Muay Thai Beginner Questions

[Iron Monkey]

Hi all. Im new to the boards here. Im new to martial arts and I have a few questions.

First of all, im wondering if anyone has heard of this school: http://www.coloradobjj.com/.

If so, please let me know if its any good. If not, what are some questions I should ask these guys to see if it is a good school? Im really not interested in the sport aspect of Muay Thai. I want to learn it for the fitness and self protection(and also just because its friggin Muay Thai -- those guys are hardcore lol). Although, I probably would go to some tournaments and whatnot just to get comfortable actually using the techniques that im taught. I also want to learn Brazlian Jiu-Jitsu. I think im pretty lucky to find this school, because they teach both BJJ and MT. I figure that would be great, cause i can learn ground fighting and standing fighting. Im wondering if I should learn Muay Thai first and then when im comfortable in it a little bit, like red belt or somethin, then i can begin learning BJJ. Or, should i just start learning them both together? Which would be the better way? Im am absolutely brand new to Martial Arts, so sorry if i sound so noobish. Hi again to everyone and thanks for the help.

[CHOPS]

I don't know anything about the school. But I have trained with Vic Spatola. He is a very competent instructor in Muay Thai and I beleive his is one of Guru Dan Inosantos instructors. Check it out. See if they'll give you a free class. Also you may be alllowed to sit in on a few classes to get a feel of how things are done there.

[Ikken Hisatsu]

be aware that thai boxing is predominantly a ring sport, in the same way as boxing. while there are self defense aspects that arent used in the ring, they usually aren't taught, or only taught briefly. of course, this doesnt lessen its effectiveness as a MA.

[Iron Monkey]

Which MA = less sport/more protection?

Ikken Hisatsu:

Whether or not it's a ring sport is not very important to me. As long as, like you said, it is effective as a MA. Im not looking to be the big badazz on the block. But I dont want to learn an MA that I cannot use in a real fight. So if I began learning Muay Thai, are they going to teach me a bunch of crap on how to fight some padded guy in a ring? Or are they going to teach me how to use my knees, elbows, head, hands and feet when I really need them? I would love to spar and even go to competitions. That sounds like fun. And I really would like to get the cardio work and cutness that results from Muay Thai training(you may say to just go to a gym then -- but thats too boring). But those things to me are bonuses and not the main reason I would want to learn Muay Thai or any MA. At the core of learning a MA, should be the desire to know how to FIGHT if and when the occasion ever arises. Thats what Martial Arts is to me. Learning techniques that people protected themselves with 1000's of years ago. Not learning some watered down version of it that people use just for entertainment. If I wanted to learn a sport I would just play basketball or hockey. I guess a better question for this post would have been "What MA can I choose to learn that has the least chance of being for sport and more for protecting yourself?"

I appreciate all the helpful info and advice. This forum is great.

[Python]

Thai and BJJ is the way to go

be aware that thai boxing is predominantly a ring sport, in the same way as boxing. while there are self defense aspects that arent used in the ring, they usually aren't taught, or only taught briefly. of course, this doesnt lessen its effectiveness as a MA.

Iron Monkey,

I met Vic Spatola at the Oregon Fight Camp last year. He is under Ajarn Chai and Guro Dan Inosanto both. While Ajarn Chai trains for fighters, every seminar he does has a whole lot of "self defense" aspects. I don't agree with Ikken is his quote above. While Thai boxing is predominantly a ring sport, that is the only civilized way to compete and test their skills. Muay Thai is one of the only sports/martial arts where they are virtually one in the same...meaning what you can do in the street, you can do in the ring. With the exception of finger strikes and palm strikes because you have gloves on. And of course, the weapons of Krabi Krabong are not taught. Otherwise, it is both sport and self defense. IN the states, you cannot elbow in the ring, but you are still taught how to elbow. It has been proven in the NHB events, that Muay Thai for stand up and BJJ for the ground are and incredible combination. I think the school you are referring to is worth a look.

Don't think you need a system that teaches you how to fight like they did 2000 years ago. NO ONE fights like that anymore, that is why alot of the traditional arts are not always effective in the street.

Thaiboxing is great, give it a shot, and BJJ if they do both GI and no Gi will be great as well.

Good luck with it.