What is Dirty Boxing? Dirty Boxing explained

Dirty Boxing is a term coined for fighting and boxing inside the clinch. This method of fighting is illegal in competitive boxing but is legal in the likes of Muay Thai, Bare knuckle boxing, and MMA. The term is often associated with the legendary MMA and UFC fighter Randy Couture who helped shine a light on Dirty Boxing as he often used it to great effect when fighting. Since then, Dirty Boxing has become incredibly popular and commonplace within MMA and is a legitimate tactic of winning fights. So, what is it?

So, what is Dirty Boxing exactly?

Put simply, Dirty Boxing is when you continue to throw punches from the clinch. This isn’t allowed in boxing, which is probably why it’s considered ‘dirty’. This means you may have one hand on the back of the opponent’s head, with your other hand being used to land punches on them. The term can sometimes be extended to allow for elbows and knees from the clinch as well, taking from Muay Thai. Taken even further, Dirty Boxing is commonly used in Lethwei too, which allows for headbutts to be hit from the clinch.

In short, it’s using strikes from the clinch, and whilst it usually has one dominant striker, Dirty Boxing can be done simultaneously by both fighters at the same time, where they exchange blows. Although Dirty Boxing was originally not thought about too much in the martial arts world, its popularity blossomed when it was used in MMA and commentators started using its nickname – which helped viewers understand it. From there, its use has spread.

What is the point of Dirty Boxing?

Where Dirty Boxing is considered legal, it can be a very good tactic to win fights in an unconventional manner. Imagine you’re against a good striker who can kick you from distance. If you can’t close the distance then you will probably lose as the fight goes on. Imagine a similar case where you can’t manage to wrestle this fighter to the ground either.

This is where Dirty Boxing comes in handy, as it allows you to secure a clinch and start hitting them. Especially with elbows involved, Dirty Boxing can really harm your opponent. Most of the time Dirty Boxing won’t get you an instant knockout like a haymaker or a kick to the head. However, it will certainly wear down the opponent and get them tired, contributing significantly to the eventual knockout. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that Dirty Boxing is a staple of modern MMA and learning how to clinch correctly is vitally important.

What about Dirty Boxing outside of MMA?

Whilst it’s been acknowledged that Dirty Boxing is common in MMA and Muay Thai, it also has foundations in Filipino street boxing, which is often identified as Suntukan. In this sense, it really is deserving of its name. In many ways, it has lots of similarities to the Dirty Boxing that you’ll see in a regular MMA fight. However, it also teaches dirty moves, such as eye gouges, hair pulling, and headbutts. In other words, this is geared more towards self defense and street fighting.

You could also argue that Suntukan has also been used by Krav Maga, where practitioners will also use similar strategies from the clinch. Obviously, this form of Dirty Boxing is different from the MMA style and this came along before Randy Couture did. If you’re looking at learning Dirty Boxing for self defense, then this style is arguably more effective to learn compared to the MMA style, as it uses the same striking methods, plus more dirty moves. Remember though, this style is also likely to get you in serious trouble with the law.

Can you use Dirty Boxing in a conventional boxing match?

Legally, punching from the clinch in boxing is not allowed. However, that does not mean that it doesn’t go on. If boxers are smart and sneaky, they will often manage to sneak in a few shots during the clinch, sometimes to the head but mostly to the body. Often, these punches are done just as the clinch is entered so points can’t be docked, or just as the clinch is released if the referee isn’t looking.

Usually though, Dirty Boxing just isn’t that effective in boxing matches and there’s a clear reason. The issue with this is that due to the huge boxing gloves, it can be very tricky to hurt the opponent whilst tied up in the clinch. If your opponent is blocking your arm with their own arm, and you do the opposite on the other side, then you can’t really hit with gloves or if you do, they won’t generate much power, and trying to hit the head can be quite awkward due to the angle. This means that Dirty Boxing does go on in regular boxing bouts, but isn’t as effective as elsewhere.

Conclusion

Dirty Boxing has been around for many years under the banner of Filipino Suntukan. This is something that was relatively obscure though and on the fringes of mainstream martial arts for years, before blowing up in popularity due to MMA. As a result, it’s now fairly common to see Dirty Boxing being used these days and it certainly has more recognition.

Not only this but Dirty Boxing is also used in other martial arts which means if you want to train the likes of MMA, Muay Thai, and other styles then it’s best to learn Dirty Boxing. This is important both offensively and defensively as it will set up a good foundation for you to rely on if ever you happen to enter the clinch.