Question about kickboxing.

[daninnashville]

Appreciate some insight here. I am very interested in K-1, ISKA, and those forms of kickboxing. They don't appear to be very big here in the states. I'd ideally like to find some tournaments and/or fights in this style. I admire people like Rob Kamen who seem to flow really well between Muay Thai and kickboxing. I've heard the term kickboxing used in so many ways. I'm looking for a very specific way to train.

1) Would studying MMA-styled "standup" or thai boxing help me transition into this kind of fighting? There are a lot of schools that teach thai boxing. I'm curious though if this would help.

2) I continue to work my hands at a boxing gym. I find this valuable...but how much does Western boxing transition into this style?

3) A lot of the K-1 guys are coming out of TMA's...I have my reservations about studying these as I'm already fully immersed in BJJ and boxing.

4) If I do go looking for a kickboxing school ala European, Dutch, ISKA, K-1...what should I be looking for?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Soul Rebel 2]

1) I suppose MMA stand up might help the transition but to be quite honest, fighting with and without gloves are entirely different (MMA might as well be bare-knuckle). A transition from Thai Boxing to any form of kickboxing that allows low kicks should be easy peasy lemon squeezy. Just make sure not to elbow anyone.

2) Its great that your working at a boxing gym, stick with it. However, if you enter a kickboxing fight with only boxing skills your legs are going to get kicked out from under you. You have to learn how to deal with kicks.

If you can only do one stand up style then do Muay Thai or something similar. Boxing is a great sport and is invaluable in cross training but it wont translate to kickboxing very well unless you can deal with kicks.

 

[NinjaKilla187]

Appreciate some insight here. I am very interested in K-1, ISKA, and those forms of kickboxing. They don't appear to be very big here in the states. I'd ideally like to find some tournaments and/or fights in this style. I admire people like Rob Kamen who seem to flow really well between Muay Thai and kickboxing. I've heard the term kickboxing used in so many ways. I'm looking for a very specific way to train.

1) Would studying MMA-styled "standup" or thai boxing help me transition into this kind of fighting? There are a lot of schools that teach thai boxing. I'm curious though if this would help.

2) I continue to work my hands at a boxing gym. I find this valuable...but how much does Western boxing transition into this style?

3) A lot of the K-1 guys are coming out of TMA's...I have my reservations about studying these as I'm already fully immersed in BJJ and boxing.

4) If I do go looking for a kickboxing school ala European, Dutch, ISKA, K-1...what should I be looking for?

Thanks for your help!

1) Sure it would help, but you will not maximize your training efficiency if you want to compete in KB or MT. Basically it depends on the coach. Some MMA schools have top notch striking instructors. Lots of them have some guy that went to a two week course in Thailand this year and prior to that was teaching Cardio Kickboxing at the Y. Check the coaches credentials.

2) There is no better hand technique in the world than western boxing, period, end of fucking story. Even the most traditional MT schools have basically adopted western boxing at this point.

3) It is technically possible to find a TMA school that does a lot of sparring and not a lot of kata and three step drills, etc. You can benefit from this but it still isn't the most efficient way to train. I would say it is a last resort. A lot of K-1 fighters used to come from Kyokushin but not so much lately and a lot of Kyokushin has gotten wattered down.

4) Look for a gym that produces competitive fighters that are winning fights. When you go in for your free lesson ask about their competitive team, ask how many fighters are preparing for fights, etc.

 

[Jiu-Jitsu Cop]

In my experience kickboxers are usually either good kickers or good punchers. you mentioned Rob Kaman, he was good at leg kicks and used an overhand right to the head. If you study boxing then learn enough about kicks to defend them and throw some. Learn how to attack against the kick.

 

[daninnashville]

Thanks for the suggestions!

Any other help is appreciated!