tempoman

I'll admit, I'd get trashed in a boxing match. But I love it when people say kicking/MMA/etc is for wussies. Kicks, knees and elbows hurt a hell of a lot more than any punch I've taken.

What is it that you don't like about it? Is the fact that they don't grapple, or just the way the fights are set up? Dunno really, just seems a little cheesy. I've only watched short little clips, but the style seems more like NA kickboxing, where I prefer a more controlled Thai style of fighting.

depends where you're talking about. In Thailand they usually start very young. Places like Holland I'd wager typically start younger than they do here (Canada). It seems like most take it up in their late teens here.

I've got to admit, I don't like it.

Was wondering what things you guys do when fighting against a south paw fighter. Specifically any good combos (full MT rules) to come down with a hard cut on the outside/front of their lead leg. My left kick is just as hard, if not harder than my right, so if I can work their front leg hard, I will.

depends on the individual judges most of the time. Were his punches having little effect (ie were you shelling/winging/choking them out? Unless he rung your bell with a few, then they do little to impress. If I feel the guy may be better than me through the first little bit of the 1st round, I usually try to land a good kick or knee to fry their quad or hip so I can work at my own pace.

Worst fights I've ever seen: Yushin Okami vs. Mike Swick and Diego Sanchez vs. Josh Koshcheck. absolutely terrible. I'd be appalled if I was a participant in either of those fights. It looked like the Okami fight was bought so as not to upset the home crowd. When he had full mount he punching him lighter than a 3yo girl and no elbows. The Sanchez fight was just a waste of time. One take down and like 10 punches. Terrible.

at my gym the beginners muay thai class is 50% female, and the intermediate/advanced is 1/4 female

Just find a heavy bag and do them nice and slow. Instead of extending your leg to hit the side of the bag, target the front corner. Think of a hook motion how your shoulder and hips turn in while pivoting for the punch, but use your legs. The only difference is that your opposite foot is going to have to pivot ~90degrees. Mine usually comes back about 110ish.

I'm pretty up on anatomy and physiology so here's my best guess: the liver is innervated by the vagus nerve. When then vagus nerve is stimulated it causes the heart to slow down and drops blood pressure. If the liver receives a sudden impact and causes a strong stimulus on the vagus nerve, your blood pressure may drop enough to cause you to pass out/KOed. also 5" below the floating ribs is too far to down to be targeting. Your liver is mostly contained under your ribs. On most people only a small part extends below the ribs. So you'll want to aim just under the ribs and drive upwards for the best effect.

Knees get hit by accident/on purpose all the time I'm sure, but have there been any major injuries that changed the course of a fight because of them? almost undoubtedly, but I don't get the luxury of closely following the thousands of fights in Thailand from canada:(

Knees get hit by accident/on purpose all the time

It's the rotation you get from the muay thai round kick that adds power.

As mentioned, it's not very common. However, modify it to what works against an opponent. I've chamered a round kick, kept my leg from extending and unloaded a side kick right in the gut with good results. It's a pretty good fake and has a lot more power than a normal side kick.

he's an amazing fighter. I read somewhere he's never been knocked down. Also his hands are good... seen quite a few KOs with them.