nice.
December 19, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Thank you