And why is that? Because most MMA fighters are learning a watered down sport version of mauy thai that their trainer learned at some Master Toddy seminar or maybe at a JKD workshop. The ring style knee is primarily used to wear down your opponent, and to score points, much like body punches do in western boxing. Diesel Noi proved that knees were powerful enough to end a fight.
But what I see from fighters in MMA matches is, in my humble opinion, an utter disservice to muay thai in general. I cringe when I see fighters go for a knock out knee to the jaw. Look at the location of the knee in relation to the face. Do you really think you’ll generate that much force and maintain that force 5 to 6 feet high? The knee is meant to drive into the lower abdomen, groin of thighs. Thats the old style muay thai knee. It’s meant to buckle your opponent, its your entry into the head/throat strikes that will incapacitate. high, low – that’s the secret formula. But I guess until these MMA guys gets a knee full of teeth (no one taught them to turn the head) they’ll keep aiming high.
Her’s the difference between a ring style/MMA knee and a ledrit knee.
Gorillaz Tips 