Real clinch work in MMA

Jared Traveler

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I absolutely loved watching this fight. Definitely real high level clinch work.



This article breaks it down very well.

There is so much to clinching in Muay Thai that I did not previously understand, and I'm only beginning to understand it.

I think most people who train it in the US don't understand it. Especially the transitional aspects. I wonder if it will begin to be a bigger factor than it is now in MMA, especially if more Thais get involved in the sport.
 
As detailed as her clinch work is, some of it is also very basic. In other words by basic, I mean taught at a beginner level. Yet something as simple as a turn and knee is not as commonly seen as you think it would be.
 
I absolutely loved watching this fight. Definitely real high level clinch work.



This article breaks it down very well.

There is so much to clinching in Muay Thai that I did not previously understand, and I'm only beginning to understand it.

I think most people who train it in the US don't understand it. Especially the transitional aspects. I wonder if it will begin to be a bigger factor than it is now in MMA, especially if more Thais get involved in the sport.

Tiger muaythai is a very common training ground for some top mma fighters.

Roger Huerta Alexander Volkanovski Rafael Fiziev Cyrus Washington Dan Hooker Loma Lookboonmee Dave Leduc Kai Kara-France Valentina Shevchenko Brad Riddell Shannon Wiratchai Mairbek Taisumov Anissa Meksen

So yeah. You will probably see more of it.
 
Tiger muaythai is a very common training ground for some top mma fighters.

Roger Huerta Alexander Volkanovski Rafael Fiziev Cyrus Washington Dan Hooker Loma Lookboonmee Dave Leduc Kai Kara-France Valentina Shevchenko Brad Riddell Shannon Wiratchai Mairbek Taisumov Anissa Meksen

So yeah. You will probably see more of it.
I have been to Tiger Muay Thai, definitely some tough guys training there.
 
During a clinch, your opponent's knee strike is a good opportunity to take him down. In your clip I see a foot sweep at 3.27.

Do you think the take down should be done much earlier?

Knee strikes done correctly, should involve stepping your ground leg outside your opponents frame, to make it much more difficult for them to sweep you, while you throw the knee. Also pulling down to freeze their feet in place.
 
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Yet another amazing display. What a great blend of takedown defense and clinching! Also a beautiful display of classical methods taught in Muay Thai on how to free your leg if your kick is grabbed.

 
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