I feel better about getting back into combat knowing that people today have the benefit of role models like Gabriel. This cerebral approach to fighting resonates a lot with my style, but I never encountered it when I was younger.
fantastic breakdown. I loved what you said about how to deal with fighters who who are just very fast hitters and can move in and out by moving in on their combinations to close range with big combos. I tend to have a very stick and move style so applying strong pressure with tight defense like what you do is something i'm trying to incorporate more into my style. It was also cool to see you apply the dutch style high guard really effectively with small gloves as this isn't something i've seen applied very often
That jungle gym reference at 1:34 is spot on! Feels like one of those Ninja Warrior obstacle courses jumping in and out of the pit. Another great video Gabriel.
Thanks you for all your videos !!! I used to do Taekwondo, stopped it because of a knee injury and now i just started Muay Thai like 3 months ago and im very happy to see myself progressing, and your videos really help, me and my friend who is also coaching me a bit since he has been doing muay thai for 4 years and will have a fight soon, it's amazing that with your channel you can help complete beginners and intermediate/advanced fighters, so thank you for all the content man !
It was interesting watching this one. As soon as you dropped him the first time, you seemed to hesitate before committing to the ground and pound. From then on you were good to go. I really like that about your fight IQ Gabriel - you have the experience and presence of mind to take in what's happening and work with it.
You're the proof that being smart and using strategy, along with relentless training is basically the answer for how to become a top notch fighter. I know there are those naturally talented idiots who are quite scary, but none of them match up to a smart guy the same size. I'm really thinking it's all about the brain
I love these vids, especially because I come from a karate background and everybody I've sparred says the exact same thing: my distance control is good! I think it's one of the most underrated things about karate. You're right about that counter cross being so dangerous with good space control. You definitely controlled him a lot better in clinches and grappling - I think more karate guys need to look at the grappling movements in the forms. Great vid and great fight, congratulations on the win!
I would expect that Okinawan Karate would have had a response for every kind of attack. I guess each martial art style or school has a specific set of selling points, and they teach what people expect to learn. We have a lot of recorded data of fighters with different backgrounds and styles contending in the mixed fight promotions, and people want to learn each of the most effective techniques. No one has to adhere to only one set of rules all of the time, which should help the classrooms translate better to every situation. People who like analyzing fighting have a lot to enjoy right now.
Hi flame... I see you have a typical view of karate from an MMA point of view. I say the because there is no such concept as "distance control" in karate tradition's "Distance control" was started decades ago by MMA social media commentators... who lacking any meaningful knowledge of martial arts (other than what they viewed via social & commercial media), struggled to come up with the mobility inherent in competition kumite convention. Moreover, that kumite convention does not adequately represent karate's kumite tradition.... which is always based off of karate stances. The counter cross you mention is "so effective" against low quality practitioners whose actual grasp of karate tradition is weak to non-existent. Like the opponent here. Even under the simple kumite form represented here, with good execution, our host wouldn't have the opportunity to counter. Hope that helps. 🤗🤗
@@stanclark3992 Distance control is a concept that exists in all martial arts, it isn't some esoteric secret. You can frame it as whatever you like. Preventing someone by closing the gap by presenting threats at all ranges is a universally true concept. Fighting is one thing.
@@Priapos93 Yes, I studied Shorin-Ryu which is an Okinawan style, and there are quite a few grappling techniques there. But most American karate schools/clubs basically only practice kickboxing unfortunately. Just as historical European martial artists (HEMA) typically only practice longsword and other weapons, and not all of the wrestling in that art. For some reason, wrestling is very unpopular among many martial artists.
@@stanclark3992 Also, the only way to be truly 'uncounterable' is to not take any risks and never attack, but you must eventually attack or lose the fight. Every attack leaves an opening where one can be countered, no matter how compact and tight your defense is. The longsword master Joachim Meyer pointed this fact out over 400 years ago.
Nice control of the ground, simple things as moving the leg out of the way, knee on belly - it's a psychological devestating position to be on the receiving end of. Awesome break down, thank you, Oss!
What's really cool about this is seeing someone actually develop a working approach mid-fight. Didn't specifically train for GnP, didn't plan for it, but spontaneously built a dominant strategy around it.
I want to see you do a collab with Stephen Thompson, and I want to see how the two of you spar. Tommy is a good fighter but, I don't think he's on the same level in terms of fight experience as you. Great content and it's always an honor to learn.
Yes, this! I'd love to see a collab with Wonderboy, and sparring with him could be a great way to prepare for fighting high-level Karate-style fighters.
When I was taught kickboxing for MMA in the early 2000s we did Wing blocks and put the soft part of your forearm to your temple it works perfect for hooks to the Head although it exposes your ribs that's just something you have to anticipate
I love the breakdown, thank you for sharing your thoughts! I totally agree, I think Karate Combat is a fabulous forum and think it could get HUGE if people start catching on to it. The fights are exciting and the format/venue is really fun. I'm loving it!
With the coming of the new year, will we see work out vids again? I know you got plenty up, but it's easy content with more and more people getting into MMA as a whole and new years resolutioners looking to get fit starting the year. I often find myself looking for your vids when I'm at the bags to do some follow along and some technical stuff.
Really loved the fight, and also really like you channel. But one thing ive been wondering for a while about karate combat, which you could maybe answer (and please dont get me wrong, it's no criticism, im simply wondering). i know you trained karate in the past, but your style now is more dutch and thai influenced, isnt it? how come, that so many fighters in karate combat have more of a kickboxing style than a karate style? i think even in your case it said "Style: Shotokan Karate". I mean i really enjoy Karate Combat fights, especially because its not only karate anymore, but i wonder if the brands name is a bit misleading. hope you can tell me more about it. keep it up!
Well - this is only my opinion and take on your question. To me "style" or a brand name on any martial art is a bit misleading.... karate/TKD/ Wing Chung/Kung Fu/ Aikido, boxing and the many different designations to Jui Jitsu - such as Japanese Jui Jitsu, Brazilian Jui Jitsu etc, etc, etc The thing is mankind has been war like and doing martial (War) arts from the first time a Cave Man picked up a big 'ol club or pushed someone else down. For tens of thousands of years man has fought to the death on battlefields with bare hands, clubs, swords, arrows, spears, axe, clubs - then unfortunately guns and such. Modern martial arts for most people are more lifestyle choices for fitness, love of a sport or activity, being part of a community - some people for self defence purposes - how many people do you know that actually get in the ring and fight full contact or push themselves with the chance of real injury????? Long winded intro to my thought that all the real valid martial arts are pretty much the same in that if they are truly for personal protection then "what ever works to save your life is a valid, significant technique" - Karate Combat and martial arts is evolving as Kickboxing and MMA has done these past 25 or so years. What ever works the best is what takes over without the ego of .....this is from "MY style or from my MASTER SENSEI". I truly feel there are no techniques in Karate or other martial arts that have not been done over a very long time - no matter how you punch someone in the face it is still a punch in the face no matter what you call it. Gabriel's dad - Keith
It seems to me like planting your foot on the sloped pit wall would make defending leg kicks extremely difficult, because you can't move backwards and you can't really lift the leg that remains on the ground without falling, so that leg is basically planted to the ground. I don't think the ability to generate more power with a punch from that position would be worth the massive risk you take to having your opponent blast your leg when you have no chance of evading or checking it. I think Gabriel really needs to get his own pit wall for training, since it's so different from any other ring/cage, it really creates a lot of new possibilities, but you really need to test them out beforehand to see which are good and which are only good in theory, but not in practice.
11:20 I remember this part of the fight and it pissed me off when I saw it. I replayed it a few times and it looks to me that he head-butted you on purpose. He just charged head first and I don't see any punch or kick that he might have been trying to throw. In my opinion, he was trying to make the cut worst. I'm glad you beat him fair and square without any dirty tricks.
I disagree on it being an intentional headbutt. He was charging rather recklessly, head first, but his head didn't look to be lined up with Gabriel's until Gabriel level changed. Too me it looks like Tommy was trying to drive in aggressively for a clinch, or possibly a sloppy takedown. At that point in the fight Tommy was probably feeling the pressure and running out of space to back up, so he desperately tried to close in and smother Gabriel's strikes for a few seconds. Panic wrestling is a common reaction to feeling the pressure.
13:04 With a t-shirt on it isnt immediately obvious but damn you can be terrifying. I never realised how incredible musculare you actually are but your back and shoulders are insane. Didnt even know half those muscles existed.
That might become a thing in the future. Kinda like in MMA where whole strategies were built around getting people against the fence. The pit wall has a lot of potential. I can imagine people coming up with strategies that involve getting the opponent to back up against the edge of the pit and unbalancing them there. In terms of offense, imagine what kind of dynamic superman punch counters one could get off of the pit wall.
Kudo is already a niche martial art that a lot of people outside Japan don’t seem to train as much as other martial arts so and those that do usually only compete in kudo
Looks like cgi not the fight the audience dosnt make sense as does the background .the fight looks like the only thing that's nearly real . Weird ,but your technique always on point ,I've always taught my students in muaythai touch counter techniques, can't fight without that knowledge.
Gabriel Varga literally is allergic to posting a bad video, this series is great, I love watching these fight breakdowns
Dude he is allergic to posting a bad vid huh, lol
This channel is underrated im learning so much
Been looking forward to this! And Gabriel! You motivate me in so many ways, brother. Appreciate all your work and discipline!
My pleasure!!
@@GabrielVargaOfficial I look up to you a lot man! Thank you for making the channel and educating all of us.
I feel better about getting back into combat knowing that people today have the benefit of role models like Gabriel. This cerebral approach to fighting resonates a lot with my style, but I never encountered it when I was younger.
fantastic breakdown. I loved what you said about how to deal with fighters who who are just very fast hitters and can move in and out by moving in on their combinations to close range with big combos.
I tend to have a very stick and move style so applying strong pressure with tight defense like what you do is something i'm trying to incorporate more into my style.
It was also cool to see you apply the dutch style high guard really effectively with small gloves as this isn't something i've seen applied very often
It's so interesting how you guys at the top level strategize, Thank you for sharing
That jungle gym reference at 1:34 is spot on! Feels like one of those Ninja Warrior obstacle courses jumping in and out of the pit. Another great video Gabriel.
Thanks you for all your videos !!! I used to do Taekwondo, stopped it because of a knee injury and now i just started Muay Thai like 3 months ago and im very happy to see myself progressing, and your videos really help, me and my friend who is also coaching me a bit since he has been doing muay thai for 4 years and will have a fight soon, it's amazing that with your channel you can help complete beginners and intermediate/advanced fighters, so thank you for all the content man !
It was interesting watching this one. As soon as you dropped him the first time, you seemed to hesitate before committing to the ground and pound. From then on you were good to go. I really like that about your fight IQ Gabriel - you have the experience and presence of mind to take in what's happening and work with it.
Great to hear your success with strength training and how it augmented your already formidable skill set.
You're the proof that being smart and using strategy, along with relentless training is basically the answer for how to become a top notch fighter. I know there are those naturally talented idiots who are quite scary, but none of them match up to a smart guy the same size. I'm really thinking it's all about the brain
They should hold Karate Combat in a basketball gym where the stadium seating is highly elevated for a relatively small stage.
great job Gabriel ,new to kickboxing and your videos are a great help thanks!!
Outstanding breakdown
Thank you So much for being on the Podcast this year Mr.Varga
All this high quality fight content makes a great christmas present Gabriel, thanks a lot.
I love these vids, especially because I come from a karate background and everybody I've sparred says the exact same thing: my distance control is good!
I think it's one of the most underrated things about karate. You're right about that counter cross being so dangerous with good space control.
You definitely controlled him a lot better in clinches and grappling - I think more karate guys need to look at the grappling movements in the forms.
Great vid and great fight, congratulations on the win!
I would expect that Okinawan Karate would have had a response for every kind of attack. I guess each martial art style or school has a specific set of selling points, and they teach what people expect to learn.
We have a lot of recorded data of fighters with different backgrounds and styles contending in the mixed fight promotions, and people want to learn each of the most effective techniques. No one has to adhere to only one set of rules all of the time, which should help the classrooms translate better to every situation. People who like analyzing fighting have a lot to enjoy right now.
Hi flame... I see you have a typical view of karate from an MMA point of view. I say the because there is no such concept as "distance control" in karate tradition's
"Distance control" was started decades ago by MMA social media commentators... who lacking any meaningful knowledge of martial arts (other than what they viewed via social & commercial media), struggled to come up with the mobility inherent in competition kumite convention. Moreover, that kumite convention does not adequately represent karate's kumite tradition.... which is always based off of karate stances.
The counter cross you mention is "so effective" against low quality practitioners whose actual grasp of karate tradition is weak to non-existent. Like the opponent here. Even under the simple kumite form represented here, with good execution, our host wouldn't have the opportunity to counter.
Hope that helps. 🤗🤗
@@stanclark3992 Distance control is a concept that exists in all martial arts, it isn't some esoteric secret.
You can frame it as whatever you like. Preventing someone by closing the gap by presenting threats at all ranges is a universally true concept.
Fighting is one thing.
@@Priapos93 Yes, I studied Shorin-Ryu which is an Okinawan style, and there are quite a few grappling techniques there. But most American karate schools/clubs basically only practice kickboxing unfortunately.
Just as historical European martial artists (HEMA) typically only practice longsword and other weapons, and not all of the wrestling in that art.
For some reason, wrestling is very unpopular among many martial artists.
@@stanclark3992 Also, the only way to be truly 'uncounterable' is to not take any risks and never attack, but you must eventually attack or lose the fight. Every attack leaves an opening where one can be countered, no matter how compact and tight your defense is.
The longsword master Joachim Meyer pointed this fact out over 400 years ago.
The question mark kick was a thing of beauty.
True, although it's not very powerful.
Ty for the insight of a champion's mind and training super cool and also a good roll model for kids and even adults.
Love this channel🦾I've started training the high guard in both glove types because of your channel!
Nice control of the ground, simple things as moving the leg out of the way, knee on belly - it's a psychological devestating position to be on the receiving end of. Awesome break down, thank you, Oss!
It's awesome that gabriel mostly says we. It shows how much of a team effort it all is.
15:09 keep weightlifting, wouldn’t it help a ton?
What's really cool about this is seeing someone actually develop a working approach mid-fight. Didn't specifically train for GnP, didn't plan for it, but spontaneously built a dominant strategy around it.
I want to see you do a collab with Stephen Thompson, and I want to see how the two of you spar. Tommy is a good fighter but, I don't think he's on the same level in terms of fight experience as you. Great content and it's always an honor to learn.
Yes, this! I'd love to see a collab with Wonderboy, and sparring with him could be a great way to prepare for fighting high-level Karate-style fighters.
I really like this kind of video...lots of precious advises! thx !
I was really impressed by the strength difference. You're a beast Mr. Varga, pretty sure that man was no slouch.
When I was taught kickboxing for MMA in the early 2000s we did Wing blocks and put the soft part of your forearm to your temple it works perfect for hooks to the Head although it exposes your ribs that's just something you have to anticipate
Awesome breakdown
I love the breakdown, thank you for sharing your thoughts! I totally agree, I think Karate Combat is a fabulous forum and think it could get HUGE if people start catching on to it. The fights are exciting and the format/venue is really fun. I'm loving it!
With the coming of the new year, will we see work out vids again? I know you got plenty up, but it's easy content with more and more people getting into MMA as a whole and new years resolutioners looking to get fit starting the year. I often find myself looking for your vids when I'm at the bags to do some follow along and some technical stuff.
Really loved the fight, and also really like you channel. But one thing ive been wondering for a while about karate combat, which you could maybe answer (and please dont get me wrong, it's no criticism, im simply wondering). i know you trained karate in the past, but your style now is more dutch and thai influenced, isnt it? how come, that so many fighters in karate combat have more of a kickboxing style than a karate style? i think even in your case it said "Style: Shotokan Karate".
I mean i really enjoy Karate Combat fights, especially because its not only karate anymore, but i wonder if the brands name is a bit misleading. hope you can tell me more about it. keep it up!
Well - this is only my opinion and take on your question.
To me "style" or a brand name on any martial art is a bit misleading.... karate/TKD/ Wing Chung/Kung Fu/ Aikido, boxing and the many different designations to Jui Jitsu - such as Japanese Jui Jitsu, Brazilian Jui Jitsu etc, etc, etc
The thing is mankind has been war like and doing martial (War) arts from the first time a Cave Man picked up a big 'ol club or pushed someone else down.
For tens of thousands of years man has fought to the death on battlefields with bare hands, clubs, swords, arrows, spears, axe, clubs - then unfortunately guns and such.
Modern martial arts for most people are more lifestyle choices for fitness, love of a sport or activity, being part of a community - some people for self defence purposes - how many people do you know that actually get in the ring and fight full contact or push themselves with the chance of real injury?????
Long winded intro to my thought that all the real valid martial arts are pretty much the same in that if they are truly for personal protection then "what ever works to save your life is a valid, significant technique" - Karate Combat and martial arts is evolving as Kickboxing and MMA has done these past 25 or so years.
What ever works the best is what takes over without the ego of .....this is from "MY style or from my MASTER SENSEI".
I truly feel there are no techniques in Karate or other martial arts that have not been done over a very long time - no matter how you punch someone in the face it is still a punch in the face no matter what you call it.
Gabriel's dad - Keith
It seems to me like planting your foot on the sloped pit wall would make defending leg kicks extremely difficult, because you can't move backwards and you can't really lift the leg that remains on the ground without falling, so that leg is basically planted to the ground. I don't think the ability to generate more power with a punch from that position would be worth the massive risk you take to having your opponent blast your leg when you have no chance of evading or checking it.
I think Gabriel really needs to get his own pit wall for training, since it's so different from any other ring/cage, it really creates a lot of new possibilities, but you really need to test them out beforehand to see which are good and which are only good in theory, but not in practice.
11:20 I remember this part of the fight and it pissed me off when I saw it. I replayed it a few times and it looks to me that he head-butted you on purpose. He just charged head first and I don't see any punch or kick that he might have been trying to throw. In my opinion, he was trying to make the cut worst. I'm glad you beat him fair and square without any dirty tricks.
I disagree on it being an intentional headbutt. He was charging rather recklessly, head first, but his head didn't look to be lined up with Gabriel's until Gabriel level changed. Too me it looks like Tommy was trying to drive in aggressively for a clinch, or possibly a sloppy takedown. At that point in the fight Tommy was probably feeling the pressure and running out of space to back up, so he desperately tried to close in and smother Gabriel's strikes for a few seconds. Panic wrestling is a common reaction to feeling the pressure.
Another big chunk of jewels dropped to this very world
13:04 With a t-shirt on it isnt immediately obvious but damn you can be terrifying. I never realised how incredible musculare you actually are but your back and shoulders are insane. Didnt even know half those muscles existed.
I'll make a video showing my shoulder workouts.
I have some mean ones.
$karate to the moon 🥋🚀🌕
Slick and effective, very reminiscent of Israel Adesanya's striking, and pleasure to watch!
One leg on the pit is not a good occasion to chop the inside of the other leg?
VARGA must mean "world's tightest guard" in any language, for sure.
waiting for somebody to get a knockout pushing off the pit. seems like everybody is still trying to figure out the possibilities
That might become a thing in the future. Kinda like in MMA where whole strategies were built around getting people against the fence. The pit wall has a lot of potential. I can imagine people coming up with strategies that involve getting the opponent to back up against the edge of the pit and unbalancing them there. In terms of offense, imagine what kind of dynamic superman punch counters one could get off of the pit wall.
You would think it would make head kicks easier if you have the highground on the ramp but the balance might be tough
hey Gabriel what you think about making noise while exhale in fithing sports?
I'm wondering why there aren't more Daido Juku Kudo guys doing karate combat
Kudo is already a niche martial art that a lot of people outside Japan don’t seem to train as much as other martial arts so and those that do usually only compete in kudo
Hey Gabriel,
Why in Karate Kombat, noone uses jab, it seems like jabs doesnt work there? Is it because of distance?
Off topic, but I see you in the near future making an appearance in the Joe Rogan show. Matter of time! 😁
I believe did that second head but intentionally. It looks so obvious imo.
🥊
Looks like cgi not the fight the audience dosnt make sense as does the background .the fight looks like the only thing that's nearly real . Weird ,but your technique always on point ,I've always taught my students in muaythai touch counter techniques, can't fight without that knowledge.
I surprised Gabriel still uses an iPhone 8 :)
We have crappy mobile plans in Canada.
Getting a lot of content out of one fight. Not a bad thing. You learn a lot from every single fight... why shouldn't we?
My brother is really milking this
Cobra kai is cringe, blooodsport where it’s at
What a great fighter you are Gabe. And always a class act
13:00
That left hook🥵💦