Fight Preview: Jo Miyahara vs Elad Suman

It’s Karate vs Muay Thai 

In 1964, Mas Oyama sent 3 Kyokushin Black Belts to fight 3 Nak Muay, they won 2 out 3. Fastfoward to 2024, at KC45, Karate Combat likewise sent 3 Karatekas and they again won 2 out of 3.

60 years later on November 14th, Kickback 3 in Bangkok,Thailand, we will finally witness this classic matchup of Kyokushin Karate vs Muay Thai in the Pit when Jo Miyahara fights Elad Suman. 

Before you go vote your $KARATE Tokens, let’s delve deeper into these impressive fighters.

Jo Miyahara - Kyokushin Karate

Jo Miyahara is the ultimate representative of the “World’s Strongest Karate” style Kyokushin. In addition to being a 2x World Medalist, he has trained with Kyokushin Karate Legends like: Peter Aerts, Judd Reid, and more. Outside of Karate Combat fights, he continues to compete in Kyokushin and Kudo tournaments. Proving his dedication to being the best in his style of Karate.

Jo Miyahara has very good kicks and has improved his Tsuki Waza (Boxing) immensely, which will only benefit him in the Karate Combat Pit. Even with all his training and experience, his greatest attribute is his heart and fighting spirit. Miyahara will move forward like a terminator, never backing down, even if his opponent lands impressive shots on him, he will keep on, with zero expression on his face. 

He showcased this brilliantly in his last fight against former Top 5 Welterweight Jorge Perez where Miyahara overcame a lot of adversity, including needing to fight without his Coach in his corner. In the fight he got dropped in the first round, survived, made it to the sudden victory round, and secured the unanimous decision victory.

In this fight Jo Miyahara not only showed the Fighting Spirit that Japanese Fighters are known for. But this was also an important step on his journey of pursuing Kyokushin Karate’s “Ultimate Truth” of 心技体 [Shin (Mind), Gi (Technique), Tai (Body)].

Elad Suman - Muay Thai

Elad Suman is a seasoned Muay Thai veteran with over 70 Professional fights and 100 Amateur Matches. His fighting style is a mix of a Muay Dtae (Kick) and a Muay Khao (Knee) Stylist. 

At range he has good footwork and will often taunt his opponent before blasting them with his powerful round kicks. He has good Boxing and throws it in a very traditional Muay Thai style (short but powerful punching combinations). He will often use this to set up the clinch and knee strike his opponent. Likewise, when pressured he often clinches with his opponents to throw knees, dump them, break and throw an elbow, or negate their offense to have the ref break up the fight. Finally, he is very skilled with catching a kick and dumping his opponent. Combine Suman’s skills with the newly added legal elbows, Karate Combat’s unique Pit, and you have a lethal weapon. 

-

In this fight Muay Thai is putting on the Belt and Gi Pants and for the first time stepping into their adversary’s world of Professional Karate. Will the “World’s Strongest Karate” style prevail? Or will Muay Thai continue to uphold its reputation as the best striking style in the world?

Find out by Tuning into Kickback 3 in Bangkok on Thursday November 14th LIVE at 6am ET on Karate Combat’s YouTube.