January 2003
In preparation for this series of Super lightweight (142lbs.) elimination matches, Shawn Yacoubian is back in training. We are approaching this kind of competition with a different strategy since there are several matches to be fought at one-month intervals. We need to be careful and focus on;
1) Winning on points
2) Not getting injured
3) Not getting eliminated
How do we do that? You carefully plan out your strategy and take every precaution that your experience and wisdom provides. I am not going to give too many details right now until after the tournament is over. You can guess for yourselves why. I will, however give you some general tips and principals for ring strategy and fight preparation that I have derived personally through years of training and fighting.
Basic form and technique as well as precise body control is foundational in establishing the basics, which you are going to build upon. So assuming that you have the basics of punching and kicking conditioning etc., we can go on to fighting form and strategy.
1) FOUNDATION *
Maintaining a solid stance both before and after executing a technique is important because you must have proper leverage and positioning to execute with power. Always start your technique from a proper stance and finish your attack so you can defend against a counter attack without being knocked off balance or being forced out of your ideal position.
2) CONDITIONING *
Muay Thai training is one of the ultimate hard body conditioning exercises one can do. Preparing for a Muay Thai bout brings out the very best in stand-up fighting skills, but you don’t achieve this by dabbling around with it. You must follow a consistent schedule of daily training; roadwork for one, which is an accumulation of sprints, hill running, distance running and calisthenics. Then, at the gym, there will be lots of:
PAD WORK; where a coach holds the pads for the fighter to execute combinations upon trainers command.
SPARRING; where fighter will pair up in the ring with full gear on to practice offense and defense against a moving target that counter attacks as well.
SHADOW BOXING; where a fighter will practice moves by executing combonations of movements with an imaginary opponent.
BAG WORK; constant combos or drills for offence executed on the bag.
COUNTERS; pairing up and practicing offensive and defensive moves.
NECK WRESTLING; pairing up with the intention of clinching each other to execute knee strikes), and more calisthenics.
3) DEFENSE *
In Muay Thai, defense is very important because the offense is extremely dangerous. The weapons of a well trained fighter are like polished gems; they are refined by constant use. In order to develop a non-penetrable defense, one must train constantly with other skilled fighters along with an experienced coach.
The defense in Muay Thai is more stationary than in say Boxing or Full Contact Karate. There tends to be less lateral movement mostly because of the low kicks. There is also less bobbing and weaving because of elbows and knees. However, as an American with a background of both Boxing and Martial Arts, knowing how to use movement can be used to our advantage.
Train to minimize contact. Get out of the habit of covering up too much blocking kicks and punches. Sooner or later one might get through. The contact being made in the match should be your weapons against your opponent’s vital points. When you have to defend, deflect your opponent’s attack to place him off balance or out of position to follow up or counter. Train to make your opponents offence sucker him into your counter.
4) OFFENSE *
a) Train to get off 2 or 3 techniques at a time instead of one.
b) Always train for the distance and to win on points if necessary.
c) Don’t be in a hurry.
d) Shoot for a long run.
e) Save your best technique for a surprise attack when your opponent is more vulnerable.
f) Be spontaneous but calculated.
g) Looking for the knockout can get you countered.
h) Learn how to bridge the gap quickly.
I) Set up your opponent by throwing combos with the first shot being quick, snappy short ones preparing for the 2nd or 3rd shot to be the ones with power.
j) Never set too long.
k) Learn how to snap your punches instead of throwing your body weight into it until the proper time.
I) Don’t show your opponent your strengths too soon, especially if he is in good shape. If the match is basically even, the deciding factor will probably be given to the fighter that stuck with a systematic strategy.
m) Avoid getting into a slugging exchange because if it lasts too long it might make you winded. Instead, surgically pick your opponent apart with in and out movement. Well trained defensive reflexes and a mix of blinding combos along with power shots is the key to victory. A crowd pleasing fighter is the one willing to dip into his bag of tricks and throw a flying knee or a jump spinning back kick here and there.
n) Learn how to body punch. A single, well placed uppercut hook to the stomach liner can sap up your opponents strength for a longer period of time than a good headshot. The body tends to loose its stability to absorb blows as the rounds progress. Learn how to mix in a good body shot out of nowhere and surprise your opponents breathe out of him. Some guys you can hit in the head all day long but don’t take it as well in the body.
o) Practice getting leverage and shoulder snap with a short twisting motion.
p) Remember the fight game is the theater of the unexpected so you must prepare for anything. A wide looping right or a surprise kick to head can throw your plans out the window.
q) Be wise, in case of a knockdown if you need to, because now it comes down to the nitty gritty.
If your opponent uses an illegal or dirty technique you can decide to owe him one. One good way to discourage your opponent from fighting dirty is to do it back twice as efficiently. Show him that you are not intimidated but are willing and all too prepared to win at his own level. They usually comply with the rules after a taste of their own foulness.
5) OPTIONAL PHILOSOPHY *
At this time, you may be asking yourself what got into you when you came up with the silly idea of becoming a professional fighter, but there is no time for that now, only time to save face, deep calleth unto deep. Do you have what it takes inside to pull it together and think under pressure? This is where experience, basics, and warrior instincts come in; but the man who is more focused, better prepared and wants it bad enough will win.
……… Stay tuned as I interview 7 time world champion Peter “Sugarfoot” Cunningham in the ” Where is HE now ” article as well as MORE training tips and other extras ………….
Rick ‘O Kane
Rick "The Mongoose" O' Kane
Photoshoot April 2002
Rick O' Kane Fighting Days Shot
