Kru Mehdi at Kombat Arts

Today I had the privilege of participating in a class taught by Kru Mehdi. Head instructor and owner of KB-ONE in North Vancouver. The man is very knowledgeable. Today's main lesson was you must be in control of your body - particularly your hips during kicks.

All so often when students kick the bag, they rely on the "clash" AKA the impact to get back their balance/fighting stance. Kru Mehdi preaches that we must learn to control our kicks (in mid air) so that if it gets blocked, countered, or misses, we can retract the kick before over-committing and opening ourselves up for a counter attack. I remember my friend's uncle (retired Muay Boran fighter from Cambodia) told me the same thing.

For instance, If I throw my lead swing kick and my opponent is still rushing in, instead of putting it down, I turn it into a push kick. Of course sometimes my lead swing is just a bait to lure my opponent in!

In any case, here's a clip of KB-ONE - there's also Sifu Joey on it!

Training with Kru Eddi

This morning I got the privilege to train with Kru Eddie from Renegade Muay Thai in Toronto. Prior to the session, guys were telling me that he teaches more traditional muay thai and that he has trained in Thailand for a few years and fought in big circuits down there as well as all over the world. I was very intrigued and anxious to train with him. Upon arriving at 1:30pm, I realized there were only 3 other student in the class! You see, Kru Joey has Kru Eddie come twice a week for seminar/class type of deal so that students have the opportunity to learn traditional muay thai style in addition to a k1 style that many Kombat instructors teaches. This was exactly what I was hoping for; I am a firm believer of being as well rounded as possible. The way I see stand up fighting is similar to the way GSP , trains MMA. He does boxing, muay thai, wrestling, and Jiu Jitsu separately, so that he can train with the best from each discipline. I am starting to take the same approach but with only standup disciplines which are boxing, muay thai,and K1 style. Kombat has the resources and the talent to train their fighters in all these arts. Back to the training. Class started off with skipping, pushups, situps, chinups, and jumping squats, followed by repetition on the heavy bag. Then we partnered up and did some clinch work. My partner's name is Kurn, this tall MOTHERFOCKER and lanky too. He was like what, 6'6? I don't know, but I'm 5'6 so ya...lol...it was fun trying to fight for position haha. We did that for about 20 minutes, then we all had a chance to do 1on1 with Kru Eddie. It seems like he loves the push kick! Now I know I'm training with the right man! He drilled us in the push kicks and gave us some useful pointers such as keep your hand up : /...obvious but under-practiced (is this a word!). Aside from all the new technique that I learned, the most important thing that I took from this session was to stay on the ball of my feet...both feet that is, all the time. I will practice this, I will master this. Kru Eddie will be back Saturday morning, expect me there.

For now, I'm taking the night off to relax and settle into my new place...tomorrow will be another day.

This is why Kru Eddie must love the pushkick:

BUAKAW vs MASATO 2004

Fighter Class at Kombat Arts

I arrived at Kombat at 5:30pm, so I had quite a bit of time to warm-up until the fighter class at 7. I was feeling anxious and excited at the same time. Not only because I haven't trained for a few months, but because I know this class isn't going to be a pushover. Furthermore, Kombat fighters have been impressive lately in CASK, something like 15 straight wins. Many of the fighters are preparing for competition in a week or 2 so I was definitely anticipating something fierce. And I was right, I quickly jumped on the opportunity to spar with the best at Kombat, and it was fun. Unlike conventional Muay Thai, Kombat Fighters have real quick hand combination and they are often followed by punishing leg kicks. When I spar I usually don't have a problem pushing fighters around and sealing off the ring, but I never got that going last night. It was a back and forth battle against every fighter. I'm going to like this place...

I'm curious.

My departure from TKO and my new home.

What can I say? Recently just got back from military camp and what a summer I had. Explosives, shotguns, breaching, more explosives, grenade launchers, claymores.....can't ask for more of an experience! On top of all that the course officers presented me with the Top Candidate title! What a summer.

Like fighting, the long hours in the sun, vigorous PT (physical training) sessions, and of course the cocking (getting screamed at) from the staff made it all fun, in a very sadistic way. Till next year, for now, it's back to Muay Thai Training.

Recently, as in 4 months ago I departed from TKO Fighting Arts. It was a hard decision I had to make but I knew that my eventual departure was inevitable. Why did I leave? Many reasons:

1. My family and friends are from Mississauga/Toronto
2. I wanted to diversify my skills by experiencing other gyms and learning what they have to offer.
3. I will be traveling the world for a year and want no commitments.
4. I wanted to become a full time Muay Thai student again, and focus more on my training rather than teaching.

Although I know this is the right decision, I will miss TKO. Guys/gals like Les, Steve, Kyle, Melissa, Christine, Pat, Jeff, Matt and many more. They have brought me up and gave me the opportunity to pursue my passion without ever demanding for anything in return. Kru Chris who started of as my Coach/ Instructor over the years became my training partner, mentor, and one of my closest friends. The wisdom he imparted on me went beyond Muay Thai. He took me into his home, gave me the keys to the gym, and always had my back. For all that I will be forever grateful.
Boy did we have some crazy battles in that ring. No one as ever put the fire in me the way he did, and no one as ever brought the intensity out of me during sparring like Chris. Can't wait until Thailand next month where I will be Joined by Kru Chris and Mario.

I am temporary residing with my parents, sleeping on a mattress in the basement with most of my stuff packed and ready for my next adventure. I have a couple weeks left in town and trying to make the most of it. Kombat Arts, I martial arts gym in Mississauga is where I will be training until Thailand. Sifu Joey is the head coach there and let me tell ya he's a real intelligent man. Trained by, and training some very talented fighters. To be honest prior to this summer I had much trouble adapting to this gym. I felt a little isolated and like an outsider. I didn't feel at home, but that's probably because I wasn't, yet. I've been known as the "guy from TKO" for so many years and in my head I still felt that way. Today I just signed up at Kombat Arts. It's time to let everything go through me, and fearlessly train like I never trained before. I will keep everyone updated.