Understanding Muay Thai
Buakaw vs Sato II
Buakaw Banchamek is perhaps the most famous kickboxer the sport has yet seen. He has a fight record of 238-24-12. A product of Por. Pramuk in Thailand he rapidly rose to prominence in K-1 winning the Max title in 2004 and 2006. Starting as a Nak Muay, Buakaw has strong kicks and the best clinch in K-1. Here he is kicking down a banana tree: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDMnT8hrT-U
Yoshohiro Sato is a Japanese kickboxer that has competed in both kickboxing and Muay Thai. A well rounded fighter, Sato was one of Japan’s best kickboxers in his prime with wins and losses to some of the best kickboxers of his era. Despite never winning a K-1 Max title, as Chris Weidman’s father says, “[...]he’s still my boy.”.
As the fight begins Baukaw slowly presses forward hands high, not in a tight double forearm guard but slightly away from his body elbows flared outwards. Notice the constant tapping of Baukaw’s lead foot. Every time his foot is raised he has a variety of options to check, teep, or use a lead thrust knee if Sato gets over zealous and tries to close the distance. When the foot is grounded Baukaw has punches available but also his round kicks. By constantly lifting and lowering his lead leg Buakaw is threatening Sato for any attempt to use his superior punching. By establishing this distance Baukaw hammers round kicks and push kicks from the outside.
In the 2nd round Sato attempt to get through the threat of the lead leg by adopting the same style. When he raises his lead leg he freezes Buakaw who is prepared to block an incoming kick but is then hit with punches as Sato steps inside. Still Baukaw manages to use his round kicks and teeps methodically. And although he is being hit more than he was in the first round his kicks are more punishing than Sato and Sato is now playing Baukaw’s game. Buakaw remains stoic with Sato’s new found success. Despite Sato’s effectiveness this is where Nak Muays thrive and Buakaw hits multiple sweeps as Sato uses his lead foot (1:20 Round 2, 1:29 Round 3).
Despite greater success in the 2nd round Sato starts slowing down in the third. Baukaw is able to deliver his strikes with more power and less regard for safety. Having gained control of kick range Baukaw is able to out punch, usually with loopy straight punches, the better boxer Sato after wearing down his arms for three rounds. Additionally, the constant threat of a kick, if Sato tries to be the aggressor, keeps Sato effectively on the defensive sealing the victory.
Analysis
Despite Sato’s success in the 2nd round how does Buakaw adapt to keep the fight in his favour?
Buakaw is widely regarded as one of the greatest kickboxers of all time but not as a great Nak Muay. Why could this be?
Buakaw doesn’t use a boxer’s head movement or Dutch-style double forearm guard. Instead, how does he prevent clean punches from damaging? What are the benefits to using these defensive options?
Comentários