Interview with Tommy Cyborg Wallace

Tommy Wallace is a French Muay Thai fighter who delivered an awesome spinning elbow knockout recently that has gone viral online. Tommy is an explosive character and we were able to talk to him a bit about his career and life outside the ring. If you have not seen the KO of Tommy’s that has gone viral you can watch it below at the 7:35 mark.

MTA: How long have you been training Muay Thai and why did you start training? 

Tommy Wallace: First off I’m sorry for my English, it isn't perfect. I’m a French fighter, Tom Alex Wallace but people call me Cyborg. I seriously started Muay Thai in 2009, it was late for me but when I was younger my mom didn’t want me boxing because I fought every week at school. 

MTA: What is your pro record and what gym do you represent? 

Tommy Wallace: I Have 46 Fights, 33 wins, 17 Kos, and 3 Draws. I’m French champion 2009, European champ 2013. A lot of my fights were in Muay Thai or K1 but I have also fought in Chinese Boxing and American Boxing too. I represent Muay Thai at team Lions Thai, now I’m a personal trainer and I train myself at Ring Side which is F.Pinca's and M.Piscitello's Gym and I work for my own trainer's team Sport n Smile!

MTA: Your video of that amazing spinning elbow has gone viral. When you were in that moment was the spinning elbow something you practiced over and over to use in the ring or was it simply spur of the moment when you saw the opening? 

Tommy Wallace: I don’t train the spinning elbow a lot, but I saw and was able to analyze in the first round the timing for it, and that was a very good moment. 

MTA: When you started training did you plan on going pro? 

Tommy Wallace: Not at all. I liked martial arts, I thinked Muay Thai was the best but I just wanted to try, like a game but after one month of training I wanted to take a fight. 

MTA: If you could fight any fighter your next fight who would it be? 

Tommy Wallace: I think maybe all my opponents have more experience than me but I know when I’m seriously prepared I can fight everybody. I know I’m not the best but I can fight with them and may win by knock out, in my weight I’m never afraid of an opponent I just want to know if it’s an big event and how much money I am getting paid and the rest is details. 

MTA: When do you have your next fight scheduled and against who? 

Tommy Wallace: I have many fights proposed but not sure so I’m waiting for more interesting things. 

MTA: How would you describe yourself to people? 

Tommy Wallace: They don’t recognize me because in life I just like joke and I dislike violence. 

MTA: So how hard is it to go from joking to trying to hurt your opponent in the ring, is that switch difficult? 

Tommy Wallace: The switch is automatic, I know boxing is not a game and if I don’t knock out my opponent he can do it to me. 

MTA: What do you think is your biggest strength as a fighter? 

Tommy Wallace: If you talk about my advantage in fight, for sure it’s my power. I need more experience to become a very technical fighter but now I have my power and an original style of fighting. 

MTA: Is Muay Thai your full time job or do you have a day job, if so what is it? 

Tommy Wallace: I leave in France and Muay Thai can't be a full time job here, but I am also a sports coach and personal trainer 

MTA: What can fight fans expect to see from you in the future? 

Tommy Wallace: For my fans I just can say thank ya all don’t stop to share my fights from YouTube for all the world to discover me and I wish continue the Cyborg’s Story. A movie on my boxing life is in development with a lot of French stars of Muay Thai. 

MTA: Any words for your supporters? 

Tommy Wallace: Big Thanks to all my supporters, Sponsors and my family I want give the best for you, thanks to god. Big thanks to MT Authority too and don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and in real life. 

Action Pro Gear KO of the Week: Ljubo Jalovi vs. Alex Trofimov

This week's Action Pro Gear KO of the Week features Ljubo Jalovi vs. Alex Trofimov. The two met at the Tantnef Cup in 2014.Jalovi delivers an brutal knee that put Trofimov out for the count. Start your weekend off right and enjoy this KO.

Muay Thai - Left High Kick K.O. - Fight Breakdown, Penake Sitnumnoi | Evolve University

Mulitple - time Muay Thai Champion Penake Sitnumnoi from Evolve MMA, breaks down a Left High Kick K.O from Panpayak Jitmuangnon on Sam-A Gaiyanghadao. The video was taken at the Rajadamnern Stadium on 29th April 2015.

You can catch more great breakdowns from Evolve University on the Muay Ties You Tube channel. They have not only some great breakdowns but some of the best fights from Thailand.

Action Pro Gear KO of the Week: Darryl Sichtman vs. Marco Pique

This week's Action Pro Gear KO of the Week features a massive flying knee. Darryl Sichtman delivered a perfectly timed knee in the third round of his fight with Marco Pique at the Tatneft Cup in October of 2013. 

The ending was fast and explosive.Take a minute and check out this great knockout.

Muay Ties Thai Fight of the Week: Jomhod EminentAir vs. Kengkart Por. Pekko

Muay Ties will be bringing fans the new Thai Fight of the Week segment. Like our Action Pro Gear Fight of the Week segment, this will feature a great fight with the only difference being that everyone of these fights will be straight from Thailand. 

For those not familiar with Muay Ties they have one of the best Muay Thai library's available online. Make sure to follow them on You Tube to see some of the best fights from Thailand.

For the first fight we have Jomhod EminentAir vs. Kengkrat Por. Pekko. This fight is sure to get your blood pumping and your Wednesday morning off to a good start.

Muay Thai - Left High Kick K.O. Fight Breakdown | Evolve University

Here is a great video of 3x Lumpinee Champion Orono Wor. Petchpun from Evolve MMA breaking down the high kick KO of Sam-A Gaiyanghadao by Thaksinlek Kiatniwat. 

It is a magnificent KO and this is a nice breakdown of the move. Also check out the pad holder, none other than Rajdamnern and Lumpinee Stadium Champion Sagetdao Petpayathai.

Action Pro Gear KO of the Week: Saiyok Pumpanmuang vs. Chanajon PKSaenchaimuaythaigym

The Action Pro Gear KO of the Week comes from Saiyok this week. At Thai Fight: Sattahip 2014 he went toe to toe with Chanajon PKSaenchaimuaythaigym. They fought a back and forth fight into the third round before Saiyok delivered a vicious left elbow to end the fight.

Saiyok is known for his aggressive style and for looking to finish fights, enjoy this KO from him.

Action Pro Gear KO of the Week: Buakaw vs. Rustem Zaripov

In the Action Pro Gear KO of the Week we have a vicious finish by Muay Thai legend Buakaw. He took on Rustem Zaripov at Thai Fight in 2012 and as fans have become accustomed to he delivered a dominant performance. 

He battered Zaripov and in the second round finished him a flurry of strikes that sent Zaripov to the canvas for good. 

Action Pro Gear KO of the Week: Mourad Bouzidi vs. Rustemi Kreshnik

The Action Pro Gear KO of the Week comes from Mourad Bouzidi. At It's Showtime 57 in Belgium he fought Rustemi Kreshnik. As the second round was winding down he delivered a massive knee that knocked Kreshnik down. It seemed Kreshnik might recover from the knockdown, but then you saw his nose. The knee from Bouzidi completely shattered Kreshnik's nose and the fight was stopped. Watch the damage done by the knee below.

Action Pro Gear KO of the Week: Chris Bradford vs. Waytharan Sitsongpeenong

Photo by William Luu

This week's Action Pro Gear KO of the Week features a fabulous spinning elbow knockout by Chris Bradford. Fighting under the Rebellion Muay Thai promotion in Australia, Bradford knocked out Waytharan Sitsongpeenong. Check out the video below.

Top 10 Head Kick KO's

Head kick knockouts are as exciting as it gets in combat sports. We have compiled a list of our top 10 head kick knockouts. With so many great head kick knockouts it is really hard to narrow the field down to 10. Let us know which head kick knockouts you think are the best and what KO's you would include in your top 10 list. We did not include any spinning kick KO’s as we are going to have a separate list for those and for the fight to make the list video need to be available.

10: Sheldon Gaines vs. Sam Poulton at PKP: World Stand Off 4

Great timing by Gaines to deliver a brutal head kick. The KO is enhanced by the way Poulton hits the canvas.

9. Ognjen Topic vs. Paowarit Sasiprapa at Lion Fight 9

You have to give credit to Paowarit for getting up as many times as he did, but Topic was just on point with is kicks and kept delivering them until Paowarit could no longer get up.

8. Yury Bessmertny vs. Gago Drago at Thai Boxe Mania 2012

As soon as this kick connects Bessmertny knows this fight is over. He creates just enough space to deliver the brutal blow on Drago.

7. Superlek Kiatmoo9 vs. Pornsanae Sitmonchai at Rajadamnern Stadium

Pornsanae is a beast in the ring but Superlek shows that on any given day when you have two high level fighters anything can happen. This was as straight forward as it gets nothing to set this up just a head kick delivered perfectly that Pornsanae was not expecting and he paid the price.

6. Pornsanae Sitmonchai vs Saksuriya Gaiyanghadao Lumpinee Stadium

This time on the opposite end of the KO, Pornsanae and Saksuriya are going letting their hands go before Pornsanae decides to switch it up and throw a head kick that pays off big.

5. Andy Souwer vs Hideya Tanaka at No Kick, No Life 2015

A great KO by Souwer, it shows that you don’t need much space need to last a devastating head kick. 

4. Andrei Kulebin vs. Petchasawin Seatranferry at Max Muay Thai 1

Kulebing counters perfectly with his head kick and delivers a massive head kick KO.

3. Suichi Wentz vs. Romie Adanza at K-1 World Grand Prix 2012 Los Angeles

This KO by Wentz is enhanced by the way Adanza hits the floor and his leg twitches.

2. Saenchai vs. Gjilas Barache at Thai Fight

Saenchai is always s a showman and this fight shows why fans love him. A nice head kick KO with flair.

1. Artur Kyshenko vs. Vladimir Moravcik K-1 ColliZion 2009 Final Tournament

This is a great KO, just as Moravcik corners Kyshenko and it seems he might have an advantage, Kyshenko delivers a head kick to end the fight in what seems like tight quarters.

Top 10 Knockouts

Muay Thai Authority started almost three years ago with the goal of providing coverage that was lacking for the North American Muay Thai scene. In that time there have been many spectacular moments, so we have decided to do a top ten list and our first is the top ten knockouts by North American fighters since we started covering the sports of Muay Thai and Kickboxing. The criteria we followed was simple, if the fighter was based in North America, had a spectacular knockout, and the fight was in North America then he was eligible.

Video was available online for six of the ten fights, although not all of it is the best quality. To watch the video of the fights available click on the match up. Make sure to let us know what you think of these KO's or if there is any KO you think should have made the list.
 

10. Simon Marcus vs. Sadibou Sy
Simon Marcus and Sadibou Sy met on December 1, 2012 in the main event of Muay Thai in America: In Honor of the King. Everyone watching expected Marcus to come out on top and, despite Sy looking good in the first two rounds, Marcus was able to get inside in the third round and land two elbows that sent Sy to the canvas. The right-left-elbow combination was as clean as they come when it comes to landing an elbow combination.

9. Troy Sheridan vs. Deshawn Robinson
Troy Sheridan and Deshawn Robinson met in the semi-finals of the Battle of the Pros tournament in New York on September 13, 2012. Robinson started the fight off strong and seemed to have Sheridan in trouble early, but Sheridan kept calm and collected and took advantage of the right opportunity when it presented itself. Robinson got a little too confident and dropped his hands as a huge left from Sheridan came in and ended his night.
 

8. Joe Schiling vs. Brandon Banda
Joe Schilling promised that Brandon Banda would not make it out of the first round when they met August 20, 2011 at Lion Fight Promotions “Battle in the Desert 3” and he kept his word. After a brief feeling out process, Schilling began to find his range. Around the midway point of the first round, Schilling got inside and connected with a knee to the chin of Banda that put his lights out for good.
 

7. Ky Hollenbeck vs. Cyrus Washington
Ky Hollenbeck and Cyrus Washington fought on April 28, 2012 in San Francisco, CA for Legends, a San Franicisco based event. It didn’t take long for Hollenbeck to come out on top, as he applied the pressure early in the bout. After about a minute of action Hollenbeck connected with a spinning back fist that floored Washington and left him down face first on the canvas.
 

6. Romie Adanza vs. Thanit “Boom” Whattanaya
Romie Adanza and Thanit “Boom” Whattanaya met under the WCK Muay Thai banner on May 28, 2011 in Pala, CA. After two action packed back and forth rounds, Adanza was able to find the opening he needed to end the fight in the third round. Adanza started the third round with a flurry, but Whattanaya was more than willing to fire back. In the middle of a wild exchange, a left knee from Adanza clipped Whattanaya leaving him out cold.
 

5. Baxter Humby vs. Dominik Zidov (98 minutes into video)
Baxter Humby and Dominik Zidov met at the MPL’s inaugural event in Long Beach, CA on September 2, 2011. It took Humby less than two minutes to finish Zidov with a spinning back kick to the body that earned him a spot on ESPN’s top ten plays off the week.

 

4. Sheldon Gaines vs. Sam Poulton

Sheldon Gaines and Sam Poulton met in the final fight of Push Kick Promotions “World Stand Off” on March 2, 2013. Despite being the last fight of the night, those who stayed were treated to one hell of a knockout. After cutting Poulton early in the first round, Gaines then finished the fight in under a minute after a monstrous head kick sent Poulton crashing to the canvas.

3. Joseph Valtellini vs. Shawn Yarborough
Joseph Valtellini and Shawn Yarborough met in New York on March 9, 2012 under the Friday Night Fights banner. Yarborough was coming into the fight never having been stopped before. Valtellini would be the first to change that. After having knocked Yarborough down with a stiff right hand early in the first round, Valtellini cornered Yarborough and and landed a left hook that Yarborough out on his feet. Valtellini followed up with a vicious right uppercut to seal the deal and put Yarborough out for good.  

2. Joey Pagliuso vs. Karlos Aldama
Joey Pagliuso and Karlos Adlama fought on May 16, 2013 at M-One “Reborn”. After a brief feeling out process, Pagliuso cornered Aldama and dropped with him some punches less than a minute into the first round. After the referee allowed the fight to continue, Pagliuso pounced on the wounded Aldama and connected with a vicious right hand that sent Aldama crashing out of the ropes and into unconsciousness. It was actually a scary scene afterwards, as Aldama had to be taken out on a stretcher, but ultimately was okay.

1. Eddie Walker vs. Joe Schilling
Eddie Walker's come from behind knockout of Joe Schilling takes the number one spot on our list. Coming into the bout on October 13, 2012 at Lion Fight 7 Eddie walker was mostly unknown to most of the Muay Thai and Kickboxing community outside of his home state of Georgia. Add the fact that Joe Schilling stated in a prefight interview that Eddie Walker was not ready to fight him and that he would not make it out of the first round, and you had all the makings of a Cinderella story. It seemed like things were going to go Schilling’s way early on, knocking Walker down with and elbow in both the first and second round, but Walker calmly got back to his feet each time to beat the referees count. Late in the second round, as Schilling tried to turn the pressure up, he backed Walker into the ropes. Walker avoided a punch from Schilling as he lunged forward and countered with a crisp and short right hand that shut out the lights of Schilling, as he crashed to the Canvas. Walker quickly cemented his name as one of North America’s heavy hitters.

Video: Jose Palacios talks KO win over Joey Pagliuso