Machine Gun
The life story of Ronnie "Machine Gun" Green - British, European and World Muay Thai Champion. From Moss Side to Ratchadamnern. In his own words.
Part I: Before the Ring
Before martial arts, Ronnie was an aspiring dancer. One of his biggest influences was the Godfather of Soul - James Brown. He formed a dance group called"Original Set" with friends, choreographing and performing at local shows. They won dance competitions and even performed at the Embassy Club owned by comedian Bernard Manning.
Ronnie started Judo in 1972, aged 12 or 13, with instructors Dave Glevely, John Best and Mike Ford. John Best and Mike Ford also taught Shotokan Karate.
"I always remember that first meeting because John Best was the first man I'd met with a strong Barbadian accent. I was standing with my mates and he walked up to us and just started talking. We were like, who is this guy? It was only when I went to the Youth Club because I wanted to do Judo and he came out and did an excellent demonstration - I understood why he was the way he was. He would let his hair down with the kids, laugh and play, but he was also a disciplinarian. He had a good balance as a person."
- Ronnie Green
Ronnie and his older brother Derek Brown used to train in the back garden, practicing dance routines and fighting techniques. Then Bruce Lee burst onto UK screens in the 70s. The first time Ronnie saw Bruce Lee was on World of Sport, hosted by Dickie Davis on ITV.
Then came the stunning news of Bruce's death. The West only had Bruce Lee for a short time. It was after his death and the release of Enter the Dragon that Bruce really became the star he is. Ronnie's attraction to Bruce Lee was not just the awesome skill - it was that Bruce used his strength to stick up for the underdog. The Japanese oppression of the Chinese people in Fist of Fury. Young Ronnie could relate to this growing up in Manchester in the 60s and 70s.
"He was raised with strong Christian values heavily influenced by his Mum - how to treat people well, courtesy, respect for one another. To him martial arts taught the same values: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, respect. It had the same structure as his household."
His good friend Brian Seabright was practicing a new sport called Full-Contact Karate, popular in the USA and growing in Europe. Ronnie also met Lance Lewis. They were trained by the late Danny Connors, who ran Oriental World - the focal point for martial artists in Manchester. Connors was instrumental in UK martial arts history, bringing teachers like Bruce Kumar Frantzis, Joe Lewis, Bill Wallace to Manchester, and promoting the early Muay Thai masters.
Part II: The Thai Masters
The first Thai Master Ronnie met was Master Kriangsak Sirisambhand.
"The first thing I noticed was his greeting - a really big smile and a welcome that was strange for the time! It just felt right. To think anyone could walk into a martial arts gym and this would be the greeting you get. This is the humility I got from the Thai Master. I was humbled, instantly. A warm smile - this was what drew me to it!"
- Ronnie Green
There were 5 Masters who came over during the 70s and they were really skilled. They were doing demonstrations up and down the country - fantastic and yet so humble. Ronnie began training with Master Toddy in 1978. Up to this point he had been training in Judo, Shotokan and Kung Fu. He really helped stimulate a buzz in the club and brought in Keith "Pele" Nathan and others who went on to become champions.
Darron, Jason Latto, Rick Manners (Rick's Gym), Ronnie Green and Grandmaster Woody - the first Thai Master. IAMTF shield on the table. The beginning of everything.
On Master Toddy
"What is there to say about Grand Master Toddy? The infamous Grandmaster from the film Fight Girls. Films and Master Toddy are no strangers to each other. I watched the Masters from Manchester do demonstrations of Tae Kwon Do and Muay Thai up and down the country. Toddy walked on glass and broke concrete slabs with his head, kicked boards with his shins, blindfolded, jumping and shouting, kicking apples off swords. Toddy could do it all, and with a great big smile. He made you feel welcome like a friend. When he talked to 100 or 1000 spectators, we all felt that he was only talking to one of us."
- Ronnie Green
"As a student I saw the way so clearly. Back then, to train under Toddy, in my mind I could only get to the top. By watching and doing how he did it, I learnt the art of fighting the Thai Way. He has a great ability to pass his techniques on to the students. Toddy's list of previous world champions has proved this. Toddy can speak to 1000 people and it's like he is only speaking to you. And yet all of us in his class were doing so well, not just me."
- Ronnie Green
Ronnie's own words: "I knew it was an art. Like dancing, I knew it was right for me."
Black & White to Full Colour - 50 Years of Truth
Old vs New. Juxtaposition over 50 years. Black and white to full colour. Photos show truths. Here is the original Ronnie Green - in the ring, flowers around his neck, arm raised, victorious. No filters. No edits. Just the truth captured on film.
Ronnie Green Victorious - The Original
This is the real Ronnie. Black and white. Flowers around his neck. Arm raised to the crowd. His Thai corner man beside him, applauding. The crowd behind. No Hollywood. No cracked mirror. Just a young man from Manchester who walked into a Thai gym and became a world champion. This photograph is decades old. It tells the truth without a single word.
The Full Gallery - Machine Gun vs Thai Fighters
The High Kick
Ronnie in Master Toddy's shorts launching a devastating high kick. His Thai opponent bracing. The Western referee frozen. Thai advertising banners. The packed venue with high windows. This is what 5 World Titles looks like.
Lifted in Victory
Ronnie's arm raised. His Thai corner man lifting him, beaming with joy. Two men from different worlds celebrating together. The martial way.
The Thai Warrior Goes Down
Mongkhon headband still on. Kneeling on the canvas. Gloves up. A Thai fighter put down by Machine Gun. Respect in every pixel.
The Exchange
Both fighters kicking simultaneously. Same referee. Same arena. Photographer at ringside capturing history as it happens.
Absorb and Counter
The Thai kicks. Ronnie absorbs. A press photographer ringside with his camera aimed. Every angle covered. Every moment real.
Under the Spotlight
Low angle. Single spotlight blazing above. Ronnie in the centre facing his Thai opponent. The referee stepping between them. "Thai" advertising on the canvas. This is the photograph that belongs in a gallery.
The Corner - Between Rounds
The fight is not just what happens in the centre of the ring. The corner tells the truth about what it costs. These photographs show the other side.
The Thai Corner
KGB Entertainment jackets. A young Thai fighter between rounds. The corner men working. A spectator's face under the ropes.
The Look
Ronnie's face in profile. Looking up at his corner man. Sweat. Focus. Trust. Between rounds. The truth.
The Cost
Corner man's hand on Ronnie's head. Examining. Treating. The real cost of fighting at the highest level. No Hollywood.
Nine original black and white photographs. Ronnie Green fighting Thais in the ring. Every kick, every clinch, every moment in the corner. Over 50 years old. Now preserved forever in a digital book that will never yellow, never crease, never fade. Black and white to full colour. The truth does not need filters.
Part III: Rise of a Champion
In 1979, Ronnie turned eighteen. He had only been training for one year at this new art of Muay Thai. His first competition was against a real Thai fighter from the famous Munsirain Camp called Lonkeada - a man with over 200 fights. At the time the Thais were beating all the top fighters in Europe with ease. The fight took place in Holland and Ronnie was a late stand-in.
He stopped Lonkeada in the 5th round. A combination of punches and kicks. Everyone was amazed. It was a bit like the Buster Douglas and Tyson scenario. One year of training. One year.
Following that first fight, he had four fights in Europe - all against Thais. He won them all. There had not been anyone before him, with so little experience, that had been so successful. England had no history of the art of Thai Boxing. It was brand new.
Thailand, 1983
His first visit to Thailand was in 1983. He had been invited to fight. He had to train hard. He was the only British person training in the camp.
"It brings back memories. I did not know what to expect. Would I have the cheers of the Thai crowd on my side?"
Ronnie became one of the fighters known as Nak Muay Farang - foreign boxer. He was British, and he moved into the camp on his own. While in the camp he fought in Thailand and Hong Kong. He fought Thais, Burmese, Cambodians and Chinese opponents.
A Manchester lad. The first British fighter to fight in the famous Ratchadamnern Stadium, Bangkok. For this alone he is a history maker. There was nobody before him. He had no template. All he had was himself, his skill, and the guidance of Master Toddy.
Ronnie Green and Randy Couture in Manchester. Two champions, two combat arts, one mission.
Career Highlights
Lonkeada (Thailand)
First fight. 200+ fight veteran. Ronnie had trained 1 year.
4 European bouts vs Thai fighters
Undefeated start against real Thais.
Philippe Contenessi (France)
European title. Knocked down early, recovered, floored Contenessi.
Joao Vieira (Holland) - Fight 1
First meeting in Holland.
Joao Vieira - Fight 2
Right round kick to the jaw. Clean under the bottom rope.
Joao Vieira - Fight 3
WKA World Kickboxing Title. 12 rounds. Amsterdam. First Brit to fight 12 rounds.
Sakad Petchindee (Thailand)
The Thai 'Mike Tyson'. Sakad held both Ratchadamnern AND Lumpini titles simultaneously. Named 'Mr KO'. Ronnie outfought him - awarded to Sakad.
Peter 'Sugarfoot' Cunningham
Las Vegas. Two technicians. Mirror images. A masterclass.
Samisuk, Saito, Sombat Sor Thanikul, Nong Lake Padmuntard, Gilbert Ballentine
Fought all comers across the world.
The Record
5 World Titles at 4 different weights. British, European and World Champion in Muay Thai and Kickboxing. The most successful Muay Thai, PKA and WKA champion the UK has ever produced. He fought all comers and shied away from none. He fought all the top fighters in the UK and beat them. He fought all the top fighters in Europe and beat them. He went on to fight internationally taking on Thai greats, Americans, Cambodians and French fighters. He is a pioneer. He is a legend. He is Ronnie "Machine Gun" Green. Simingdam - The Black Tiger.
Part IV: The Philosophy
"I am a former champion of Thai boxing and Kick boxing. People call me a pioneer of both, which is nice and I thank them. Secondly - it is more important to be nice than to be important."
- Ronnie Green
"As for being a master, I am happy to be able to master my fears and phobias. More important though is the fact that Muay Thai traditions and methods will help anyone become a better champion."
- Ronnie Green
"The concept of master - I know I'm somebody. I know I've achieved. I know I've actually gone to the top of the mountain and stayed at the top. The key thing is I've actually said to myself: master of what? And I realised - master of myself. I can call myself a master because I've mastered myself. It's not me mastering them. It's about me mastering myself so I can do the right thing for the situation in life."
- Ronnie Green
Ronnie's words on the difference between East and West:
"Me myself have never fought with anger. I've always seen the martial arts as a clearness in mind. Anger can't play a part. You may at times get an emotional charge but straight away with the training it's always kept me clear in what I did. What decisions I was making in sport, in the tournaments, and also actually in life. A good champion knows how to deal with their feelings."
- Ronnie Green
"In the west, yes, a lot of people motivate themselves to hurt and hit someone heavy with hate. In the east I realised - I'm not a hateful person anyway - and I would prefer to compete at a level with my mind clear. With the young people it's getting them to understand that yes, they're in a sport, a physical sport, but it's a game. It is a game. It's like a dance - be able to interpret it in the ring and you'll know when the student is good. He'll bring out the movement and not anger. He'll bring out the footwork and not anger. The art is a clear mind."
- Ronnie Green
Part V: Mad Man's Attitude
Ronnie's view on MMA, UFC, and the modern fight game. His own words:
"Don't get me wrong, I like full contact sports. I call it a game because it's about learning a skill that also can help you defend yourself. I am not beating anyone up in a competition - we both agreed to the rules. Respect your opponent and protect yourself at all times. Display your skills but never attack an opponent when they are down or injured. Get home safely."
- Ronnie Green
"Martial arts is about helping the weak become as capable as the strong. Martial arts is not really about being an athlete. The martial arts way has many forms. As time has gone on the world has become a very competitive planet, full of possibly scared but competitively dangerous people."
- Ronnie Green
"I am a sportsman first, fighter last. I believe Muay Thai is the best striking art for MMA and UFC type competitions. All great MMA fighters and legends have a first mix preference that they have studied for many years before getting into MMA. On your own in real world combat you need you. Not UFC."
- Ronnie Green
Ronnie on the Thai camps and what the West misses:
"In the Thai stadiums, most nights there will be a fight event. At least 2 to 3 fights per event will be fantastic, liberating and full of energy. We are not even talking about major championship events. It's just the game it is in Thailand. Very difficult to model."
- Ronnie Green
Part VI: Muay Boran & the Ancient Arts
"This is where you find the elephants and the mythology of Asia. A mix of Chinese and Indian and other ideas that have percolated around the east. Muay Boran is only about the art and is mainly for teaching the martial art of Thailand. The Thais have taken all the dangerous moves out of the ring because it's only a sport. Muay Boran is along the lines of traditions and moves, stories and mythology that help you become more than just a showcase fighter. It's a way of passing on the arts from Thailand."
- Ronnie Green
"A good fighter can teach warriors, not a book reader. Hence you need to explore your art if you are serious about promoting another country's art. It's the stories of the moves and the ancient culture that has always hypnotised me. That made me a winner."
- Ronnie Green
"A good teacher of Muay Thai must learn Muay Boran and its moves and the history - otherwise you are only part there. Not whole."
- Ronnie Green
Part VII: Hall of Fame
Bill "Super Foot" Wallace. The late Joe Lewis. Both famous American kickboxing Hall of Famers. But neither competed consistently against real Thai champions the way Ronnie did. Their set-ups were famous - and entertaining - but Ronnie fought the Thais on their own turf, on their own terms, and won.
Ronnie Green & Bill "Super Foot" Wallace
Two legends. Ronnie in black tie. Bill in his signature pink silk waistcoat. Kickboxing Hall of Famer meets the man who actually fought Thais. Respect.
Martial Arts Hall of Fame Awards 2011
Bill "Super Foot" Wallace, Ronnie Green, the late Joe Lewis, and UK boxing legends. Black tie. Respect in the room. The screen behind them says it all:"Martial Arts Hall of Fame Awards."
Grandmaster Sken
Darron trained many Muay Thai instructors - the best in the world, traditionally. Under Grandmaster Sken, they trained them and then passed them officially through Thailand. The Polish team was the first traditional Muay Thai Sken Thai grading in Poland. Here is the moment Raphael received his instructor diploma.
Sken Loves Us All
Grandmaster Sken in the centre of his Manchester gym. Red MSA shirts all around. The full Polish master grading class. Daz shouts "Photo for Ronnie GREEN!"and Sken smiles. He always smiles.
First Traditional Muay Thai Instructor - Poland
Grandmaster Sken honouring and grading Raphael - Darron's Polish team leader. Mongkhon headband on. MSA diploma in hand. Muay Thai instructor level authorised via Thailand. The first in Poland. History made in a gym in Manchester.
V0 Bruce Says
These are Ronnie Green's own words. Years of interviews, notes, narrations and conversations - preserved here in digital form so that no tree gets chopped down and no story gets lost.
Ronnie saw Bruce Lee on World of Sport and it changed his life. He found Master Toddy and it gave him the tools. He went to Thailand in 1983 and it proved the system works. He came home with 5 world titles and a philosophy that has nothing to do with anger and everything to do with clarity.
"It is more important to be nice than to be important." That is the whole book in one sentence. That is Ronnie Green. That is the martial way.