Muay Thai

Posted in Self Defense. Written by Captain Chris on October 29th, 2008

Muay Thai or Thai kick boxing has seen new popularity in recent years thanks to Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) where many of the competitors employ this brutal and sometimes deadly art. Muay Thai has been the national sport of Thailand long before the UFC and is steeped in ritual. What attracts audiences to this martial arts form is its lighting attacks of hands and feet. Unlike Western style boxing Thai boxing has only five three minute rounds and if there is no knockout the match is a draw. In Thailand training begins at a young age with boys beginning training, as soon as they are able to walk, but the sport has expanded to include women who hold their own tournaments. For those who practice traditional Muay Thai each boxer must perform Ram Muay or ritual dance before each fight. The sport has grown in popularity and now there are competitions and schools every where from California to Russia.

Muay Thai was derived from Lerdrit which was taught to the Royal Thai Army, and it is combat tested Muay Thai isn’t. In Thai Boxing opponents are always coming at you straight on with rules prohibiting many moves including grappling which can bring an end to a Muay Thai fighter’s deadly assault once they’re taken down. In addition, there aren’t any weapons defenses. In a street fight, there is much more to the fight then hit and get hit back.

Judo may be a competitive sport in Japan and around the world, but only rules separate competitive Judo from what one might use for self defense in real world situations. In fact most UFC fighters find themselves having to study another art form in addition to Muay Thai, so they’re able to survive in competition. On the street a Muay Thai fighter isn’t ready for battle, because they’re used to always being in a fair fight. Jujutsu is a combat tested form of self defense, and isn’t just for competition sports. Full contact may make a person tough, but you have to do more than punch and kick to win a fight. A Muay Thai fighter is only good in the ring though training is great for combat conditioning. The lesson here is you can enjoy a sport like Muay Thai, but study a martial art that you can use for self defense. Survival is pass fail the score doesn’t matter.

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