How to Fight Bigger and Taller Opponents - Mike Zambidis

Learn from Legends: www.legendarystriking.com
Mike Tyson wasn't the only one who took taller opponents out by storm in combat sports. There was also an "Iron Mike" in kickboxing, named Mike Zambidis. For aggressive punchers and kickboxers, he provides the ultimate blueprint on how to defeat taller and bigger opponents at a world class level. This is how he did it.
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#kickboxing #mikezambidis #miketyson
How to Fight Bigger and Taller Opponents - Mike Zambidis
The Mike Tyson of Kickboxing
How to fight taller opponents
How to fight bigger opponents
Overhand punch

[@LawrenceKenshin]

Mike Tyson wasn't the only one who took taller opponents out by storm in combat sports. There was also an "Iron Mike" in kickboxing, named Mike Zambidis. For aggressive punchers and kickboxers, he provides the ultimate blueprint on how to defeat taller and bigger opponents at a world class level. This is how he did it. Learn from Legends: www.legendarystriking.com

[@PHATT_TV]

The Greek hero Zambidis made us all proud of our heritage 🇬🇷. And you Lawrence have made him proud with this tribute 💪🙏

[@zoisbasis7791]

Excellent work Lawrence!!! Your videos r awesome to watch & learn about fighters & their techniques!!! Keep up the good work👏👏👏

[@OmriAzran]

Im trying to put details on your website but the email field says "invalid" even though I use Gmail :(

[@swordfish7705]

Amazing breakdown and very very well done by both Lawrence and zambidis🙏😎

[@periklisgiannopoulos5273]

True legend. I train at his gym and know him. Great guy. Humble, respectful,always with a smile in his face.He brings a good vibe to all. True athlete,true champion in all manners.

[@periklisgiannopoulos5273]

@@AD-ot5ok God bless you also my friend.

[@duemoto1683]

As a short fighter, I tried to emulate Mike as much as I could. A legend in my book and an exciting fighter to watch.Wish him my best. A true legend in my lifetime.

[@Daurentius322]

Ah man you are one lucky dude to have access to this legend, much love and respect to my brothers from Hellas from brotherly Serbia.

[@giorgosprasanakis2730]

συμφωνω.

[@marshallmaia8130]

Is still training and coaching now a days?

[@SonofSoma108]

Hey Lawrence just wanted to say you are really amazing man you cover the lesser known fighters who are lost in this saturated market but are incredibly competent. I really enjoy your videos keep them coming mate

[@LawrenceKenshin]

🙏🙏 thanks so much brother !

[@theprodigalson4003]

Me too bro

[@FaceFamous]

@@LawrenceKenshin wow I'm shocked that I really got to hear your voice!!!! 😊😊 been following your videos for a few years now

[@Deceneu66]

Great breakdown ! I was a fan of Zambidis, Buakaw, Masato, and all the greats since K1 World Max days. How time flyes...

[@georgiosvavliaras1066]

He's a Greek National Hero, thanks for the breakdown!

[@LawrenceKenshin]

♥️♥️

[@rynoriffs6505]

Still to this day, the Zambidis vs Chahid fight is one of the best K1 fights of all time, if you haven’t seen it, search it, you won’t be disappointed! 💯👊🏽

[@kenta51_fighter]

Mike Zambidis is my favorite kickboxer and I really like that vertical hook.

[@StLMikie]

Mike had/has fantastic fight IQ. He closed that large distance by stepping in like his fist was a ball. It’s like pitching a baseball except it’s his fist.

[@Nick-pz8jk]

Yes Zambidis started as a boxer and turned later into a kickboxer

[@JamesMcManusMrJamesMcManus]

Another fantastic video. I'm 5ft2, been training Muay Thai for just under a year now and watching the Thai fighters and fighters like Zambidis, you can really change things up and turn such a short height and reach into a big advantage.

[@APAMVs]

One of few Greek World champions! As a Greek Cypriot it's good to know we have a bit of history. Hope we have more one day. Michael savva might be close

[@LawrenceKenshin]

savaas is amazing!

[@APAMVs]

@@LawrenceKenshin yeah his recent fight was incredible. He was a pure master in it. Hope he wins the world champion at One.

[@lazarosxatz]

Πότε παίζει με rottang??

[@APAMVs]

@@lazarosxatz δεν λαλεί ακόμα.

[@mskata2675]

Zambidis is such a beast great video struggling sparring taller opponents need to work on my overhand my coach said go for the legs wear them down first then start going in and out

[@LawrenceKenshin]

Yes great coach

[@dstavs]

Zambidis is one of my favourites and certainly one of the greats of his era. Loved that killer scissor knee. Once again, you’ve done an exemplary job of portraying a fighter many current fight fans might have never heard of. Thank you!

[@daniel-zh9nj6yn6y]

Dwight Muhammad Qawi is another boxer worth studying, for short vs tall tips.

[@bos3835]

Another Iron Mike, definitely the Tyson of kickboxing.

[@tokenstandpoint93]

I heard of Mike Zambidis from Gabriel Varga. He's some one I've been studying since we're the same height.

[@LawrenceKenshin]

Nice man

[@kailokusudai5085]

As 5'5 dude, this is very inspiring and intriguing, thanks for the amazing content you provide 🙏

[@LawrenceKenshin]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@Hawaiian_Brian]

Im really happy you showcased this fighter. You really did your homework. I've reviewed as many of his compilations I could find and you have clips in here I haven't seen. Nice work.

[@josemucarselsacoto5122]

Vamos! Zambidis is great! Thank you for another work of art mr Kenshin!

[@gdubya83]

Wow. These videos are always great. Thanks for something to break up the boredom

[@rubenmedina9156]

Zambidis one of my favorites!!! nice breakdown

[@daniloshimabuko]

Amazing! Excelent breakdown, thank you.

[@FhargaZ]

I thought about Zambidis when I read the title, awesome fighter and video 👍

[@user-fe4qv7to8b]

All of your videos are unique and fun for the viewer. Thank you for your great effort .

[@DMiddle]

Mike was so good, love watching his fights!

[@monsieur910]

Another amazing video!

[@HardstyleBulgaria]

Very nice breakdown - i remember back when i was training i tried copying some of Mike's techniques (like the raising knee to right hook and inside left lowkick to right hook) and also i will never forget his fight with Chahid !! Amazing fighter from kickboxing's best years

[@austin3789]

Key to fighting larger opponents: Be explosive! Great video!

[@onceuponapriori]

Love all of your videos -- thx for sharing such detailed and thoughtful videos!

[@dogmatika7]

Man - I will never get enough of Zambidis and Cunningham!

[@johnpittsii7524]

Thanks for the amazing video

[@isudizzyblud]

epic video, epic breakdown

[@TomRAFC]

That body work at 5:23 is just brutal! Another great video and really inspiring as a shorter fighter.

[@Nick-pz8jk]

Yes brutal

[@The-Dom]

woohoo my Mike Z recommendation!!

[@ElmoStarIsInDaHouze]

Excelent breakdown

[@hidum5779]

I really loved this video. This dude is one heck of an explosive fighter with strikes so precise that it will definitely knock out an opponent. He's like a brawler but an intelligent one. It's a perfect combination of brains and brawns.

[@mklip2001]

This isn't as much a direct comment about Zambidis himself (though the coverage is awesome), but I wanted to compliment you on the rocking guitar background you got for most of the video. It's high energy without overpowering the action and commentary. Cool stuff.

[@LawrenceKenshin]

Thanks Michael!

[@VanderGroejn]

Outstanding! Your breakdowns are second to none. And the clips are awesome. Thank you. ❤❤❤😁

[@LawrenceKenshin]

thank you isiah!

[@kiboma4209]

Him and the Modern Martial artists are the best at analyzing fighters

[@brucehillbillybarthalow3786]

Great Video

[@Tonytango]

Nice work

[@markrudolph9887]

Wow. Impressive power and technique.

[@alphasaur]

Oooo as a short king im super grateful for this! Going to try to incorporate some of it into sparring

[@edge6441]

Iron Mike zambidis is a great fighter thank you for pointing him out he deserved this clip he is amazing!

[@ggez4skp221]

Now give tips for a taller fighter fighting smaller oponent 😃 Nice videos btw, subscribed!

[@dstavs]

A little something for the fellow Greeks and that inextinguishable Greek pride. Zambidis’ speech after defeating Ozkan in Melbourne, Australia: “And, I want to thank all of you, the Greeks. The great Greeks. Today... Sometimes the physical strength of our bodies abandons us, our muscles, our bones, that from which we are made. But in here there exists within us something more. In here there pumps Greek blood. And in here there beats the Greek spirit. We are the descendants of Alexander the Great. We are warriors and today we won with that. Thank you for giving me strength.”

[@tfjzz]

wow, great video! than you

[@AjaychinuShah]

So nice to see Japan has a Boxing Program up and away, like they had a Kickboxing and even Martial Art one too. Like Greece (Ancient Rome)

[@robertge648]

Jesus is this guy on permanent 2.0x speed

[@kiltrofilms]

correct me if im wrong, but i think that under muay thai rules a taller/longer fighter has waaay more advantage than in K-1, a lot of smaller presure fighters tactics can be shut down from the clinch. At least i remember that as a tall teenager i had less trouble when sparring shorter guys in MT than kickboxing

[@lazarosxatz]

It depends. Imagine someone like saenchai or rottang to be against you. Its not about the size its about mentality if a short guy believes that can beat you its 50-50 but if he is afraid to come close then you will win. If someone is well prepared to fight the size is just a number.

[@kiltrofilms]

@@lazarosxatz you are talking top tier elite, i mean the average joe... a spear knee to the solar plexus from the clinch will make them think twice about charging in like a bull and fighting in the pocket, just my exp as a "meh" fighter.

[@nickalmazan471]

Thanks for this. Here in thailand I do well with my reach in sparring but do terrible against people taller than me.

[@SanelKeys]

Very interesting channel. Found it by chance, watching videos on Muay Thay, my favorite fighting sport. Great point of view/angle on aspects of fighting.

[@ryanbaileyboxing]

amazing fighter

[@sergiomoney101]

Thanks for this analysis. I am currently sucking at sparring longer range and taller opponents and just today got dazed while sparring. I will work on my right hand and left hook. I really need to improve on it soon.

[@michaelditch7496]

How did it go?

[@hypnoticskull6342]

Man out there proving that size isn’t everything

[@LawrenceKenshin]

True

[@ronaldson57]

I would love to see Mike Zambidis fight Ramon Dekker

[@weirdo4653]

Mike Tyson fight against Golota is also a great example 👍

[@mariossavva3876]

Mike zambidis legend

[@amhawk8742]

So basically doing the basics: Explosive footwork Head movement Counters Body shots Alternating between hands

[@Nick-pz8jk]

In theory. Ok. In practice hard to reach. Especially 5 rounds

[@The-Man-On-The-Mountain]

No tattoos, no clownish hair, no useless sht. Everything focused to be an efficient destroyer.

[@p4pking.]

I went to watch Zambidis coach Stan the man longanidis fight Dennis Alexiou back in the day. My friend go’s I’ll quickly go get us some drinks, he gets up turns & walks towards the bar & missed the whole fight it was finished with 1 leg check/ Dennis broke his leg in 15 seconds damm 😂. Love ❤️ your vids excellent brake downs.

[@burnastelo1429]

Thanks mate. Learnt lots watching this

[@bananaspoon2]

Anychance of getting a breakdown on Savate and it's affect on kickboxing, recently saw videos of Ernesto Hoosts early savate fights and was fascinated

[@Chris_Andre_Boxing]

Great video. He was considered p4p no.1 so people were aware of his level, but for those that tend to suggest he's "just a slugger with crazy power", they are also the same sort of people that can't understand the idiosyncrasies of the likes of Mike Tyson or Rocky Marciano. It's simply due to a lack of understanding of the processes they're watching

[@MrHacken]

👏🏻 Please think about doing something on The Hawk Aaron Pryer he was a Boxer I learned a lot from as an amateur he stopped Tommy Hearns as a pro he defeated Alexis Arguello twice as I recall he was may be 5 “6” but it always seemed like the other guy was in trouble, especially when he got knocked down

[@lorenzod.4155]

Can you make a video about legend Apidej Sit Hirun ? Thanks .

[@marekpawlicki3635]

thank you! i really neede this... most people laugh at me as a martial artist because im not that tall, nor do i look strong :(

[@negoras]

i love Zambidis,he was great at all his fights.The only fight i saw with Zambidis that didnt stand a chance,was Buakaw.

[@user-pf8bn8se9o]

Mike zambidis god hand

[@gaenaegga]

Hey, whats ur opinion on the tenshin takeru fight yesterday?

[@timephire]

Daniel Cormier also belongs on this list of greats!

[@JozefLucifugeKorzeniowski]

My bois kaoklai & nokweed

[@studywithteja]

Mike tyson ❤

[@ceckolalovia]

That's just a misconception. That higher people has advantages. As long as you angle anyone and you're able to hit him before he faces you again there is no advantages

[@darkmagetwello]

Loved the video but could the music be a little less loud next time? As a non native english speaker it was sometimes a bit difficult to follow.

[@supergio133show2]

Hey what theme song from begin?

[@theunbeatable6598]

You should cover zabit samedov and gokhan too. Very short heavyweight kickboxers that ko 6'5+ bois

[@muscularfuckermuscularman406]

🥊

[@jayseandon]

Watching to know what I need to defend against 🤣

[@doodelay]

Im 5'4 and just getting into muay thai. I've been trying to work out how many ppl I can really take on now that I'll finally have some fight skill haha thx for video. If I can take on guys 5 or 6 inches taller that'd just blow my mind

[@thurstt9158]

You definitely can you just need put in max effort

[@darawanchomnok8334]

Iron mikes 👊🏻👊🏻❤️

[@khalilhouston6816]

You can get it

[@jusjay3834]

In the world of mma his name is Daniel Cormier

[@Pagode923]

Was Mike Zambidis a pure kickboxer or he trained boxing too?

[@batmanfan2005]

I think he was in the Greek national boxing team and he also had one pro boxing fight after his retirement from kickboxing.

[@Nick-pz8jk]

He was boxer. Turned later into a kick oxer. Much success with a boxing background.

[@periklisgiannopoulos5273]

He started with Karate and muay tai when he was a kid. By the age of 16 he had 60 wins with 48 Knock outs. Boxing is his strong point

[@Hayabusa-lo6bc]

Dwight Muhammad Qawi heavyweight champion 166 cm

[@kiboma4209]

Anyone knows what the beginning music was?

[@steven4996]

Did you find it?

[@johnbradt7206]

Thank you for hosting a martial arts channel that shows the best in MMA instead of showing blood sport garbage from the UFC ☮️

[@acme-1889]

Smaller opponent: badr hari(1.96)

[@ctestare2625]

Fighting as the shorter fighter is about throwing in counters combination. Don’t expect the first two to land but try to land the last few while they are in range then get yourself out of the pocket asap

[@yamikagevg7841]

👍

[@LawrenceKenshin]

cheers

[@PONTIANGOD]

Pontos Warrior That My Cousin He's Not Greek We Are Pontian Great Video

[@LawrenceKenshin]

awesome bro

[@RKalos]

Και οι Πόντιοι τι ειναι ρε ?Δεν ειναι ελληνες?

[@tziodim]

Την ελληνική σημαία σηκώνει !!

[@VlogsNiKuyang]

You should also check fights of MANNY PACQUIAO..how he defeated giants in boxing

[@bauerdominic]

Music is too loud

[@LawrenceKenshin]

:(

[@bauerdominic]

@@LawrenceKenshin content is great tho as always so I'll just turn up the volume of course. Keep it up man!

[@mysty0]

Zambidis was a Boxer transitioned to Kickboxing who proved Kickboxers sucked at throwing hands, he would stand in close and cut off the legs and dominate with Fists

[@thegpc2372]

tbh the man has way more than earne the ttitle of his own Mike zambidis and mike tyson should be different not one in the shadow in the other

[@user-bf3ys3oj5r]

why we put music to everything this days

[@Nimno74]

Don't forget Rocky Marciano

[@LawrenceKenshin]

Good one!

[@suprhomre]

Zambidi was great but Buakaw destroyed him. His arm was bleeding during the fight because Buakaw kicked so hard his arm probably felt like noodles.

[@procrustes7669]

rofl nope zambidis efficiently block 99% of buakaw kicks who fought like a bitch and the fight was way closer than you think.

[@panikkosmik8256]

IRON MIKE ZAMBIDIS 18 TIME WARLD CHAMPION!!!🏅🏆🎖👑

[@procrustes7669]

Pound for Pound Great equalizer to Lomachenko or Canelo chasing Greatness... Started as a natural 61kg and moved up to 68kg to fight 10-20cm taller and 75kg-82kg walking K-1 Beasts in their prime.