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Rungnarai Kiatmuu9, 25, 118lbs is one of the most fun fighters to watch in Thailand. Rungnarai is known for his style of fighting while going backwards and technical mastery.
He was the 2018 FOTY, former Lumpinee, Raja and True4u champion. Today, he is top 10 P4P.
He was the 2018 FOTY, former Lumpinee, Raja and True4u champion. Today, he is top 10 P4P.
There are multiple reasons why he fights so well backwards. His best and most obvious weapons are his teeps with impeccable timing. He uses them to disrupt his opponent's rhythm and to keep them away.
Here is a great series of teeps against Diesellek followed up by a body kick and knee. This exchange showcases all of his primary weapons. Similar to many of his Kiatmuu9 peers, Rungnarai has an incredible rear-leg kick. Sylvie Petrungruang calls the technique "the Golden Kick."
This kick consists of raising the knee mid-way on the centerline then snapping the leg out. This would be significantly harder to check because the kick slips through. His speed also helps.
Now, to the counter knee. Rungnarai usually land them just before entering the clinch, but he also does it while hand fighting with his opponent. Rungnarai's hand fighting is excellent, he uses it to stop clinchers from finding entries and boxers from getting in the pocket.
Rungnarai's timing is best demonstrated by his teeps but can also be demonstrated with trips, dumps and throws.
Rungnarai's main secondary weapon in case his opponents get him in close-range clinch are elbows while breaking away. Sometimes, when he hurt his opponents, he engages the clinch and elbows become his main offense.
Even though he doesn't do it often, he also elbows as a counter in place of the counter knees he would usually use against the ropes.
Here is a situation where he uses elbows in the close-range clinch while breaking away.
Another example of his amazing timing.
To another point, Rungnarai's balance may be one of his most important assets. He uses it incredibly well while teeping and moving backwards among other things.
Finally, to his weaknesses, Yothin's head movement is OK, not good, not bad, but he doesn't use it. He normally doesn't need to. His hand fighting is too good, his guard is incredibly tight but it was evidently clear that doesn't move away from head kicks...
...instead just taking it on his arm in his fight against Kaito.
In conclusion, Rungnarai's backwards figting style consists of teeping, fast right kicks and step in knees. His fluid guard and hand fighting prevent his opponents from getting too close and clinching up with him..
In conclusion, Rungnarai's backwards figting style consists of teeping, fast right kicks and step in knees. His fluid guard and hand fighting prevent his opponents from getting too close and clinching up with him..
...Even when his opponents get close enough to box, his guard is very tight and he rarely get hit clean. If his opponent (like Yothin) get close enough to engage a close-ranged clinch, he starts using elbows while breeaking away.
He has very little weakness in his head movement but Yothin exploited his long guard (hand fighting) by elbowing through the middle of the guard.
