Who won the first fight?

"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.

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

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!

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 !

So much character in both of their movements.

Sagat was a killer!!

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

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.

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 👍🏻

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

The skill level of these two fighters is very impressive.

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

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

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.

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!

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

Another great video! Thanks Lawrence!

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

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

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!

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

This was very informative. Thanks for this Champ.

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

Another masterclass 🔥🔥🔥

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

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

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

Thanks for the amazing video ❤

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

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.

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 🤜💥🤛

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.

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

Such a great video!

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

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.

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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.

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.

Loved this!

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.

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.

Great breakdown.

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

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

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

Awesome vid

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. 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.

Great video, ty

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

Peter beat sagat twice 😂 second fight just proved it again

That was a legendary fight!

These two are truly great. Wow

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

Awesome(Kickboxer)! 💯%

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

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

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

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

What a fight thanks for running it

This fight felt like RUSH HOURS 😂

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.....

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

This is why the Dutch get the Respect in Thailand for fighting Full Thai Rules, True Muay Thai with Elbows, Knees, Plam, Dumps and Prior to The Rainbow Sor. Prantale fight Plowing your opponent. Even though Benny The Jet, Manson Gibson, Peter Cunningham, Don Wilson were Amazing Kickboxers in their Skillset, Ruleset its hard to believe their victory percentage would be the same fighting in Thailand.To me maybe Benny The Jet would make the adjustments to be successful but its because he has a tough Full contact background. It would be hard to match Benny and Manson in weight as the Thais didnt have many big fighters Except mainly Diesel Noi, Chanpuek, Suadao, Pothai but majority of the Thai Vs Farang encounters they are always at weight disadvantage like Nokweed Devy. Too Bad Dany Bille and Sugarfoot didnt fight each other. Different eras but would have loved to see that. Just my thoughts Fellow Warriors.

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.

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

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.

Great video

Cunningham lost badly the 1st fight, he was on the ground most of the time, none the less he was an incredible fighter. The 2nd fight make me lose all respect for Cunningham and his team, the change of rules for huuuge advantage in his favor was disgusting. Sidekicks do work, but only when you are not allowed to grab and/or sweep.

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.

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

Nice footage

Very exciting fight. These guys are beasts.

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

Sagat got absolutely robbed in that 1st fight

I met Sagat at the Muay Thai Academy in North Hollywood. It was known that he couldn't really see out of his right eye, we just weren't supposed to talk about it. Sagad also had a very beautiful Wai khru ram muay that he actually won awards for

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

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

this is not muay thai fight. this is kickboxing. no, thank you

Wow 😳 those are the real goats of two different styles! The black man was fast and flashy !

Sagat was stripped of critical MuayThai techniques like elbows, catching the leg and sweeping, knees and elbows. The outcome would have been different.

Okay but what are all these epic phonk songs you had in the video. I need these on my training playlist lol