Clinch fighting

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Clinch fighting" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (March 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Clinch fighting or trapping is the part of stand-up fighting where the combatants are grappling in a clinch, typically using clinch holds. Clinching the opponent can be used to eliminate the opponent's effective usage of some kicks, punches, and melee weapons. The clinch can also be used as a medium to switch from stand-up fighting to ground fighting by using takedowns, throws or sweeps.

Clinch fighting is emphasized in both sport martial arts, such as wrestling, judo, Shuai Jiao, Muay Thai, Lethwei, sambo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kenpō and Sumo, as well as martial arts geared more towards self-defense, such as Wing Chun, Bajiquan, Aikido, and Hapkido.