Damien Trainor vs Arashi Fujihara: Super Prestige Fight

Damien Trainor (UK No1) vs Arashi Fujihara (Jap No1)
Pain & Glory Promotion NEC 24th April 2004
Back in 2004 I took on the Japanese No1 Arashi Fujihara. Even to this day this is the HARDEST I’ve ever been kicked. I remember coming back after the second round and telling my corner I’m not sure if my arms could take much more of these kicks. This was due to me double blocking with my arms in a Dutch kickingboxing way. Blocking like this is perfectly fine (not classed as a block under Muay Thai scoring) until you fight a prolific kicker! I had to change how I was blocking if I wanted to turn the fight around....if you watch the fight you can see at the start of the fight I was double blocking with my arms but as the fight progressed I changed to defending with my leg. Blocking in this manner actually stopped Fujuhara firing that left kick so often as he hurt himself each he kicked me. This is the classic way to defend in Muay Thai and the best way to defend a body kick. After a couple of tough early rounds I managed to turn it around and get a draw. At one point I actually thought he was going to break my arms.

[@behqo7658]

Awesome fight! Its soo much harder for me to check body kicks with my shin. A split-second difference in my reaction time means either im eating the kick, or it hits my knee which is not fun for anyone involved 😀

[@Philo68]

The sound of those shins against arms - Tough Guy Central to come through that. I think I’d need an 8 count taking these guys on the pads!

[@ziggymorris8760]

Philo68 he idolized Dekkers and Dekkers would take a ton of punishment if he had to to get an open shot. But yeah, Damien was mentally strong.

[@markdavies389]

Great fight.👊👊

[@round_table_158]

Great! Great! All that i can think of is the word, Great!

[@Columba82]

Those kick from the japanes guy... Lord geeezzz

[@Trainor103]

Columba82 it’s the hardest I’ve ever been kicked 😂

[@Columba82]

@@Trainor103 I can imagine that. Even i felt those kicks geeezzz hahahaha

[@somebody7270]

Good fight.

[@ziggymorris8760]

Those high kicks were starting to hurt, you could see at 1:55

[@ziggymorris8760]

I wish you were in NYC(well not now with the virus lol) I would definitely sign up.

[@RVJornales]

I think I would dislocate my shoulder attempting an overhand elbow. 😂

[@MiketheMadness]

I’m guessing it was hard to utilise your boxing since your arms were so brutalised

[@patricknewcombe3407]

8:19 8:31