^^^^
I would from personal experience say no.
It does depend on his federation though. Generally a federation with low standards are looking for money and it attracts people looking for that (how many fat, out of shape thai boxers do you see compared to kick boxers or karate practioners).
Please note- you are not a thai boxer until you have had atleast 10 fights, where are you seem to be a kick boxer after 1 lesson.
Ok, we are arguing different things and I didn't make myself clear...
MMA isn't a Martial Art. That I know for sure! :icon_chee
Now, I know Kickboxing and Muay-Thai are different, a lot... But there is a grading system in both of them... Maybe not in its oringins (Muay-Thai), but as it grew and in a way to legitimize it and control it, a grading system was created! Otherwise, how could a newcomer to the sport see if his coach was good? Boxing didn't have that probelem, since it hit mainstream right away...
Btw, what does "akin" mean?'Cause English isn't my mother tongue... :redface:
Read my extend little rant about thai boxing mate :icon_chee
MMA is a sport
The federation I fight with (WMC), which is the biggest Muay thai federation in the world, doesn't have gradings.
As I said, gradings and the excuse to legitimize it (and control it) with the aid of gradings is very much a american way of thinking that brings in the money (if we can control what happens, we control the purse strings).
Boxing didn't hit the main stream right away, it was a traditional sport originating in the UK. Its tried and tested in the western world and although there have been attempts to introduce belts and gradings, its generally shouted down pretty quickly due to the tradition.
Its traditional in thailand and has been about longer then boxing has, but not in the western world (which is a shame).
Belts in what ever martial art do not link his ability to be a professional in that martial art. They link his ability to pay fees and copy someone else.
If someone has had 100 fights and has won above 80% he is a very very very good fighter. There is no doubting that.
If someone has a black belt, he has all the potential of being trhe most useless, out of shape, brain dead hick that paid his fees on time.
As I said, initially karate had like 3 belts, how many did it after after a few years of being in the US?
Oh, akin is like. Think your sister is your kin, so you are like her, ie from the same family branch.
