About Muay Thai

[Goku]

I was reading some of the messeges and I heard a few ppl say that Elbows and Knees are for "Wuss-Fights." Now this really piss me off. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MUAY THAI HERE! The art of Muay Thai is known for it's titan like powerful knee and elbow hits. You call your elbows and knee's non-potent weapons while close range fighting? COME ON! If I could i would bet you money that I can crach someone's skull with one hit from my elbows or knees. These two are one of the strongest parts of your body. If used on time or wisely, they should be a life saver. Please, next time when you talk, try to think about it first!

[mushinmaster]

What posts were you reading?

Elbows and knees are the most powerful striker's weapons!

[Goku]

Do not forget that "The best offense can very well be defined as the best defense"

[Populist]

Yep

You're absolutely right! Knees and elbows are very powerful and the guy doesn't have to be a muscleman that he/she could really crash someones skull.

[nasigoreng]

Knees end fights.

I recently spent 6 weeks in Thailand. I saw plenty of fights. I saw two (foreign) fighters in two matches fall from a knee to the solar plexus.

One of these guys was a decent fighter in great shape.

Knees to the head? Even worse. TKO- big-time.

Knees to the rib-cage?- soften you up.

Good knee strikes require good clinching skills by the way.

[aseepish]

ONE of the two was in great shape? What kind of crazy farang would get into the ring with a Thai fighter without being in top condition?

Where in Thailand did you go? Did you make it up to Chiang Mai? I didn't like Bangkok that much, but Chiang Mai was great.

-Tony

[WingChun E-Dub]

come on

I've been hit in the ring with knees that didn't look like much when I watched on video but I could feel them for weeks. Never been hit with a solid elbow and never want to be. People just don't know.

[aseepish]

Knees, Elbows (What? No headbutts??)

I've been hit with 1/4 speed elbows that have made me VERY uncomfortable!

I also find that it's the "little" shots that have a lot of effect - knees to the thigh that set up the elbow.

Wing Chun E-dub - I'm assuming from your moniker and your post that you study both Wing Chun and Muay Thai (and probably other stuff). How do you find flowing between these two arts? I studied at a Wing Chun school where the instructor had also done a fair bit of Muay Thai. When the class sparred, I rarely saw any Wing Chun (except when I foolishly tried to pak sao one of the the senior students).

But it's great fun to throw some low-line kicks during chi-sao!

-Tony

[WingChun E-Dub]

Tony -
Right now I'm taking a break from the Muay Thai. My body still has aches from the abuse. I love it because it gives you the fighting mentality that a lot of other arts don't stress sometimes. Also, I think its good to be hit hard and know what it feels like. And the keep going attitude is perfect for real combat.

My Wing Chun instructor has a pretty aggressive attitude which is why I flocked towards him. I really think I would use the Wing Chun in a street situation with the power and mentallity that the Muay Thai taught me. Have to remember that Muay Thai is a sport (as wonderfully powerful and aggressive as it is) and has some limitations on the street. Wing Chun, while it might be taught as reactive and soft in some schools, really comes from the streets and is devistating if done correctly. When sparring, you wouldn't be able to sidestep and take out a guys knee. On the street.....more power to you!

I love it all and take as much as I can from everything.

[aseepish]

I do like that about Wing Chun!

I'm on an enforced break from MT too - no place to train where I currently live, but I'm slowly conditioning myself to the point where I'm confident enough to go back to Thailand and get some training in.

-Tony

[PentjackSilat]

oh yeah

come and fight me in the ring and see if knees and elbows are for wusses!

[aseepish]

Bagus!

Silat has some interesting uses for the elbows and knees, among my favourite being to drop the knee on whatever unfortunate piece of anatomy your opponent has been dragging along the ground.

-Tony

[Brave Dave]

Proof of the power

Hey, if anyone has any doubts about the power of elbows and knees then I think you should GET ON DOWN to my fantastic web site all about the Lanna Muay Thai training camp in Chiang Mai, Thailand to see REAL power.

Go to the "Watching Muay Thai Fights" page and find the video clip of Eddie from Canada destroying his Thai opponent in the first round with two elbows and three knees to the head. REAL nasty stuff and so very, very effective...

Dave's Trip to Lanna Muay Thai

[aseepish]

Right on!

Sounds like you had a blast! Chiang Mai is a great town.

-T

[aseepish]

. . .

But of course I've said that before, haven't I!