3 Underrated Muay Thai Elbows That Can Change Your Game

For nearly five years, Allycia Hellen Rodrigues has eradicated every challenger who’s attempted to steal her ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Title using her versatile skill set — including an array of elbows.

Next, the Brazilian mom-champ defends her gold against WBC Muay Thai World Champion Johanna Persson in the main event of ONE Fight Night 33 on Prime Video, which broadcasts live in U.S. primetime from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, July 11.

While everyone talks about Rodrigues’ brilliant elbows, she and plenty of other ONE superstars use underrated variations of the technique. Knowing them could change the way you approach your next fight or sparring session.

Sok Ngad: The Versatile Uppercut Elbow

The sok ngad is one of the most undervalued weapons in Muay Thai. This uppercut elbow works both as an aggressive offensive strike and a sneaky counter-attack, making it incredibly versatile for any situation.

What sets the sok ngad apart is its ability to slip through tight guards. When your opponent has their hands up high, protecting against horizontal elbows and punches, the sok ngad comes up from underneath to target the nose and chin. The upward trajectory makes it nearly impossible to see, especially in close-quarters exchanges.

Many fighters overlook this elbow because it doesn’t look as flashy as spinning techniques, but its effectiveness in breaking through defenses makes it invaluable for any serious fighter.

Sok Poong: The Piercing Spear Elbow

If you want to talk about precision strikes, the sok poong spear elbow deserves serious respect. This technique drives forward like a spear, targeting the nose, forehead, and collar bones with pinpoint accuracy.

The sok poong excels at creating cuts and stunning opponents because of its straight-line attack. Unlike other elbows that swing in arcs, this one thrusts directly forward, making it perfect for close-range combat where space is limited. The linear motion also makes it faster than circular strikes, giving opponents less time to react.

This elbow shines in clinch situations where fighters are too close for traditional strikes. While your opponent focuses on controlling your hands or setting up knees, the sok poong can slip through their defenses and land with fight-ending force.

Sok Chiang: The Sneaky Diagonal Elbow

The sok chiang diagonal elbow might be the most underrated technique in all of Muay Thai. Coming at a 45-degree upward angle across your body, this elbow creates a unique attack vector that most opponents never see coming.

What makes the sok chiang so effective is its unorthodox angle. Most fighters prepare for horizontal, vertical, or spinning elbows, but the diagonal trajectory catches them completely off guard. It’s particularly effective at targeting the sensitive areas around the eyes and nose, often opening cuts that can end fights.

ONE Championship fighters use the sok chiang to set up combinations or as a finishing technique when opponents are hurt. Its unique angle makes it perfect for slipping around guards and landing clean shots on targets that other strikes can’t reach.

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