Kickboxing Fighting Styles

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Need some new exciting training gear??? Be sure to check out www.xmartial.com/?ref=GVARGA and use discount code "GABRIELVARGA" for 10% off.

[@DrGetgood]

You've really been putting out a lot of great content lately, Gabriel. We appreciate all that you do!

[@acapster]

1 subscription from me

[@flaviofr4v0]

When I was young, I've always used a lot of kyokushin/tae-kwon-do kicking style. But it takes a lot of development and drills to keep your flexibility and your stamina drains very fast. Then we get old and we all rely more in a mix of technique and punching

[@felixrondeau5029]

A video about how to deal with each of these style could be interesting!

[@outerlast]

hear hear

[@Pixraphic]

Gun.

[@ajshiro3957]

This is helpful. It puts in to perspective how i train sparring and what i'm good at..

[@George-ri6vg]

Mike Zambidis is a legend in Greece . Real superstar

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

He should be. Fantastic fighter.

[@pi5724]

i love the conclusion; not to limit yourself and take pieces. Sidekicks work well, boxing does too, I LOVE use clinching and then power round kicks...basically i mix and match depending on the opponent. It's really fun. Love the channel man, hope you do a clinic in Toronto sometime too. Would love to thank you in person. Respect!!!!!!

[@anon2427]

Great video Mr Varga, while you were explaining several of my training partners came to mind as examples of each of these styles! This info is gold and you explain it very well

[@markmessi9020]

I fall under the karate style but ive worked extensively on my hands this past year and can say i now also counter punch pretty decently after people break through my wall of kicks. The main thing im having trouble setting up is my jab of all things tbh. Once i can set up my jab better i wanna try competing

[@ajmjl9102]

What style?

[@uh.gremlin]

Amazing breakdown and advice at the end

[@algomez8563]

And I thought you were going to talk about American vs Japanese vs Dutch and French kickboxing.

[@AbdulAli-fv8th]

Same

[@rico14]

I think it’s more about what techniques that they favor. 90% of fighters fall in one of these styles, so you have a game plan for each.

[@frailinsairscharbay4562]

Dutch Kickboxing is the Best

[@olexolex1039]

​@@frailinsairscharbay4562 💯

[@Bigbob508]

Ima super short guy so I think I would like to focus heavily on punches and clinch fighting

[@MohamedAchiche-y6j]

I think style 4 is what suits me the best cuz I do kickboxing and did karate and love spinning kicks and am always on my toes

[@joshjay6765]

I appreciate your videos! I boxed for about 5 years, having 18 boxing bouts before joining kickboxing. As a boxer, I used a pressure fighter style before becoming more of a counter puncher/outside boxer. I’ve been practicing the kicker style on the bag and the technician style in sparring. It’s a fun journey! I can’t believe I waited so long before getting into kickboxing…such a great sport!

[@elserpientethechamp2122]

Amazing, I really like using the kicker style, with front kick teeps, and high kicks, those I found land really good for me, but I will be sure to implement the other styles too!

[@martialartsunlimitedvictoria]

Legit one of the best videos you've made. 🙏

[@aldavedesierdo42]

I am impatient therefore I am aggressive in my style, depending on my opponent I usually set up my favorite aggressive boxing combos with knees in medium to short range with my long kicks and feints sort of Badr hari and Petrosyan style. However, if there's a fighter in my gym who is more aggressive than me, I can change my style to sort of counter puncher/kicker and karate style (because I have karate background). Been training for 2 years now and only fights for fun. Good vid Gab!

[@Derekthedon]

Life isnt an anime little buddy

[@sonofelia]

​@@DerekthedonHow is he treating life like an anime perhaps? Do explain because in my opinion it seems like the man is simply stating his own experiences in the comment section of which the whole purpose is to 'comment'.

[@iamoffendedand8023]

Bro you're not an anime character

[@samarvir126]

@@iamoffendedand8023how does he think he’s an anime character?

[@DirtForm]

Q: What’s the best style for self defense? Another comment had this question and I wrote this, what are your thoughts on this question? A lot of it depends on the fighters physical attributes as well as their opponents, but I’d argue a boxing pressure style with a good mix of clinch with knees and elbows would be a menace to deal with. You’d have to be quick and also strong comparatively to the other person once you engage in the clinch but if you had those attributes then you’d be able to put them on the back foot and smother them wherever the fight goes. Also, hopefully, you can use the clinch as a way to put them down while most importantly mitigating any takedown attempts against you. A lot of people want to take you down when they feel outclassed on the feet so being able to snuff that and force them into your game is a necessity. Plus, I think going to the ground in self defense is extremely dangerous because you can no longer reposition against opponents on their feet, i.e. your opponent’s friends. Can’t defend a soccer kick, or field goal attempt, to the head unfortunately. Having said all that, I also believe it’s extremely important to have a (1) good teep, (2) roundhouse to the thigh, and a (3) calf kick because if you need to (1) create or keep distance, (2)&(3) hamper movement and do damage quickly. I’d also say a side kick should be included as a more niche version of the teep just in case the opponent is off to the side and you need to create space. If you’re smaller I’d say leaning towards the outfighting (kicking & boxing) is the move. If you’re the larger, stronger person I’d say the pressure style (boxing, clinching, knees and elbows). Outfighters can still use great knees and elbows and even have a really good clinch game that quickly off balances their opponents leading to trips, throws, or landing strikes but the longer you’re engaged in the clinch with a larger, stronger opponent the more likely the scales are tipping in their favor.

[@milamotik3236]

Very useful. Thank you, Gabriel.

[@gerbil8395]

The kicker or karate style are the ones I really love to incorporate (mainly because I've been doing karate for years) into my kickboxing sparring sessions, since I'm just really bad at getting close to punching range, so I use kicks as my advantage. Throwing high kicks and doing high-volume kick combos has become too easy for me so I just stick to that, but I'd still love to use some boxing, so if anyone has any tips for being able to get to a closer distance and get the courage to punch, I'd love to hear them

[@izzdin6228]

On the other hand, I'm the opposite lol. Like you I have a background in Karate, but being the short side of the gym lineup I've adopted an aggressive punch heavy style, with emphasis on bodyshots. The most common critique my team has given me in sparring is that i put too much stock into bodyshots.

[@dalexsandroelchapin913]

I’m gonna have my first title fight in about a month in a half. Can you make a video on the proper way to train for one? Huge fan btw, thanks!

[@izzdin6228]

Good luck and kick ass!

[@I.Miss.Jokes.On.Purpose]

Hope you win

[@AngryGrape1337]

I thought it was gonna be about Japanese, Dutch, International, American Kickboxing, and Muay Thai (Yes, Muay Thai is kickboxing, what do you think “Muay” translates to?) Just for clearing confusion, when people say “Kickboxing” they usually refer to the International style.

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Next time I'm going to breakdown common styles according to countries.

[@AngryGrape1337]

@@GabrielVargaOfficial Can't wait to see that.

[@eddard9442]

​@@GabrielVargaOfficialI look forward to this

[@rgkgamedogs5345]

Muay in Thai translates to “boxing” Muay Thai “boxing Thai”

[@AngryGrape1337]

@@rgkgamedogs5345 Muay Thai translates to "Thai Boxing" in English. That's why I cringe when some people go "It's not kickboxing, it's Muay Thai, it's different" which to me is the same as saying "They're not cartoons, they're called anime" with the weebs. You can call Muay Thai a kickboxing style, but don't say "Muay Thai Kickboxing" because the "Muay" part explains it well, it's like saying "Sahara Desert".

[@PinoyPressure]

I started with boxing. I’m a pressure fighter but I also have a taekwondo background and have done Dutch for a few years. It’s nice to be able to dictate your pace and distance. Like he said, don’t put yourself in a box. Try to learn as much as you can and your overall strengths will shine from there. Focus on your strengths, work on your weaknesses

[@matheusalves5160]

I'm a mix of boxer, clincher and the distance control guy. Since i have my background in boxing and judo, clinch for me and maul people with punches and elbows (when allowed) works perfectly. And I'm a 6'1" lightweight (for MMA rules, not K1 though) so distance control is one of my primary weapons.

[@ayske1]

Great video, I feel I have a mix of thai, Dutch style and touch of some karate style kicks in the 3 min round.

[@siegfriedc2332]

I feel like I'm a combination of the kicker and the karate/outrange style, which makes sense considering my backgrounds in karate and tkd. However, I feel like I'd adapt into a clincher against guys who move quicker than me, due to boxing sparring rounds where quick guys sometimes fill me with an urge to grab them with a Thai clinch. Overall, I try to change up depending on how my opponent fights.

[@cafeapaka7501]

Style for kickboxing can differ slightly for self defense. Similarly in the ring, dependent on the type of rules, fighters must be aware of style and the pros and cons against an opposing style within the context of the rules you compete within. I wonder what style is most adaptable for self defense. Again it could depend on the type of style or weapons your attacker employ. Love your channel and your analysis as it has application to real world situations.

[@DirtForm]

A lot of it depends on the fighters physical attributes as well as their opponents, but I’d argue a boxing pressure style with a good mix of clinch with knees and elbows would be a menace to deal with. You’d have to be quick and also strong comparatively to the other person once you engage in the clinch but if you had those attributes then you’d be able to put them on the back foot and smother them wherever the fight goes. Also, hopefully, you can use the clinch as a way to put them down while most importantly mitigating any takedown attempts against you. A lot of people want to take you down when they feel outclassed on the feet so being able to snuff that and force them into your game is a necessity. Plus, I think going to the ground in self defense is extremely dangerous because you can no longer reposition against opponents on their feet, i.e. your opponent’s friends. Can’t defend a soccer kick, or field goal attempt, to the head unfortunately. Having said all that, I also believe it’s extremely important to have a (1) good teep, (2) roundhouse to the thigh, and a (3) calf kick because if you need to (1) create or keep distance, (2)&(3) hamper movement and do damage quickly. I’d also say a side kick should be included as a more niche version of the teep just in case the opponent is off to the side and you need to create space. If you’re smaller I’d say leaning towards the outfighting (kicking & boxing) is the move. If you’re the larger, stronger person I’d say the pressure style (boxing, clinching, knees and elbows). Outfighters can still use great knees and elbows and even have a really good clinch game that quickly off balances their opponents leading to trips, throws, or landing strikes but the longer you’re engaged in the clinch with a larger, stronger opponent the more likely the scales are tipping in their favor. I ended up writing a lot so I’m going to post this as it’s on comment as well.

[@nappyheaded]

There was this woman muay thai fighter named Erika Kamimura who was very good with her hands. She knocked many people out.

[@diabolicamires]

5:27 the potentially most dangerous one

[@caldeandrade69]

I'm kinda overlapping between a Technician and a Kicker.

[@wilmark5252]

Great video!

[@maverick_4]

Have you done a video on how someone can specifically start transitioning shotokan karate for kickboxing

[@yibrahamortega1735]

I'm the laziest fighter lol. I eat alot of shots instead of slipping and keeping my hands up. I lean entirely on my cardio and conditioning to carry me through the fight lol. I'm really out of shape right now though so fighting for me is the last thing I would do. If I were to though I think I would focus a whole lot on clinching!

[@ssjrose9641]

Style 4 for sure 👌 😎

[@NA-oo4ls]

I don’t like getting hit, I try to stay kicking range, where I have strong teeps and rear roundhouse, or clinch range, where I have good knees and sweeps.

[@clashingtv2527]

My head movements like pikkaboo Bouncing style like Soviet punching style like cuba kicks like sort of thai boxing 😊😊😊

[@said9126]

Japanese kickboxing = kyokushin + boxing

[@griver007able]

kudo Karate

[@wilbmunchkin727]

1. Muay Mat 2. Muay Khao 3. Muay Tae 4. Karate 5. Muay Femur Ik its kickboxing not muay thai but it was interesting to me how closely Gabriel's ideas of kickboxing styles aligned to muay thai styles. I guess it's probably because of how closely related most of modern kickboxing is to Muay Thai

[@KILLUMINATI_MOVEMENT]

Bushido was my personal style of fighting back in the day.

[@nathi.s.buthelezi1970]

Well in my opinion I see the dutch style kickboxing is more heavily on boxing and combinations to but I don't always them kick a lot but more tougher fighters to beat.

[@jethromejorada8147]

Hey guys, do you have any tips on how to mix boxing and taekwondo style?

[@SztarPlayer01]

Can you do this by taking fighters as example and examin their style and technique

[@LaMajorRiki-Jahnke]

My Muay Thai Style is Muhammad Ali & Mike Tyson Punches, Ong Bak Elbows & Knees & Kyokushin Karate + Tae Kwon Do Kicks. Muhammad Ali & Mike Tyson Head Movement & Foot Work. With Tae Kwon Do & Kyokushin Karate Foot Work, Distancing & Switch Stancing. Weakass Clinch Game, Hip Flexibility & Shin Bone Density Though.

[@kevinfowler2662]

Words of wisdom: "The best style is the one that wins you the fight..."

[@hk-4738]

I wonder what fighter I should emulate. Let's see... -Built like a stick. -Legs all the way up to the armpits. -Arms all the way down to the knees. -Shoulders too unstable to throw punches with any real power. -Usually at least half a head taller than opponents of the same weight. Yep, that settles it. Dieselnoi it is.

[@izzdin6228]

Emulating the guy with the ringname "Sky Piercing Knee" is frightening my dude. Freaking slenderman looking mfr clinching you and then starts stabbing your midsection with his spear like knees. Do it!

[@hk-4738]

@@izzdin6228 I'll give it my best effort.

[@hithere2631]

Im style 5 usually until i find an opening then i become 1 and go heavy on the punches

[@paulcrocker8232]

You should train with Stephen Wonderboy Thompson Gabriel. A former kickboxer who does well in UFC

[@tomsaint786]

Is there a video show casing how to improve on each style. I’m deffo style 4 by the sound of it but find my self limited to jabs , front kicks and calf kicks. Has it got a name so I can delve into it a bit more ?

[@Docinaplane]

I'm curious, the style you call karate. Was that the way you were taught when you trained Shotokan? My karate memories from back in the day, was Shotokan fighters used their hands 75% of the time and had a blitz heavy attacking style, kind of like a kamikaze attack, lol It was powerful, to the point, and effective.

[@ajmjl9102]

Yeah shotokan isn’t very kick heavy

[@1stuffforfun]

Iam the kicker and clincher cause most guys at my gym are good at punching so i try to engage in the distances that they dont like xD

[@rmwilliams8193]

I love to counter and Thai style baaaby Speaking of Clinchers. I encourage every Nak Muay to sus out Dieselnoi.

[@RoadtoRichandRespected]

4th style always throws me off

[@emmy4537]

I have style #1. For striking I come from the Soviet boxing style.

[@Syncinq]

other other "distant" fighters to recommend aside from Raymond Daniels?

[@chrissyhaidar2792]

Loved this! I am barely getting into kb feel like my style is still coming together I feel more like a kicker but also pretty good at clinchwork, love the advice on taking pieces from all 5 n blending them ❤️ thx

[@Tungdil_01]

What are the kickboxing sub-styles? K1, Dutch, American, Japanese, French (Savate) ...?

[@JackHanma]

My style is mostly between 3 and 4

[@aayushsangwan729]

I have good hands and decent kicks , been trying to ahve like 3 presets. Like a game character, one is muay mat , second slick counterstriker, muay thai style with hands and up kickiing distance. So far changing up my styles has worked but i want to try to combine them a bit more any tips?

[@manjitheerratic5127]

Can we have names of some professional fighters who are successful which each style ?

[@KYLE_FROM_THE_FUTURE]

Muay femur 🙏🏆

[@acapster]

No editing, but still delivering lots of values. It's kinda a treatment for ADDs

[@chrisprad8325]

Where do Kyokushin guys fit into all of this?

[@kvarga9164]

They are right up in the tough as heck, and hit really hard group!!! Gabriel's dad - Keith Varga

[@AdamWalker-ph1hs]

I think switch if what youre doing isnt working or to suit what opponent is doing. If im fighting strong opponent i stay outside to prevent grabs. If im slower long range wont work etc. Im no pro but adapt if u can. Its best to have more tools in the box. ☺

[@RayOliverMMA]

I find I usually figure out who I am sparring or fighting. My only kickboxing fight I threw like 4 kicks over 2 and a half rounds

[@eddard9442]

Thats a really good strategy, I struggle with lighter sparring partners, they are in and out of distance too fast for me to counter

[@denisalexa4435]

for the pro fighters in the comments, how much time do body shots hurt after a fight? And do they leave lasting damage that adds up over the years?

[@kenjen33]

Ay Gabriel, esti român cumva?

[@ThaprobLem777]

Did you see fiziev blowout his knee not pivoting on his kick? Liam harrison teaches this type of kick do you think its worth the speed of the kick getting there not pivoting or is injury basically inevitable the more you dont pivot the standing leg?

[@Metaltrippin2]

Gabriel pleas do a video on Buakaws recent fight in China it was pathetic. The guy spammed repeatedly and obviously intentionally kicking him in the groin and the ref didn’t call it and then the fighter from China also wanted to change the rules. It was much worse than that but I know you had a bad experience fighting in China as well. Thanks

[@samuilnachev6407]

Is it possible ot incorporate a soviet boxing style in kickboxing like bivol

[@emmy4537]

Sure, I have the same style.

[@samuilnachev6407]

@@emmy4537 how?

[@MrIsles192]

Im definitely a technician kickboxer, i like to use counters and footwork in sparring, but against better partners i tend to shell up more to be more defensively responsible but it doesn't feel natural, is there any way to stop doing this so i can use my best style of fighting for everyone? Or is it ok to do that vs certain people? Thanks for the vids Gabe 😊

[@AdamWalker-ph1hs]

@@forrestmcgee7631 good advice. When people are pressured they tend to forget alot and panic. Pro fighters wont but its still good to fight on your terms

[@hjalmarjonasson1634]

What is the first style caled?

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Don't really know a particular name...I guess we could call it dutch style (they emphasis boxing) although it is different than just hands

[@Isao-k9g]

🙏

[@MrDrizzyy]

Im going into my first amateur kickboxing fight Im 5’7 146lbs would you recommend cutting yo 135 or 140?

[@camerondanchuk5558]

I know gabriel doesn't recommend big weight cuts in the amateurs bc of how much it affects your performance

[@Dukhjhs]

The belts 💀

[@brandtjustsayin]

As a bigger guy at 5'9" and about 270lbs my style changes with who I'm sparring or fighting. Smaller, lighter, faster guys? I back off, hold the center of the ring, play defensively and wait for the opening to land a power jab, cross, or kick. Only occasionally will I follow them or move aggressively forward on them to get them to engage. Medium to Larger guys who like to box and have fast powerful hands? I'll move forward, get close and pound body shots, uppercuts, and hooks into gloves or openings. Really large guys who are bigger than I am? I'm moving left and right, wearing them down with cardio, banking on outlasting them, and staying out from in front of them or on their most powerful sides while zinging in jabs and crosses from the angles w/occasional hard kicks to weaken legs and core as much as possible. Sometimes it works, sometimes I catch a solid hit.

[@eddard9442]

I'm 90k, I spar a guy who fights and is 72 kg, he is too fast for me, when I try to catch him I end up in clinch range where he just body hooks, upper cuts and steps around to my left or right, but if I stand my ground and try counter, he chops my leg to pieces, his hands occupy me either feint or real combo or simply kicks too fast for me to check all of them, his teens are sharp as too. I think the only way is to drop wieght to keep up with him

[@kainonknestrick9202]

I don't know if Kickboxing in the USA these days are mixing Muay Thai & American Kickboxing so Kickboxers are allowed to use elbow & knee strikes? I believe that combination would make an Kickboxer more efficient in the fight especially in the street fight!

[@Hocinetiger]

❤❤❤ الله اكبر و الصلاة و السلام على رسول الله سيدنا محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم وعلى آله وصحبه والتابعين والملائكة عليهم الصلاة والسلام صدق الله العظيم ورسوله الكريم عليه الصلاة والسلام صدق الله العظيم رب العرش العظيم واتوب اليه وإن إليه راجعون ألف رحمة ونور عليهم الصلاة والسلام والحمد لله رب العالمين ❤❤❤

[@StinkyMick99]

My blind ass can bearly see distance so I have a Yoel sorta style where I initially defend and read then explode but w a lot of controll so if I need to I can get tf out & keep my ring pressure going

[@clashingtv2527]

My head movements like pikkaboo Bouncing style like Soviet punching style like cuba kicks like sort of thai boxing 😊😊😊

[@paulcrocker8232]

You should train with Stephen Wonderboy Thompson Gabriel. A former kickboxer who does well in UFC

[@paulcrocker8232]

You should train with Stephen Wonderboy Thompson Gabriel. A former kickboxer who does well in UFC