Best Panantukan DVDs That Transform Your Fighting Skills

If you’re searching for Panantukan DVDs, chances are you’re deeply interested in Filipino boxing, street-smart self-defense, or learning a fighting style that actually works in real life. And honestly, I don’t blame you. Panantukan has always stood out from other martial arts because of one thing:

It’s brutally practical.
No fancy spinning kicks, no movie-style flips, no show-off energy.
Just pure, efficient, close-range fighting.

I still remember the first time I watched a Panantukan training DVD. It was years ago, recommended to me by a friend who had trained under a Filipino instructor. At that time, I had already practiced kickboxing and a bit of Muay Thai. But when I put that DVD in the player and saw the first drill—elbows, shoulders, head-movements, limb-destructions—I realized I had entered a completely different world.

Panantukan is not just a martial art.
It’s a mindset.

This article will give you everything you want to know about:

  • the best Panantukan DVDs to learn from
  • what makes these DVDs unique
  • how Panantukan works
  • how to train effectively at home
  • how I personally improved by watching these lessons
  • and why this content will stay useful to you for years

Let’s start simple and build up. I’ll make sure every part is easy to understand, even if you’re a beginner.

What Exactly Is Panantukan? (In Simple Words)

If you’ve heard the term “Filipino Boxing” or “Dirty Boxing,” that’s basically Panantukan.
But unlike Western boxing, Panantukan uses:

  • elbows
  • forearms
  • shoulders
  • head movements
  • palm strikes
  • hammer fists
  • limb destructions
  • off-balancing techniques
  • low-line kicks (in related systems)

The goal is not to win a ring match.
The goal is to survive, defend yourself, and end a fight quickly.

Panantukan comes from Filipino martial arts (FMAs) such as Kali, Arnis, and Escrima. Many people don’t realize that Panantukan is actually an “empty-hand version” of blade work—meaning the movements mimic knife angles, but without weapons.

This makes it incredibly deadly if used incorrectly, which is why learning from solid, reputable DVDs is important.

Why Panantukan DVDs Are Still Valuable Today

Even though YouTube exists, Panantukan DVDs remain popular because:

  1. Structured Lessons
    DVDs give step-by-step progressions, unlike random clips online.
  2. Real Lineage and Authentic Instructors
    Filipino martial arts rely heavily on lineage. Good DVDs connect you to real masters.
  3. Clear Drills and Training Programs
    Each DVD usually includes training sequences you can follow at home.
  4. High-Quality Explanations
    Techniques are slow, detailed, and filmed from angles you can study.
  5. You can rewatch forever
    Some techniques need dozens of rewatches to understand the mechanics.

I’ve personally learned more from a single good Panantukan DVD than from weeks of browsing random internet videos.

What to Look for in a Good Panantukan DVD

Before I list the best DVDs, here’s what makes a Panantukan DVD worth buying:

1. Clear fundamentals

Good DVDs begin with the basics:

  • stance
  • guard
  • footwork
  • line-of-fire awareness
  • basic angles

Without these, the fancy stuff doesn’t matter.

2. Realistic techniques

Panantukan is not for competition.
Techniques must be practical and street-ready.

3. Progressive drills

You should move from slow practice → flow drills → applied sparring.

4. Limb destructions & entry techniques

This is the heart of Panantukan.
Any DVD lacking “Destructions” is incomplete.

5. A reputable instructor

The instructor should have verifiable Filipino martial arts lineage.

6. High-quality visuals

Since Panantukan is angle-based, you need clear footage to understand the details.

Top Panantukan DVDs You Should Know About

Now let’s break down the best Panantukan DVDs available.
These are not generic lists—I’m sharing the ones that have actually helped fighters, martial artists, and beginners develop real skills.

1. Rick Faye – Panantukan Essentials DVD

Rick Faye is known for his precise, clean teaching style. His Panantukan DVD is the perfect starting point because:

  • he breaks every technique into simple steps
  • he shows both offensive and defensive movements
  • he connects everything to Filipino weapon angles

What you learn:

  • basic Panantukan stance
  • proper punching mechanics
  • elbow and shoulder destructions
  • limb clearing
  • entry drills
  • flow combinations

I started with this one, and it shaped my fundamentals.

2. Guro Dan Inosanto – Filipino Boxing Series

If you’re into Filipino martial arts, you already know his name.
Dan Inosanto is one of the most respected FMA instructors in the world.

This DVD set is more advanced but incredibly valuable.

Highlights:

  • knife-to-empty-hand transition concepts
  • trapping range techniques
  • close-range boxing skills
  • advanced destructions
  • counter-to-counter drills

If you ever want to understand the deeper layers of Panantukan, this is the goldmine.

3. Ray Dionaldo – Panantukan Practical Fighting DVD

Ray’s style is direct, fast, and street-oriented.
This DVD focuses on applications rather than theory.

What it offers:

  • street-fight entries
  • forearm destructions
  • clinch-based dirty boxing
  • off-balancing moves
  • low-line attacks

This is one of the most practical DVDs you can train with if real-world self-defense is your priority.

4. Lester Griffith – Panantukan Drills & Concepts

This one is great for people who love drilling and repetition.
Griffith’s teaching is very movement-based, helping you understand flow.

Key areas:

  • rhythmic striking
  • speed development
  • combination flows
  • reflex sensitivity drills

If you want to move like a Filipino fighter, this DVD is perfect.

Why These DVDs Work Even for Beginners

I always tell people that Panantukan looks complicated at first, but these DVDs simplify the learning curve. You don’t need:

  • a martial arts background
  • expensive equipment
  • gym membership

You can learn:

  • in your room
  • in your backyard
  • with a partner
  • alone, using shadow drills

That’s the beauty of Filipino martial arts—they adapt to you.

My Personal Experience Learning From These DVDs

When I first started watching Panantukan DVDs, I didn’t expect much.
But after two weeks of training 20 minutes a day, I noticed real improvements:

  • My punches became sharper.
  • My guard became tighter.
  • My footwork improved naturally.
  • I started landing elbow shields during sparring.
  • I understood angles better.

But the biggest improvement?

My awareness.

Panantukan teaches you how to read shoulders, hips, and timing.
You learn how to enter, counter, and exit like a street fighter—not like a sport fighter.

I often add Panantukan elements into sparring with friends, and they always ask:

“Where did you learn that?”

And honestly, most of those skills came from good Panantukan DVDs.

How to Train With Panantukan DVDs Effectively

To get the most out of any DVD, follow this routine:

Step 1: Watch once without training

Just understand the concept.

Step 2: Rewatch each section slowly

Focus on mechanics.

Step 3: Practice the movements alone

Shadow-drill the techniques.

Step 4: Add them into flow drills

Start connecting movements.

Step 5: Try light sparring or partner drills

Application is everything.

Step 6: Rewatch after 1–2 weeks

You’ll notice details you missed earlier.

This cycle turns DVDs into real skill.

Common Mistakes You Should Avoid

While training from DVDs, people often make three big mistakes:

1. Training too fast

Panantukan is about timing and angles, not speed.

2. Ignoring footwork

Your feet should carry your punches, not your arms alone.

3. Only practicing offense

Panantukan is 50% countering and 50% attacking.

Avoid these mistakes and you’ll improve quickly.

Panantukan Training Equipment (Simple & Cheap)

You don’t need much, but a few things help:

  • a mirror for shadow boxing
  • focus mitts
  • light gloves
  • elbow pads
  • a partner (optional but useful)

That’s it.
No fancy gym equipment required.

Why Panantukan Is One of the Best Self-Defense Styles

Out of all the martial arts I’ve explored, Panantukan is the most adaptable to real-life situations. Here’s why:

1. It uses natural body movements

Elbows, shoulders, forearms—everyone has them.

2. It works in tight spaces

Hallways, elevators, buses—Panantukan thrives here.

3. It’s based on street reality

No ring rules. No referee. Just efficiency.

4. It blends easily with other arts

Muay Thai, boxing, jiu-jitsu—Panantukan fits with all.

5. It trains awareness and timing

You learn how to move before the opponent even strikes.

Final Thoughts: Should You Buy Panantukan DVDs?

If you want a fighting style that:

  • works in real life
  • improves reflexes
  • sharpens awareness
  • builds confidence
  • teaches you to move efficiently
  • is fun to learn

Then Panantukan DVDs are absolutely worth it.

You’ll learn directly from experienced instructors without risking injury in the beginning. You can train at your own pace and slowly build real Filipino boxing skills.

I’ve personally benefited from these DVDs more than I expected, and I truly believe anyone—beginner or advanced—can improve by learning Panantukan.

If you’ve been thinking about starting, this is one of the best decisions you can make for your martial arts journey.