Saiyok wint WMC tournament.
Saiyok heeft weer van zich laten horen.
Quote:
Saiyok’s five-year unbeaten streak continues; Jordan Watson’s streak of all-but even fights with Thai legends continues (three splits now – Buakaw, Yodsanklai Fairtex and now Saiyok).
Call it Leeds bias, England bias, northern monkey bias, Corpus Christ High School bias or whatever you like, but two people in that arena shared a look and voiced their doubts over the decision in the WMC’s Grand Prix final, and it was myself and Watson.
Regardless, the event was a complete success for the WMC, who sold the sport well to the attending Olympic Committee and are well en route to establishing Muay Thai as an official Olympic sport with worldwide recognition.
The Grand Prix;
Saiyok is a true animal. Every strike he throws is designed to cripple his opponent’s defences, he knows not the art of careful point-scoring. Every kick is hard and hurtful, elbows vicious, knees sharp and brusing. He took on Vuyisille Colossa in his semi-final, and surprisingly the size advantage was not ludicrously in favour of the big South African. Saiyok may have stepped up from a natural fighting weight of 66-69kg to 72, but he was not entirely undersized, and made up for it with his power and aggression. He sailed through the semi, suffering relatively little damage.
Jordan Watson had a tougher time of it with Ilya. The Phuket Top Team member acquitted himself well against “Quadzilla”, trading kicks with the – by consensus – vastly superior kicker in Jordan, and delivering strike for strike. Jordan looked comfortable however, and sailed through the 3x2min first fight with a points decision and, much like his final opponent, little damage sustained.
That changed thirty minutes later, when the Leeds man from Bad Company Gym and Jitti’s Gym Bangkok suffered yet another loss of teeth. Still, no shame when the fists and feet of Saiyok are the culprits.
The final was a hard-fought encounter, and five full rounds to boot. Despite the patronising nature of post-fight “do you understand Muay Thai scoring” spiel, it looked to me and everyone in the Jitti corner that Jordan was – at least – matching Saiyok scoring strike for scoring strike. Saiyok landed one neat downwards elbow to the head, thought it failed to cut the Englishman, and he landed one notable knee in the clinch. Mainly it was the liverkicks that spoke volumes – his left foot slapped against Jordan’s ribs several times to the disquiet of his corner. But Jordan seemed to land just as many kicks – the Jitti’s cheers were heard more often that those of the opposing corner… particularly when Jordan kicked Saiyok off his feet.
Perhaps I’m biased, and need to rewatch the fight. That seemed to be the patronising opinion of Saiyok’s Australian cornerman, who gave me the “do you understand Muay Thai scoring” spiel before pointing out his own credentials as a judge.
In the words of Liam Gallagher in Australia, “I don’t give a flying fuck… and I’ll tell you kids, I’d Rather Walk”.
In closing though, what a fantastic Grand Prix, a successful event and PR exercise by the World Muay Thai Council, and definitely a great step on the road to gaining Olympic recognition for Muay Thai and selling the sport well to the wider masses.
Check Fight Sport Asia tomorrow for the fight videos of:
*Jordan Watson vs. Ilya Grad – WMC 72kg Grand Prix semi-final
*Jordan Watson vs. Saiyok – WMC 72kg Grand Prix final
link
http://fightsportasia.com/2012/04/03...thout-a-crown/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1Ab7...ature=youtu.be
