Buakaw baby! Best ever.

The misconception

"No, i can't beat everyone up", "no i don't kick trees", and "no i'm not going to the UFC" that last one always cracks me up. I often have to answer questions about training and fighting which I love to do. However, just because I am a trainer and fighter it doesn't mean i'm ready to open a can of whoop ass if someone looks at me funny. In fact the real truth is due to my training I am way less likely to fight outside the gym at all. Also, I am not invincible. I have seen many times guys with no skills whatsoever beat a guy with years of training by a simple lucky punch. I would agree that fighters are definitely a little intimidating but ravenous scavengers of the untrained...I think not. Here's an example of how training can backfire. When I was about 11 years old i was a green belt in Taekwondo. I went to visit my cousins in the projects in Chicago. For whatever reason they exclaimed to their friends that I was taking Karate and that I could beat up everyone. I was then challenged to a fight by one of the kids, I immediately declined. After massive amounts of peer pressure, name calling and so forth I decided to take the challenge, besides i know all of my forms to a "T" and i've been known to break a couple of boards in my day. So I got in my best stance and prepared for battle. The kid then grabbed a mop handle leaning against a nearby wall and whacked me squarely across the head. Lesson learned.
Just because we train hard with blood, sweat, and tears doesn't mean we can beat up the world. I think it definitely gives us an advantage in a street fight but we are human. Again, most of the time we don't want to fight in the street anyway. How do we earn any money or have the ability to even take a fight if we're nursing a broken hand from smashing Billy Badass over a parking space.
In closing, try your best to maintain your humble demeanor or fighter's karma may come back to whack you in the head with a mop handle.

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Teach!!!

What's up H20ers? This one goes out to the tough guys that would rather sneer at people or even laugh at people that are interested in combat sports but not educated on the subject. I'm not saying its your responsibility to start a class on the theory of the Teep or the anatomy of the Kimura. I simply believe that if you expect the critics of the combat sports to buy into what we do, then we have to be ambassadors. Engage in useful conversation talk about your favorite fighters and why. Express your love of what you do, not conceit of what you do. With the rapid growth of MMA and Muay Thai it is a perfect time to be a teacher and not a class clown. Its up to us to explain even briefly what, why, when or even where as it concerns fighting or training. Every little bit of info helps us progress forward and you would be surprised at how much people want to learn and understand as well as how much respect you'll gain along the way.

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Legend?

As you might know, the picture on the right is that of Royce Gracie brutally applying an armbar. When it comes to legends it's impossible to deny his status. Winning in impressive fashion against bigger stronger opponents and setting the standard for all MMA fighters to come. His name is legendary throughout martial arts everywhere.
Although some well known fighters are known as legends and it is undeniable, there are some that just don't fit the bill. I'm just going to touch base on what makes a legend, an actual legend. Please feel free to chime in with your legends list or a list of those called legends but really don't deserve the moniker.

What makes a legend anyway? Is it amount of fghts fought i.e. Jeremy Horn and Shonie Carter? Or is it an impeccable record no matter who they've fought? Do you have to beat a legend to be a legend? I'm so confused. Does one legendary fight make you a legend(Kongo vs Barry comes to mind). Well in my humble opinion winning belts in different weight classes should put you in that category for sure(Pacquaio and Mayweather, Henderson and Penn). Anyone moving up and down in weight and still being effective is surely a name that should be considered in the debate. Also the quality of opponents is a huge factor in deciding who's a true legend. I mean really, I gotta know some of these guys names.

I'm not sure what the criteria are for legendary status but I am sure that it is not an easy road to get there. As far as i'm concerned there is one factor that is nonconforming when it comes to making a case for being a legend and that factor is the fans. We decide the value of the fighters based on an endless list of ideas and reasons. Not only are we a factor in determining legends but we are always right.

Gotta love this!!

You are not a fighter...!

Just for the record, t-shirts and a Taekwondo or Jiu Jitsu class at the local rec center does not make you a fighter. Sure you might know the terminology, and you might even know how to apply a rear naked choke to your best friends little brother Kyle, but that still doesn't cut it. So since you might not be clear on the subject, maybe cause you're just naive or just haven't ever been around real fighters, either way i'm gonna lay it out for you.
Let's start with sacrifice. Fighters sacrifice relationships with their families, wives and husbands, and even their children sometimes in order to provide for them in the long run. Some quit their jobs and move across country or to the other side of the planet with penny's in their pockets to pursue this dream. These warriors also sacrifice their bodies risking broken bones, being blinded and in some cases death.
Real fighters are some of the hardest working most underrated athletes in the world. Training sometimes 3 times a day and working a full time job while being husband and father or wife and mother. Dealing with cuts and dings while training is one thing but having to work an 8 hour day standing on a sprained ankle or stocking boxes with an arm that got cranked too much in sparring is far from easy.
Actually competing or having had competed is a necessity. We won't even get into how many fights a fighter has to have before he can even start earning a living doing what he or she loves. That's a whole other post.
I just want to conclude by saying you can do whatever it is that makes you happy. Wear your shiny dragon t-shirt while choking out Kyle after sucker superman punching him if you deem it necessary. Just remember to respect real fighters when you meet them and remember the one thing that makes a real fighter and that's heart. When fatigue sets in and technique falters and everything else has gone out the window the only thing that remains is a fighters HEART!

Yellow card please!!!

Can we start a push for instituting the yellow card in American based fight organizations. I think it works wonders in Japan. It would mean the end of the lay-n-pray fighters as well as game plans that involve stalling. Fighters already don't get paid enough so threaten a 10% loss from their purse and we are sure to get an increase in action and decrease in boring.
Not for nothing but I love all aspects of fighting and as far as MMA goes there's been a huge influx of wrestlers. I heard Dana White(president of the UFC) say on TUF that if a person can't get off bottom position they shouldn't be here anyway. I contend that a fighter who's initial training background lies in striking and has only been doing grappling and wrestling for 3 years is gonna have a very hard time getting off their back when a former NCAA wrestler is controlling their every move. Controlling and actually fighting are two different things, another reason to bring aboard the yellow card. Wrestle to your hearts content but don't just smother your opponent with your 15 plus years of tournament experience but not ever posture up to lay down some serious ground n' pound or pull a submission. It isn't fair for the 65$ pay-per-view buyer or the 200$(or more) ticket buyer. If you're gonna steal my money by simply laying on your opponent for 15 minutes I want the organization to take some of it back. We need some more Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz types in MMA. Btw this doesn't let off the hook Muay thai, Boxing, or any other combat sport where fighters are stalling. Give the people what they want and that's ACTION!!!

Are you in good hands? Judges

We've all heard it a million times, "don’t leave it in the hands of the judges". One of the most ridiculous phrases i've ever heard. The notion that every fight should or will end in a knockout or submission is at best wishful thinking. You would hope that if 2 well trained combatants go all the way that judges would do them a great service and be able to make a real determination of the winner. Unfortunately for all involved it has been an ongoing disaster. From judges inexperienced in MMA to judges awarding the fight to the wrong fighter in almost every sport. So when someone says "you can't leave it to the judges" what they really should be saying is we need more experienced judges officiating and a system of checks and balances to keep it fair. I mean if we can't let it go to judges then we should just get rid of them and fight til someone is unconscious or dead, hypotheticaly of course. That being said do your best to finish fights and if it goes to the judges expect nothing but demand fairness. We all work to hard in this fightgame to be robbed. Blessings to all that offer blood sweat and tears for their passion.

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All things equal: Women in MMA

Okay, I wrote about this topic a couple years ago and my thoughts on the subject haven't changed. Any woman that trains like we do in MMA or any of the combat sports and deems it her dream to make a career of it should be allowed to fight and earn a living by doing so. The thought that there are not enough women to make a real division is ridiculous. The fact that no one has taken the time to create one seems to be more like the issue. I've heard excuses ranging from "I just don't like to watch girls fight" all the way to "The women just don't have a good skill set". Well one of these is an opinionated view and the other is just a flat out untruth. I could run down the list from Shayna Baszler to Megumi Fuji to the beast herself Christianne "Cyborg" Santos and all of these women have a strong skill set and there are more out there like them. The women are just not being given a true chance to shine. Boxing, Muay Thai, and even Judo in the Olympics have women's divisions.
The good thing is that in recent years we've seen more fights and the doors are opening slowly but surely but we need to get down to business on this. I find it laughable because the truth is the first organization to institute a real women's division will definitely profit from it greatly as well as reel in a larger fan base. All I can say is I emphatically support women in MMA and i'm looking forward to more great fights. It also might help by adding more content for broadcast...just sayin'. Anyway ladies if you're listening, train hard and keep pushing for equality in this sport, you deserve it.

Let the rhythm hit em'

I don't know about you but music helps motivate me during training. When I teach I play a variety of music, from John Lee Hooker to Outcast. However, when i'm training I go with something hard whether its hip hop or rock, and sometimes even punk. This is only a preference. I think you should go with what you relate to but it should be upbeat for sure. For me, there's nothing like going from Slipknot to N.W.A. to Rage Against the Machine seamlessly while working over a heavy bag for extended rounds. I'm adding a playlist for you to check out. Leave me a comment and let me know what you listen to.

Slipknot - Duality
Rage Against the Machine - Testify, Bulls on parade
Linkin Park - Bleed it out
Kanye West - Power remix
Tool - The Pot
Young Jeezy - Gangsta music
Avenged Sevenfold - Critical acclaim
Jay-Z - Public service announcement
Nipsey Hustle - A Million
Royce da 5' 9" - Gun Harmonizing, Gangsta
Ice Cube - She couldn't make it on her own, Click Clack-Get back

These are just a few of my favorites. Enjoy

American Muay Thai is legit!

Ok first I must start this off by saying this is merely my humble opinion. If you're an american thai boxer be proud of what you do. I often hear and read criticisms online and in interviews about how thai boxers and trainers laugh at americans that claim they train muay thai. "We don't kick properly, we don't punch properly, our defense sucks, and we move too much, god forbid we don't want to take ridiculous amounts of punishment for no reason. I totally understand that what they see is not thai boxing from Thailand, but we are not from Thailand we are from America. I think it would be ludicrous to think there's some beef between brazilians and japanese over who owns jiu jitsu. We train very hard here and no we don't kick exactly the same, maybe cause a whole lot of us come from some sort of karate or tae kwon do background. I promise my kicks still hurt. As far as moving and actual hand strikes being different well most of us grew up on western boxing so we will always value that at a high level. We are taught to stick and move as well as slip punches. I've seen countless thai fights end in knockouts from american fighters with better hands. We deserve our t
respect, keep training hard and promote American Muay Thai while supporting and respecting it's roots.

One Love

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Just a little something to keep you motivated!

Let's talk sparring

First things first, SAFETY!! Always have the right gear, there is no doubt that there is a cosmic force that has the ability to always know the day you forgot your cup. On that day if you spar you will no doubt be doubled over in pain. So let's run it down: cup, mouthguard, shinguards, 16oz gloves or mma sparring gloves, headgear, and most importantly know the rules. Everyone spars a little different and for a variety of reasons, make sure you go over it with your sparring partner before you start. Don't be too brave is probably an understatement. If you're hurt or rocked, just take a knee, no need to take further unnecessary damage during sparring. Learn from your mistakes, you're not in there to continue making them. While we're talking about bravery, if you're in a gym in which you are not a member, don't quickly agree to spar anyone. Not everybody is your training buddy, I have heard enough horror stories to not ever jump right in with just anybody. I know of a guy that had gone to Jit schools was choked out and drug out to the parking lot, and maybe even worse you actually beat the dude and they go get a weapon or there boys jump in wanting a piece of you. Really!?!
Next I would say you need to know your intensity you can't expect your going to get a lot of rounds in going 80-90%. My understanding is that Dutch kickboxers go hard in sparring but they don't fight as often, where Muay thai fighters spar much lighter because they fight much more often. Just know before you start sparring how hard you're going, its better not to be surprised by strong right hook or surprise your partner with a leg kick that has him hobbling out of the ring.
Last but not least if you sustain an injury during training, treat it and if necessary get it checked out. If you don't have your body how can you train for that matter fight?

Happy punching each others faces.

"Protect yourself at all times"

Okay, since its fresh in our heads I can only ask what the hell was Victor Ortiz thinking? I mean really was it a sucker punch as some suggest or was it lack of mental focus by Ortiz who was being outclassed by Floyd Mayweather on every level. Well it doesn't take a scholar to know that launching oneself head first at your opponent is surely not something you spent time working on during your training camp for the biggest fight of your life.
Apparently street smarts have evaded the up and coming Ortiz through his struggles. I say this because he must be crazy to think that after an uber-intentional headbutt, a kiss on the cheek and a hug was going to smooth things over with a fighter that comes from the hood. He's lucky that it was in a professional setting cause on the street it could have been much worse. Did he really think Mayweather was gonna let that sort of thing slide, I mean who puts their hands at their waist during a professional boxing match after a break!!??!!
Last but not least, after he was hit once why didn't he protect himself then?? He looked at the ref to be saved I suppose but even if he thought it wasn't right where's the excuse for not raising his hands after the first hit? I don't know but I do know this he didn't protest to strongly for someone who just lost his title on what he thought was a sucker punch...

Weigh in on this if you want but make sure you do one thing in a fight - Protect yourself at all times!!

"Water can flow and it can crash"

Well this is the first of many blogs to come and I just thought I would give a background on the the name of the blog and myself. Like water as most martial artist know is quoted from Bruce Lee's famous interview in which he explained how to be as a martial artist. How we should not get caught up in forms and styles because that put simply is limiting. We should adapt to each situation as they are all different, some fighters are short and stout and like to work inside while others are long and have great reach and prefer to work from range. On the ground during grappling some fighters like to muscle their opponents while others are patient and like to use decisive technical ability. You would not attempt to fight these opponents all the same way. In order to be successful you must adapt and change for each fighter.


I myself have been studying different forms of martial arts since the age of 11. Now I get asked all the time "are you one of those MMA guys?", I simply reply "no, i'm a freestyle fighter". I enjoy stand up striking as well as ground, also throwing arts like Judo and Sanshou. I love training different things and feeling confident that I can hold my own in any given situation. I plan on covering different training aspects as well as giving my humble opinions on everything from boxing to Jiu Jitsu. I don't claim to know it all but I do want to share my thoughts and I encourage you to join in on the discussion. So here we go!!!