Panantukan

SubFamily

パナンツカン(Panantukan)

Transliteration

Translation: panantukan

Overview

The Panantukan subfamily covers Filipino boxing (also called suntukan or dirty boxing), a striking system that uses the same angles of attack from stick fighting applied with the fists, forearms, elbows, and shoulders. ^[1] Panantukan is distinguished from Western boxing by its inclusion of limb destructions (gunting — striking the opponent's incoming limb to damage it), low-line strikes (hammer fists to the thighs, elbows to the biceps), and entry techniques that break the opponent's structure before delivering finishing strikes. ^[1],[2] The system emphasises close-range fighting, trapping hands, off-balancing, and the use of every part of the arm as a weapon — from the fist to the forearm to the elbow to the shoulder. ^[2],[3]

Also known as

Filipino Boxing^[1]Suntukan^[2]Dirty Boxing — FMA^[3]

Used in

Kali Panantukan JKD

History & Origin

Panantukan evolved from the empty-hand component of Filipino martial arts, translating the angles and mechanics of stick fighting into unarmed combat. ^[1] The art gained modern popularity through Dan Inosanto's teaching and through its adoption by MMA fighters and self-defence systems that valued its aggressive, close-range striking methodology. ^[2],[3]

Effectiveness

Panantukan (Filipino boxing) emphasises eye gouges, hammer fists, elbows, and destructions (limb attacks) alongside conventional punches, making it highly effective for close-range self-defence. ^[1]

Lineage

Panantukan developed as the empty-hand striking component of FMA, influenced by both indigenous fighting and Western boxing introduced during American colonial rule. ^[1]

Competition Record

Panantukan is demonstrated at FMA events and its techniques appear in MMA competition through fighters with FMA training. ^[1]

Images

No images yet for this technique.

Biomechanical Mechanism

Primary Action — Striking, blocking, or thrusting with a long rigid weapon — the staff's length creates leverage and reach advantage

Joints Involved — Both hands (sliding and rotating grip positions), wrists (snap for strikes), hips (rotation for power)

Force Vector — The rear hand pushes while the lead hand acts as fulcrum — staff rotation generates speed at the striking tip

Weapon Mechanic — The staff can be used from either end and at any range — versatility from long-range strikes to short-range blocks

Position & Entry

From fighting stance (stick in hand) — Hold the stick in the dominant hand, establish range, execute angles of attack (numbered striking patterns)

As counter (after block) — Block the opponent's strike with the stick, counter-strike to the exposed target immediately

From double-stick position — Coordinate both sticks — one attacks while the other covers or follows up

Videos

Warrior Arts Alliance

Panantukan Beginning to Advanced

Panantukan·Warrior Arts Alliance

Beginning Basics of Filipino Panantukan plus Advanced usage for skilled fighters. Panantukan Fundamentals to survive in …

1 video

Learn This Technique

No instructional courses yet for this technique.

Ratings

Danger Rating

Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to

Very High8/10

Arnis/Escrima/Kali stick and blade techniques; designed for close-range lethality

Difficulty

Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably

Intermediate

Competition Legality

Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets

WEKAF — Legal in padded stick competition {srcHEMA — Legal in applicable weapon categories {src

Training Notes

✓Panantukan (Filipino boxing or dirty boxing) is the punching component of Filipino martial arts — characterized by limb destructions, trapping, and unorthodox angles (Inosanto, The Filipino Martial Arts, 1980)

✓Panantukan differs from Western boxing through its use of elbows, headbutts, and hammer fists — every part of the arm becomes a striking tool

✓Limb destructions (gunting) are the signature technique: using the elbow or forearm to intercept and damage the opponent's punching arm

✓Panantukan uses the same angles of attack as stick fighting — the punches follow the weapon angles, creating consistency in training

✓Trapping hands (hubud) is integrated throughout: control the opponent's arms to create openings for strikes

✓Panantukan combines with takedowns and sweeps — the complete system includes off-balancing and throwing, not just striking

✓The Filipino boxing stance is more upright than Western boxing — allowing integration with kicks, knees, and weapon transitions

Common Mistakes

!Fighting like a Western boxer — panantukan has distinct mechanics and strategies; it is not boxing with different rules

!Not using gunting (limb destructions) — without gunting, panantukan loses its primary tactical advantage

!Ignoring trapping — trapping is essential to panantukan; without it, the system becomes incomplete

!Staying at boxing range — panantukan works at trapping range, closer than standard boxing distance

!Not using elbows and forearms — these are primary weapons in panantukan, not just backup tools

!Neglecting the low line — panantukan includes low strikes and leg attacks that boxing does not

!Training panantukan in isolation from other FMA components — it should integrate with weapon work and grappling

Related Techniques

Guard Position — the ready stance from which this technique is initiated Parry — defensive blade/weapon action that counters this attack

Counter Techniques

Umbrella Block — raise the stick overhead to intercept a downward strike Cross Block — meet the incoming strike with a perpendicular block Disarm — strip the opponent's weapon through leverage on the hand or wrist

Setup Chain

1Grip and Stance — hold the weapon in the correct grip with a balanced stance

2Chamber — draw the weapon back to generate striking power

3Strike — deliver the blow along the correct angle of attack

4Recovery — return to guard position and prepare for the next action

Sources & References

Primary Source

Bubishi: The Classic Manual of Combat (Patrick McCarthy, 2008)

1BookThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)

Alias sources — [1] Filipino Martial Arts (Wiley, 1994) [2] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969) [3] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969)

2BookThe Book of Five Rings (Musashi, 1645)

Effectiveness sources — [1] Filipino Martial Arts (Wiley, 1997)

3OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention

Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities

4CitationThe Art of Fencing (Barbasetti, 1932)

Alias sources — [1] Filipino Martial Arts (Wiley, 1994) [2] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969) [3] Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts (Draeger & Smith, 1969)

5CitationThe Book of Five Rings (Musashi, 1645)

Effectiveness sources — [1] Filipino Martial Arts (Wiley, 1997)

Community

Athletics

Requires

wrist speed, hand coordination (especially double stick), cardiovascular endurance

Favours

quick hands, conditioned forearms, coordination

Key muscles

forearms, wrists, shoulders, core rotators

Sub-techniques

Standard Panantukan

Genus

Standard Panantukan encompasses the core techniques of Filipino boxing: the gunting (scissoring destruction to the opponent's attacking limb), the hubud-lubud (tie-and-untie sensitivity drill), the low hammer fist, the shoulder bump, the forearm strike, and combinations flowing between these tools using the numbered angle system. [1] Standard panantukan training follows the Filipino martial arts methodology of drilling: partner-based flow drills build reflexes, then practitioners learn to break the pattern and insert live techniques. [1,2] The system's emphasis on limb destructions — striking the bicep, forearm, or hand of the attacking limb to cause pain and dysfunction — is its most distinctive contribution to striking arts. [2,3]

Explore

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the key to executing a proper claw wedge in panantukan?

Keep your elbow pointing to the floor when wedging with the claw. This positioning allows you to generate proper power for follow-up strikes like hooks and crosses.

What's a typical panantukan combination after a successful claw wedge?

After the claw wedge, follow up with your lead hook, rear cross, and finish with an inside low kick to complete the combination.

How does the Panantukan work?

The Panantukan subfamily covers Filipino boxing (also called suntukan or dirty boxing), a striking system that uses the same angles of attack from stick fighting applied with the fists, forearms, elbows, and shoulders. Panantukan is distinguished from Western boxing by its inclusion of limb destructions (gunting — striking the opponent's incoming limb to damage it), low-line strikes (hammer fists to the thighs, elbows to the biceps), and entry techniques that break the opponent's structure before delivering finishing strikes.

Where does the Panantukan come from?

Panantukan evolved from the empty-hand component of Filipino martial arts, translating the angles and mechanics of stick fighting into unarmed combat. The art gained modern popularity through Dan Inosanto's teaching and through its adoption by MMA fighters and self-defence systems that valued its aggressive, close-range striking methodology.

Is the Panantukan legal in competition?

WEKAF: legal — Legal in padded stick competition; HEMA: legal — Legal in applicable weapon categories

How dangerous is the Panantukan?

Danger rating 8/10. Very High — Arnis/Escrima/Kali stick and blade techniques; designed for close-range lethality

How do I set up the Panantukan?

The standard setup chain: Grip and Stance → Chamber → Strike → Recovery.

How do I defend against the Panantukan?

Standard counters include: Umbrella Block — raise the stick overhead to intercept a downward strike / Cross Block — meet the incoming strike with a perpendicular block / Disarm — strip the opponent's weapon through leverage on the hand or wrist.

What are the variants of the Panantukan?

Common variants: Angle 1 (forehand diagonal) (downward diagonal strike from the dominant side); Angle 2 (backhand diagonal) (downward diagonal strike from the off side); Angle 5 (thrust) (straight thrust with the tip of the stick); Redonda (continuous) (flowing circular strikes chaining multiple angles).

How effective is the Panantukan in competition?

Panantukan is demonstrated at FMA events and its techniques appear in MMA competition through fighters with FMA training.

What are common mistakes when doing the Panantukan?

Top errors to watch for: Fighting like a Western boxer — panantukan has distinct mechanics and strategies; it is not boxing with different rules / Not using gunting (limb destructions) — without gunting, panantukan loses its primary tactical advantage / Ignoring trapping — trapping is essential to panantukan; without it, the system becomes incomplete / Staying at boxing range — panantukan works at trapping range, closer than standard boxing distance.

What are other names for the Panantukan?

The Panantukan is also known as Panantukan, Filipino Boxing, Suntukan, Dirty Boxing — FMA.

panantukan weapon filipino martial art empty hand mano mano kali jkd filipino boxing suntukan dirty boxing fma