By Mike L Ng
Asawindum Stadium
More fight action from famous Asawindum Stadium from the Sunday, December 6, 2009 fights. This bout brings Lerdduerd Sakhomsin in Red trim versus Jaipet Zujibamikew in Blue trim. This fight was matched at a weight of 103 lbs.
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By Mike LNg
Adrienne Simmons
Adrienne Simmons now has a fund setup for her by the generous people at Wfighter.com. As many of you already know Adrienne Simmons passed away from sustained head injuries after competing in a tournament style Kickboxing competition this past weekend.
Sometimes I myself weary of the internal politicking, the non-stop fronting with a hidden agenda and various other ugly realities of the USA Muay Thai scene. In a sport at grass roots level in the United States we need good guys and Adrienne was one of the good guys. Everyone in American Muay Thai lost one of their own in Adrienne. My heart felt condolences goes out to Adrienne’s friends and families. And thank you to wfighter for setting this fund up. Wfighter also has an Adrienne Simmons tribute page in the works. To donate please click here.
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Fitness is not an often covered topic here. But frequent commenter and reader Thomas Larsen came out with a workout routine well suited to strength training without the typical limitations of weight training and more suited to the mobility demands of Muay Thai. Much thanks to Thomas “Larsenator” Larsen for sharing the contribution. And having tried just one cycle of this bronze circle I rapidly found out why he dubbed it the ‘Hator ‘nator cycle’ – Mike LNg
Thomas "Larsenator" Larsen, photo by Martin Krog
By Thomas “Larsenator” Larsen
These days we are blessed in Denmark with a summer that can be best described as a heat wave. Loads of people don’t like it as it makes it hard to sleep and our houses are not really prepared for this kind of weather but I LOVE it. Why? It makes it even more challenging to train out in the country side which is what I love doing.
I’m preparing for a way different war than my previous Muay Thai fights and today I did a cycle which stems from the Danish army but I added some extra exercises to make it even more complete. The so called Bronze Circle consists of eight exercises using your own body weight:
For a video illustration of the army variant of the time-honored army ‘monkey fucker’ please see the following video:
The basic idea is to start with number one and work through to number eight and then repeat until all eight exercises have been carried out three times – in under twelve minutes. This is basically the foundation of the Bronze Circle.
Now this doesn’t look very hard on paper but try it and you will probably have a hard time doing it under twelve minutes if one is even able to make it past the second round!
Since I wanted it a bit more hardcore and I think it lacks certain body areas I added four more exercises hence the Hator ‘Nator Cycle was born – here goes:
The idea is (for me at least – you can vary and experiment as you wish) to make it through three cycles/rounds the first time and then work your way up to more repetitions and more rounds. A video example of the normal bronze circle is below.
The phrase ‘Body weight exercises’ is actually just another phrase for Calisthenics and it is a cheap way of building muscle strength for Muaythai as well as any combat related activities. The reason why I find these sorts of exercises fit combat sports perfectly is because you do not gain a lot of muscle weight hence a fighter can stay in the weight class he naturally belongs in!
Please remember to never exercise alone and always bring plenty of water and a complete R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) kit for on the spot first aid. If you have any concerns about safety also be sure to consult a physician first before attempting any of the workouts contained here.
Happy training.
About Thomas “Larsenator” Larsen:
Thomas ‘Larsenator’ Larsen is a former Muay Thai fighter from Denmark and a Danish Army sergeant who has fought internationally in Muay Thai, karate, MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He also works for notable media companies such as Eurosport, Canal+ etc. as their specialist combat sports commentator.
His work has been published in Portugal, the Czech Republic, USA, the UK, Australia, Denmark, Sweden, France, Japan to name just a few.
The Larsenator Kicks it in the Ring, photo by Martin Krog
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By Mike LNg
England Versus Holland
The coming England Versus holland Event is interesting on many levels. Firstly, Top king is a newly formed boxing equipment manufacturer and they obviously want to raise their profile in Muay Thai. To this end they’ve teamed with UK combat sports clothing manufacturer Backstreet Brawler to bring this card.
The second point of interest is obviously the fights this card has on it. Impressively it covers some known tough customers in the Dutch Muay Thai scene and includes Thai UK resident Hino Kiatti, a former Rajadamnern stadium champion and a 2X PABA international boxing champion.
Scheduled for the event is a total of 10 professional Muay Thai bouts. The card as known so far is:
Jordan Watson (most recently fought Buakaw Por Pramuk at MSA in the UK) Vs. Hino Kiatti ( former Rajadamnern stadium champion) for Backstreet Brawler Top King World Title
Luke Turner (UK) Vs. Delon Carhillo (NL) for Backstreet Brawler Top King World Title
Kristoffer Addis (UK) Vs. Rdoine Koubini (NL) for Backstreet Brawler Top King European Title
John Dennis (UK) Vs. Carl Copestake (UK) for Backstreet Brawler Top King British Title
Jonno Chipchase (UK) Vs. Dave V Duyn (NL) for Backstreet Brawler Top King European Title
All fights are sanctioned by the World Professional Muay Thai Fedration (WPMF). Interestingly this marks the 3rd international event WPMF has been a part of as an international sanction with recent WPMF events being in Japan and France.
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By MikeLNg
Adrienne Simmons
Adrienne Simmons passed away after an IKF Kickboxing Tournament in Orlando Saturday night.
Adrienne Simmons trained and fought in local gyms in Atlanta, Georgia. And was associated with Khunpon and with fighter boyfriend Chike Adjudua. Adrienne had fought up to the Championship round in her weight class at the tournament.
Much has been said about Adrienne and her positive will. She inspired others by her actions and made others proud as she continued to achieve in the sport she loved. But perhaps the best summary of Adrienne and her outlook on the sport and life can be made in her own words:
So, I’ll say again, you can do whatever you want to do. I wouldn’t have decided to go into teaching if I thought we should throw people away like garbage. If you really want to do something and you have a bunch of a-holes in your life trying to discourage you, message me and I’ll give you all my reasons for why I don’t think you’ll fail. And I’ll hook you up with someone who can probably help you do it, because I’m lucky that way.
I already miss you Adrienne and my hopes and prayers are with your friends and family.
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By Mike LNg
Artem Levin with WMC Intercontinental Belt
Artem “The Lion” Levin is a fast rising star from Prokopyevsk, Russia in the supermiddle weight division. Artem has captured both the WMC Intercontinetal Championship and the Euorpean Muay Thai Federation championship in a 6-year career that has thus far had an upward trajectory along its arc. Artem Levin also won the qualifying fights for Contender Asia Season 2 in 2008. I caught up with Artem Levin as he is making preparations to head to the inaugural SportAccord Combat Games to be held in Beijing Chin as Russia’s representative at 76kg.
Question: Often times Thaiboxers begin Muay Thai from other martial arts. Did you start in other martial arts before Muay Thai?
Answer: No. I’ve always been an active child and have been fond of sports always: soccer, basketball, tennis. But Muay Thai has been my first love in the martial arts world. I started training in Muay Thai at the age of 10 and up to this day I’m opening up new vistas in it.
What made you decide to choose Muay Thai over other combat sports?
Muay Thai is a comprehensive type of combat sports. The sport is the most practical for real fights besides MMA, that’s why my choice is Muay Thai. I was born in a small hick town, and like any young boy I intended to stick up for myself, to face off hooligans and to protect my family – that was the main motivation for me to come to the Muay Thai gym.
There seems to be many very good and high level Thaiboxers coming from Eastern Europe such as Dmitri Shakuta, Pavel Kharchenko and Ivan Grigoriev among others. What is it about Russia and other Eastern European countries that seems to produce so many good Thaiboxers?
Yes, I can answer this. There are many good fighters of different levels in Russia, including those who can fight for top titles. But there is a problem: we haven’t got a promoter to lead a boxer on European or international levels therefore the best Russian fighters are still lingering in obscurity.
From the many wins you have most of your knockouts have been produced with a left high knee strike. What have you done to make this one technique so effective?
I can’t say I make special exercises to sharpen the technique or my other skills are worse somehow. It occurs that opponents are taken in on the knee strike. An opponent takes a hit he doesn’t see, and the left knee is swift. It would seem the left knee strike can control the fight, and it causes knockouts in a second.
You haven’t lost often in Muay Thai except one high profile loss against Yodsaenklai Fairtex. Have you since adapted your style since this fight?
Just the other way around: I had tried to change my style before the bout versus Yodsaenklai. I thought I would prepare myself specifically, but became bound, and began to work in another way, and thus the change resulted in the loss.
I understand you are now preparing for the SportAccord to be held in Beijing, China. How does your preparation for the SportAccord differ from your usual training?
Foremost, this is amateur competition. The judges evaluate other moments (compared to professional fights) and accordingly there is the other task – to score, to make more hits ignoring brunt, more moves, more kicks.
You are right now only 24 years yet have compiled a fight record of 40+ fights. Is it typical for Russian Thaiboxers to compile such a big fight record so fast?
Well, firstly, I’m 23. )) I can’t speak for all, but you never can tell whether a fighter is experienced by reference to a fight record only. Get a look at the quality of opponents, not quantity of fights in a record. I know many fighters with a high record, but with a low level of opponents, because they are participating in local events against easy opponents. It results in no growth of the fighter’s level.
For a super middleweight Thaiboxer you are unusually tall at 6’3″. Do you think you will gain weight and go to a heavier weight class?
Yes, I will participate in this year’s national championship at 81 kg. And I plan to gain more weight further.
Artem Connects with the High Kick
You’ve revenged most of your professional losses in Muay Thai. Who else would you like a rematch against?
Of cource, I’m eager to rematch Yodsaenklai. I’ll get an opportunity in the World Combat Games, and I hope, I’ll win it.
Of all your fights who has been the hardest opponent and why?
Alexander Stetsurenko. He has a very unconventional style. He’s uncomplaining and takes hits while still moving forward – that is exhausting. The tactic is frustrating even if it damages himself.
Few people know that you’ve also done international boxing professionally. What made you decide to try boxing?
I have a large amateur boxing record. I’ve been always attracted to boxing. And I plan to continue competing in boxing and cherish the ambition to become a pro boxer.
It has been some time since fans have been able to see you fight internationally. When can we expect to see you back in front of the world audience?
Well, it doesn’t depend on me. I’m waiting for suggestions and I’m willing to fight anyone. Currently we are trying to get into It’s Showtime or K-1. And as soon as I get matched with the champions, all the asses are kicked and all the aces are knocked out.
Having accomplished so much at a young age in Muay Thai what other goals do you have in Muay Thai?
The WMC World champion. And to get fights on the world’s best arenas.
Because your schedule for SportAccord you will not be fighting Dmitry Valent for the WKN world title. Will this match be rescheduled?
I’ve read about the match on the web recently. Nobody contacted me and no suggestions were received. Naturally, if I come back from the games at the 6th of September, then I can’t take the fight planned on the 11th of September.
Many European fighters participate on it’s Show Time. Do you have any interest in participating in It’s Show Time?
Yes, I’ve noticed that already. Currently we are trying to contact It’s Showtime. I’d appreciate help in matchmaking. I’m ready to fight anyone and to prove the right to win top titles.
The Lion Rips Shots to the Body
Do you prefer K-1 rules or Muay Thai rules?
There is no a preference for me. I’m comfortable at both.
Having fought and trained in Muay Thai in Thailand what is different about the Thai method of training and fighting?
A greater emphasis is put on clinching and kicking and there is no prioritizing on hand strikes in Thailand. There are no sparring because in Thailand Thaiboxers have so much fights they don’t spar during workouts. Otherwise, injuries won’t mend and athletes cannot recover between fights.
Where would you like most to visit and fight next in the world?
America and Japan. I like to travel much, and I want to visit as many countries as possible on all the continents to be really intercontinental.
For those of us outside of Russia which Russian Thaiboxers can we look forward to seeing in the future?
No need to name them. I’d rather say that there are many fighters and you will know their names soon.
For all your new and old fans, do you have any message to them?
Thanks a million for watching my fights and for supporting me. That strengthens me. I’ll make more fair and distinguished fights with the help. Thank you very much. Best regards, Artem Levin.
Thanks very much to Artem Levin for granting this interview and big thanks to Julia Korkina for her translation skills. You can keep up to date on the latest news of Artem Levin at his official site. Check out Artem’s highlight reel below.
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by Mike LNg
Saturday Night Fights Card
The World Muay Thai Council (WMC) USA is moving quick since the last WMC USA show. They are staging and sanctioning pretty quickly near back to back events. Apparently the main event on August 14th, 2010 is a World Championship fight for a bona fide WMC world title. Thailand’s own Lom-Esan “The Destroyer” vs. Numpon “The Tornado” are due to battle for the WMC World Welterweight Title Belt though last I checked that title wasn’t vacated willingly or unwillingly. This would mark the first time a WMC world title was matched in the United States albeit with no Americans in contention. I am somewhat surprised that this card has gotten basically no promotion of any kind. And I would honestly be shocked if the entire card does come together as announced with as much Thai talent as there is on this card and the accompanying difficulties inherent in securing visas for all of them. The purses for these titles has to be at a premium as well.
Other Title Main Events:
Sripare “Angel of Death” vs. Sandra “Heart” Bastian
Lerdsila “Mr Lightning” vs. Yusuke Sugawara
Fransisco Ekyotin Vs. Danny ‘Dangerous’ Navarro
The Undercard:
Francisco Amescua of Van Nuys Muay Thai vs Armin Safarini of Combat Sports
Michael Ellison of Boxing Work vs. Doug Raver of Team OC
Ruben Lahn of World Muay Thai Gym vs. Oscar Sanchez of OYAMA Team
Jordan Rhines of Doblers Gym vs. Devan Gonzalez of MAFC Gym
Anthony Lahn of World Muay Thai Gym vs Ronald Cruz of MuayThai Academy
Anthony Cordoza of Sityodtong LA vs. Nick Chambers of Throw Down Gym
Hector Godoy of World Muay Thai Gym vs. Angel Meca of Sit Arvut Gym
Vito Funicello of World Muay Thai Gym vs. Erick Gonzales of Throw Down Gym
Interestingly enough there is supposed to be a concert that will also be a part of the entire promotion featuring hed Pe and another band. Looks like this show is trying to secure the guys who forgot 90’s nu metal was over as part of the audience as well.
All kidding aside, the Thais on the card are pretty current and very talented on this event. If all goes well it will be an incredible event with a level of Muay Thai most Americans never get to see in person. But between the concert (complete with headliner and opening band) and the big Thai names on there can it be done with the promoters and sponsors not bleeding money out? For more information here is the link to the Push Kick Promotions site. And sincerely, best of luck to Push Kick in trying to bring this card to all of us.
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By Mike LNg
Kaoklai front and center for the WBC Muay Thai press conference
The WBC Muaythai is making continuing in-roads into China. Dennis Warner is again involved in bringing two WBC Muay Thai world championship match ups to Haikou City in Hainan, China. For the Chinese side of the promotion Jianjun (Tony) Chen is also involved for the August 21st, 2010 card.
What is known about the coming card thus far is:
Female lightweight championship
Miriam Nakamoto (USA) vs Claire Haigh (Luxemburg)
Men’s lightweight championship
Hiromasa Masuda (Japan) vs Jaroenchai Oaddonmuang (Thailand)
Superfight
Kaoklai Kaennorsingh, WBC Light Heavyweight World Champion.
Miriam Nakamoto’s fan base is already strong in China and will likely continue to grow if she proves successful in her bout against Haigh. Its not yet certain if Kaoklai will be staking his title in August or if this will become a non-title bout. Kaoklai’s opponent for August is as yet unknown. As always, as details become known I will share them.
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By Mike LNg
WCK card
The full WCK Muay Thai card for Sugust 28th, 2010 and what’s at stake has been shared to me by WCK Muay Thai. A detailed write-up of the pro fights is here and I will be attending the show if my own corporate overlords permit it. Of interest also are some of the up and coming amateurs on the card who I’ve been doing my best to keep track of as well. I’m looking forward to also seeing the clash of giants that is sure to come from the main event super heavy weights. I was also fortunate enough to talk to two of the competitors in Mawande Vapi at light heavyweight and Steven “Panda” Banks at super heavyweight, who was easily one of the more entertaining interview subjects on this site.
WBC Muaythai United States Super Heavyweight Title 5rds.
Rick Cheek vs Stephen Banks
WBC Muaythai Female International Super Bantamweight Title 5rds.
Jeri Sitzes vs Lim Su Jeong (Korea)
IKKC Muaythai International Light Heavyweight Title 5rds.
Shawn Yarborough (champion) vs Mawande Vapi (South Africa)
WBC Muaythai Super Welterweight Title Elimination Bout 5rds.
Raul Rodriguez vs William Sriyapai
WBC Middleweight International Prestige Bout 5rds.
Chaz Mulkey vs Remy Bonnel
IKKC Muaythai United States Welterweight Title 5rds.
Scott Leffler (champion) vs Justin Greskiewicz
IKKC Muaythai Super Middleweight Bout 4rds.
Jack Thames vs Mike Ryan
IKKC Muaythai Super Welterweight Bout 4rds.
Shawn Yacoubian vs Joe Davidson
IKKC Muaythai Welterweight Bout 4rds.
Artem Sharoshkin vs Titus Holmes
Amateur bouts
IAMTF USA Welterweight Title 5rds.
Chris Minor vs Roy Corona
IAMTF Super Heavyweight Bout 3rds.
Andrew Miller vs Isaac Gomez
IAMTF Middleweight Bout 3rds.
Damien Earley vs Andy Lazarit
IAMTF USA Super Featherweight Title Bout
Jason Andrada vs George Amirian
IAMTF Female Flyweight Bout
Amber Pope vs Tandy Schafer
As always for advance ticket information and arrangements for lodging see the official WCK Muay Thai site for details.
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The Science of 8 Limbs
The Science of 8 Limbs 
Adrienne Simmons Deserves Justice
•August 2, 2010 • 4 CommentsBy Mike LNg
Adrienne Simmons Training
In the past week much has been written about Adrienne Simmons passing; some of it accurate, some of it quite a bit less than accurate and quite a bit of it consisting of heavy hyperbole. The International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) has finally responded in what can best be called damage control. When I decided I needed to take on this topic I was reluctant to say anything more than what I had already written. The reasons for this reluctance are many:
There is however a point that I want to make clear to any readers of my blog. The truth will become transparent to everyone whether by willing organizational transparency or by investigation as required by law. Personally, I think it will be ultimately the latter. I’ve made no shortcuts in reporting and commentating on events in Muay Thai that are controversial and I will continue not to. But truth be said I wish there was no need for it at all. However, its been proven that in some degree Muay Thai cannot police itself. Adrienne Simmons needs and deserves justice.
Could IKF have elected to have an ambulance on site? In a prepared statement on IKF’s site they said the following in regards to a lack of an ambulance on site.
There are other statements regarding medical treatment and I have no doubt the doctors were qualified general practitioners but were not prepared to treat the trauma Adrienne Simmons had experienced. By IKF’s own account a call was made to 911 to airlift Adrienne to the hospital where she died. While IKF is insistent that it did not take an hour for Adrienne Simmons to arrive at the hospital they never clarified the amount of time it really did take for Adrienne to arrive at the hospital.
I have been a part of tiny smokers with less than 70 people in the audience and 4 fights and there was always an ambulance on site. While IKF accurately states that most of the time it isn’t required, I will say most of the time an ambulance is on site by choice in the largest events and smallest events of Muay Thai I have attended. Why wasn’t it on site for the biggest amateur event for kickboxing and Muay Thai in the United States? Especially with amateurs competing, one courts disaster without it. And especially with well over 200 fighters present? Meeting requirements of a state commission is one thing but perhaps exceeding the requirements may have made the difference. In every amateur event I have seen this requirement was exceeded.
The scrutiny is increasing on Muay Thai in the United States and for good reason. Have no doubt the antics typical of alarmists willing and ready to hang Muay Thai as a barbaric and cruel sport are standing by to damage Muay Thai further. On the other end there have been efforts to build fiefdoms on Muay Thai’s amateur fighters under a smoke screen of regulation. I have no doubt this event will be cheaply used as leverage towards further personal kingdom building by people who should know better. The state of California and everyone in Muay Thai there, consider this your early notice: its coming.
There are some that believe a low quality event can be marketed into relevance or that Muay Thai can be marketed into something worth attention. There are some that believe you can only move forward when our own integrity in Muay Thai is intact. Things are in motion now both for professional and amateur fighters and these sides are going to be easier to identify. The coming months will prove where United States Muay Thai stands in whatever makes up our community. I’ve often said it but it bears repeating: The only people that can change Muay Thai for the better are the people in it. When this stops being a slogan and becomes a belief we all share maybe some more good can come forward and Muay Thai can begin policing itself correctly and become something the general public pays attention to.
Questions still remain following Adrienne’s tragic death. Was a representative present for the Florida State Athletic Commission? And if not, why? If so what was their take on the proceedings of the IKF tournament? Answers in the coming days will follow I am sure but at what a terrible cost.
Adrienne Simmons was a positive force for Muay Thai. She represented the best of us and embodied a competitive and positive spirit for the sport. Adrienne never quit and always believed that the best in people can be developed. Adrienne said as much on her own site regarding her career choice as an educator. Please remember Adrienne when you make your own choices in the sport.
I do think on a positive note, change will be implemented across the board for the better because of this. But I cannot help but ask myself: “‘Did someone really have to die for it?” Please remember and be sensitive to the personal struggles of all parties involved including Lyndsay Scheer, Eric Haycraft, Chike Andjua, and all in Adrienne’s family and friends. And please support Adrienne’s fund that will go towards her family and help cover their costs.
Thanks for reading.
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Posted in Commentary
Tags: Adirenne Simmons, IKF, Muay Thai, United States