What Sparring SHOULD Look Like! What To Do And What NOT To Do!

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Unfortunately, you see it a lot in fight sports, sparring partners beating each other up in sparring. Sparring is meant to allow you and your teammate to grow and get better at as athletes and work on game plan NOT to win. That's what fights are for. I believe it is crucial to understand what sparring should look like and how it is meant to be used to get better not get beat up. I hope y'all enjoy the video. Please consider subscribing.
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Start: 00:00
Round 1: 02:44
Round 2: 06:54
Round 3: 08:42
3 On 3: 12:02

[@WonderboyMMA]

Tag or share this video with someone in your gym that needs to see this vid!!! Thanks for the love everyone! OSSSSS!

[@XManium]

In honor of Peter Stanonik, could you please test one of those Kevlar Jock Straps? It would be great to know if they actually offer better protection than the cups you use. I'd be particularly interested in knowing how well someone can take a spinning back kick to the nuts while wearing one. Thanks. Love the channel, btw.

[@Oggre]

Thanks for video ! Wonderboy you should fight Leon Edwards and humble him please

[@akaragdollsvids]

I KNOW ONLY HOW TO SOARR LIGHTLY SO I DONT HAVE REAL EXPERIENCE OF A FULL CONTACT MACTH.. THERE ARE NO GYMS TO

[@MrRobjs83]

@@Oggre I think he's going to, he recently said he would fight him

[@shoto_shaun]

I made a similar video about my biggest issue with sparring I’ve ran into thru the years. Good stuff!

[@TheModernMartialArtist]

Sparring is to train pulling off combinations and good defense while under pressure and cut down on reaction time , not take out your bad day on someone else. So many don't get that haha

[@hulandark3824]

Love your videos dude

[@malakatan3235]

Sometimes or maybe often, emotional got best of you

[@deadarmd]

Its weird because the heavy sparring has also created success for a lot of guys. You think about chute boxe producing five and six champs just from one small gym of guys killing eachother. Of course they have cte issues. However sparring hard worked for murilo, mauricio, wand, anderson, cyborg and cyborg. They had a couple other great fighters. There is four or five legit goats from just the original group

[@LucaMuntz]

Yeeeep 👌🏼 I come from taekwondo so I have the same mindset as wonderboy. I wish my gym did. But unfortunately if you don’t come from true martial arts most people do what u said. Incredibly sad and frustrating.

[@kaz5150619]

Preach brother

[@buffdude4281]

“Hit me as hard as you wanna get hit.” -Carlos Condit

[@Quodge]

Bisping's stories are the best.

[@rickyhatton39]

@@Quodge lol yeah that's where I heard it from too

[@DOPEYPLAYSMINECRAFT]

@@Quodge there’s a video of that story

[@thaisonroofing1963]

Thats my sparring motto

[@itsurmombruh1391]

Bro we need this video people really be tryna take others heads off in sparring

[@taugrim]

I think that in 5-10 years, most MMA gyms will have moved in this direction. Old school coaches tend to emphasize heavy contact. This is true across sports. It was that way in football for years. Now football coaches and players understand the value of getting reps and focusing on technique without incurring the wear-and-tear. At the gyms I belonged to, we sparred at the same power level that they showed with the 18-oz gloves, but with 16-oz gloves. Going harder than that tends to lead to people getting banged up or hurt.

[@MindSmashReal]

For me, you're a prime example of what martial arts should like like as the optimum strategy between individuals. Just the right balance of elements, where you know what fighting feels like, but you aren't murking eachother out of ego. A thriving Karate Gym creating elite level prospects is a beautiful thing, and I believe it should be a more consistent outcome; but the way you and your family operate, that's truly rare to find. Thank you for all you do brother. If a gym can create this level of talent and retain its brain cells, its atmosphere and make it a fun place for people to come back to, I think that should be the gold standard.

[@WonderboyMMA]

Ossss!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@MindSmashReal]

Stephen Wonderboy Thompson 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@TheKickboxingCommunity]

Don't forget to like... it's good karma.

[@emnegrido75]

*YELLO*

[@Volteran]

hmm imo there should be a very calculated pain experience. low kicks, body shots, stuff that doesn´t injure you seriously but shows you what its like to fight when you are hurt. it´s easy to move when you don´t get hit seriously. fighting with a sort of foggy mind, that is something you have to train. this is coming fromn a muay thai guy, though. but the athmosphere, the playfulness, it is just so perfect in this gym! much love to you guys!

[@BiGFLATE98]

I was at a gym considered “world class” dude trained a couple world champions and they had me sparring a golden gloves regional champ when I had 0 fights and didn’t have him holding back, I thought it was fine at the time cuz they’re reputable but now I see that it wasn’t fine

[@SenseiSeth]

Rule to Spar Wonderboy: Just know that he is going to kick you in the head... like a lot

[@Mememulelife]

When you gonna spar there again Seth??

[@NicolaMaxwell]

Lol Just seen your upload! That's awesome Seth. Subbed🙏

[@theboltthrower8661]

Shane Fazen said that sparring Wonderboy is like fighting Goku. Is it that true Coach Seth?

[@billedwards2657]

With Tony, you just can’t hit him. He’s like a cat. With WB.. you can only almost hit him when he wants you to hit him. It’s the most helpless I’ve ever felt sparring (and still safe)

[@jgarcia2273]

I wonder if the kids he teaches know how badass their sensei is

[@ThatWookieGuy]

Bow to your Sensei.......BOW TO YOUR SENSEI

[@samkaka9149]

They know

[@Countryroads304]

If he won UFC gold he would become Hokage.

[@SenseiSeth]

Also, DANG Blake is quick!!

[@EatSleepKarate]

👊🏻

[@jakecastillo2872]

Eyyy sensei seth, I want you to spar with him too

[@hotcakes278]

IF I were to spar WB it would involve a lot of compliments, hugs, and apologies after every strike. BTW luved this vid WB keep em coming! 🥳

[@zMxsh]

sounds like his fight v darren till lol

[@jordanmoore272]

My favorite fighter. But what i love most about Wonderboy is how much of a genuine, down to earth nice guy he is. Anybody who has trained martial arts especially on the MMA side knows how much Ego & arrogance comes in with a lot of guys. Good to see somebody with his success & resume be so humble.

[@wio312]

“You gotta take care of your sparring partner” Advice Requis never took to heart

[@wyatt4790]

REQUIS

[@Mememulelife]

when you said "poke yourself in the eye", I could just see stipe having ptsd.

[@NotKimiRaikkonen]

Or Mike Winkeljohn

[@DruSolis]

This is so cool to see. I've never done martial arts, but I like that everyone here is being respectful and protecting their sparring partner instead of some of the other camps. There was a video a few weeks ago where Justin Gaethje's sparring partner loads up a head kick -- it's like, dude, why? Do you just want to say you knocked out a contender in sparring? I think what Wonderboy's dad say was super important -- that sparring isn't to beat up people and demoralize them but to build them up with the skill, technique, and timing. I'm trying to learn skills in my own work life, and just getting encouragement, support, and the time to make mistakes and grow without fearing that you need to defend yourself is so important. I think developing any skill, whether physical or mental, needs that sort of "sparring time" where you can practice it in a controlled environment with people you trust and who can coach and help you, not beat you down and demoralize you. That feels like a life lesson I'd like to take away from this video.

[@jeffgauthier6216]

that younger kids got the legs on him man lol. Throwin some really nice kicks!!

[@evanmildrum897]

Sparring is a weird thing. Everyone has a different pace and intensity that they like to go. Usually its the newer people at my gym that end up getting cracked hard and its simply because they are tense and they end up actually "fighting". Coach always says to let each other flow. But if you get hit hard, hit hard back.

[@joneh9483]

Hey Wonderboy when are we gonna see you on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast?

[@benm5913]

Exactly 7 months after you commented.

[@robertg305]

I always try and spar pretty light. I've found when guys come at me all crazy they usually get tired pretty fast. It doesn't even get you a good workout

[@BeReadySelfDefense]

"But bro, I need to train hard!" You know what's not training hard? Not being able to train at all because you got injured. 😂

[@SASMADBRUV7]

Zahabi on the JRE talked about how training volume matters more than intensity.

[@kartikgoswami178]

Nate daiz after watching this video “ you are playing touch butt with dork in the park and I am the one that's got no training partner ..I don't think so " 😂😂

[@LuisGarcia-jh2rw]

Nate Diaz once said in a video that an advice that he gives to kids is to not get hit in the head

[@LuisGarcia-jh2rw]

watch the video called: Nick Diaz Dishes Advice To Aspiring MMA Fighters: "Don't Get Hit!" at 2:10

[@leonidvishniakov3810]

The dude in round 3 was real quick. It was very beautiful to watch.

[@EatSleepKarate]

👊🏻

[@leonidvishniakov3810]

@@EatSleepKarate he was a real gangster

[@jakecastillo2872]

Not gonna work on street fights but in light sparring hes gonna be a monster

[@leonidvishniakov3810]

@@jakecastillo2872 this is 4 da streetz

[@liampope3326]

@@jakecastillo2872 have you ever been sidekicked by a good points fighter? Ive seen that shit break ribs easily

[@hotcakes278]

LMAO I love how that girl kicked that guy back in the ribs at 12:57 after he head kicked WB 😂

[@brittanybaker2371]

haha thank ya!

[@simonssol3526]

This is real no ego sparring. The ideal. Legend.

[@jimdgrousedogs]

Fun video of sparring. I was sparring this morning and am going back to spar and then teach tonight. We wear bigger gloves when sparring with our striking martial art unless we're sparring with infighting or locks. We really only only wear headgear when sparring with sticks for Modern Arnis. A couple years ago we had a professional mma fighter from CA come and give a seminar to our school and I was able to spar with him all week. What a great opportunity. We definitely picked up the intensity level with him, but he really took advantage of his big size advantage. I think I picked up more in that one week of sparring than I did over the next year.

[@t0fuu957]

I used to train with Blake and his brother Trent all the time!! They helped shaped me into the nation-tier fighter that I used to be, sadly I had to leave so I could focus on my school work and now im not nearly as good as I used to be

[@oboroshogun]

Supreme video! You can't learn if you are worried about some spazz for a partner. Never go faster than a pace that allows you to control the power you will be landing with.

[@IsmailAbdulMusic]

I was just sparring at Unity Boxing gym in Pontiac, Michigan i was practicing hitting the body and punch accuracy

[@kevinkowalczik6699]

Let's Goooooo!!!!!! Wonderboy always with the best content!

[@ArkusVI]

Your videos are always an educational treat. Bless you, Stephen🙏🏼

[@marcosrubio3065]

Thank you for uploading this video. It is excellent and a great example of what a good school should look like. Building each other up, not breaking each other down.

[@hitmanheartify]

I sidekicked the like button... Now I’m on my phone cos I can’t watch anything on my laptop.

[@schnauzification]

Very insightful video! Nice to see how you‘re working with your teammates, you surely are a great inspiration not only to them but also to me! Much respect from switzerland!

[@sanabachi]

I used to not be a fan of head gear, not realising the risk of getting cut. Thanks for the knowledge!!

[@Mikey_Anthony]

THANK YOU. Totally agree and i think this is extremely effective. A lot of the best fighters train like that and aren’t the same killlers when sparring. I Ike to put myself in situations that I’d like to improve on, not relying on power at all. Seeking counter opportunities, faints, footwork, head movement, accuracy, timing, creating space, creating angles, etc. A lot of times ill purposely not be very “good” during sparing, and that’s because I’m learning/improving by trying new things, working on specifics. No ego needs to be involved. It’s best in my opinion to do those things, theres nothing gained by trying to beat up your sparring partner. It’s all puzzled together when its time to fight with much better preparation.

[@BrianNichol]

Side kicked the like button!!! Now using the wife’s phone to comment!!! 🙏😜🥋

[@dannnmerkle7930]

I remember one time as a kid when we were doing light sparring I was a blue belt and the only other kid to spar close to my age/ size range that day was a black belt. I got intimidated and adrenalized took it way too seriously thinking I needed to compensate for the skill difference but I ended up hurting him. I felt so bad. Learned a real lesson that day.

[@Tyl2343]

I appreciate this, as someone who has an unsolved/diagnosed head problem. My gym has been doing hard sparring and as a noob i took more shots to the head than i would like. I can't really go to sparring anymore because it's such hard sparring its unsafe for me. If i did not have this head problem, it might be okay, but i don't want to take the risk. I would love to spar with people who don't need to hit so hard to the head. beat up my body, fine. And i get it - if you don't want to get hit don't go to sparring. I don't mind getting hit, but when you can't be sure that someone won't knock you out because that's just how hard they are sparring, it is a bit annoying. again, without this head condition, it may be alright, but i wish my gym offered sparring that i could do without risking my brain so much.

[@AlexEinherjar]

Took a lot from it. Thanks. I want to see you be the champion. You're one of my favorites.

[@diegoreviewexpert2598]

Yes sir i wish all fighting gyms had this way of thinking regarding sparring But sadly many gyms beat the crap out of each other and have no dicipline just big egos all over the place

[@evanoconnor5128]

looks like the most fun ever!! Thanks

[@Sobtoka]

Love your positive attitude, fights, and videos. Keep doing you man, thanks for being yourself. ♥️

[@KurgerBingShfiftyFive]

Had my worst experience sparring a year ago. I got back to my old gym after a hiatus due to moving and money problems. My coach was so excited to see me, and he wanted me to get the ring rust off immediately. He asked if I was cool with getting in the ring and MOVING with this guy who had a fight coming up. I understood his lingo, and thought MOVING meant light touches and ring work. Next thing I know, I'm seeing stars from a punch to the back of head and this guy throwing wild haymakers at me. As soon as the bell sounded, I yanked my head gear off, grabbed my stuff and left. Never went back

[@ThatWookieGuy]

That sucks man. Hope you havent had any experiences like that since, especially sucks cause your coach probably loved seeing you back. I used to spar with the MNA guys on a friday and yeah......nice guys but defo one or two i just flat out choose not to spar with. Ive had my fair share of differing sparring experiences over the years, some bad most great, there is zero point to trying to decimate someone, particulary when its not agreed upon prior. I showed up to learn from their fighters and im sure there was some stuff they could have learned from me. Should be benefit both way. Unfortunate sometimes ego gets in the way, sometimes people are geniune in their intentions with miscalculations along the way

[@KurgerBingShfiftyFive]

@@ThatWookieGuy I've gotten my fair share of busted noses and lips, black eyes, and bruises on my ribs. That comes with the territory and is just proof of a hard day at the gym. But when you're swinging for a KO on dude that JUST told hes been out for a while, and the coach doesn't say anything... not a place I want to be. I've been training on my own, in my house ever since

[@keithkalson4722]

That lead leg you were talkin about at 9:33 when you blitzed and he gave a clean chinner!!!

[@oscarpearson3903]

I could watch this sparring footage all day!

[@VoxGav-bd9rc]

Sparring for me has always depended on my opponent. If they push the pressure, I’ll push the same back. Or if we want it to be light contact, it’ll be that way.

[@wio312]

Can’t wait to see wonderboy back in the octagon, I’d pay to watch that event

[@JeffAllenVlogs]

I tried to hit the like button over and over for the whole video! So awesome!

[@DOOMLORDHOKAGE]

At the end it's cool to see how close your normal fighting style is to point karate style but at the same time so different.

[@johnofkaratedad3416]

That was a cool drill toward the end of the video: 3 on 3. Thanks for posting it. I do appreciate how you worked with your Fighter at the beginning of the video. Sparring doesn’t have to be at full power.

[@lisetteeliseparis7070]

Probably will never spar but love this! Thank you.

[@robertg305]

9:03 This dude's footwork is insane

[@EatSleepKarate]

👊🏻

[@grob8146]

Good advice Wonderboy! New place looks nice! 👍

[@grantholmes5661]

much needed video. not enough videos on good, safe sparring

[@frankm9384]

So looking forward to December 18! Wonderboy = Awesome and Pure Class!

[@RyanJamesOfficial]

I find newer people tend to try to go very hard and ironically don't have the conditioning to do it. I've been training/sparring/fighting for 10 years and I'm always more nervous sparring someone brand new than someone skilled. "White belts" tend to injure their sparring partners wayyyy more.

[@evanmildrum897]

Same. At my gym I always get anxious before sparring someone new. 9/10 if I get rocked its because a newer person decided to try and knock me out either from inexperience, or from frustration

[@cosmichef75]

You're a true martial artist which is nice to see.

[@freakyrawen]

WB, you're not only a fantastic fighter, but you're also a true role model for the sport, and how to be a good person in general!

[@jamalatl4157]

Already know this video gonna be good!

[@arandompersonlol1202]

Man, it would be such an honor to spar with you. You're an inspiration to me. I love you, man. Thank you for all your amazing content. Oss. 🙏

[@NicolaMaxwell]

Thank you again Wonderboy!! ✌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@shootits48]

That’s really cool, I totally agree

[@dazta6738]

You find a different meaning to body language. Different communication.. fuckin awesome!

[@VincentMMALife]

Great video! That intro gets stuck in my head once I've heard it again😂

[@EliteForceLHP]

Great skill with amazing control and technique!

[@CenasucksY2Jrocks]

Hey Stephen great video as always. Could you do a video on oblique kicks? Can I use them effectively against taller opponents or it requires to be the longer fighter? Why you don't prefer to use them?

[@benjaminjensen6448]

What a nice place to train, seems like the atmosphere is top notch

[@ericsteppe9482]

Thanks wonderboy! Your great!

[@blessednguyen]

Great video. Thanks!🙏🙏🙏

[@cby6500]

This is a great channel, you are an awesome fighter.

[@Dan_Hill43]

Someday when time permits, I will have to make my way over to Upstate Karate. Great video ✌️

[@darthcaul9447]

"Waddup everybody, everbody sup everbody!"

[@DearSoldierGP]

i have this the whole day in my head hahaha

[@MegaBISP]

Dude your Paulo Costa story vs Johnny Hendricks was a classic!!

[@StoneMason103]

Not enough people are side kicking the like button this video was amazing you guys look awesome! Looks like a lot of fun too. Any recommendations on best schools to train at in Canada?

[@the_chubby_kicker]

Wow Awesome! Wonder boy you'll soon be a UFC Champion👊 Keep up the good work Brotha ;-) You are a good role model to this New Era of upcoming Martial Artist. Not only your equipt with such awesome skills but also with the Discipline & good ethics that every Martial Artist need to have. God bless you Brotha ;-)

[@aidangittings7810]

Here’s something everyone in this comment section will enjoy hearing. In my class, if someone starts going really hard, you have full permission to go as hard as you can on them to teach em a lesson

[@CombatePractico]

Perfect explanation

[@Doc_Roe]

The intro is so catchy i find my self singing it in my head alll day long haha

[@CommanderOfLight]

I side kicked the like button and cracked my screen, thanks wonderboy!

[@RenkoGSL]

Too much fun!!!!! *faints* then does 50 crunches kay ready lets go

[@aidangittings7810]

Wonder boy that round three kid is like sparring yourself man!

[@DerekCook178]

I wish I could drop everything In my life and train at your gym. I’d love to fight in the UFC. I haven’t lost my desire since my first mma fight but I live too far away from any mma gyms. If I had a coach like you I would at least have some well developed skill. Love your videos.

[@ChineseAndFilipinoMartialArts]

Wonderboy and Sweet T dropping a TUNE in this one, love that beat.

[@dsvec]

I wish I lived by wonder boy thompsons gym.......... excellent training there.

[@TheKickboxingCommunity]

I am from the Netherlands, Mikes Gym is close to my house and has alot of great Glory fighters... But I'd hate to train there, they smack the absolute shit out of eachother as sparring. It gives me hope that world level fighters do not (always) condem this style of training because it makes me not want to train at all

[@Man-iy9jk]

This was great to watch.

[@LincolnWiseDidMyMom]

I simply cannot get over how fuckin cool this man is

[@bushidothekickboxer7821]

He makes Me Feel Like Excited about fights 😆

[@JeffAllenVlogs]

my biggest take away from Wonderboy is his footwork and how he gets off line and counters. I like the smoothness as well, like he is barely even working out here. World class athlete!

[@sammcmahon4611]

Stephen Thompson plz fight soon

[@sorenpx]

It has been a minute for sure. Almost a year! As far as I know, he doesn't even have a fight lined up. What's up with that?

[@erikowings6729]

Everyone against everyone was great. Awesome culture you and your family have created there!

[@TheQwaggs]

I wish more guys would watch this. My gym is like a knockdown drag out by comparison. Spare one day recover for 2. I hate it.

[@scottmarlow6018]

Been there myself, too much ego. The coach needs to step up and set a better culture.

[@evanmildrum897]

I have similar problems at my gym. Usually its the newer people (not necessarily to training but to the gym) and they come in wanting to show off or something. Or they just feel like they have to earn respect. Either way my go to is just to crack em good when they start getting rowdy

[@shrigga7222]

I love these type of videos

[@benjaminrichard7741]

Free for all! Haha thanks for the video!

[@Troommate]

Totally Agree with 18 Ounce gloves use feel so much better and faster :D

[@lukamizdrak2276]

Yoo Wonderboy great vid, I have a question, on pitch black fight shop there's no more boxing gloves, are they gonna come back to sail or that is it?

[@CallMeNacho_]

What amazes me is even as a child when I took tae kwon do, we were told not to make full contact with one another, just to get the muscle memory in, and there are adults that are getting in full on fights while “sparring”

[@simontaylor9362]

Wow,real eye opener

[@michaelrossi4904]

THANK U

[@dootmcsploot4180]

At my old PAL boxing gym, we always went hard, and it made me hate sparring, you might as well put those sessions on your record cause we sparred like we were trying to win the championship

[@grahamsale8015]

At my gym there are a group of guys that go all out and I never understand why. They just joined too...I guess that explains it. THIS VIDEO IS HOW PEOPLE SHOULD SPAR!