While I agree with some of what you say, please don't DO NOT over-estimate the power of what an average TKD kick does.
Even an above average kick.
An average boxing punch is also rather weak, because most punches thrown are jabs. If a boxer throws a power punch, it is powerful. If a TKD guy throws a power kick, it is powerful.
TKD suffers from McDojoism, especially in the US, but that doesn't mean that no TKD guy can kick or that properly executed TKD kicks cannot be powerful. I even provided videos.
First off. For Olympic TKD? No points are given for punches. Unless you go to the body and KO someone with a body punch. This is why Olympic Level TKD'ers hold their hands down to their sides. Because they know they don't have to keep their hands up.
But nobody is discussing Olympic TKD here. I simply addressed some of the claims you made. And points ARE given for punches, read the rules again.
If someone wanted to enter MMA competition, TKD is not the first thing I'd recommend. But that doesn't mean that TKD will give you cancer and make you a shitty fighter either. We should be able to stick to facts, right?
Second off. You're right. There are some Goddamn great MMA guys who love to acknowledge their TKD base. Unfortunately, name one time they attribute their TKD prowess to an MMA win!
David Loiseau, after knocking out McCarthy, in his post-fight interview in the cage with Rogan. Go watch it.
Third..... The kicking TKD teaches isn't power kicking.
TKD doesn't teach ONLY power kicking. It teaches different kinds of kicks, and some of them are power kicks.
Anyone who has ever seen a breaking competition wouldn't have such a hard time understanding this. How the fuck would that work if TKD didn't "teach power kicking"?
That's part of your black belt exam. To understand that concept in that order. Speed first, accuracy second, power last!
That is not a part of a Kukkiwon black belt exam. A Kukkiwon black belt exam consists of Taeguek 8, some sparring and a break, everything else is optional.
Look, I respect your experience and that you have based your opinion on your training, but you've really picked the wrong person to educate about TKD.
And, speaking of it, the sequence is technique, power, speed. Technique is drilled at 1st dan (Koryo poomsae), power at 2nd dan (Keumgang poomsae) and speed at 3rd (Taebaek poomsae). That's why Koryo has difficult kick and strike combos which have to be done cleanly or they look crap. That's why Keumgang is a very heavy form with many horse stances and powerful movements. And that's why Taebek is a quick, fast-flowing form.
Anyway, didn't you just contradict yourself by admitting that you had to consider power, among other things, at your black belt exam?
Anyone who Bullshits you other wise? Isnt a Traditionally trained TKD practitioner or even non traditionally trained.
Please, dude, I've trained longer than you with better guys.
You never answered. Did you really learn from Grandmaster Rhee himself, or did you only meet at your belt tests? Cause Grandmaster Rhee lived in Washington for most of his time spent in the US, before he moved back to Korea. And you live in California.
As I said, no disrespect towards Grandmaster Rhee, who is awesome in every way, but if you learned from him, then I learned from General Choi.