Muay Thai Clinch – A How-To Guide from the Experts

The Muay Thai clinch is one of the most unique aspects of the art of eight limbs. The clinch, sometimes called the plumb, is not found in other striking arts such as kickboxing or boxing.

This guide will offer several tips on how to effectively utilize the Muay Thai clinch, from basics to advanced techniques, as taught by the experts. Above all, one tip that must be followed throughout the entire guide: do not interlace your fingers! It feels natural, but it is a good way to have your fingers broken.

A Muay Thai clinch is when a fighter has their hands grasped behind their opponent’s head, with a grip of palm to the back of the hand, again, not interlacing fingers.

Every fighter dreams of looking like Anderson Silva or Dieselnoi, but one must learn the basic of the clinch before mastering advanced techniques. If the Muay Thai clinch is done effectively then it can lead to one’s opponent being knocked out. If the clinch is done wrong, then it will lead to you being knocked out.

Basic Positions

There are six basic Muay Thai clinch positions. Multi-time Rajdamnern and Lumpinee Stadium world champions Sagetdao Petpayathai and Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichokewill start us off with the basics. In a video with the Evolve MMA gym in Singapore, these two Muay Thai masters teach the six basic positions.

1. Double Collar Tie: Hands grasped to the back of one’s opponent’s head. Palm to the back of your hand grip. Elbows pressed to their collar bones. Keep your head to the side of theirs so that it is unreachable to strikes. You are not available to deliver knees from the position to one’s opponent’s body and head.
2. Crossface Defense: If an opponent is approaching to put a double collar tie on you, the correct defense is the place both hands on their chin and push them back.
3. Single Collar Tie: One hand is grasping the back of your opponent’s head, and the other hand is wrapped around their bicep. This can start as a defense to protect oneself, then can be followed up with an offensive attack.
4. Single Collar Tie with Overhook: One hand grasping the back of your opponent’s head, one arm wrapped all the way around your opponent’s bicep, and pull them in close.
5. Double Underhook: Step in chest to chest with your opponent, wrap your arms around them and put your head right next to them. Your shoulders and biceps should be under their armpit. Your opponents should not have any options to move.
6. Cross Lock: From the side, grasp the back of your opponent’s head with one of their arms tied in. Your head should be nearly under their arm.

See below for a visual guide of each technique:

“MUAY THAI: 6 Basic Muay Thai Clinch Positions | Evolve University … In this video, multiple-time Muay Thai World Champion and Muay Thai Legend Sagetdao Petpayathai from the Evolve Fight Team shows the 6 basic Muay Thai Clinch positions for knee and elbow strikes. A 4x Lumpinee Stadium Champion and 1x Rajdamnern Stadium Champion, Sagetdao is known as one of the best Muay Thai clinch and knee fighters of his era.”

Muay Thai Clinch Bag Drills

It can be exhausting and draining to drill clinch techniques with a partner. But one can practice Muay Thai clinch technique on the heavy bag in an effort to improve. Multi-time Muay Thai world champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao offers tips on how Nak Muays can practice the Muay Thai clinch on the heavy bag. With Evolve MMA, Sam-A teaches:

Round 1: Straight knees – 3 Minutes

• Tip 1: Grab the sides of the heavy bag at shoulder level.
• Tip 2: Stand both feet shoulder width apart and tilt your head slightly down.
• Tip 3: Push the bag while you take a step forward and pull it back while your drive your knee in.
• Tip 4: Knee the center of the bag, the abdomen area.
• Tip 5: Pull your heels close to your glutes as you knee.
• Tip 6: Raise your planted foot up onto the ball of your foot as you knee.
• Tip 7: As you knee, thrust your hip in and keep your toes pointed.
• Tip 8: Reset to your original position after each knee.
• Take a one-minute rest.

Round 2: Jumping straight knees – 3 Minutes

• Tip 1: Grad the sides of the heavy bag at shoulder level.
• Tip 2: Stand both feet shoulder width apart and tilt your head slightly down.
• Tip 3: As your push the bag, kick your kneeing leg back.
• Tip 4: As you pull the bag towards you, drive your knee forward and hop on your planted leg.
• Tip 5: As you knee, place your head to the side of the bag on the opposite side of your knee.
• Tip 6: After the knee lands, kick back your planted leg and continue the alternating motion.
• Tip 7: Land all knees on the same spot.
• Take a one-minute rest.

Round 3: Step, Turn, Straight Knee – 3 Minutes

• Tip 1: Take a diagonal step to the outside, then pull with your opposite arm to turn the bag.
• Tip 2: After turning, Push the bag as your step forward and then pull it into your knee.
• Tip 3: Knee the center of the bag, the abdomen area.
• Tip 4: Raise your planted foot onto the ball of your foot as you knee.
• Tip 5: Pull your heels close to your glutes as you knee.
• Tip 6: As you knee, thrust your hip in and keep your toes pointed.
• Tip 7: Reset to your original position after each knee.
• Take a one-minute rest

There are two more drills. One can enjoy a visual guide of all these in the video with Evolve MMA below:

“Muay Thai Clinching Bag Drills For Beginners | Sam-A Gaiyanghadao … Multiple-time Muay Thai World Champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao from the EVOLVE Fight Team demonstrates clinching bag drills for beginners!”

Striking from the inside with Nong-O

Nong-O is one of the most well-rounded Nak Muays of this generation. He is knowledgeable in the Art of Eight Limbs in every facet. Alongside Evolve MMA, Nong-O offers a detailed breakdown of how to strike from the inside clinch position. He teaches:

• Step 1: To establish the inside clinch position, ensure that your arms are inside your opponent’s elbows and control the biceps to prevent incoming elbow strikes.
• Step 2: Keep your body posture upright with your hips close to your opponent’s hips to prevent incoming knee strikes.
• Step 3: When in position and ready to strike, step back with your rear foot while pulling your opponent’s left arm toward your chest.
• Step 4: Execute a rear-slashing elbow by turning your rear foot, hips, and shoulders while targeting the opponent’s head.
• Step 5: Immediately switch stance and drive your lead knee to the opponent’s midsection and return to the original position.

See below for a visual step-by-step guide with Nong-O:

“Muay Thai | How To Strike From The Inside Clinch Position … Muay Thai World Champions Nong-O Gaiyanghadao and Penaek Sitnumnoi from the EVOLVE Fight Team demonstrate how to strike from the inside clinch position!”

Muay Thai Clinching in MMA and Muay Thai

MMA and Muay Thai has seen some absolute destructive forces of Muay Thai clinching in high levels bouts. Starting in MMA, Chute Boxe fighters Anderson Silva, Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua, and Wanderlei Silva were all powerful strikers utilizing the Muay Thai clinch.

Wanderlei Silva and Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua were feared in the PRIDE FC due to their utter destruction using the Thai clinch against skilled fighters such as Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson.

Brazil’s Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva was able to capture the UFC Middleweight World Title against Rich ‘Ace’ Franklin using the Thai clinch. The US-born Franklin was unable to escape the grasp of ‘The Spider’ and it ruined his nose.

In Muay Thai, the finest clinch fighters in history are Nak Muays such as Dieselnoi, Petchboonchu FA Group, Yothin FA Group, Yodkhunpon Sittraiphum, Superlek Kiatmuu9, Namsaknoi Yudthagarngamtorn, Yodwicha Por Boonsit, and Sylvie von Dugglas-Ittu, among many others.

More Muay Thai Clinch Guides

Here are even more step-by-step visual guides on specific Muay Tahi clinch techniques taught by the experts.

• 5 Basic Knee Strikes From The Muay Thai Clinch – LINK
• How To Throw A Spear Knee From The Clinch – LINK
• 4 Basic Sweeps From The Muay Thai Clinch – LINK
• Muay Thai Clinch Knee Bump Dump – LINK
• Muay Thai Clinch Turning Elbow – LINK
• Muay Thai Clinch Swinging Knees – LINK

Muay Thai clinching has always been a key piece in Muay Thai even prior to it being formalized with rules, gloves, and rings. Fights even during the Muay Boran days would often involve intense clinching.

To be a master Muay Thai striker, one must master how to utilize the clinch effectively and defend strikes in the clinch. We have listed numerous how-to guides so that rising fighters can start wrapping their head around the clinch. However, the best practice is to get in the gym and practice with your coach.