Real Muay Thai

Its time for me to rant again on Muay Thai in the western world.  Muay Thai can only be called Muay Thai when full use of elbows, knees and clinch are allowed.  When these weapons are excluded the the whole game is changed.  I have heard many times that amateurs arent experienced enough to use these techniques and it is dangerous for them to compete using them.  I disagree, if a fighter isn't capable of using and defending these weapons then he shouldnt be fighting Muay Thai.  Fighters who spend their entire amateur career fighting "modified rules" have not developed the skills needed to enter pro level competition on an international "full rules level". 
One reason and probably the main reason is the lack of competant coaches. Many coaches come from a kickboxing or other martial arts background. They include leg kicks and a crude form of clinching and start offering Muay Thai classes. Some will claim they are different because they use a "Dutch Style" without really knowing what Dutch style is. 
To those that argue that the number one concern is fighter safety I say dont fight, fighting is dangerous, but we can lessen the risk by competant coaching, fair match making and elbow pads and even knee pads for amateurs. Then a fighter can develop the skills and experience that will make him a solid professional.

Yoshi Yahudah and Brian Robertson

Sit Quan Tong Muay Thai Association is proud to announce that I have have promoted Yoshi and Brian to Full Instructor ( Kru Suaan Muay).  Both have been training with me for over 10 years and are outstanding professional fighters.  They have shown themselves to be serious and dedicated students of all aspects of Muay Thai . They have proven that they are outstanding coaches.  I have all confidence that they will prove to be as great of coaches as they have been students.  Their formal Wai Kru ceremony will be held soon.

Full Rules Muay Thai Event

Blake Grice is promoting a full rules Muay Thai event March 19 in Greenville SC.  He is an excellent promoter and has well organized events.  Coaches should contact him at 864-353-7889 to have your fighters added to his data bank.

Status of Muay Thai in America

I have long hoped that Muay Thai in America would greatly improve over the many years that I have been involved, but it has been deminishing overall.  There are some very good gyms in the US as well as in my home state of Georgia and some outstanding fighters, however the number of gyms with no business teaching Muay Thai has skyrocketed.  Many are owned by karate or kickboxing coaches who include leg kicks and holding to pass for the clinch.  They have no understanding of even the basic concepts of real Muay Thai.
Promoters hold so-called Muay Thai fights that do not allow the full use of elbows or knees and very limited clinch work. They use referees and judges with no understanding of MT and are officiated by State Boxing commissions who are equally ignorant.  Gyms owners hide their lack of knowledge by over selecting matches and refuse the "dangerous parts" of MT.  Everyone who fights seems to have a championship belts many given by promoters as a reward for high ticket sales.  I wish this complaint was limited to the amateur divisions, but the professional ranks are equally guilty.  In the past the MT community was smaller and there was a respect between the gyms and fighters, but now it is becoming thugish with absolutely no class.
New people who are interested in Muay Thai should carefully research the gyms in their area to ensure that they are properly trained by qualified coaches who love and respect this Great Art.