Muay Thai in New York was under fire earlier in the year when some of the west coast fighters stated that it isn’t real Muay Thai out in New York because the lack of elbows. Since then several fighters that have primarily fought in New York have gone out west to fight and have shown they can use the full arsenal of techniques allowed. With New Jersey allowing full rules earlier in the year, it seemed that would be where everyone in the Northern East Coast of the United States would have to showcase their full set of tools. With full rules now in New York it really changes the Muay Thai scene in North America, below are the responses from several of North America’s top fighters and coaches.
Chaz Mulkey: I think its good for the sport that they are finally fighting under real Muay Thai rules....I still have the same opinion as I did last year on the talent level out there. I think there's a huge gap between the top fighters out there and the top fighters out here. There are a couple of stand outs from that area (Ognjen Topic, and Justin Greskiewicz) but I've watched some of the other guys and I just don't believe they're ready to compete on an international level yet. I know most of those guys are gonna get butt hurt about me saying that, but if you watch a show that's a New York promotion and then watch a show that's a Lion Fight or Stand Up Promotion you can't honestly tell me the talent level is the same. I am happy for them that they are fighting full rules now and wish them the best.
Romie Adanza: That's cool. I'd love to go and fight out there.
Stephen Richards: Well this is great news to the New York fans. Justin is a great promoter for bringing this forward along with Mr. Crenshaw. I believe that this is a good thing if you are sticking to the traditions of Muay Thai. It changes the game.
Joseph Valtellini: I think this is another great step in the evolution of Muay Thai in North America, especially for New York and Friday Night Fights. This is a huge win for both athletes and fans as athletes have the ability to fully showcase their game and fans have an opportunity to enjoy the excitement that full rules Muay Thai brings to the table. I know for myself I'm excited to be able to showcase another aspect of my game and am looking forward to my next opportunity to do so!
Rudi Ott: I'm glad to hear that NY will be allowing full rules Muay Thai. NY has a great Muay Thai scene so it is fitting that they made the changes to maintain the sports authenticity. NY has an educated fan base and I think it will only grow with this move. I love NYC and enjoy bringing fighters to shows out there, this just makes it that much more enjoyable. Good for Muay Thai in the US all the way around!
Ky Hollenbeck: I think it's awesome. Spreading the art is the end game, and NYC allowing it only increased the depth of the USA pool of talent. I would like to see the true Muay Thai rules be implemented everywhere in the US.
Josh Palmer: It's a good thing, I don't believe it’s really Muay Thai without elbows; the clinch for example is a far less dangerous place without them. For amateur and up and coming fighters though, it can be good to get ring experience, without getting their face rearranged! I understand though, that many promoters have to work with what the state and governing bodies allow, but with the new ruling, it will be beneficial to everyone to have the choice- to hold full Thai rules and modified according to their experience and preference.
Jay Matias: I'm actually very happy full rules have been incorporated to the Muay Thai scene in New York. I don't have to travel to New Jersey lol. It's definitely a come up for east coast Muay Thai fighters. Needless to say no one can say anything or make excuses as far as not using elbows. The sport is growing and the time is now. All I'm saying is I can't wait to get in the ring
Michael Corley: It's great news. Most of the major promotions are now fighting under the same rules across the US. Hopefully this will create more match ups between fighters from different regions.
Bryce Krause: I think it's good full rules have been allowed in New York. Muay Thai is meant to be fought with elbows. They have a good fight scene out there from what I can tell via the Internet and now they won’t be held back. It also offers up fight possibilities where as before someone might not of wanted to fight out in New York due to not being full rules.
Rami Ibrahim: Finally, Muay Thai can now be seen to its full potential in New York, the home state for Muay Thai events on the east coast. Hearing this news, brings joy not only to me, but to the east coast fighters and fans, and anyone else who cares about Muay Thai in America. With Justin Blair's Friday Night Fights being the first to hold a full rules Muay Thai event in New York, it brings back memories of how my first fight with no gear was at his first Friday Night Fights Muay Thai event in 1999. So for me to still be fighting and see this happen, it puts a huge smile on my face. Even though the people behind making this happen might not be talked about much or given the proper respect, I, Rami Ibrahim, want to thank you for holding Muay Thai events for this long in America and making this historic change. It's truly appreciated!
Justin Greskiewicz: Full rules fights being held in New York is a good thing. However, I don't think it's as big of a thing as it seems to be made out to be. Even without elbows, there have been good Thai-style fights on cards in NYC. Conversely, I've seen plenty of full-rules fights that are anything but Thai-style. It just supports the movement to connect the east and west coast circuits without the separation of different rules. Overall, it's a good thing. Just isn't nearly as big news as everyone thinks. I'm excited about it. I've fought full rules and modified rules on both coasts. It's gonna be good to see west coast guys fight out here finally.
Kru Bryan Popejoy: This is tremendous news. Getting full rules Muay Thai approved in New York will greatly increase exposure for the art, and create untold opportunities for fighters throughout the country. This is very exciting.
Chike Lindsay: Excellent news I believe the rules in New York is one of the biggest reasons the west coast is so much more on top of their game (not just in the caliber of the fighters, but also in the quality of the promotions). However with elbows in the picture MMA in NY is sure to soon follow. While I'm fairly sure the 5 points cards won’t stray too much, I'm not sure how many other promotions will hop on the MMA bandwagon at the expense of letting the number of Muay Thai match ups drop a little. Even though that is a possibility I don't think its a huge concern and largely I think this will be positive change.
Kru Paul Minhas: This is great News! Full Muay Thai Rules means more cuts but now finally we will be able to apply our elbow techniques in competition as well as in our gyms. Great opportunity to learn more. Congrats to Ben Case and Alex Berrios for being the first ones to pioneer this in NYC. Big Thanks to Justin Blair at FNF for working with WKA to make this happen.
Kru Walter Michalowski: Very excited about NY and the rest of the USA starting to come alive in regards to true Muay Thai fighting!!! Better late than never! Now lets put USA on the map!!! YES!!!
Aziz Nabih: Honestly I have been waiting for this to happen years ago, but it's never too late! Obviously Muay Thai is growing and that's what we have been trying to do, now that they allow it, it makes it so much better for everyone, coaches, fighters and fans. Now east coast fighters cannot be pointed at like they aren't good fighters lol This was the real reason, the law did not allow them.
Ognjen Topic: The east coast has been finalized! It all began earlier this year with the first full rules Muay Thai event in Lincroft, NJ. And now NJ is passing on the torch to NY with their first full rules event on January 20th. The reputation of American Muay Thai is about to change, every corner of the continent is allowing full rules right now. This means that the quality of fighting will become better and better quality fighters will emerge. I am extremely happy that I can be a part of this scene and I am hoping that this will entice the promoters to bring in fighters from Thailand."
Caine Gayle: It's great to see full rules Muaythai in NY, it's about time. I think full rules MT should be everywhere all across the US. If an 8yr old child can fight in Thailand with elbows than anyone in the world should be able too.
Brett Hlavacek: Christmas came early!!!! Its amazing news to hear that New York State has been sanctioned full rules Muay Thai. New York has always been a leader in promoting and pushing Muay Thai forward into the spotlight but to hear that it has progressed into allowing full rules Muay Thai is amazing. I think people should give credit to Justin Blair from Church Street Boxing and Brian Crenshaw from the WKA for pushing this forward and making this possible for us. It’s going to open new doors for Northeast fighters to showcase their talent and properly represent our sport. I'm really happy to know NYC can finally compete in their home town, in front of their fans and really give them everything they've got.
Kru Ray Cole: I feel that the state of NY finally having the privilege of presenting Muay Thai in its purest form is a testament to all the hard work and dedication of the fighters, trainers and promoters of our sport. It's been something that we've been waiting for, for a long time, all who work with Justin Blair and FNF. FNF has been such a prominent force in the promotion of Muay Thai on the East coast and with its growing strength; we've finally been blessed with this opportunity. With that being said, you gotta give it up to all the fighters who've stuck it out this long, fighting modified rules, being deprived of one of the strongest offensive elements of the game. I think everyone can expect the dynamics of the fights in NYC to change dramatically now. When we can all come in with our full arsenal, we as fighters and trainers are always much more comfortable. NYC Muay Thai fans who have been supporting us from the beginning, you are all in for a treat!
Jose Palacios: I think it's awesome that the great state of NY is allowing full rules of Muay Thai. It shows growth for our sport and that's a beautiful thing. The more people get to see the tradition, the art, and discipline this combat sport brings, the more opportunity it creates for new talent and new stars to emerge. I've only fought in the east coast once and honestly, I wouldn't mind fighting out there again. Like I said, more opportunity. I love it!
Chris Kwiatkowski: I think the change to full rules Muay Thai is great for the promotion of the sport. NYC is one of the biggest markets for Muay Thai in the world, with a Muay Thai show happening at least once a month, and a lot of times, twice or three times a month. The NYC fans, who were originally exposed to the modified rules version, will now get a chance to see Muay Thai in the way it should be done, & how it is practiced pretty much around the world. This will also have great impact on the NYC fighters. As a fighter, you will no longer have to go to Thailand or have to travel to other parts of the world to gain full rules fight experience. This will make an already strong fight scene stronger.
Omar Ahmed: Yea I just finished reading that. I think that’s awesome so now fighters can use to extra weapon in the ring and that’s what real muay Thai is. I think it will change the way the fights are now and I think it’s great for the fans to see guys firing elbows and showing new techniques they haven’t seen in Muay Thai in New York
Scotty Leffler: That’s awesome! I am pumped for the East Coast fighters! A Muay Thai fighter's new dream...A championship fight at Madison Square Garden!
Luis Bio: This will have a huge impact on the growth of Muay Thai in America. Congratulations to Justin Blair and to the city of New York on this!
Kevin Ross: I’m really happy to see that NY is finally getting to fight full rules. The more we can get states to put on real Muay Thai shows the better it is for everyone. Hopefully they can start bringing in national and international talent consistently and help the sport grow out there just as much as it has been growing out west. I look forward to the day I get to go back there and fight, and this time full rules.
Michael Mananquil: Great news for Mr. Blair and the New York Muay Thai community all together. Going from modified rules to "full rules" will open the doors for more national and international competition alike. I know earlier this year, there was a bit of fun talk about how the East Coast would not compare to the West as far as martial skill in Muay Thai and some of the authenticity to that statement was backed by the fact that the East were forbidden to use certain techniques i.e.: the elbow in actual sport combat. With this new rule in effect or rather the old rule out of effect that is no longer a handicap to the skill differential. Now with the allowance of elbows, no doubt in my mind the East Coast will now be able to produce Nak Muays able to compete on the world stage. I'm glad to hear the USA Muay Thai community is doing all it can to bring Muay Thai that much closer to it's original sport style. Thanks Muay Thai Authority for always bringing us the latest and greatest.
No comments:
Post a Comment