Clinch
Clinch
Close-range standing fight in which opponents hold each other by the neck, arms or torso. In muay thai and MMA it is used for knee strikes and takedowns.
Quick Facts
Term typeClassification of techniques, arts and schools
LanguageEnglish
Formnoun
Alternative Namesclinch
Definition
Clinch is standing close-range fighting where fighters hold each other. Holds are, for example, the neck, the arms or under the arms around the torso (underhook, overhook). In boxing it mainly stops the opponent's punches and the referee splits it with the command break. In muay thai the clinch is a fight of its own: the fighter holds the opponent's neck and attacks with knees and elbows. In MMA and wrestling it serves for takedowns, knee attacks and pushing the opponent to the cage.