LUTA World Round-up 1/2

We thought it would be a good idea to give you regular updates of what our LUTA Ambassadors, team and friends are getting up to – so based on the LUTA World section of the website and our facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/lutaclothing) - here is the first LUTA World Round-up. Make sure you check in next week for part 2!

London

European Muay Thai Champion and LUTA Ambassador Daniel Sam fought in a 4 man winner takes all K1 tournament in Luton on September 4th. In the final he dominated an experienced fighter from Azerbaijan (knocking him out in the 1st round) to take the title. His next bout is scheduled for November 19th in Romania. Check out the video here:

• Some of the young athletes at Fight for Peace academy in London are also due to fight soon. Their Muay Thai bouts will take place on October the 16th in Scala – Kings Cross (London). This follows on from an excellent performance earlier this month in Shoreditch during an interclub competition. Everyone at LUTA wishes them the best of luck.

Young Fighters from FFP with their coach LUTA Ambassador Daniel Sam

Rio de Janeiro

Fight for Peace International (the charity with whom LUTA shares 50% of its profits) released news of an event it’s young athletes participated in. www.fightforpeace.net reported: 

"On August 27th, Bento Ribeiro Dantas – Fight for Peace satellite project and area within Complexo da Maré, hosted its first boxing and martial arts championship.  The event was organised in partnership with the local Residents Association.  Several young members from both the satellite project and academy headquarters competed against competitors from clubs across Rio de Janeiro.  Five different boxing and wrestling matches took place.

Fight for Peace athletes successfully won four out of the five boxing matches and two out of the five wrestling matches.  The event was not only an opportunity for the young people to practice their technical and tactical abilities but also acted as a social opportunity, bringing people together from across Complexo da Maré – one of the aims of the Maré United project."

Milton Keynes

LUTA Ambassador Ebe Ghansah recently hosted a string of outstanding seminars by some of the world’s leading fighters including World BJJ Champion Braulio Estima. This was the last seminar that Braulio agreed to do before his recent win over BJJ icon Jacare in an ADCC superfight. Another surprise instructor was none other than LUTA’s Ambassador Manager Fergus Dullaghan who conducted a judo for BJJ seminar at the Gracie Barra Milton Keyenes Academy. 

BJJ World Champion Braulio Estima and Welsh Judo International (LUTA Fight Ambassador Manager) Fergus Dullaghan 

both recently gave seminars at Gracie Barra Milton Keynes

LUTA Ambassador Daniel Sam ran an outstanding Muay Thai Masterclass on Sunday 10th July in the Fight For Peace Academy, London.  In his exclusive seminar Daniel took the participants through a challenging warm up-and some very interesting kicking and punching drills before looking in some depth at Muay Thai pad-work.

The atmosphere was very friendly with the advanced strikers assisting those less experienced. Personally, I learned a lot too as Daniel dragged me out from behind the safety of the camera and got me joining in.  It turns out that my jab drops slightly and the angle of my shin blocks were off…all now painlessly corrected – at least in theory.

Just when I thought I was good to escape Daniel wanted me up for the pads for me instead – the drills were fantastic but totally exhausting. 

As a surprise for us, a team including Star, Richard, and Rohat provided a demonstration of Muay Boran, the ancient form of Thai boxing, which was developed for the battlefield and whose techniques are far too dangerous for competition.  This was outstanding; extremely athletic and well put together, with flying techniques among the repertoire. It really went to show the depth to Muay Thai as an art.

I also got a fantastic interview with Daniel on his S&C secrets for Muay Thai, which will be in the next edition of Fighting Fit magazine. Don’t miss it ;)

Big congratulations to Daniel Sam for his victory last night at Team Tieu's Super Muay Thai Championships in Kings X London. Daniel, the current British and European Super Heavyweight Champion and LUTA Ambassador stopped Greek challenger Thanasis Michaloudis in the third round with power punches and kicks to the body. I think we can expect great things from Daniel in the future, whether he stays with Muay Thai and K1 or looks further afield to the world of heavyweight boxing. I've done his pads a few times and can only be thankful I've never been a heavyweight who has to spar with him, he hits like he looks, hard!

Put it in your diaries! the next LUTA Masterclass will be Muay Thai with…

British, European and Ringmaster Champion: Daniel Sam

LUTA are proud to announce the July Masterclass. This month we have shifted our attention to the explosive art of Muay Thai and we have brought in one of Europe’s leading competitors and instructors Daniel Sam. Daniel, who is an instructor at the Fight for Peace academy in North Woolwich and who fights out of the Muay Thai masters academy in Tottenham will be leading participants through a range of techniques and tactics from this exciting discipline.

Demand is expected to be high so register now for your exclusive free tickets! (see below)

& Don’t forget the LUTA shop will be open at the seminar so make sure you come by to say hi to the team!

NEW: EXCLUSIVE 10% DISCOUNT ON ALL LUTA PRODUCTS FOR PARTICIPANTS & SPECTATORS.

Details

The seminar will be divided into two parts.

Part one will be an introduction to Muay Thai and assumes no prior knowledge of the art. This class will be perfect for those new to martial arts and who want to try something new. But it will also be perfect for grapplers with limited sticking experience who want to pick up the key Muay Thai skills needed for MMA. The same is true for boxers, karateka or others who want to expand their existing knowledge of striking.

Part two is geared towards those who are already experienced in full contact striking, either from MMA, Kickboxing, K1 or other full-contact disciplines. It will focus on Muay Thai’s finer points and advanced skills.

Participation is strictly limited to those holding VIP tickets (details below!). Spectators are welcome to watch the event for free, though spaces may be limited. 

Cost: Free (VIP ticket holders)

Timetable

Date: July 10th 2011

Part I: Introduction to Muay Thai    14:00 – 15:15
(participants from part one are welcome to stay to watch part two)

14:00 LUTA Shop Opens
15:15 LUTA Discount Vouchers handed out to participants!!!

Part II: Advanced Muay Thai skills   15:15 – 17:00 

Location

Fight for Peace Academy
Woodman Street
North Woolwich
London
England
E16 2LS

Get exclusive free tickets!

All those wishing to participate must register here or alternatively contact seminars@luta.co.uk to participate. Please provide your name, experience level, the seminar you wish to attend & your phone number (this is simply so we can contact you should there be any unforeseen change to the program. We will not spam you with marketing materials!).

There are limited places available and VIP tickets will be issued on a first come first serve basis…(so hurry!)

For Media enquiries contact: f.dullaghan@luta.co.uk

ESPN features LUTA Ambassador Daniel Sam to give a brief insight into the combat sport of muay thai. Super-Heavyweight six foot seven British, European Ringmasters Muay Thai Champion Daniel Sam was filmed at the LUTA launch demonstrating stand-up striking and kicking which are used when fighting muay thai.

Click here to see the video

Whilst sparring with partner Vaz, Sam trained in the LUTA speed tech-training vest. To see the vest click here