this is the reason you dont see me judging or reffing. Sod that. Far too contraversial. While i am an avid supporter of the preservation of thai style through the scoring system I dont ever like to lose the view of it being a fight. I think that has happened in the ABA's to much. I think it is important that if two competitors go against each other with differing styles that even though we should always lean towards the thai style of scoring we must always rememember that their style ought to be good enough to overcome naked aggresion, hard low kicks and combination punches.

Having said that I often I see a fighter pushing forward throwing lots of low kicks and punches, many not landing. There is often a misconception that wins a fight when in fact it is accuracy, effect, landed manouveres and most importantly balance that wins. Work rate for me alone isnt enough to take a victory in a sport that should demonstrate skill, balance and affect. If on the other hand the operator not having good control, balance and style is not being effectively countered then the win should go the other way. Muaythai is still young in the UK and many people will score it in the same way as a boxing match. There is a long way to go but I think we are winning. There are many views on what should and shouldnt warrant a win but as I get older I am now more inclined to do what the thais do as that is the origin. It protects the style from becoming a brawl and ensures that in order to win at top level good balance and technique are required. I think it also requires more use of the weopons more difficult to use like kicks and teeb. However like everybody else thats just my view and I could well be wrong.