What Makes Japanese Kickboxing So Awesome

[@MaddaTheApache]

This channel the most underrated martial arts channel for sure.

[@monkeyhidalgo]

Agree!!

[@sayanigutierrez5715S]

💯💯💯

[@hamzehtayeh2972]

Fax

[@thomasfeuz7238]

Give it time. I'm sure it will grow 😄

[@rawke7279]

Agreed homie

[@JustusWilcox]

Japan really has some great boxers. One of my favorites is Naoya Inoue.

[@hearwho8438]

Its such bs he isnt on the p4p rankings but Dillian Whyte is

[@thomaskendell8146]

@@hearwho8438 what he is top 5 p4p

[@LuCa8_]

Yea I love him too

[@enzocarneiro6748]

@@hearwho8438 he is top 3 P4P at least

[@hearwho8438]

@@thomaskendell8146 from what I remember he wasnt on the official rankings, it was very negatively received

[@ronaldyang2295]

“Masato has a big head” is so funny yet so true. Such a badass

[@ericrecano8557]

I never realized how big Masato's head has until you pointed it out haha! but the ladies still love him-but you are on point about the boxing...Masato's boxing and flow is NICE. It was definitely the boxing that got him the win against Buakaw the 2nd time around.

[@dakarilove5230]

8:04 "he has one of the biggest heads ive ever seen" 😭😭😭🤣🤣

[@Zen-ep6mc]

@@dakarilove5230 XDDDD

[@wasabi5338]

to be fair so does Tenshin and Takeru, atleast relative to their body size lmao

[@NeoValeTudo]

The chaos of soccer kicks and stomps in Pride is unparalleled in any other sporting event ever

[@infinitemonkey917]

and yet they thought elbows were too brutal to be legal

[@NeoValeTudo]

@Infinite Monkey I think it’s just to stop cuts, the Japanese refs would stop fights immediately to work on a cut and would often stop fights that would go on in ufc. Elbows to head are main cause of cuts, I don’t think it had anything to do with brutality

[@infinitemonkey917]

@@NeoValeTudo I guess that makes sense. I just thought it was weird you could soccer kick someone's head but not elbow them.

[@NeoValeTudo]

@Kalina Malina false

[@NeoValeTudo]

@Kalina Malina 4 years ago, times have changed friend

[@crispinhenthorn5318]

I would love to see you interview/talk with coaches and athletes you admire about each of those (Dutch, Muay Thai, Japanese) kickboxing styles you mention. It would be cool to see what their training process is like and how they approach kickboxing, training, and life in general.

[@andreneto7898]

your channel is very special, it is very honest, in a very simple language, talking about technical aspects, serious aspects and with your own view of the world, this channel has a very positive energy, it is one of the best arts channels martial arts that I’ve seen, without bullshit, without egos, without pointing out defects or saying bad things to others just to earn money or fame. I hope you continue to do this, congratulations

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

Who is your favourite Japanese fighter?

[@mark12345697]

Kid Yamamoto R.I.P

[@AroundElvesWatchUrselves96]

Toshio Fujiwara

[@RomioJudo]

Now I feel connected to you in having enjoyed the K-1 MAX. I wish to hear your analysis and opinions on Haraguchi Kento who's waiting to fight the current Glory's featherweight champion Petch.

[@yoshnaka9430]

Kubo Yuta is a technical genius. Takei Yoshiki is my current favorite. Looking forward to his transition to boxing.

[@dominiks7159]

Kazushi Sakuraba! Also Yuki Nakai and Genki Sudo.

[@DaBigBoy64]

if you could make a video on some of the techniques and combos that are commonly used in Japanese kickboxing and how to do them that would be great!! I don't see any videos specifically focusing on the Japanese style

[@leonnguyen7433]

yes please!!!

[@NeoValeTudo]

The style is great of course but the atmosphere in somewhere like Saitama super arena is unreal, the fans are better too they never boo and they’ll be quiet until something happens and then all at once get loud

[@yungitalee5068]

They very respectful fs

[@peppa7926]

Unlike the drunk disrespectful UFC crowds

[@Johan_Singa]

I was there at the Saitama Super Arena when Masato fought Andy Souwer way back in 2009 and I can confirm what you said is true. The atmosphere was truly on a different level. 👌

[@NeoValeTudo]

@@Johan_Singa that’s so cool, I just have watched a lot of pride and k1 on fight pass and have always been amazed how much different it is than crowds like the Jacksonville ufc card a few weeks ago

[@shredkaczynski8414]

there's nothing wrong with booing

[@L2kneel]

Takeru Segawa just had kickboxing Fight Of The Year ..

[@izzdin6228]

And we're not even half way through the year. Amazing.

[@Kibira87]

Him and Tenshin need to fight. He was at one of Tenshins RIZIN fights recently. Tenshin called him out.

[@olihernandez30]

against who?

[@Isaac_Shamir]

Masato was the king of K1. He was a great example for me to starting loving kickboxing

[@zxzxddxxdgrddgtrdew1784]

The Mejiro gym in Holland have quite a bouncy style. Their style actually comes from the original Mejiro gym in Japan

[@NickVanos]

I just had a revelation, I am kickboxing for over 10 years now and when I was younger I was always fascinated by the 10 hit combos strings in Tekken. As I tried making them my own throughout my life I now see why most others fighters I train with don't know how to handle that Japanese style. (Tekken is a big franchise from Namco in Japan. ) It's awesome, to know that's it's the Japanese style 🙏🙌👍

[@joefosdike3273]

I just love Tenshin man hes jus so good

[@Kibira87]

He’s the BEST

[@joefosdike3273]

@@Kibira87 I agree man you know any others I fan watch Im trying to get into some mire Japanese Kickboxing

[@Kibira87]

@@joefosdike3273 I think you and I are rare. Tenshin is the only Japanese kickboxer I watch hardcore. As much as I love Saenchai, Adesanya, Brad Riddell, and Valentina Shevchenko. For me, Tenshin is the BEST striker in he world.

[@joefosdike3273]

@@Kibira87 yeah I hear you g hes definitely up there

[@thejapanarchocommunist]

He's good, but imo Rodtang got robbed against him in their fight.

[@yoshnaka9430]

Kubo and Noiri are so underrated.

[@kensablanunpingco1301]

Thank you for an outstanding discussion on Japanese Kickboxing as I have been a big fan of them. One of my all time favorite is Master Toshio Fujiwara. Furthermore, everything that you had mentioned on your video about the fighting attributes of Japanese Kickboxing, Master Toshio Fujiwara had them all! Thanks again for sharing this and please keep up the great work! Your kickboxing brother, Kenny Unpingco

[@Daniel_Cooley]

I'd love to see one of these videos over Rico Verhoeven, Bader Hari, Artem Vakhitov, and Alex Pereira!

[@champ1159]

South African here! I love Japanese kickboxing and after I graduate high school I would LOVE to fight Tenshin Nasukawa!

[@champ1159]

@Great White Bantu, Xhosa to be specific

[@burningknuckle26]

work hard and learn you will get there

[@mpforeverunlimited]

Have you graduated yet?

[@champ1159]

@@mpforeverunlimited Couple of months to go!

[@LaoGrow]

This channel is going up, consistent and amazing content, really appreciate all of the work. Can you please, please review shinechagtga zoltsetseg? One just put up a new highlight comp for him, this whole Mongolian style and his personality are so present, its amazing to see.

[@LaoGrow]

@topher nolastname much appreciated for the breakdown, just wanted to find some drills to be able to explode into strikes like Shine, thought Vargas was a perfect person to delve into it 👌

[@mynameismynameis666]

Masato and Nasukawa are some of the most awesome and exciting fighters there are

[@tovi_achumi]

Don't forget takeru

[@genises200]

It's because they have the power of Anime on their side

[@champ1159]

Hajime no Ippo, Naruto, Dragon Ball, Megalo box, and not to mention all the manga focusing specifically on martial arts! The rest of the world has no chance!

[@maivrei5077]

Best comment

[@Utuberj0sh]

They have the power of friendship

[@jorgepresent8789]

😂😂😂😂

[@1x403]

@@champ1159 and hentai

[@meggtokyodelicious]

Japanese kickboxing style and techniques were and still very distinct due to old showa style kickboxing called Karate - boxing. nowadays, not many youngsters learn this techniques, they opt for Muay Thai styles. in my personal opinion, its because of lack of trainers that know these old fashion techniques or just don't teach anymore because their students prefer Muay Thai. not many kickboxing gyms in Tokyo teach showa styles too unless trainer is over 40 and he was a showa aka Karate kickboxer himself. .... I learn my basics with 3 of these style trainers and even tough I am a female, my punches & techniques are stronger,cleaner n sharper than men.... but now my trainers are Muay Thai style, were I am getting specific trainings..... great video! Tx!

[@CP-uw4ts]

I know my former school looked at me funny when I said I was thinking about taking up boxing as well because I wanted to get better hands, but in the same breath one of the instructors is a black belt in taekwondo and swears that made his kicking better, which it has. But still……..

[@burningknuckle26]

Masaaki Noiri...my favorite Japanese kickboxer right now. his knees come up so high from nowhere... he has such clean technique. imo Japanese Kickboxing is the best style. MASATO of course is my favorite. Hes such an OG. love his crisp strong boxing. tenshin, takeru segawa. they have so many good kickboxers.

[@eliotquintana9802]

Vary good techniques

[@tharushafernando6688]

Man i was looking forward for this so long

[@NeoValeTudo]

You talked about Japanese fighters heart in kickboxing but you see the same mentality in mma, I’ve seen way too many Japanese guys let their arm break before tapping

[@daquayatcherson]

Very informative. Furthermore, you articulated the difference between your opinions and facts very well. Japanese Style Kickboxing with Dutch Style Kickboxing are by far my favorite.

[@kesenaememere8520]

Yeah they both have heavy roots in Kyokushin Karate most of their students or trainers from come from a Kyokushin background or off shoot of Kyokushin like Asihara or Seidokeikan Karate.

[@felipe_sousa97]

The japanese kickboxing is the perfect blend of western boxing and kyokushin karate, amazing :)

[@brainconq]

Well said

[@dnickx]

Great video...one of the most overlooked fighters but one of my favourites is Masaaki Satake. Always lighter than his opponents but always giving his all and had one of the BEST low kicks ever IMO

[@ninjasrose1653]

I like before watching cos I have *NO* doubts.

[@letsgojake.4078]

Ive learned so much about kickboxing in the last two days on this channel. I wanna go watch some fights.

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

That's what I like to hear. I'm glad you're finding the content beneficial.

[@ekoukano]

Love this channel, always look forward to seeing these videos. I love hearing the mentality behind the training, and that there is a clear distinction between "Old School" coaching and the modern style which involves a lot more input from your athletes. I know when I'm coaching my fighters, that talking to them is the #1 thing I can do for them as a coach. "How did that feel?" "What do you think about this technique?" "How would you change it?"

[@noahcastillo6771]

I truly enjoy how you described their style I always felt the most dangerous Muay Thai/ kickboxers were the ones with the best hands, hands down! Keep up your great work

[@whoknows8223]

Timestamps. Awesome. Great for reviewing special aspects of the video again. Keep them up for future vids.

[@Saorsa1126]

Your content output is second only to your striking output.

[@TheRonin22]

Yeah growing I always favored Japanese style kickboxing. As a kid Masato was my favorite kickboxer. Nowadays Masaaki Noiri, Takeru Segawa, and Naoya Inoue are my favorites to watch.

[@ErickJorgensen]

"Doesn't work for glory" Petchpanomrung and sittichai enters the chat

[@fredflinsten449]

Haha to be fair, they did admit they had to learn how to box to be good in Glory

[@ErickJorgensen]

@@fredflinsten449 but they are primarily southpaw with heavy focus on drum 🥁 left-kicks

[@NA-oo4ls]

You gotta love all the recognition and respect.

[@irvinjaycarranza6828]

Japanese shoot boxing is such a beautiful style to watch.

[@NajiDa3wah]

This channel deserves more recognition. It’s fire 🔥

[@jorgepresent8789]

Tenshin nasukawa style

[@jhgfjjghjf4297]

Love it vids Gabe! Keep it up!

[@trinityprofessor]

Zenshin and Ichigeki are the main Japanese kickboxing styles practiced here in Brazil , both derived from kyokushin karate.

[@marcoslampert5126]

Awesome, Gabriel, again, and again!

[@josefdiablo]

Mr Varga, I'm a young amateur fighter, you inspire me, I learned so much from you in terms of pure technique and fight IQ. Thank you for all of your insights

[@alanlin9430]

Love your energy, your love of sport is infectious!

[@neokimchi]

fantastic video, one of my favorites of yours so far!

[@dougsmuaythai]

You should do a review of the Japanese kickboxers of the 60s and 70s. So called Dutch kickboxing has part of its origins there.

[@powerincarnate6783]

I'd love to see a review of Tadashi Sawamura.

[@chairmanprakasit2539]

Sawasdeekrubb, always love your videos, greetings from Thailand🙏

[@pietrodelacuesta756]

Masato had a boxing background before moving to kickboxing btw

[@kevinsyler2272]

Another thing I would add about their training in particular, is how basic it is. They don't get tot fancy, and work one combo at a time. Well executed, perfectly done, all the time. They are very deadly because of this! Their one twos, one two threes, one two slip twos, are second to none. The training style goes well with their genetics as most of them are small, fast twitch fighters. Also the low kicks. Great video thank you!

[@joelmiller1981]

Great video bro, but no mention of the two pound for pound kings right now? Best check out some Tenshin Nasukawa no Takeru ASAP. Unstoppable juggernauts.

[@GabrielVargaOfficial]

I definitely know about them but haven't watch enough yet. Just a couple fights here and there.

[@NeoValeTudo]

Takanori gomi had an awesome boxing style in mma

[@pd9020]

my favorite boxer is Japanese (Naoya Inoue) so it's interesting to learn that Japanese kickboxers are all generally really good with their hands and movement

[@uncletheoneshotkid3001]

America did some messed up stuff to Japan but introducing them to western American style boxing was one of the good things

[@mikeissjr]

One of the best proofs of the boxing comment was Kyotaro, probably the best heavyweight boxer in recent Japanese history in addition to his K1 success.

[@burningknuckle26]

forgot about him lol. he beat alot of good fighters.

[@hitthedream534]

This is such facts. I watch mainly Japanese kickboxing because they’re so clean with everything they do.

[@prvtthd401]

Edit: couldn't find the name of Sato, Masato and Koheruimaki, btw I've always wondered about what Japanese kickboxing was about, but couldn't find anything. Having practiced dutch kickboxing and now kyokushin, both styles which are directly related to japanese kickboxing, I was curious about how japanese style differed from dutch. Knowing that japanese kickboxing or japan in general had a huge impact on kickboxing overall, only added to the curiosity. So I really appreciated this video. Thumbs up without a second thought.

[@jorgepresent8789]

Awesome video🥊🥊🔥🔥

[@RahulPatil-my3dw]

Tenshin nasukawa is a gem

[@TheMathPipe]

Awesome video Gabriel!

[@marouaneidmansour8276]

Big up Gabriel... The cleanest youtube channel, you give so much energy... Feel like you are 15 yod forever. Whatever happens keep the spirit, boosts me everytime. And wow I just feel the same about the japanese Man. In boxing, in Judo, in Karate in everything, sure kickboxing, the cleanest people, technically beautiful...

[@fakename3042]

I would learn from you sounds like you combine the elements I am looking for.

[@aysimaozceliiik]

this channel is amaaazing

[@hangslow]

They have sick hands very true and solid chins!

[@matthew-jy5jp]

Another great video champ. 😊

[@amhawk8742]

So true about mixing up

[@johntay3831]

Japanese kickboxing is strongly influenced by Kyokushin karate(full contact karate). It’s a style that inspired the Dutch kickboxing and Mike Tyson.

[@AjDaGrunt]

Absolutely, most of the top guys started Kyokushin at a very young age similar to the thais, but they conserved their body’s a little bit better because of lack of punches to the head in Kyokushin. That’s why they throw so many combinations and have beautiful kicking technique

[@migueldiaz248]

@@AjDaGrunt kyokushin actually trains punches to the head just like any other strike in the dojo. just not for competitions.

[@opetaiaseni1955]

Mike tyson peekaboo style

[@jonsavate]

Thank you for all the educational uploads! I had a long shot question. I read the title and I loved it but would you possibly go over Toshio Fujiwara , Sawamura Tadashi, and Igari Genshu. There were talks of Benny the Jet vs Fujiwara. How do you think that would have gone? Fujiwara said he had to create a odd rhythm to fight Muay Thai. His movement was different, if ever you have a chance could you break his style down? Thank you for your time and consideration.

[@williamqpnguyen4110]

japanese kickboxing is derived from karate and boxing as i know correctly

[@ianhad7521]

Great videos! And its so nice to see a nice, normal looking and smart fighter! I can't identify with all those fighters who look like they just got out of jail. You got a new fan!

[@hungniirulfur920]

You should do a video about shaolin Sanda. Boxing, elbows, knees, kicks and wrestling. Interesting "kickboxing" style

[@OCMOOMOMO]

Best info and legit knowledge!!

[@LaoGrow]

Also @GabrielVargas you should do a breakdown on Tenshin Nasakawa, one of the fave Japanese Kickboxers currently.

[@RIKImusic4]

As a Japanese man I feel proud

[@RamboRichardson]

Thank you for this! 🙏

[@NaesK1]

Thank you for the video

[@stefankeeney8462]

What I love most about Japanese kickboxers: when they throw punch to kick, or kick to punch combinations they break up rythm and cadence. Maybe the hands are quick and the kick is hard, or they throw fast kicks and hands and finish with a hard punch. Most Dutch AND Thai fighters will match the cadence of their punches and kicks. So if the kick is slow but loaded with power, the punches are also loaded with power. I think this is due to the lack of training methods. If your punching Thai pads opposed to double end bag or small mitts, you lose that need to be precise and fast . I see Japanese kickboxers train with lots of different micro mitts, and full body pads, and pads that only cover the legs but hold pads up top very diverse methods.

[@ДаниэльБерезкин-ш9ж]

Please make a video about fighters who have the best footwork in Kickboxing

[@pierrotcristian]

Gabe thank you for this video! I'm always looking forward for new fighters to watch and study

[@steoboylo5395]

Great video! Question for you! I was a huge K1 fan back in the day. When I look back the Japanese really only had 2 fighters Masato and Sato. I seen in an interview Masato saying he is carrying the country on his shoulders and that Sato is a level below the top guys in K1. But in the last I’d say 8 years Japan are turning out killers!!!! Not only in kickboxing but Muay Thai too. You have Nadaka lumpini and Raja champ and his team mate was also Raja champ all from one gym plus 2 others won Raja within this time. Another kid won the Thailand belt around the same time and was the first foreigner to do so. All within 8 years. I feel since K1 something changed, I don’t know if you have any idea why this is? Anyway keep up the great work

[@AroundElvesWatchUrselves96]

They've had a Raja stadium champ since the 70s. Also, Genji was a prominent Thai boxer at Raja Stadium as well.

[@steoboylo5395]

@@AroundElvesWatchUrselves96 yes am aware and Genji was one of the 2 other champions I mentioned. That won Raja. I feel though in the last few years they are producing killers. In kickboxing they have sooo many but in k1 golden era the was only 2.

[@jerrodschmidt6028]

I think they do good about not getting locked in with finishing on a kick, finishing with a kick is usually a good choice but it never means you're done! Great video, I'll be watching more to implement new things into my training.👍

[@Lazir1000]

Remarkable.. u know all the difference... AMAZING

[@kainonknestrick9202]

i feel like Japanese Kickboxing needs to come to USA if it's very effective than American Style Kickboxing!

[@jealousbison]

Awesome content!

[@philippe-jeantouscoz]

Hi Gabriel and thank you for your awsome and useful videos. I am French, quite old, living in Tokyo, train at Iharadojo. Did you heard of EBATA twins ? Rui and Mutsuki ? As you said, their style are different even if they are twins - amawing ! All the best, Philippe-jean

[@paulocuento9949]

one thing i love about japanese fighters is their technical display that aims to finish opponents.. its like a perfect balance of point fighting, and going for the KO

[@leonnguyen7433]

Kohiruimaki truly has the most beautiful K-1 knockouts

[@666aladdin]

sato is so technical

[@hellbow1851]

Big tenshin fan right here

[@thomaskendell8146]

Gabriel 'Crispy' Varga

[@xtrafries6320]

3:07 i never heard someone use the word crispy like that

[@brennansnowdon9299]

The karate styles make it awesome

[@mtmatt6111]

Awesome video - would love to see an Inoue breakdown.

[@TheLockon00]

Very interesting. I would have always guessed the Dutch have the best boxing, but what you're saying makes sense.

[@ShortAndFormal]

What do you think of Sanda?

[@ronnysudiono315]

The Japanese heart (KOKORO), number 3 of your list, is something that I've learned to develop (and still) by practicing Kyokushin karate. If I have to name ONE thing that is really characteristical for the training in Kyokushin is it the developing of this OSU mental strength, not even the technical kicks and blows. To endure when being pushed hard, that is the meaning of Oshi Shinobu. People mostly talk about Kyokushin hard kumite to develop the body, but that is not the most important thing, it is the tip of the iceberg.

[@ayoubex1951]

I love japanese kickboxing, masato being comfortably one of my favourite kickboxers, i just wanna know your opinion on moroccan kickboxers (most of em raised in holland) those dutch/moroccan fighters are really good lots of pros and champions in different weight classes, your breakdown is always on point and you won a Glory belt against amrani that's why i'm curious about your analysis on those fighters 👍

[@spikearsenal]

hope we get to see you fight with RIZIN!

[@ShortAndFormal]

Make a video.on landing the uppercut!!!