Kickboxing with some elbows and a little bit of clinch

[Nightshade]

 

I don’t dislike Gabriel Varga, he seems like a fine dude but here Varga claims to have beaten Mauy Thai fighters in their own sport because, well, he knows the rules are a little different but some elbows and a little bit of clinch wouldn’t, in his opinion, have changed the outcome much.  Start reading through the comments and you’ll see a common thread.  That being a total lack of any focus besides damage and KO.  If anyone else is curious about the Mauy Thai in West, you are competing in an entirely different sport.  You’re kickboxing with elbows and the tiniest sprinkle of clinch. So for anyone looking to do entertainment Mauy Thai that’s what your opponents will be trying to do at all costs disregarding jungwat (I hope I spelled that correctly trying to sound cool and say balance) , Ruup, basically anything that doesn’t directly involve a strike that does damage.  the more damage the higher the score.  So you might as well swing away because nothing else matters.  It’s low key kinda gross.   

let me know if I’m off here but according to what I’m learning about Mauy Thai this video kind of hit me wrong.  

: /      
 

 

[actixTim]

I think the main reason why it is hard to beat thaiboxers in thailand, is usually start very young with training and competition. And they train more and harder. And even young boys fight for money to help their families, so the motivation is very high.

 

[SHELL28]

I think traditional Muay Thai is suffering everywhere, but I understand what you’re saying. 
I’m from Australia and some fighters here have beautiful Muay but they have lived in Thailand for quite some time. 
I think western mentality can be the issue, and watching too much crappy entertainment Muay Thai.. also not having gambling. 

but some “farang” are really inspiring too. 
 

But it’s true, some Muay Thai events here in Australia can be difficult to watch, thank the gods for The internet 

[Nightshade]

On 2/15/2022 at 5:11 PM, actixTim said:

I think the main reason why it is hard to beat thaiboxers in thailand, is usually start very young with training and competition. And they train more and harder. And even young boys fight for money to help their families, so the motivation is very high.

 

I don’t dispute that that’s a factor regarding skills gaps in farang vs Thai matchups.  But that’s not my point.  My point is that Farang do not understand the meta regarding traditional Muay Thai.  Thus they tend not to win those fights.  Basically all Farang for the vast majority understand a simple equation that win=damage>damage.  It’s an extremely oversimplified paradigm that really completely fails to capture what Muay Thai traditionally has been.  Westerners basically treat Muay Thai like it’s MMA with limits on throws and no ground work.  Thus their version of “Muay Thai” truly is kickboxing with a little bit of clinch and some elbows.  

[Nightshade]

To add to this, if we consider the intention and rule set of kickboxing, I’m failing to understand the point of the sport.  If you’re only looking to see a last man standing type scenario…why put arbitrary restrictions on throws and ground game?  It’s no secret that historically the striker vs wrester scenario ends with the wrestler getting the striker down and beating them up on the floor.  So in a sense I understand MMA’s premise and intention but kickboxing seems like MMA with extra steps.  Why bother?  As for Muay Thai in the west I think much more effort is needed in preserving the intention and spirit of the sport otherwise we end up with yet another pointless incarnation of MMA.  But hey what the heck do I know?