Rule Changes at Lumpini
May 22, 2008 by nopstar
I don’t know if you guys have heard… but a few weeks ago they made some fairly big changes to the clinching in Lumpini.
photo by Michael Soo
From what I understand, fighters can continue to grab opponents from the shoulders up. Knee’s have to be scoring knees not just slaps to the opponents thighs. Clinching the waist and “Bear Hugging” will immediately be broken up. Fighters will have 3 second to land scoring knees otherwise they will be broken up.
There was recently bedlam at Lumpini due to the new rules as one of the fights was mistakenly awarded to a fighter then taken back moments later. There has been a lot of outcry over these new rules…
I wasn’t sure what to make of it until; Rob Cox came onto the K-1 forums and laid it down. For those of you who don’t know who Rob is… I would say he’s probably one of, if not the most knowledgeable western journalist on Muay Thai. I think he’s been covering lumpini now for close to 2 decades.
He basically explained it as an attempt to wrangle Muay Thai back from the hands of the gamblers. As the popularity of Muay Thai in Thailand wanes, the only consistent audience has been the gamblers.
“There are debates and quotes about judging on webboards all the time about how the Thai way is the best etc… but the reality in Thailand for a long time has been that the judging comes down to the odds on the fight that the gamblers are putting out and they will favor the strong power clincher. Complaints all the time from people in the sport about how certain fighters will do nothing for 3 rounds then march out in the 4th and unload with a big barrage of knees and throw his opponent down once and win, even though his opponent has landed with great kicks and all round technique before hand.”
From K-1 fans forums
Rob explains that the new rules are meant to take Muay Thai back to its origins… fighters using all 8 limbs.
Thoughts? Opinions?
Hmmm I don’t know about this one. Any one who has been to Lumpini will agree that the atmosphere when there is a clinching battle between 2 close nak muays will know that it is one of the most intense and unbeleivable surroundings ever. With everyone yelling and cheering.
I know they are all just tryin 2 persuade the judges because they have bets going on but Its just an incredible feeling. Do they really want to take this atmosphere all away? To me, thats why I go and watch muaythai. However I don’t bet tho, its 2 extreme lol.
I’m not for or against until I see a lumpini fight under those rules. 3 seconds sounds short though…
you mentioned that the sport is losing popularity out there. I saw this myself when I went a few weeks ago. football is by far the most popular sport, and in particular the Manchester United. All the young thai fighters wear football jerseys. they all love to play it.
when I would go for a run around the town in my muay thai shorts, I would get thumbs up and praise from the old thai men. most other people just kinda looked at me and were basically indifferent. but the old school dudes still have muay thai love in their hearts…
It’s so sad that Muay Thai is losing popularity in Thailand, I didn’t even know… I hope it’s just a temporary dip.
As to the new rules, I’ve always loved the clinch, and I can understand the rule about breaking it up if it’s lasting too long. Some of the fights I saw at Lumpini had entire rounds occupied by one unbroken clinch. I don’t really understand why bear hugging or grabbing from the waist is immediately broken up, though. Can someone explain?
Hmm not too sure on this one. I love good clinch work, but I also don’t like entire fights spent in the clinch. I like knees to the legs too, it can really wear your opponent down. It’s also a good trick to knee the inside of their supporting leg when they knee you… gets them off balance, then you can really hurt them.
if it stops corrupt judging im all for it
Corrupt judging? Think Japan, not Thailand. 2 words. Kamada Brothers.
haha i hear that.
lorkote, yes corrupt judging quoted from the topic
“There are debates and quotes about judging on webboards all the time about how the Thai way is the best etc… but the reality in Thailand for a long time has been that the judging comes down to the odds on the fight that the gamblers are putting out and they will favor the strong power clincher. Complaints all the time from people in the sport about how certain fighters will do nothing for 3 rounds then march out in the 4th and unload with a big barrage of knees and throw his opponent down once and win, even though his opponent has landed with great kicks and all round technique before hand.”
it helps if you read the topic.
Just made the plum clinch a whole lot more dangerous to the recipient, if anything people will be looking for it more.
Hmm, wonder how thats going to work out. Gotta see it first to determine if its good or bad, and sounds a little sad that we will have less clinching.