How I Study Fights (and Why It’s Not About Highlights)

Every week I get reminded that fighting isn’t just about power, it’s about perspective.

The way you train when you’re 10 years old isn’t the same as when you’re 30, or 40, or beyond. The arts shift with you the same way you study fights. The way you recover shifts.

I wanted to share a few thoughts today:

Muay Thai’s clinch, on how I study fights, and on training that actually lasts.

Read through, then hit reply and share your own story with me!

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On the Muay Thai Clinch

One of the coolest parts of Muay Thai is the clinch.There aren’t many other martial arts that share that same close-quarters, full-contact grappling.

I still remember first learning the clinch when I was 9 or 10? The posture felt so unnatural compared to a regular kickboxing stance. Instead of blading out, you need to square up.

Instead of light and agile feet, you need to sink into what I was type called “duck feet.”

As I got older, I carried lessons from Jiu-Jitsu, JKD, and Wing Chun over and I think that gave me creativity inside the tie-up.

The hardest part about it is learning to stay relaxed enough to flow, while keeping the trigger ready.

You need to be able to brace against strikes or off-balance someone the moment they overcommit.

I like to focus more on posture, angles, and timing rather than sheer strength.

On Studying Fights

Do you study fights just for highlights, or do you watch for the setups and footwork?

I study to steal techniques. I’ll watch my favorite fighter, but then I’ll flip my jersey inside out and focus on the opponent.

I pick apart how they get inside, what traps they set, what counters they pull out

I also like studying fighters with a body type close to mine since mimicking their movements feels more natural, and it lets me adapt faster in sparring or drilling.

On Training That Lasts

Something we don’t talk about enough is how training evolves as we age. At a certain point, it’s not just about how hard you push it’s about how well you can keep showing up.

You start noticing the little aches, recovery takes longer and suddenly, sleep, journaling, and joint care matter as much as sparring rounds lol

It does make me curious to hear from you too!

How has your training changed as you’ve gotten older (or as you’ve had to protect injuries)?
What habits outside the mat like sleep, journaling, and recovery help you stay consistent long term?

The martial arts way of life isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing better like learning to adapt your game so it grows with you, not against you.

👉 Reply to this and tell me: