More Fighting on TV: Dhani does Muay Thai
Posted by Tommy Hackett on March 21st, 2009
Last year, the glut of martial arts related TV programming prompted me to write An Ultimate Fighter or a Fight Girl in a Fight Quest Against a Human Weapon at a Fight Club Until the Last One Standing is a Contender Asia, or Something. Ouch. So, in 2009, who is left standing? Well, not too many of them.
But we finally have a new entry, as NFL linebacker Dhani Jones has tossed aside his helmet to host a Travel Channel program where he spans the globe to compete in the world’s sports. In the opening episode, Jones laces up the gloves to give Muay Thai a whirl, and it wasn’t too bad.
Dhani Tackles the Globe seems to be an attempt at a more macho and less cerebral version of Travel Channel’s “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations,” with the host discovering the countries in question through their sports, instead of their food. But instead of offering Bourdain’s analysis of the countries he visits and ruminations on what makes each fascinating to him, Jones mostly just look to train hard in far flung sports, and has a ton of fun.
Jones starts out strong, showing some self-deprecating wit and a lot of respect for the Thai fighters who have made Muay Thai their lifestyle. At Lumpinee stadium, Jones wanders at a fast pace, learning to gamble with the fans over that screeching Thai music. Before long, we’re smelling the linament in the air at the spartan Muay Thai Plaza in Bangkok. There’s none of the plush surroundings that Jeff Osbourne enjoyed at Fairtex for his brief (and embarassingly staged) televised foray into Muay Thai.
Jones has his awkward moments, but it was great seeing a representative of a more glamorous sport here in the US give Muay Thai so much respect. “Two a days have nothing on this,” he laughs as his training begins in earnest. Later he finds himself eating crickets and other exotic Thai street food as his trainer laughs it up. “Black people don’t eat this s—!!”
The fight which inevitably ends the show came off better than most, too. We learn nothing about Jones’ portly opponent, which is probably for the best. He’s probably a broke tuk-tuk driver who was promised a bottle of Jack Daniels by the show’s producer, but whatever. What would the point be of putting Jones in the ring after a week of training against a skilled fighter, anyway?
Future episodes are said to include SAMBO in Russia and folkstyle wrestling in Switzerland, along with the less combative rugby in England and hurling in Ireland (ha!). And actually, I will definitely be watching. For one thing, there aren’t many of these shows left. Sure, Ultimate Fighter keeps plugging along (in fact, open tryouts are here in Seattle and despite having less talent or training than Jason Thacker, I actually feel like turning up) but that’s about it. Dhani Tackles the Globe isn’t perfect, but it shows enough respect to the art and the viewer to earn it a recommendation.
March 23rd, 2009 at 6:37 am
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May 28th, 2009 at 6:35 am
I will definitely keep reading your blog, cheers.
June 4th, 2009 at 6:26 am
I follow your blog for quite a long time and should tell that your articles always prove to be of a high value and quality for readers.
September 7th, 2009 at 7:27 am
I like your Muay Thai news recording, why you never post some video to your blog,will be more attractive. Any way, same as you, I am a Muay Thai Fans