Olympic Muay Thai Is Almost Here

Plus Elon vs. Zuck!

Author

Clinch Insider
July 21, 2023

“Don’t fight for the glory, it’s not about collecting gold. It’s about building memories, stories of overcoming adversity. Pass those stories onto your kids or inspire someone elses” - John Wayne Parr

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MUAY THAI LOVERS, THIS IS FOR YOU

Hello! and welcome to the first edition of ClinchInsider. Our goal is to keep you in the loop and entertained with the latest and greatest in Muay Thai news, event info and of course… funny memes. We’re a chill group of people from the NYC area who love the sport, art, lifestyle and community of Muay Thai (and other forms of combat sports). Buckle up and enjoy the ride!

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OLYMPICS, HERE WE COME

A long time coming:

On January 11, 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) finally recognized Muay Thai as an Olympic sport. This paves the way for Muay Thai to finally make its eventual debut in the games. Considering other combat sports such as Boxing, Wrestling, Karate, TKD, Judo and BJJ (debuting in 2024) are recognized, this feels long overdue for Muay Thai.

Why do we need this:

Muay Thai is the beloved national sport of Thailand. While it has already captured the hearts of fans in the US, UK, Netherlands, Canada and beyond - the Olympics provides an entirely new level of global exposure. As Muay Thai takes the international stage, we expect unprecedented audience growth, as well as the development of new opportunities for all those involved in the sport.

The newfound exposure the Olympics brings should open doors for Gyms, coaches, & athletes who have historically been involved in the sport more out of passion than finance. Professional fighters should see more opportunities with bigger fight purses and sponsorships due to the increased viewership and popularity. It's a win-win situation that will not only enrich the lives of these incredible athletes but also fuel the growth of Muay Thai globally.

What now?

We can't quite pinpoint when Muay Thai will step into the spotlight of the games just yet. (Fingers crossed for LA 2028)

While we eagerly await that moment, there are other exhilarating events that deserve our undivided attention, ones that rival the Olympics in their significance. Enter IFMA and the World Games – a dynamic duo that keeps us on the edge of our seats. These spectacles showcase the electrifying beauty of Muay Thai on a global scale, with athletes from all corners of the world battling it out for glory, many of whom we may see again in the Olympic games. More info on those here:

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EXTRA ROUNDS

Experience the ultimate thrill! Warriors Cup Promotions presents the highly anticipated WBC Professional North American Super Flyweight tournament on 7/21, featuring the electrifying Amy Duke against the formidable Regan Gowing. But the excitement doesn't stop there!

On 7/29, AFL Promotions brings you Stephanie Walmet vs. Kristell Diaz, promising a spectacular fireworks display inside the ring. Don't miss these explosive showdowns that will leave you breathless.

In the world of combat sports, a revolution is unfolding, and it's fueled by the incredible power of women fighters. They embody strength, resilience, and unwavering determination. As the spotlight shines brightly on these extraordinary athletes, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Coaches, Gym owners, and Promoters who have created a safe space and a platform for these remarkable women to train, compete, and proudly display their hard work and exceptional talents.

Your support and dedication are instrumental in shaping the future of combat sports. Together, we embrace this new era where women fighters redefine the boundaries and inspire generations to come.

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BILLIONAIRES DOING STUPID THINGS

Get ready for the ultimate showdown! Elon Musk vs. Mark Zuckerberg in an epic MMA match inside the cage. These billionaires are calling each other out, and it could be the most anticipated fight ever!

Timeline:

Elon challenges Mark on Twitter, and Mark responds with Khabib's famous "Send Location" quote.

Now, Dana White is trying to make this fight happen. Who will come out on top?

Scouting Report:

Mark Zuckerberg is favored at -160 Odds. Currently training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and more recently, MMA. Competed as a white belt in local tournaments and has won medals.

Pros: Good shape, competition experience, youth, southpaw stance

Cons: Height, weight, reach (by quite a large margin)

Elon Musk is the underdog at +140 Odds. Has trained judo, kyokushin karate, and taekwondo while he was a kid.

Pros: Much taller, huge reach advantage, proficient in striking, unwavering confidence (he challenged Vladamir Putin to fight!)

Cons: Out of shape and pretty old

CI Predictions:

Zuck will work relentlessly to get the fight to the ground where he has an advantage. Elon will look to use that height and reach advantage to keep off the cage and ground. He might be able to tire out Zuck with long range strikes and good takedown defense. However, In a classic Striker vs. Grappler battle, our money is on the Metaverse guru winning this with a takedown in Round 2 and a rear naked choke submission on a gassed out Elon.

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SNIPPETS:

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FROM THE EDITORS:

Is Muay Thai good for Mental Wellness? Absolutely!

After a long, stressful day of work, there’s one thing I look forward to at the end of it - a Muay Thai class. Upon stepping into class, my phone is finally detached from my hands and physically out of reach for the next hour as I wrap up my hands. I’m joyfully greeted by warm familiar faces, but it’s even more exciting to see new faces. Whether it be the apparently eager one who’s ready to test their cardiovascular limits and strength for the next hour, or the more timid one who’s slightly frightened to be here; I can’t wait to get to know who that person is at the end of class. We all get a little closer to our genuine-self, our better-self at the end of a Muay Thai class, when we’ve stripped off a bit of ego or a bit of fear.

People from all walks of life bond over holding pads for one another; a metaphor supporting each other's journey or a simple purpose for being here today; a journey in building confidence and learning self defense; a journey to become a professional fighter; a journey to develop mindfulness and present-moment awareness; a journey to get the summer-bod of their dreams and flex it all year ‘round.

All that said, I’m not an expert, so don’t take my word for it. Here are some good reads on this topic: