MMA | How to Escape the Thai Clinch
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Long Guard Plum·Danny Fung
In this video, we show you a few different ways you can use to escape the Thai Clinch in a Mixed Martial Arts fight. D&A…
Long Guard Plum
Genusロングガード首相撲(Rongu Gādo Kubi-zumo)
HybridTranslation: long guard plum
Overview
The Long Guard Plum is a variation of the Thai plum where the attacker extends the arms to create distance before snapping the head down, using the extended position to manage range and timing. [1] Unlike the tight plum where the elbows are pressed against the opponent's collarbones, the long guard plum maintains some extension in the arms, creating a frame that keeps the opponent at the optimal distance for pull-in knee strikes. [1],[2] The long guard plum allows the attacker to see incoming strikes better and react defensively while maintaining head control. [2],[3]
History & Origin
The long guard plum developed within Muay Thai as a strategic variation for managing distance in the clinch, particularly against aggressive opponents who close distance quickly. [1] It became more visible in MMA where the longer range provides better defence against short punches and elbows in the clinch. [2],[3]
Effectiveness
The long guard plum is a transitional variation that allows the clinch fighter to maintain distance management while seeking the full plum lock. [1] Delp describes it as more defensive than the standard plum but useful for taller fighters who can use their reach to control range before closing to the full clinch. [1]
Lineage
The long guard plum is a Muay Thai clinch variation that uses extended arms to frame before pulling into the full plum clinch. [1]
Competition Record
Used in Muay Thai competition as a transitional position before establishing the full plum. [1]
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Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Controlling the opponent's head and posture using double collar tie or plum position
Joints Involved — Opponent's cervical spine (controlled via collar tie), attacker's elbows (clamped for control), hips (pulling base)
Force Vector — Downward — pulling the opponent's head below their centre of gravity breaks their posture and balance
Control Mechanic — Elbow frames create a cage around the opponent's head — inside position dominance is the key to clinch control
Position & Entry
From striking range — Close distance with a jab or level change, cup the hand behind the opponent's head (nape of the neck), pull their posture down
From hand fighting — During grip exchanges, swim inside and secure the collar tie by cupping the back of the head
Variants
Single collar tie — one hand on the nape controlling the head
Double collar tie (plum) — both hands behind the head for maximum control
Collar tie with wrist control — one hand on the nape, other controlling the wrist
Videos
Use The Muay Thai Clinch For Grappling | Duck-Jitsu Teaches Class QuadPod Escapes
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Long Guard Plum·Duck_Jitsu
Duck-Jitsu covers a wrestling class at Kindred Jiu-Jitsu where he mixes techniques you would traditionally see in Muy Th…
Kyle Bradley counters muay thai clinch with a big takedown
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Long Guard Plum·JM Modern Jiu Jitsu
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3 videosWhat Instructors Say
The Long Guard Plum, also called the head clinch or Thai clinch, is a two-handed collar-tie grip applied to an opponent's head from the front. According to Danny Fung, this clinch leaves the defender's face exposed to knee strikes and requires defensive framing with locked elbows and palms pushing the aggressor's hips to create distance. Fung emphasizes that once the aggressor's foot lands after a knee attempt, the defender should close the gap belly-to-belly and hip-to-hip to neutralize further striking, then transition to wrestling techniques like body locks, underhooks, or leg trips. Fung also details alternative exits: lowering the body to pop upward into a body lock, or tapping the inside of the aggressor's elbow to access headlock or head-and-arm control. JM Modern Jiu Jitsu's Kyle Bradley presents a direct counter: while in the plum, the defender overgrips the biceps, pinches and rolls the aggressor down to achieve upright posture, and executes a foot sweep—typically with the front leg—to take the opponent to the ground. Bradley notes that even without precise foot-sweep timing, the hip drive and posture reversal alone can force the aggressor backward across the mat. Duck_Jitsu focuses on grappling transitions from the clinch, emphasizing getting behind the opponent and establishing body locks to control the hands and set up escapes or positional dominance. All three instructors agree the plum is primarily an offensive tool in muay Thai but stress that in MMA and grappling contexts, defensive framing, body-lock transitions, and takedown counters are essential.
Synthesized from 3 instructors
- Danny Fung — MMA | How to Escape the Thai Clinch: Detailed defensive framing techniques to stop knees, methods to transition into body locks and underhooks, and several exit strategies including elbow popping and head-and-arm control.
- Duck_Jitsu — Use The Muay Thai Clinch For Grappling | Duck-Jitsu Teaches Class QuadPod Escapes: Focused on grappling applications and getting behind the opponent while in the plum, with emphasis on body lock control and escaping through positional transitions from standing and ground positions.
- JM Modern Jiu Jitsu — Kyle Bradley counters muay thai clinch with a big takedown: Presented a direct MMA counter featuring biceps overgrip, pinch-and-roll posture reversal, and foot sweep mechanics to drive the opponent backward or execute a takedown.
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Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
5
High5/10
Head/neck control positions create cervical strain; Muay Thai plum is primary striking platform
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
Restricted
WBC/Boxing — Holding is technically a foul — referee breaks clinch, excessive holding results in point deduction {src— WBC Rules of Boxing}
K-1/GLORY — One attack from clinch allowed, then referee breaks {src— K-1/GLORY Kickboxing Rules}
— WAKO — Clinch generally broken by referee — limited or no...
WAKO Competition RulesPDFLegal
— Unified MMA — Legal — clinching is integral to MMA
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— grip fighting
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— IBJJF — Legal — standing grip fighting and clinch work pe...
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— IFMA — Legal — the clinch is a core element of Muay Thai,...
IFMA Muay Thai RulesPDF— UWW — Legal — clinch is fundamental to wrestling, the pri...
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDFTraining Notes
✓The long guard plum extends the arms further than the standard plum — controlling the opponent's head from a slightly greater distance
✓This variation uses straight or slightly bent arms to frame on the opponent's face, forehead, or neck while maintaining pulling control
✓The long guard creates distance for knee strikes while preventing the opponent from closing to punching range
✓In Muay Thai, the long guard plum is used when the opponent is tall or when you want to maintain kneeing distance without getting dirty-boxed
✓The extended frame makes it harder for the opponent to reach you with punches — your arms act as a barrier
✓From the long guard, snap the opponent's head down sharply to transition to the standard tight plum
✓Alternate between long guard and tight plum — each distance offers different striking options and defensive properties
Common Mistakes
!Extending the arms so far that you lose control of the head — the arms must be long enough for distance but short enough for control
!Not maintaining pulling pressure through the extended arms — even at long range, pull the head forward and down
!Staying in long guard when the opponent closes distance — transition to tight plum when they get inside
!Using the long guard passively as a stalling position — the distance should enable kneeing, not resting
!Straight-arming without head control — your hands must still be on the head or neck for the position to work
!Not framing with the forearms against the opponent's face — the frame is what creates the distance
!Losing balance by leaning too far back — maintain an athletic stance even with extended arms
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Pummeling — fight for inside position by swimming arms under opponent's gripsFrame and Push — create distance using forearm frames against the chest or neckGrip Break — systematically strip the opponent's controlling gripsPosture Up — straighten the spine and drive the hips forward to break clinch control
Setup Chain
1Close Distance — bridge the gap using footwork, strikes, or a level change
2Establish Primary Grip — secure the initial controlling grip on the opponent
3Position the Hips — align hips to maximize leverage and control angle
4Apply Pressure — use the grip to control posture and create offensive opportunities
Sources & References
Primary Source
Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Yod Ruerngsa, Khun Kao Charuad & James Cartmell, 2002)
1BookFreestyle Wrestling (Petrov, 1977)
Alias sources — [1] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006) [2] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988) [3] Muay Thai: A Living Legacy (Prayukvong, 2006)
2BookMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)
3OtherJapanese Martial Arts Hybrid Terminology
Mixed Japanese-Western terminology — combines traditional Japanese terms with katakana loanwords
4CitationFreestyle Wrestling (Petrov, 1977)
Alias sources — [1] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006) [2] Muay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus & Kraitus, 1988) [3] Muay Thai: A Living Legacy (Prayukvong, 2006)
5CitationMuay Thai: The Art of Fighting (Kraitus, 2002)
Effectiveness sources — [1] Muay Thai Unleashed (Delp, 2006)
Community
Athletics
Requires
neck and bicep strength for head control, endurance for sustained clinch
Favours
longer forearms for deeper collar tie, strong neck
Key muscles
biceps, forearms, neck muscles, core
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best way to escape the plum clinch?
Danny Fung recommends lowering your legs and using your palms to pop up out of the clinch, then immediately transitioning into a body lock to regain control and offensive positioning.
Why is the body lock so important after escaping the plum?
Body locking is essential in wrestling and mixed martial arts because it allows you to control your opponent's posture and close the space between you and them, which helps you gain the offensive advantage.
How do I defend against knee strikes while trapped in the plum?
Block the inside of your opponent's elbows to prevent knee strikes to your face or body, and be aware that a skilled Thai clincher will move you around while controlling you.
What should I do if I can't execute a foot sweep from the plum?
If you can't complete a foot sweep, focus on getting your opponent's feet off the ground—this prevents them from generating power for crushing strikes or clinch control.
How does the Long Guard Plum work?
The Long Guard Plum is a variation of the Thai plum where the attacker extends the arms to create distance before snapping the head down, using the extended position to manage range and timing. Unlike the tight plum where the elbows are pressed against the opponent's collarbones, the long guard plum maintains some extension in the arms, creating a frame that keeps the opponent at the optimal distance for pull-in knee strikes.
Where does the Long Guard Plum come from?
The long guard plum developed within Muay Thai as a strategic variation for managing distance in the clinch, particularly against aggressive opponents who close distance quickly. It became more visible in MMA where the longer range provides better defence against short punches and elbows in the clinch.
Is the Long Guard Plum legal in competition?
Unified MMA: legal — Legal — clinching is integral to MMA; IJF: legal — Legal — kumi-kata (grip fighting) is fundamental to judo; IBJJF: legal — Legal — standing grip fighting and clinch work permitted; IFMA: legal — Legal — the clinch is a core element of Muay Thai, clinch dominance is highly…; WBC/Boxing: restricted — Holding is technically a foul — referee breaks clinch, excessive holding resu…; K: restricted — 1/GLORY — One attack from clinch allowed, then referee breaks; WAKO: restricted — Clinch generally broken by referee — limited or no clinch fighting in most fo…; UWW: legal — Legal — clinch is fundamental to wrestling, the primary position in Greco-Roman
How dangerous is the Long Guard Plum?
Danger rating 5/10. High — head/neck control positions create cervical strain; Muay Thai plum is primary striking platform
How do I set up the Long Guard Plum?
The standard setup chain: Close Distance → Establish Primary Grip → Position the Hips → Apply Pressure.
How do I defend against the Long Guard Plum?
Standard counters include: Pummeling — fight for inside position by swimming arms under opponent's grips / Frame and Push — create distance using forearm frames against the chest or neck / Grip Break — systematically strip the opponent's controlling grips / Posture Up — straighten the spine and drive the hips forward to break clinch control.
What are the variants of the Long Guard Plum?
Common variants: Single collar tie (one hand on the nape controlling the head); Double collar tie (plum) (both hands behind the head for maximum control); Collar tie with wrist control (one hand on the nape, other controlling the wrist).
How effective is the Long Guard Plum in competition?
Used in Muay Thai competition as a transitional position before establishing the full plum.
What are common mistakes when doing the Long Guard Plum?
Top errors to watch for: Extending the arms so far that you lose control of the head — the arms must be long enough for distance but short eno… / Not maintaining pulling pressure through the extended arms — even at long range, pull the head forward and down / Staying in long guard when the opponent closes distance — transition to tight plum when they get inside / Using the long guard passively as a stalling position — the distance should enable kneeing, not resting.
What are other names for the Long Guard Plum?
The Long Guard Plum is also known as Rongu Gādo Kubi-zumo, Long Range Plum, Extended Plum Clinch, Muay Thai Long Guard Clinch.