Does the Muay Thai Clinch Work in BJJ

Does the Muay Thai Clinch Work in BJJ

Self-Defence 47 Comments

Welcome to the ring, folks! Today, we’re diving into a fascinating exploration with Icy Mike from Hard2Hurt – a question that’s tickled the minds of many a martial enthusiast: “Does the Muay Thai Clinch Work in BJJ?” You might think it’s like asking if a hammer works for screws – both tools, but made for different jobs. Yet, Mike, equipped with his passion for Muay Thai and a curiosity for grappling arts, delves into this inquiry with an adventurous spirit. In this video watched by over 50,000 martial arts aficionados, Icy Mike puts his clinch to the test in the dynamic world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His journey isn’t solo; he brings along his grappling savvy friend Eli Knight to dissect, debate, and demonstrate. They unpack the Muay Thai clinch’s effectiveness, adaptability, and how it can weave into the rich tapestry of BJJ techniques. Is it a game-changer, a handy trick, or maybe a risky gamble? They address the dreaded can opener move and paint a picture of how even in the gentle art, there are moments where one must stand firm. So, clasp your hands, necks, and maybe your beliefs about martial arts as we step into this blending of worlds. Here’s to expanding our arsenal, one clinch at a time!

Blending Disciplines: Muay Thai Clinch in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

In the evolving landscape of martial arts and self-defense, cross-training between disciplines has become not just common but essential for a well-rounded skill set. A prime example of this is the interplay between Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), two formidable martial arts that, on the surface, might seem worlds apart. However, as explored in a recent video by Hard2Hurt’s Icy Mike, the Muay Thai clinch can have a surprising and significant utility in BJJ scenarios, both competitive and in general training. **The Muay Thai Clinch: An Overview** For those unfamiliar, the Muay Thai clinch involves gripping your opponent in such a way as to control their head and posture, allowing for knee strikes, off-balancing, and control of their movement. It’s a hallmark of Muay Thai, known as the science of eight limbs, indicating the use of hands, feet, elbows, and knees for striking. This clinch is considered one of the most dominant grappling positions in stand-up fighting. **Application in BJJ: Transferring Skills** In BJJ, a discipline that emphasizes ground grappling, one might not immediately see the relevance of a stand-up grappling technique such as the Muay Thai clinch. However, Icy Mike’s exploration with Eli Knight sheds light on the adaptability of this clinch in BJJ scenarios. It emphasizes the overarching principle that controlling an opponent’s head often equates to controlling their entire body, a concept as applicable on the ground as it is standing. **Technique Adaptation and Evolution** The video delves into how the Muay Thai clinch can be modified for BJJ application, proposing novel ideas for grappling and control. The adaptation highlighted is not about forceful domination but about presenting a nuanced understanding of leverage and control, key elements in both Muay Thai and BJJ. Moreover, the clinical experiment with Eli Knight showcases how grappling techniques from different martial arts can blend, creating a hybrid form that’s more flexible and adaptable to various combat scenarios. For example, the clinch can be used not just for control but also to set up submissions or transitions to more dominant positions on the ground, bridging the gap between striking and grappling in a seamless flow. **Realistic Self-Defense Implications** From a self-defense perspective, the ability to blend techniques from different martial arts enriches a practitioner’s toolkit, providing more options for dealing with an assailant in various scenarios. The key takeaway from the video is not the superiority of one technique over another but the enhanced efficacy and versatility that come from understanding and integrating different combat arts. **Never Stop Learning** Perhaps the most vital lesson from Icy Mike’s exploration is the importance of an open mind and the continuous pursuit of knowledge in martial arts. The integration of the Muay Thai clinch into BJJ exemplifies the ongoing evolution of martial arts, where boundaries blur, and new synergies are discovered. It serves as a reminder that martial arts, in essence, is about adaptation, growth, and the relentless pursuit of excellence, no matter the discipline. In conclusion, the exploration of the Muay Thai clinch in BJJ contexts underscores a broader narrative in the world of martial arts and self-defense: the power of cross-disciplinary training. It highlights the significance of maintaining a learner’s mindset, always seeking to understand more deeply and integrate more fully, no matter how experienced one might be. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or a newcomer to the world of martial arts, the journey of learning and integration, as demonstrated by Icy Mike and Eli Knight, offers invaluable insights and inspirations for all.

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Hard2Hurt, steered by the charismatic Icy Mike, dives into the world of self-defense and martial arts with a blend of humor, practical advice, and hands-on experimentation. Mike’s critiques of martial arts myths, product reviews, and sparring sessions illuminate the effective from the ineffective. His channel serves as a valuable resource for those looking to defend themselves or simply engage with combat sports from a fresh, informative perspective.

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47 Comments

  1. Specifically in the closed guard, YES! It's called a can-opener in jiujitsu, and you use it the exact same way; pressuring with your forearms against their shoulders to perform a neck crank and force the legs open.

  2. So you know shit about grappling, you even admit that in this video, but still talking 90% of time and do not let Eli to speak. God damn it Icy! We could learn something.😆

  3. I like how you flowed from one technique and concept in conversational way, it was like two classes at once lol (which is great because from a fighting/mma perspective techniques from each style will bleed into/effects the other)
    The fact that it didn't make sense barely registered!

  4. Muay Thai Clinch AND Greco Roman Clinch work good for BJJ. Is there any discipline that soley focuses on no gi grappling control of the upperbody specifically other than Greco Roman Wrestling to the extent of Greco Roman Wrestling? I don't think so. Having the upper hand in upperbody manipulation is profound in the application of Jiujitsu.

  5. It may not be often, but I use the can opener. Usually, once I get the hand position, I worry more about the elbows to the chest to create pressure there. Then I use all wrist to slowly bring the crank on the neck. There's been a time when I had to calm someone the hell down, and I brought the pain, but that's only been once. Stack them, then drop down and crank. Definitely not a go to move. Very rare.

  6. Damn, let your guest talk man.. You ask a question and as soon as your guest opens his mouth to answer, you interrupt him. You just love to hear yourself talk…

  7. In the Thai clinch I’ve found I’m usually not able to “lock in” anyway, normally I’m pretty satisfied with mostly clenched and throwing knees or over one side and under on the other.
    Mike, do you find yourself using the lock when your tired or do you go for it early?

  8. That's good shit right there💩👍 Marines are tought to do the underhand/overhand for holds and strike set-ups aswell😉 I personally think Mike was just feeling huggy though when he made this🫂🥊😅

  9. Hi Mike hope you don't mind me messaging you, you can do your Thai clinch against the cage and turn it into a choke by putting 1 of your forearms to the side also on the ground in side mount. Do your can opener opponent opens up tries to go left or right your into side mount from there move your forearm onto his neck while keeping the Thai clinch. You can use your Thai clinch to submit people with this choke from side mount from your opponent in half guard. Gable grip forearm to the side absolutely lethal gets fast taps. I feel why learn from scratch when you can work your muay Thai skills and other skills to help each other

  10. I have been using the Thai clinch in my takedown game for the last 6 years and it is crazy how well it works, but crazier how much grapplers don’t really use it or know how to defend it (I’m talking about F2W quality opponents in the Purple and lower divisions). I love spamming the crap out of it because it fatigues them after only a few minutes

  11. 2:56
    "the most effective and efficient use for striking on the ground is to advance position" LMAO! Only if you aren't in a position to knock someone out I guess, otherwise there's no need to further advance position if you're in a position where you can knock someone out.

  12. Absolutely it can work! Most people at my gym and at other open mats usually have a hard time getting out of it or dont know how to react to it😂 it's definitely my favorite move

  13. My go to is to stand up, to break the guard, gi or no gi. Of course there are more details than simply standing up. But I think a good closed guard player should still drill and learn to deal with can-openers and similar attacks.

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