Groin shots allowed in Thailand

[FightGuy87]

Ok…

So I’ve been doing muay thai fights for about 3 years now. Before that, I did boxing for about a year and a half. About 2 weeks ago, in a MT fight, I got caught in the groin several times and it really prevented me from doing well in the fight.

I’ve always wanted to fight in Thailand and have been considering going over there. However, after my last fight, a dude at my gym told me that low blows are actually legal in Thailand. I did some research on my own and found this fight where a dude actually lost because he was hit in the balls:



what is the logic in this? Why are teeps and kicks to the groin tolerated? Is there a reason?

Also, no disrespect to the MT tradition or various practices throughout the world, just trying to get an understanding

 

[Tayski]

Ok…

So I’ve been doing muay thai fights for about 3 years now. Before that, I did boxing for about a year and a half. About 2 weeks ago, in a MT fight, I got caught in the groin several times and it really prevented me from doing well in the fight.

I’ve always wanted to fight in Thailand and have been considering going over there. However, after my last fight, a dude at my gym told me that low blows are actually legal in Thailand. I did some research on my own and found this fight where a dude actually lost because he was hit in the balls:



what is the logic in this? Why are teeps and kicks to the groin tolerated? Is there a reason?

Because it's a man sport where even if you get shot to the balls your continue, with a proper metal cup you should usually be fine. Having said that if a fighter is known to kick to the groin to win he's not going to get promoted and have big fights, he's not showing great MT.

Muay Thai is about showing dominance and control, not lame tactics.

 

[SuperLuigi]

I have a vague memory that repeated groin shots started to be penalized in the Saenchai era but I'm not sure about that. In any case, you will have to take a groin shot every now and then and nobody is going to give you recovery time but dont worry, you dont see guys using it as an intentional tactic as its definitely looked down upon.

 

[WolverReem]

Ok…

So I’ve been doing muay thai fights for about 3 years now. Before that, I did boxing for about a year and a half. About 2 weeks ago, in a MT fight, I got caught in the groin several times and it really prevented me from doing well in the fight.

I’ve always wanted to fight in Thailand and have been considering going over there. However, after my last fight, a dude at my gym told me that low blows are actually legal in Thailand. I did some research on my own and found this fight where a dude actually lost because he was hit in the balls:



what is the logic in this? Why are teeps and kicks to the groin tolerated? Is there a reason?

It happened at a One championship fight too. It usually means teeps to the groin area which are legal in Thailand. Here's the GOAT Samart using it perfectly to control his opponent and win the fight

 

[FightGuy87]

I have a vague memory that repeated groin shots started to be penalized in the Saenchai era but I'm not sure about that. In any case, you will have to take a groin shot every now and then and nobody is going to give you recovery time but dont worry, you dont see guys using it as an intentional tactic as its definitely looked down upon.

I guess I understand the idea that MT is about strength and being able to carry on no matter what. It just seems odd that there's no official rules in place to protect against intentional low blows. Also, good to though that it's still negatively viewed, even if it is legal.

I just feel bad for the guy in the fight in my original post. I feel like he lost because he was struck in the balls. It also looks like the strikes were intentional, given that they. were repeated.

 

[Mickf]

I have a vague memory that repeated groin shots started to be penalized in the Saenchai era but I'm not sure about that. In any case, you will have to take a groin shot every now and then and nobody is going to give you recovery time but dont worry, you dont see guys using it as an intentional tactic as its definitely looked down upon.

I know traditionally groin stirkes weren't really called. But they do seem to be more often now. Especially with more popular fighters. Buakaw seem to call one on himself nearly every fight and the ref always breaks the action and gives him time to recover or re-adjust his cup. He did this in his recent fight in RWS.
Saenchai does it quite often aswell.

 

[The MM Analyst]

Whenever I see a nut shot in Muay Thai both fighters usually acknowledge it and the guy who got hit takes a second to shake his cup out then they reset. Ref usually doesn't step in, but I've seen the ref step in and let the guy shake out his cup a few times. Not sure if it's explicitly legal, but I mostly watch the big Palangmai/Petchyindee/etc shows so YMMV at smaller stadiums.