JRE #616 – John Wayne Parr

by

2/23/2015







#616 – John Wayne Parr

This podcast features John Wayne Parr, a legendary Australian kickboxer and Muay Thai champion, sharing his experiences and insights on the world of combat sports. The conversation explores the differences and similarities between Muay Thai, kickboxing, and MMA, the role of culture and tradition in these fighting styles, and the challenges of achieving success in a sport that often demands extreme physical and mental dedication. Parr’s unique approach to training, his encounters with prominent figures in combat sports, and his perspective on the business of fighting are all brought to light, revealing a fascinating and often humorous look at the world of Muay Thai.

Major Topics

Here’s a breakdown of the major topics discussed in the podcast:

  1. John Wayne Parr’s Unique Fighting Style:
    1. Parr blends elements of Muay Thai and boxing, creating a distinctive hybrid style.
    2. He incorporates techniques from Ramon Deckers, a Dutch kickboxer renowned for his success in Thailand.
    3. Parr’s relentless pressure and fluid combinations make him a formidable opponent.
    4. He credits his long-term dedication to stand-up striking as the reason he hasn’t pursued MMA full-time.
  2. The Challenges of Muay Thai’s Visibility:
    1. Muay Thai struggles for mainstream recognition compared to MMA, partly due to the legacy of PKA kickboxing, which featured a less technical style.
    2. The UFC’s dominance in combat sports has limited exposure for Muay Thai fighters.
    3. Parr’s own fame increased significantly after training Georges St-Pierre, highlighting the importance of media exposure.
    4. He attributes his drive to be more famous to the admiration he holds for UFC stars like St-Pierre and Jon Jones, who have achieved significant wealth and recognition.
  3. The Importance of Clinching in Muay Thai:
    1. Clinching is a crucial aspect of Muay Thai, used for both offense and defense.
    2. In Thailand, clinching is a scoring factor, whereas in Western kickboxing rules often limit or eliminate it.
    3. Parr criticizes the removal of clinching in some kickboxing organizations, arguing that it eliminates a vital aspect of the art.
    4. He compares Westerners’ clinching to “two dogs trying to make puppies,” highlighting the inefficiency and lack of strategy often seen in Western clinch work.
  4. The Role of Culture in Muay Thai:
    1. Thai culture heavily influences the sport, with a focus on tradition, respect, and gambling.
    2. Spectators act as bookmakers, placing bets throughout the fight based on their observations.
    3. The “money injection” practice allows for last-minute bets, adding an element of high-stakes drama to fights.
    4. This heavy gambling influence shapes the tactics and strategies used in Thai fights, with fighters often pacing themselves in the early rounds.
  5. The Prevalence of Corruption in Thai Muay Thai:
    1. Match-fixing and Mafia influence are prevalent in Thailand, with fighters often pressured to throw fights for large sums of money.
    2. Parr reveals instances of fighters going missing after alleged match-fixing incidents, highlighting the dangers involved.
    3. He suggests that fighters who are highly favored to win are more likely to be targeted for bribes.
    4. The Mafia’s influence extends to the betting scene, with organized betting groups operating openly at events.
  6. Parr’s Early Days in Thailand:
    1. Parr moved to Thailand as a teenager, immersing himself in the culture and training with the best Muay Thai fighters.
    2. He describes the harsh living conditions and rigorous training schedule, including 7 hours of training per day.
    3. He highlights the unique experience of being a Westerner in a predominantly Thai environment, where he became a cultural curiosity.
    4. He credits his time in Thailand with shaping his fighting style and worldview.
  7. The Practice of “Round 6” and Harsh Training Methods:
    1. Thai trainers often utilize “Round 6,” where fighters are punished physically after losing a fight, reinforcing discipline and fear.
    2. This practice is common in Thailand and is not seen as abusive, but rather as a necessary part of training.
    3. Parr discusses the harshness of this practice, but also acknowledges its effectiveness in creating tough fighters.
    4. He highlights the economic disparities that contribute to the prevalence of this practice, as fighting offers a way out of poverty.
  8. The “White Tie” Experience:
    1. Parr’s time in Thailand gave him a unique perspective on being a Westerner in a predominantly Thai environment.
    2. He describes being treated as a cultural curiosity, attracting attention and even being asked to perform Thai songs in nightclubs.
    3. This experience gave him a sense of belonging and acceptance within Thai culture, despite the language and cultural barriers.
    4. He contrasts this experience with his return to Australia, where he felt like an outsider again.
  9. The Importance of Mentality in Combat Sports:
    1. Parr emphasizes the importance of mental toughness in combat sports, highlighting the examples of Ramon Deckers and Cain Velasquez, fighters who fought through severe injuries.
    2. He argues that while mental toughness is admirable, it can also lead to fighters pushing their bodies beyond their limits.
    3. He acknowledges the risk of long-term injuries and the difficulty of finding a balance between mental toughness and physical preservation.
    4. He discusses the emotional toll of fighting and the challenges of dealing with fame, criticism, and the pressure to perform.
  10. The Importance of Specific Training for MMA:
    1. Parr believes that MMA training camps should be meticulously designed to address the specific skills and weaknesses of an opponent.
    2. He criticizes the practice of training with random partners, arguing that it hinders the development of specific tactics and strategies.
    3. He contrasts this with boxing, where training camps are highly structured and emphasize sparring with fighters who mimic the opponent’s style.
    4. He believes that the future of MMA training will involve more personalized and specialized approaches to prepare fighters for specific opponents.
  11. The Evolution of Striking in MMA:
    1. Parr observes the evolution of striking in MMA, noting that techniques that work in Muay Thai and kickboxing often don’t translate directly to MMA due to the grappling element.
    2. He emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between striking and grappling in MMA, as fighters need to be proficient in both areas to be successful.
    3. He highlights the challenges faced by strikers transitioning to MMA, as they need to adapt their style to a different set of rules and pressures.
    4. He expresses optimism about the potential for striking to evolve in MMA, potentially reaching the level of technical sophistication seen in Muay Thai and kickboxing.
  12. Parr’s Experience Training Georges St-Pierre:
    1. Parr trained St-Pierre for his fight against Johny Hendricks, emphasizing stand-up striking techniques.
    2. He describes the intensity of their training sessions and St-Pierre’s willingness to push himself to the limit.
    3. He reveals that St-Pierre ultimately decided to use a more flashy, crowd-pleasing style in the fight, which differed from their original game plan.
    4. He believes that St-Pierre could have won the fight more easily had he stuck to the original strategy, but acknowledges the pressure to perform in a high-stakes fight.
  13. Parr’s Philosophy on Power Striking:
    1. Parr emphasizes the importance of power striking, believing that every strike should be thrown with maximum force to inflict pain and intimidation.
    2. He contrasts this with a “touch-punching” style often seen in boxing, where fighters emphasize speed and accuracy over power.
    3. He believes that power striking creates a psychological advantage, making opponents hesitant to engage in exchanges.
    4. He attributes his own success to this philosophy, which has allowed him to compete at a high level despite his age.
  14. The Impact of Tradition and Superstition in Thai Culture:
    1. Parr discusses the role of tradition and superstition in Thai Muay Thai, including the pre-fight dance and the belief in ghosts.
    2. He describes the pre-fight dance as a ritualistic process that helps fighters connect with their spiritual energy and prepare mentally for battle.
    3. He acknowledges the widespread belief in ghosts and spirits in Thailand, and the practices used to appease them.
    4. He believes that while these beliefs may be rooted in superstition, they can have a positive impact on fighters by reducing anxiety and boosting confidence.

5 Memorable Quotes

  1. “It seems like the only way to be great is to kind of like break your body trying to be great.” – Parr acknowledges the potential for long-term injuries in combat sports due to the relentless pursuit of excellence.
  2. “You don’t get famous holding pads. You don’t get famous writing cool Facebook posts.” – Parr emphasizes the importance of fighting for achieving recognition in the world of combat sports.
  3. “I wanna be like Dicker, like, the remainder respected, even after my arteries passed away.” – Parr reveals his desire to leave a lasting legacy in Muay Thai, similar to Ramon Deckers.
  4. “Every time I look into the sky and see a single star, I wish I can be remembered.” – Parr shares his deep-seated desire to be remembered for his achievements after he is gone.
  5. “It was such a good buzz to live in to live, like, one of them.” – Parr expresses the profound impact his time in Thailand had on him, allowing him to connect with the culture and feel accepted.


 

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