Real Life Sagat vs 43-0 Kickboxing King 

Who won the first fight?

Any rules in the world but no elbow no knee no clinch no holding leg. 😆

"this proves that side kicks work against muay thai" I guess they do, if the Muay Thai fighter receives a warning from the ref every single time he grabs the kick of his opponents.

Very key thing that you mentioned but completely negated as a factor was in the 2nd fight they changed the rule for this fight so Sagat could not trap the leg and sweep. That was a key tactic for him in the first fight that he was not allowed to do in the 2nd fight. Side kicks only work against a Thai boxer IF you cannot sweep. This is why this fight went the way it did.

Still love how Thai Boxers will agree to fight, regardless of how many of their tools are made illegal.

Sagat was just ridiculous, Peter Cunningham was just as ridiculous. Wish we had had more fights like this today. Perfect highlight thank you 🙏🏻❤️

I think Sagat won the first fight. Considering the rules changed in the second fight, he still did incredibly well even though he couldn't grab and sweep. He focused too much on the KO and I think it worked against him. Cunningham is beautiful to watch, such grace and flow, it looks so easy when we look at him. It's insane they went 11 rounds, those guys are monsters, I'm not sure if people realize that! Would have love to see that full muay thai rules honestly. Thanks for the video as always, great job!

The no leg grabbing is quite a big deal. Being able to catch the side kick is a big deterrent…

11 rounds of kickboxing... Sounds like hell on earth! The shape you have to be in to fight competitively is ridiculous. Salute to both of these goats. Mr kenshin thank you again for sharing. 😊😊

I love how Muay Thai fighters were fighting with less tools in their arsenal while their opponent could use all of them. Imagine how difficult it would be to fight with less. You lose your habits, have to think more to do less ! As for those fights, thank you for letting me discover Cunningham. Haven't heard of him before. I really like the way he moves in space. 1st one is Sagat clear winner at the end of fight. 2nd one was lovely to watch these two exchanging blows. Sagat was fighting from behind. Sagat's "tiger" uppercut is a pure gem to watch. He was the one that made me realised how to properly execute them. No wonder it is such iconic move in the video game !

Sagat was a killer!!

The skill level of these two fighters is very impressive.

What always bothers me about these Muay Thai vs Western kickboxing fights is that they never have a fight that uses full Muay Thai rule set. The fights always have the Thais getting major elements of their game getting taken away, so It's difficult to really judge who is really better. The first fight was close, but I think Sagat edged out Cunningham with those sweeps. Banning Sagat from catching kicks all but forced him to change up the strats, and really screwed him before the bell rang. Cunningham seems to like keeping that leg lingering up for those defensive side kicks. I think that if Sagat would have been able to catch kicks, the second fight would have went very differently. Sagat may very well may have KO'd Cunningham by the 5th if he could catch a kick, throw his stance off, and level him with a power punch.

street fighter needs to run it back and create a peter cunningham character

Another great video! Thanks Lawrence!

So much character in both of their movements.

Interesting to see these two fight. Personally I’m not a huge fan of rules which strip the main weapons from Muay Thai fighters while leaving the opponent with a full armoury. It is psychologically more difficult for Sadat and a psychological advantage for Peter. I noticed that following the leg grabbing and Peter’s tactical complaining, Sadat seemed restrained. I would’ve loved to see these fighters fight Muay Thai rules with all 8 limbs available to both 👍🏻

Just to be clear. Side kick does NOT check any Muay Thai fighters. The rules does.

Another great fight analysis. Thank you so much for these breakdowns.

Awesome job with the video. fighters in this generation need to know & learn of battle between these two GOATs. thank you

The rule changes in the second fight was the difference. It took away many of Sagat’s usual weapons. I’m not sure that we con say that side kicks work against my Thai, Cunningham was a once in a generation fighter, and just because he could do something doesn’t mean others could do the same. Both are amazing fighters. May Thai rules, Sagat wins. kickboxing rules, Cunningham wins.

I kind of feel like cunningham was just uniquely made to counter him. Two freak athletes and both were the best. Also "He'll fight anyone anywhere with any rules in the world" Except of course elbows, knees, leg grabs and sweeps which Sagat was much more used to fighting with

This was very informative. Thanks for this Champ.

This was so great. Absolutely love it! Pete and Sagat are combat sport legend

Current MMA figthers need to watch Cunningham to see how to use that quick side kick for spacing and countering of low kicks. Of course, it opens them up to getting the leg grabbed and taken down, but seems like something worthwhile to add to the arsenal. Great video!

Thanks for the amazing video ❤

Such a great video!

The second match has a set of rules that where designed to give Cunningham a huge advantage. Anyway, both are true legends.

Absolutely love these type of videos that you do...one style from one country vs another style from another country to see which one is best. Soooo look forward to your videos, love love love them !!! ❤ from Toronto, Canada

Side kick does work but most of these competitions they always taking some out of Mauy Thai in the rules. Holding is a big thing for Muay thai and clinching. But they both are amazing fighters. I love side kicks because of him and now training Muay Thai while adding some boxing in the future and other arts for different kicks. Love this channel

Amazing video, both fighters are Incredible, legendary Masters ✊🏿

Top class, Lawrence Kenshin! Thank you for bringing this outstanding matchup with considerable acumen, analysis and respect.

Thank you for showcasing Peter on your channel 🙏 Was blessed to have him in my corner and in the gym helping me on many occasions. Legendary fighter/Trainer and person 🤜💥🤛

Glad you didn't stop making videos Your content is some of the best on the net and you should never stop Just wait until you find a good topic like this one

Great breakdown.

7:58 I know this channel isn’t about the editing, lol. But DAMN SON, that was sick. Syncing the sweep with the drop was tight!

Another masterclass 🔥🔥🔥

The initial description is inaccurate. Cunningham's career record was 52-0-1. No losses; the only draw being his first fight with Sagat.

OMG I think I’ve just witnessed true greatness. Very entertaining and skillful Both of them go harder than most. Utterly Beautiful💪🏾👊🏾🥶

I didn't know Peter before this video, but man he's very fast and agile, and his control with his kicks is so good!! The way he switched between so many kicks in the 5th round is remarkable, I can't even think about doing that

Awesome vid

This is a great vid. How have I never heard of Cunningham before this vid ?

How does it prove side kicks work against Muay Thai when you aren't allowed to grab the kick?

Hate the exclusion of rules. That’s how you know Muay Thai is the striking king because they always take tools out the arsenal. K1 did an overhaul after the clinch was too effective and took it out pretty much completely.

Peter with the best non-Ali Ali shuffle of all time at 5:05, I've checked around for someone who can do it as well as Ali, even for demonstration purposes but none come as close to Peter there. Great video, but for me the highlight of the video was seeing a shuffle unrelated to the fight outcome hahaha.

Great video, ty

Loved this!

Not letting a Thai fighter catch kicks then sweep the leg is dumb. Sagat wins this fight if rules weren't put in place to buffer his skill.

with any rules, as far as he dictates them haha. amazing fighter anyways, but that was just kickboxing. not Sagat style at all .

Mahalo for posting this fight I learned tons off of just watching gonna take this into sparring come Wednesday. 🤙🏽👊🏾 #HawaiianKickboxer

Great fight w/ technical commentary makes this a classic fight. You are keeping L.K videos alive and a great torch bearer.

I would say Pete was doing some taekwondo. The jumping, bladed stance, round house kicks.

you’re an absolute legend! could you please analyze as to who really won the rodtang vs superlek or the jo nattawut vs tawanchai?

Great video

Brooo....thx for this video. These guys were legendary I'm surprised that at age 41 i never heard of these guys.

"No leg-grab rule?" So special rules to disadvantage Sagat, eh? Got it.

The rules in the second fight took away half of Sagat's arsenal.

These two are truly great. Wow

That was a legendary fight!

It's amazing how everyone wants to fight the Thai,s but not at the Muay Thai rules, bringing, knees, clinching , throws, elbows would make a big difference....any rules, anytime, when we going to see the fight according to Muay Thai rules now.

Peter Cunningham had a video game character based off him as well, they just made him Korean, he's in Tekken, named Hwarang. Apparently had his whole kit lifted from Cunningham v. Sagat 2.

This fight has some truly amazing technique in it. the form of both of these guys in incredible. such a show case of the two styles so awesome!

Thank you Lawrence for spotlighting Sugarfoot!, He is one of the American greats but don't get much of the spotlight! He would also go on to admire and recognize the muay thai kick!

Great video. Don’t think I ever heard of Cunningham before this. But funny enough my fiancé and I recently watched No Retreat,No Surrender. When watching it I was thinking this guy must’ve been an actual fighter.

Peter Cunningham’s cardio is next level. He was moving much more than Sagat and still didn’t gas before Sagat

Very exciting fight. These guys are beasts.

If possible, also do one on Coban (if you haven't already)! Probably one of the best counter-punchers in Muay Thai history. Very happy to see Sagat getting love - man is a monster.

Funny how everyone wants to fight a muay thai fighter but nobody wants to fight a muay thai fighter in muay thai and take aways half of his weapons

Awesome(Kickboxer)! 💯%

Nice footage

Loved the video! What song is playing at the start? Keep up the good work!

Peter beat sagat twice 😂 second fight just proved it again

Are you going to do anything for Buakaw vs Saenchai bare knuckle muay thai rules???? No one is talking about it and its next weekend.....

When both fighters are so good you don't even have a favorite, and is just spectacular

Nice Video! Could you make a list of music that you used?

I was there near ringside for that fight in Melbourne. The fight was set up for Cunningham to win. No holds, no knees, no elbows. Every advantage was to the style of the American. Not downplaying Pete's skill because it was fantastic but of course under those rules Pete should win. Under Thai rules Pete would be lucky to not get ko

I bet if he fought Sagat in Muay Thai rules in another fight he would have definitely got cut up

สุดยอด!!! สู้กันได้สนุกมาก

What a fight thanks for running it

They had the audacity to say any rules after limiting every muay thai rule out there. This was a kickboxing match

This fight felt like RUSH HOURS 😂

Not only did Peter Cunningham have insane kickboxing skills, he also had some serious dance moves 🕺🪩

Wow.. 11 rounds.. Amazing.. This is a GOAT Fighter...

Dee Jay obliterated Sagat with face to foot style moves. Phenom!

I think a lot more needs to be put out there for Peter Cunningham. He was really good, but not many people mention him. But I am wondering if its because it was so many years ago.

Cool post!

so much battle joy

THe second fight Peter made a great adjustment. He stopped trying to land the first attack, and instead used it as bait and was better prepared to follow it up with combos. The first fight Sagat took control be evading the opening strike and countering well.

When do we get a breakdown of Ben Askren's striking?

Both of them doubtly the most talented fighter in the world...hope there will be more like them in future...💕🇲🇾

I am 46yo and dealing with this topic for the 1st time in my life. I missed quite a thing. This is extremely fascinating.

How can you say which style is better when you take away Sagat tools.

I realy hate fights where one of the opponents isn't allowed to use half his arsenal. Knees and elbows are the main weapons in Muai Thai. Clinch, with some knee action, and holding leg is the main defense. It's like telling a BJJ fighter that crappling isn't allowed. We should put Peter Cunningham in the octagon. There he can proof his skill

Wow. How am I just learning of these guys? Especially Sagat

Wow, Pete Cunninghams kicks were something else!

Cunningham said he'd "fight anybody anywhere in the world any rules," just so long as you don't hold his leg. 🤣

Sagat got absolutely robbed in that 1st fight

Great fight

I was at the second fight, it was the big first kickboxing event I had ever seen, Bill Wallace was there to do a comedy sparring demo making Sifu Rick Spain look like a beginner. My memory of the later rounds is pretty much just Sakad chopping away with his right low kick at Cunningham's forward left shin. Everybody there knew they were seeing something very special, two fighters clearly in great condition that were a cut above in every way.

With Muay rules cunningham will be KO before 1st round....this is kickboxing rules so, One cant say he won