From someone like myself who spends his life training in Muay Thai it makes me wonder why these commentators constantly refer to any clinch as the Muay Thai Clinch. Like it is the only move we have. What about our low(leg) kicks. And our elbows in the clinch.
Damn I hope someone can bring Mauy Thai to the forefront and be on the level or even close to that of MMA. We need some more recognition.
US ESPN needs to jump on The Contender Asia. Muay Thai fighters are some of the most well conditioned athletes in combat sports. Very rarely will you see a pro fighter who competes in Muay Thai out of shape.
I think they call it that because there is a difference between a wrestling clinch and a boxing clinch & the MT clinch. They don't call it the Muay thai leg kick because what else would they call it.
"that's a boxer's axe kick and a wresler's right hand."
^Agree, there are so many variations to the clinch. It is an art in itself. I really don't know why more MMA fighters don't utilize the clinch with elbows or ka-tooks(spelling to emphasize pronunciation).
I don't live in Asia. I live in NJ. But I have been keeping an eye out on youtube for some videos.
The only thing any commentators know about is BJJ. Maybe a bit of wrestling. That's it. You never hear the correct names or analysis of pretty much any other aspect of fighting.
TTT Amen to that. Muay Thai is so under utilized in these fights. And maybe if the Joe Rogan spent as much time training Thai as he does talking about BJJ he wouldnt sound so foolish.
Last night, I heard Mauro call a Greco over/under clinch a "Muay Thai clinch"... and before I could even say anything, my girl pat my on the shoulder and said, "I know, sweetie... that's not a Thai clinch".