Kyokushin prevalence in UK Bare Knuckle Boxing ?

[Intermission]

I train at a Muay Thai gym, if that's what you're asking? They're definitely not poor punches there, and there is quite a bit of focus on boxing actually.

Interestingly, in the first KK competition they fought long range. Why did that change? It would be a more effective self defence style if they kept it that way

 

[Tayski]

Interestingly, in the first KK competition they fought long range. Why did that change? It would be a more effective self defence style if they kept it that way

Because it was trained more like a martial art then. What I mean by that is that a lot of dojos then focused on competition and training their fighters for that knockdown ruleset, so quickly the style evolved towards what is most efficient for that rulset, which is to overwhelm your opponent with body punches from close range with some kicks mixed in, and a very heavy focus on body conditioning.

Having said that I've seen many fighters who have a more evasive fight style in those tournaments and fight on the outside with footwork. They're not the majority and they tend to be fighters who are very good with kicks and don't want to trade punches in the pocket. Guys like Gary O'Neil for instance: