Hong Hao v Wanluotala

This is a match from the very first Sanda vs Muay Thai match that took place in 2001. Surprisingly in this first encounter knees were allowed and were scored 2 points, which is the same for a side kick. Other scoring techniques are equal one point each. Elbows not allowed. I got these info from http://www.angelfire.com/sd2/kingofsanda/sandathai.html.

I don't know anything about both fighters so if anyone knows anything, please let me know. According to the website above, all the fighters must at least be state or provincial champions in their respective weight classes. The Thai fighter is really good with throws! That must have really surprised the Chinese team.

Btw for you guys that didn't know, Yuxian09 is my youtube user name. I have other fight video clips that you might find interesting to watch so check it out.

Sanshou training in China

Interesting clip of sanshou training in China. The facilities shown is very well equipped and spacious! It also looks like from the brief focus mitt punch work that they are training to improve their punching skills. The Chinese sanshou fighters are normally known for having bad boxing skills. I wouldn't mind training in one if I'm in China.

Sanshou Europeans Final 80kg: Salihov vs Chiofalo

Good sanshou match. The guy in black is Muslim Salihov from Russia. He defeated three Chinese Sanda Wang fighters in China about two or three years ago iirc. I'm not sure if that means he is the champion of Sanda Wang though. If anyone knows let me know. He is very impressive in this match.

Ko Taisei (Kyokushin Karate IKO1) VS Sun Wu (Sanshou)

Good to see professional San Da still in existence. This event is supported by FEG. For those who are K-1 fans, you will have heard the name before. FEG is the group that runs the K-1 events. I hope that this is a sign of things to come. Fighting sports in China need a big financial sponsor to grow.

Anyway on to the match itself. I think Sun Wu must have a muay thai coach. His guard and stance is not the typical Sanda style that I am used to seeing in the past. His kicks are not as flicky. He even attempted a jumping knee at one stage! Despite that, he is still too sanda in that relied too much on throws and takedowns. Sure he made alot of good throws off caught kicks, but KO Taisei was still able to fight on and eventually get that one strike that will make the difference. Good match to watch and learn for those from a sanda background.

San Da VS Muay Thai

Sanda vs Muay Thai event that took place in 2006. I'm not sure if this is 56kg or 65kg. The info on the first clip says 65kg but the info on the second part of the match says 56kg.

Anyway, match weight aside the action were quite interesting. The Chinese fighter is very versatile, using combinations of punches, kicks and even knees! I didn't remember seeing any elbows but since elbow pads were worn I think it was allowed. Like past Sanda vs Muay Thai matches in the past, I find if the Thai fighters didn't score a KO, the Chinese will run rings around them accumulating points. I've heard that some Sanda gyms in China now employs Muay Thai coaches to help i,prove their fighters' techniques and from this match it seems to be working. The only thing I'd like to see more from Chinese fighters is the will and ability to stand toe to toe.

MMA in China: Art of War HL clip

This is a HL clip of the Art of War events in China. Art of War is a professional MMA event. They seemed very professional and surprisingly the MMA rules used seem to be the most NHB (No Holds Barred) I've seen today. It looks like they allow stomps, soccer kicks and even elbows. Even though I am more of a kickboxing fan and stylist, I think it's a great direction for combat sports in China. I've always thought that MMA is a natural progression for most Sanda/ Sanshou fighters rather than crossing over to other kickboxing formats such as K-1. This event seems to have alot of Sanda fighters competing. Enjoy the clip. There are others available that I've yet to check out and even the matches themselves.

2001 Sanshou in Hong kong

Good example why you must keep your guard up, especially when you're going forward. Ouch!

Off topic, I didn't HK hold sanshou events like this. You HK guys in the club should find out more. Looks like fun to watch and maybe compete.

Liu Hai Long vs Robert Kaenorrasing

This is a match that took place in a Sanda vs Muay Thai event in Guangzhou, China back in 2003. The match is supposed to be 85kgs class but I know that the Muay Thai fighter Robert Kaenorrasing used to fight 75kgs. I'm not sure if the Muay Thai group are just supremely confident in their fighting skills or was tricked but it really is not a fair fight in terms of size and power. Even the rules itself slightly favours the Sanda fighter more as elbow pads are worn and the limited clinch time. Liu Hai Long is a very good Sanda fighter but I wish that he would go up against a quality Muay Thai fighter to test himself.

Sanda in Russia

I was just amazed when I saw this. This is apparently sanshou/ sanda in Russia. Not only do they not wear the usual protective gear such as head gear, shin pads and vests BUT they also allow some sort of limited ground fighting! Russians are crazy. They always somehow managed to make a sport more hardcore :). But I like these developments! It makes it more realistic and complete. I would only suggest for knees to be added so it is more complete in stand-up fighting. Sadly I doubt if these developments will be followed in China.

Compilation of Sanda techniques

Nice compilation of Sanshou/ Sanda techniques and skills from the Oakland Sanshou team. I often find the sanshou fighters and training in the US to be more dynamic and skillful than their Mainland Chinese counterparts. I particularly like the fireman's carry and the scissors kick takedown at the end.

Baoligao vs Sitichok

This match took place in Bangkok, Thailand in 2003. It was part of a Sanda vs Muay Thai event. The rules were a combination of Sanda and Muay Thai. Punching, kicking, elbows, knees and throws were allowed. The clinch were however limited to about 3-5 seconds rather than the long clinching time of muay thai. Elbow pads were worn.

Baoligao is a Mongolian Sanda champion. He is known for his strength in wrestling (he's Mongolian after all) and striking power. Not much finesse in his clinching and knees but didn't look like the Thai opponent had an answer for it. I think the Thai crowd were quite shocked at the result. Chinese Sanda fighters are not known for their power and KO ability.

Andy Souwer vs. Wei Shoulei

This is a good typical Sanda vs Muay Thai match, although in this particular match it's Dutch style Muay Thai. This was part of a Shootboxing promotion in Japan. There were five Sanda vs Shootboxing matches. Shootboxing rules slightly differs from muay thai in that it allows throws and submissions but the fighters that normally fights in Shootboxing are from Muay Thai or kickboxing gyms.

Watch the match and enjoy guys! I welcome any comments and questions about the tactics used, strengths, weaknesses, etc.

San Da Wang match ----Zheng Yuhao VS Li ming

Nice Sanda Wang match to introduce you guys to Sanda (i.e. professional sanshou). Sanda Wang means King of Free Fighting in Chinese. You can see that the biggest difference is that no head gear, protective vest or shin guards are worn. It's also held in a ring instead of the traditional lei tai (raised platform).

Sanda still follows the point scoring system found in sanshou in that a successful strike will score points that are tallied and total to determine the winner, unless of course one of the fighter gets KOed.

Zheng Yu Hao is one of my favourite Sanda fighters. I think he is retired now unfortunately. He is one of the most versatile and entertaining Sanda fighters I've seen. He fought and was runners up in Shootboxing S-Cup 2002 tournament (an event kind of similar to K-1 Max but using Shootboxing rules). He tore through all his opponents until he met Andy Souwer in the finals which he lost in extension round by decision. Very good power and toughness for a Sanda fighter. He's also known for his jumping spinning back technique as this video clip shows.

Basic Punch & Kick Progression combinations

This is the four sets of basic punch & kick progressions combinations we've done in training. These sets help to teach to throw out each technique with power from side to side continuously. Note that each technique in a combination leads to another technique from the other side, e.g. LJ into a RBK (Left to right) or LJ into a RC into a LBK (Left to Right to Left). Hence at the most basic level these combinations are trained as mainly power combinations. These combinations should provide you a good basic framework of simple and effective striking combinations. I normally like to train these combinations in reps of five or ten. So I'll do 5-10 reps of all three sets non-stop with only 10-15 sec break in between.

The combinations can be modified as you see it once you achieve a good level of proficiency. For example, the left hook in the combination RC+LH+RBK can be replaced with a left uppercut instead. Another example would be to throw the left hook to the body instead of to the head to change levels. If you like throwing knees, you can add in a knee technique after the kick. The variations are endless! These combinations are only a guide. Use your imagination and create your own!

1 Punch + Kick
LJ+RBK
RC+LBK
LH+RBK
RC+LBK

2 Punches + Kick
LJ+RC+LBK
RC+LH+RBK
LJ+RH+LBK

3 Punches + Kick
LP+RP+LH+RBK
RC+LH+RC+LBK

Legend
LJ = Left Jab
RC = Right Cross
LH = Left Hook
RH = Right Hook
LBK = Left Body Kick
RBK = Right Body Kick

Sanshou HL

Another good sanshou HL for you guys to have a look. Note the use of headgear, shin guards and protective vest. Also note all the throws that were used. Throws are the strong point of sanshou/ sanda. Most of these throws are illegal in Muay Thai.

2003 Sanshou World Cup Highlight

This is Sanshou, what I am officially coaching the club in. It is kungfu full contact fighting. The rules are full contact punching, kicking and throwing allowed. No Knees, no elbows and no groundfighting. Sanshou is normally used to refer to the amateur format. The professional format is usually called Sanda. Sanda differs in that knees to the body are allowed and only boxing gloves are worn.

Sanshou is an amateur sport and the rules reflect that. It is a points based system based on successful technique. A punch is 1 point, a low kick is 1 point, body/ head kick is 2 points, a throw is 1 point, a throw where the thrower stays standing is 2 points. A successful technique must be clearly successful so often a flurry of punches or kicks, or a good close range body punch will not be counted even if it hurt the opponent. Very different to Muay Thai where it is based on a 10 point system and on aggression, power and offence.