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How to Block Kicks in Muay Thai

Muay Thai, Striking /

Kicks are one of the most powerful and frequently used weapons in Muay Thai, making proper kick blocking an essential defensive skill. From low kicks that wear down movement to body and head kicks that can decide a fight, knowing how to block effectively protects the body, preserves balance, and creates counter-attacking opportunities. This article breaks down the fundamentals of blocking kicks in Muay Thai, common mistakes to avoid, and practical ways to train kick defense so it becomes second nature in sparring and competition.

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Muay Thai Guard Styles: Explained

Muay Thai Guard Styles: Explained

Muay Thai /

In Muay Thai, the guard is not just a defensive habit, it is a constant conversation between you and your opponent. Where you place your hands affects how you see strikes coming, how you control distance, and how confidently you can step into offense. Some guards emphasize safety and structure, while others prioritize vision and control, but all of them exist to solve the same problem: staying balanced and aware in a fight that never truly pauses. Understanding these guard styles gives you options, and in Muay Thai, options are what keep you standing.

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UFC 324 Results

UFC 324 Results: Justin Gaethje Wins Interim Lightweight Title

MMA, News /

UFC 324 took place on January 24, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, headlined by an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. Gaethje earned a unanimous decision after five rounds to claim the interim belt, while Sean O’Malley, Waldo Cortes-Acosta, and Natalia Silva also picked up key wins on the main card. The event featured multiple finishes across the prelims and set the tone for the UFC’s 2026 schedule.

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best bjj gi for competition

Best BJJ Gi for Competition: Essential Gear Guide

BJJ, Gis /

If you’re competing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, your gi matters more than most people realize.

The right comp gi can make grip fighting harder for your opponent, improve mobility during scrambles, and keep you comfortable under tournament pace all the while still staying fully IBJJF legal.

We wrote this guide and broke down the best BJJ gis for competition based on real training and testing, including premium picks, budget-friendly options, and what to look for if you want a gi that gives you a legal edge on match day.

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How to Improve Your Roundhouse Kick

How to Improve Your Roundhouse Kick

Combat Sports Training, Striking /

The roundhouse kick is one of the most effective strikes in any striking art, but only when it’s built on sound mechanics. Power doesn’t come from forcing the leg through the target—it comes from the ground, the hips, and the way the body moves as one unit. Without balance, rotation, and control, even a hard kick becomes unreliable. This article breaks down the roundhouse kick step by step, focusing on stance, hip engagement, clean contact, and recovery, so the technique holds up under pressure, not just on pads.

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BJJ Gi Guide: How to Choose the Right BJJ Gi

BJJ, Gis /

Most people buy the wrong BJJ gi not because they’re lazy, but because no one explains why certain gis feel better, last longer, or pass competition checks while others don’t.

We put together a complete guide breaking down how to choose the right BJJ gi based on fit, weave, weight, durability, climate, and real training experience. Plus, the gis on our list have all been personally tested and scored.

If you’re buying your first gi or adding some to your rotation, this guide will save you money, frustration, and bad purchases.

Read the full guide on Grapplers Graveyard

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balance in striking

Why Balance Matters More Than Speed in Striking

Combat Sports Training, MMA, News /

Speed may look impressive in striking, but it is balance that determines real effectiveness. Without proper balance, fast punches and kicks lose power, accuracy, and control, often leaving a striker vulnerable to counters. Balanced movement allows fighters to generate force from the ground, recover quickly after attacks, and maintain strong defense. By prioritizing balance over speed in training, strikers build a more reliable, efficient, and sustainable skill set that performs under pressure.

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Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev Turns Down UFC 324 Title Fight

MMA, News /

Islam Makhachev, the UFC welterweight champion, has turned down an offer to defend his title at UFC 324 in January 2026. After winning the belt at UFC 322, Makhachev said the quick turnaround didn’t give him enough time to prepare. The card’s main event will now feature an interim lightweight title fight, while Makhachev plans to return for his first title defence in spring 2026 against a top contender.

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BJJ competition rules

How to Get a DQ in BJJ Competitions (And How to Avoid It)

BJJ, Rules and Scoring /

Getting disqualified in a BJJ competition is one of the easiest ways to lose a match without actually being outperformed. Most DQs happen because athletes ignore the rules, lose control, or assume a technique is legal when it is not. Understanding what causes a disqualification helps competitors stay safe, follow the rules, and keep their chances of winning alive.

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trap x jitsu bjj rash guard review

Trap x Jitsu BJJ Rash Guard Review

BJJ, Rash Guards /

New Review Just Dropped: Trap X Jitsu Rash Guards

I tested out the latest rash guards from Trap X Jitsu, and honestly — these things impressed me. Comfortable, breathable, durable, and the best designs I’ve seen from any brand in a long time. If you’re looking to upgrade your no-gi lineup, this breakdown will help you decide if they’re worth adding to your rotation.

Read the full review here

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Tony Ferguson

Tony Ferguson Defeats Warren Spencer Unanimously

Boxing, News /

Tony Ferguson continued his late-career resurgence on Saturday night in Dubai, defeating Warren Spencer by unanimous decision at Misfits Boxing 23. The former UFC interim lightweight champion controlled the fight from start to finish, scoring a key knockdown in the second round and outworking Spencer over five rounds to capture the vacant Misfits Middleweight Championship. The win marks Ferguson’s second straight victory in the promotion and another positive moment after a difficult final stretch in the UFC.

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why bjj is humbling

This Is Why BJJ Humbles Everyone

BJJ /

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has a quiet way of humbling people. It does not shout or embarrass. It simply places you in positions where strength fails, ego disappears, and patience becomes your only option. On the mats, excuses do not survive contact with reality. Every mistake is answered immediately, and every improvement must be earned. Over time, you stop trying to prove who you are and start learning who you need to become.

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merab vs yan

The ‘Dvalishvili’ Puzzle Solved: A Detailed Technical Dive

MMA, News /

Everyone has been talking about how intense the fight between Merab and Yan was at UFC 323, but how did Petr Yan finally weather the storm that the likes of elite fighters for instance, Umar Nurmagomedov, Sean O’Malley and Cory Sandhagen couldn’t. Petr Yan himself lost to Merab Dvalishvili back on their first meetup which

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