I just want to respond to Uncle K's point. I think there is a far easy explanation. I completely accept these where top quality opponents but no matter how unpopular this statement is going to be I stand by it both in writing and in person

Instructors and fighters in the UK are trying so hard to be like the Thai's that they don't actually have a system to beat them. Instructors imerse themselves so much in the Thai way of fighting, judging, reffing, scoring that they never ever sit and think for one second how they can actually get a strategy to beat them. When they are with the Thai's they are in awe of them and when they are in the UK they think they are a far better instructor than anyone else and discredit anyone who doesn't agree with them.

Example: Ramon Dekkers had a system that although was not a million miles away from the Thai's was tweaked enough to be very, very effective against the Thais. That's why I also think top european guys beat our guys regular because they don't aspire to be "Just like the Thai's"

It is no coincidence ALL our guys where beaten against foreign opponents last night and GMS show. We have some EXCEPTIONAL talent but I believe the drive to be like a "Thai" is stopping them just going that one extra gear. I think it's a trainer thing that believe everything "Thai" is the right way. So, that get's past down to the fighter.

If you want to beat say Mike Tyson you don't go to train with him. You find a way to beat him. Why does everyone think that to beat the Thai's the best thing is to train with them? Would the best approach not be to train with them find their weaknesses then go away and exploit it. Or, are we saying as UK MT "There is no weaknesses in the Thai way of fighting?" So let's copy it move for move

When I stopped training Colin the number of comments through the grape vine I heard from Daz Morris, Darren Phillips (Both whom trained him after me) about "Colin can't clinch for toffee" "Colin can't elbow" Both exactly right to a point. The amount of clinch and elbows he could do was enough for where we were up to with is fighting (Both could have been developed as and when needed) My point is. Both these trainers thought it was some kind of taboo that he didn't do the "Thai Style" Both totally brushed aside that he could punch your head off because it didn't fit with the "Thai Way"

I know this statement is going to be very unpopular and some ego's are going to be dented so the first line to defend that is attack. If I'm totally wrong can anyone give a logical explanation as to why our very best fighters where ALL beaten last night?

My ultimate question is this.

Are UK fighters trying so hard to copy Thai fighters it's actually stopping them from having the ultimate strategy to beat them and top European fighters?