Muay Thai Vs San Shou (sanda)

**moonwatcher** · Posted On: 6/17/2008 2:30pm

Originally Posted by Omega

*Blank look on face.......

Was there a point to you post or did you just want to chime in?

fighters aren't always representative of their style

**Anna Kovacs** · Posted On: 6/17/2008 6:29pm

Originally Posted by The Question

I have trained a lot in Muay Thai, but not san shou, though I have sparred with many san shou fighters. Muay thai awesome, but I think because of how much kicks are used, it might not be as suited for MMA as san shou. In fact, in MMA sparring, I find I can't kick as much unless the opponent really wants to bang, otherwise: bam! takedown.

I agree with Omega in that the san shou fighters generally have better hands. Possibly because the likelihood of getting taken down makes them sit lower in their stance and punch more.

This compends completely on the fighter. western muay thai especially tend to reply primarily on their hands. In thailand kicks score a lot more then punches so they're more common.

**OZZ** · Posted On: 6/17/2008 7:56pm

Originally Posted by Omega

Dropping people on their head is a very good finishing maneuver.

*

I've trained both Muay Thai and San Shou. I'm better suited to San Shou, I don't know why. After saying that though I like the fact that Muay Thai toughens their fighters up better than most San Shou fighters.

this iz an important point..:director:

**moonwatcher** · Posted On: 6/17/2008 10:20pm

san shou guys also have a lot of good kick counters

***Omega Supreme*** · Posted On: 6/17/2008 10:20pm

Originally Posted by moonwatcher

fighters aren't always representative of their style

Good point.

**tharuz** · Posted On: 6/17/2008 11:27pm

damn, I want to train in san shou and sambo so bad.....

**Sang** · Posted On: 6/18/2008 3:29am

Originally Posted by AnnaTrocity

This compends completely on the fighter. western muay thai especially tend to reply primarily on their hands. In thailand kicks score a lot more then punches so they're more common.

This is definitely the case in Australia and why a lot of our fighters have had great success against the Thai. Our training time is usually boxing > leg checks > kicking at the amateur level. Kicks are definitely important but over here there is a huge emphasis on hand skills.

**Anna Kovacs** · Posted On: 6/18/2008 3:59am

Punching is always better then kicking,it makes it easier to hit the target that hurts the worst, it expends less energy and it can be done almost twice as fast.

It's simply that asians love to see kicks so kicks are often awarded like 3 points and punches get like 1.

Over here i believe it's a 1-1 ratio on attack scoring, depending on sancitioning bodt.

**Kambei Shimada** · Posted On: 6/18/2008 4:46am

I really rate both but i prefer Sanda/Sanshou just for the quality of takedowns.

I agree with Omega though, most Thai Schools do seem to toughen up their fighters better.

**The Question** · Posted On: 6/18/2008 8:28am

Originally Posted by AnnaTrocity

Punching is always better then kicking,it makes it easier to hit the target that hurts the worst, it expends less energy and it can be done almost twice as fast.

I don't know if I would agree with that, the bit about punching being better, specifically. Kicks generate a lot more power and in Kickboxing matches they hurt a lot more because your shins aren't covered by 12 ounces of padding. If you can score a clean, hard headkick chances are you will knock your opponent out. Although I guess the same could be said for a right cross.