Amateurs Fighting Full Thai Rules in Virginia

[Khun Kao]

I just wanted to share the pic one of my official event photographers (John Porter) managed to capture, clearly demonstrating an elbow strike being used in an amateur Muay Thai event....

I realize that other countries already allow their amateurs to fight under full Thai rules, but here in the US it's hard to come by. Fortunately, we're starting to get some of the local Athletic & Boxing Commissions to come around and start letting us fight Muay Thai the way it was intended....

MARK YOUR CALENDERS FOR OUR NEXT EVENT: "D.C. Metro Showdown 5" on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at the Sports Center in Lansdowne, VA!

Setting the Standard for Combat Sports in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Region.

[george stando]

That is very cool that elbows can or will be allowed. I think the safety element with the headgear and elbow pads is good. You can cite the world championships as an example in thailand, they go fully padded and allow all the techs but the refs keep a watchful eye. I think the reffing needs to be real good to watch for the fighters so it stays safe and healthy especially in an amatuer format but let us know how it goes.

[Khun Kao]

Fortunately, the VA State Athletic/Boxing Commission is very open-minded in regards to combat sports. They allow our amateur to compete using *almost* full Thai rules as in Thailand. There are a few exceptions, of course, but I'm trying to work with the Athletic Commission to get them to come around on those too....

Importantly, though, the 2 biggest items are being permitted, mainly elbow and knee strikes to the head!!!

Also, headgear, shinguards, and elbow pads are NOT actually required by the State! I could allow fighters to compete and not wear the extra gear. However, I encourage all fighters to wear it because, HELL, they're amateurs! I'm not paying them to fight and mostly everyone has to go back to school and/or work on Monday morning, ya know? However, if fighters want to compete without headgear or shinguards, as long as both camps agree to wear the same, they can go without.

Elbow pads, on the other hand, are mandatory in my promotions. Even though the State does not require them, I refuse to let amateurs fight full Thai rules without them. I'm not comfortable asking an amateur fighter to risk getting his face stitched up. When I eventualy evolve my events to include professional fights, this will be another story because the fighters will be PAID to take that risk....

Here's an example of one of our fights where they only wore elbow pads. These guys fought a 5 round amateur match under full Thai rules wearing only elbow pads.... It was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!


YouTube - D.C. Metro Showdown 4: Xavi Ramos vs. Jonathan George
click the link for the YouTube video of Round 1

[cswgrappler]

As a fighter from Virginia I'm very happy to see the full rule fights. This is a great step.

[Ghost]

thats good, we have full thai rules in the UK for amateur but still its good you got it going too now.

[george stando]

Actually its great news for us in the US that some states are opening up like that. I was pleasantly surprised to read that. Keep us updated!

[Khun Kao]

Yeah, it is still a work in progress. I have to be 100% honest, it isn't EXACTLY full Thai rules. There are a few notable exceptions that I'm working with the sanctioning body (GCA) and the State Commission on. I am fairly confident that I can get some of them approved, but there are 1 or 2 of them that are going to be a real battle and unlikely to be allowed.

But, it's simply AWESOME that we're allowed knee & elbow strikes to the head. It makes the things we're still fighting for seem pretty minor in comparison....

[george stando]

It may be full thai rules yet but its an excellent start and will allow the people who fight to more fully engage more of the tools they train in an actual bout which is excellent. Hopefully this will inspire more states to take note and progressively move forward.