Comparing: American Kickboxing compared to Muay Thai

[MilkAndInnards]

Hey all.

In December I will be having a modified Muay Thai fight (which just means no elbows) against someone from an American kick boxing gym.

My main question is, what are American kick boxing habits/trends/techniques that they tend to use?
I'm talking about American kick boxing the style, not a kick boxer who is American.

What I do know so far is that American kick boxers tend to kick above the belt (he might have weak thighs?), don't tend to grapple and knee, and I assume they're good at punching. Oh and also, as far as I know, they like to do jumping spinning kicks, and things like that.

I obviously know that this guy might not do all of these things, and be used to Muay Thai and trained in it. So I know there are A LOT of variables, but I would just like the gist of how they like to do things.

Any opinions, advice or comments will be much appreciated.

[bigboywasim]

Hey all.

In December I will be having a modified Muay Thai fight (which just means no elbows) against someone from an American kick boxing gym.

My main question is, what are American kick boxing habits/trends/techniques that they tend to use?
I'm talking about American kick boxing the style, not a kick boxer who is American.

What I do know so far is that American kick boxers tend to kick above the belt (he might have weak thighs?), don't tend to grapple and knee, and I assume they're good at punching. Oh and also, as far as I know, they like to do jumping spinning kicks, and things like that.

I obviously know that this guy might not do all of these things, and be used to Muay Thai and trained in it. So I know there are A LOT of variables, but I would just like the gist of how they like to do things

If the rule is only no elbows then you are really lucky. You have the advantage all else being equal (training/weight).

I believe American Kickboxers have the second best hands in the world after boxers. The have real power in their hands and great hand combinations as well. I would stay away from being a punching target.

They do not even know how to check the legs. Hit him with some powerful low kicks to slow his movement down as he would be moving better than you. Keep on hitting him with low kicks if you can. This will work the best for you.

If he comes in close for hand combinations get him in the clinch quick and throw as many knees as you can or get him away with some push kicks. My guess it would be a three second clinch time under the new international kickboxing rules.

Avoid getting caught in the corner and use low kicks and knees to you advantage. The only thing he got going for him is his hands. Your kicks/knees are better. You can't use your elbows or they work great in close range.

He will be doing a lot of kicks you might not be too much use to if your only background is in MT. They do spinning kicks and as well as sidekicks. They also do a lot of push kicks but that is not problem for MT. They like to do combinations with punches and mid+high roundhouse kicks which is powerful in all arts.

American Kickboxing




MT

[MilkAndInnards]

Thanks for the advice.

If the rule is only no elbows then you are really lucky. You have the advantage all else being equal (training/weight).

Yup, we have about the same training and experience, but I think I'm 4 or 5 kgs heavier than him, so theres a size advantage there. I'm also quite strong, which I think I will have over him.

I believe American Kickboxers have the second best hands in the world after boxers. The have real power in their hands and great hand combinations as well. I would stay away from being a punching target.

I used to box before MT, so that should put us on fairly even ground

They do not even know how to check the legs. Hit him with some powerful low kicks to slow his movement down as he would be moving better than you. Keep on hitting him with low kicks if you can. This will work the best for you.

This was my original plan anyway

If he comes in close for hand combinations get him in the clinch quick and throw as many knees as you can or get him away with some push kicks. My guess it would be a three second clinch time under the new international kickboxing rules.

Nope, I'm aloud to clinch him for as long as I want


Once again thanks for all the advice

[bigboywasim]

If you were a boxer before and you can clinch as long as you want then you have no worry. Make him want to change his art to MT. Good luck and have fun.

[Khun Kao]

I would add that you should spend some time deflecting and countering straight kicks. I have fought against a few Full Contact fighters in my day, and in addition to their hands, they make judicious use of Side Kicks.

While MuayThai has the tools to easily deal with Side Kicks, the problem is that not too many people are adept at these skills because Side Kicks are used infrequently in Thai Boxing. So, if you aren't actively training to counter them, your ability to recognize and react to them in a timely fashion will be hindered. Make sure you work with a sparring partner who is good at these kicks and uses them frequently.

[Jujujason]

Don't forget to prepare for the spinning backfist as well.

[MilkAndInnards]

^Thanks, I didn't think of that.

I also just thought that I should also try dominate with some calf kicks.

Well the fight is on the 8th (only 4 days away!!!) which is saturday, so I'll post how it goes on sunday.

Wish me luck!

[JKDBrando]

Good Luck!!!!

Take a Little Bruce with you also.

A good fight should be like a small play...but played seriously. When the opponent expands, contract. When he contracts, expand. And when there is an opportunity... do not hit...it hits all by itself.SHOW YOUR FIST!!!!

Any technique, however worthy and desirable, becomes a disease when the mind is obsessed with it.

Be confident in yourself and he will know once you hit him that you are serious.

[MilkAndInnards]

I already typed this up in another forum, so I'm just copying and pasting it cause I can't be bothered re-typing it all again



I WON!

It was my first ever amateur fight, although I have fought 3 novice fights before. I fought an American style kick boxer, who was also south paw, so I wasn't really use to how he fought.

My plan was originally to be stronger, and throw every hit full force for every round (which is not easy), and also to beat him in the clinch since hes just a kickboxer, since i thought he would be better with his hands than me.

The fight:

He came in first since he was the blue corner, and I came in second. I sealed the ring and did a short Ram Muay. I was also wearing some Buddist prayer singlet as well as a mongkong. The ref brought us together, went over the rules, and then we went back to our corners. My trainer said a short Thai prayer and took my mongkong and singlet off. We walked out, touched gloves, the fight began.

(the rounds were three, two minute rounds with one minute breaks.)
Round one:

He threw a jab, it missed, then I went straight in full force with jab, right cross, left hook, right cross left hook etc. Within the first 15 seconds I broke his nose. I was sure I was going to get a knock out too as I stunned him and went in for the kill, but to no avail. I landed some good blows, and took some solid blows. I basically just boxed this whole round. It actually ended up him going into the clinch most of the time cause I was hitting him too much!

I was tired after this round, as every blow I was throwing had all my energy in it. I decided I would keep this up and just rely on superior fitness, strength and will power to win.

Round two:

Pretty much the same as round one. I threw massive straight rights and left hooks, with pretty much all of them connecting. He threw a left kick (his rear leg) and caught me straight in the jaw. But I shrugged it off. When he got me with that leg was when I realised he was south paw, so I threw a few right kicks at his inside leg which I think hurt him. Once again I was tired as ****, and sore as ****, and it was about when my concussion kicked in haha. So when we were in clinches and we went to the canvas, you know how you just think "****, I do not want to get up" but you do anyway. When my opponent got up he seemed more tired than me. I was exhausted on the inside but I wouldn't let myself show it.

In the last break after this round, I went back to my corner and my trainer was like "this is the last round, you give it everything you've got." and I was like "I'm fucked" and he was like "I DON'T CARE! YOU GO TO WAR NOW! Where are you going?" to which I replied "TO WAR!" which was fairly good to get me amped for a last effort.

Round three:

I went in once again throwing everything full force, thinking to myself "If I lose, I'm going to make sure this guy is hurting as much as possible." He tried to keep me in the clinch for a lot of the fight, and throwing me to the canvas which he would come down with me, and I would think to myself "This is the last round, I have to look better" so I would make sure I got up faster, and looked stronger. He would get up and put his hands on his knees, blatantly exhausted. I was also exhausted, but I had the heart in it so I would just think "He's fucked. I'm fucked. But I'm going to make him even more fucked, and try to hide my own tired and soreness" so I just kept on him most of the time. As with all the other rounds, out of the two minutes only about 20 seconds of it I wasn't punching kicking or kneeing. I was keeping the pressure on, right until the bell went.

At the end of the round I gave my opponent a bit of a hug and said good fight, I went over to his corner and thanked his corner men and trainer. Then went back to my corner, to which my trainer was like "Take deep, slow breaths. Look strong even in the end". The ref collected the results and me and my opponent went to the middle...

"The winner, by unanimous decision, in the red corner! LOGAN SMITH!"

I was fucking stoked. It had all been worth it.

Afterwards I went up to my changing room with a concussion, I spewed up the entire contents of my stomach. I'm aching in my leg, foot and jaw, I'm limping and it hurts to eat. But it's all worth it because I have this stupid, little trophy. The trophy has a guy doing a kick (with poor technique) and on the base it reads: Excessive Force Winner 2007.

It's all worth it in the end.

[da_mill]

Congratulations, sounds like you did a job well done!!!

[Ghost]

Well done mate well done, sounds like you fought hard, good stuff.

[littlebadboy]

well done! any youtube clips for that?

[JKDBrando]

Good Job!!!... Take the week of and get ready for the next fight. =)
A clip will be good to see for me, I fight in the next month also so I wouldn't mind seeing what expect from a first amatuer fight.

[Yessir]

If he's a kick boxer his boxing is probably better, but since you've boxed that should be even. My advice is, clinch as soon as you get the opportunity, and tear him apart with knees. As a nak muay you should have an big advantage in the clinch over a kick boxer.

Good luck mate.

[MilkAndInnards]

Thanks guys.

For those of you who asked for a video, I'll ask around and see if anyone got one. I'll get back to you about that.

And JKDBrando, from what I saw (and did!) that night in your first amateur fight the guy you fight might try be really technical, or just try knock you flat on your ass. He also mightn't have the heart and drive to win and be aggressive since it's his first fight. Just use the first round to find out how fit and quick and strong etc the guy is. And good luck to you also!