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I have been doing quite a bit of research regarding muay thai and begin class this week. My research revealed quit a bit of conflicting information that I hope someone can clarify or provide their opinions. Although most agree that muay thai is a brutal art, there seems to be some disagreement about its effectiveness for self defense and street fighting. I was wondering what others think. Also, it seems that practitioners say its a devastating art and they can take out most other arts head-to-head while those who do not practice say it's not as effective as other arts. I disagree wholeheartedly given that I have kickboxing and boxing experience and know what a well executed strike can do. I was just wondering what other people's opinions were. My goal in transitioning to muay thai is I feel that it's practical system for self defense, incorporates my boxing interests while including effective kicks, and overall fitness.
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OK, lets just get the default caveats out of the way very quickly:
- A good Thai Boxer is effective, a crap Thai Boxer is ineffective. No art can support an individual who cannot make it work.
- Self-Protection has far more to it than martial arts, intelligence and strength of will are what generally prevail.
So, with those out of the way:
For physical self-protection, Thai Boxing offers you a strong defensive structure and an excellent attacking arsenal. Powerful low line kicks, good boxing hands, a devastating clinch with awesome knees and elbows. Add to that the fact that a good Thai Boxer will have very good cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance. If they ring fight, they will also understand the mental and emotional stress of the pre-fight. Add all of that up, and if anyone asks me what the most complete standalone system to study is, I also say Thai Boxing.
Some weaknesses that people may label at the art, are: There is no grappling (not necessarily true), no weaponry (not true if you study the complete arts) and “its just a sportâ€. The perceived lack of grappling and weaponry are not a weakness of Thai Boxing, they are the weakness of the given practitioner to not understand that cross training in this age is just a given. The “sport vs street†argument is done to death on this forum, just check out the threads in the MMA section. My personal opinion, for what its worth, is I would much rather face someone from one of the many “street fighting†styles in an alley, than have to face down a good Thai Boxer.
Short version, if you train hard, you are in good hands with this art. -
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Thanks for the reply. Based on what I have read and seen thus far, it appears that muay thai is what I am looking for. It seems to be somewhat controversial whereas those who practice it strongly support it while those who practice a more traditional martial art criticize it. Everything written seems to be biased in some way.Comment
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Exceptions to the rule....
Muay-thai is brutal stuff... No doubt about it. The thing about combat arts (sports) is that LOTS of folks try it.
In my work I have met many kinds of folks, some of them have practiced various arts and had formal training.
One guy in particular was especially timid and reserved. His training in the Muay-thai was of little value. While I expected him to throw some kicks or elbows when we played he just didn't have it in his constitution to actually THROW that stuff at me.
I seriously doubt that he would hurt a fly...
He knew how. He has the skill and strength to inflict some serious trauma but he JUST couldn't bring himself to draw blood.
I even tried to antagonize him, push his buttons and even threw a few finger jabs and light contact kicks his way but I couldn't draw him in.
It's probably a good thing he didn't retaliate thinking back on it. I might be much uglier than I am...
Your art is only as "good" as YOU make it.
My .02 cents...Comment
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yeah mikes post was very good.
i think when you go to the gym look at the fighters. Thai boxing gyms have a large turn over because the training is hard.
In terms of people criticizing thai boxing imo its mostly through fear that it might actually be that good. So you get the, oh they wear gloves and its only a sport excuses.
Truth is a well trained and mentally capable thai boxer is a formidable opponent.
Its very hard to fight effectively against someone that is hitting you high, low, middle from loads of different angles with lots of different weapons in rapid succession.
The defence in muay thai is particularly useful as it will work against other systems too.
Basically you learnt to block angles of stike. so you can use the same defense on a back kick as you can for a push kick. cos essentially the kick is just coming straight at you.
With the amount of sparring you do this will actually work.
Ive sparred with many guys from different systems and been able to block all the fancy kicks etc and differnt punches simply because its a matter of lines/angles and footwork.
i guess thats the same for other systems but there is a method to the way thai is taught that means if you stick with it you will actually be able to do it. i cant say the same for all other systems.Comment
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I think Muay Thai would be effective in self-defense. Although if your foe had a knife you many not want to use that clinch.Comment
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Self-defense benefits of MT
Think of the extra running-away ability you'll have from doing all that roadwork!
I'm only half-joking
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Muay Thai combined with someone with a killer instinct and proficient in the art, makes a formidable opponent, sure things are slightly different when out on the Street, but fighting is still fighting, different when weapons are in the mix.Comment
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yeah you just have to see muay thai in the context of unarmed stand up fighting. thats what it does and it does that very well. add in other systems if you are worried about other ranges.Comment
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Add in some nasty Filipino knife training and you're all set; them filipino dudes are some mean muthers...Comment
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yeah, bit of bjj to cover some ground work, should do fine.Originally posted by GQchris View PostComment
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Lets not forget that Muay thai(in thailand) is a proffesion and a sport,
Boxers in Thailand are pro sportsmen and the sole goal is to box and earn as much money in their (mainly)short careers in order to help there familys quality of life.
Its not a great comparison when we start looking at boxers defending knives etc etc,completly different mind set for training going on there.Comment
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Great set of responses from some very experienced guys.
Good stuff.Comment
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Simply put, you use the appropriate method for the appropriate action, meaning for self defense, you use the muay method devised for that military muay thai. Ring Muay Thai is for the ring and has the attributes and development for that, the conditioning, techs carry over into military muay or use bare knuckle muay which is more of a martial art with hundreds of techs/self defense apps or use the weapons/empty hand methods. Its pretty clear. People will tell you and sell you anything but for me I use the methods which are all there for the appropriate application.Comment
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