Fighting Styles
About the different Kickboxing styles
Muay Thai Styles - Muay Thai has four distinct styles that are taught in different regions of the country. The northern style known as Muay Pra Nakorn emphasizes speed particularly in kicking. Because of its faster speed, it is also known as "Ling Lom" or windy monkey style. In the northeast there is Muay Korat which utilizes the fighter’s strength in all techniques. Muay Lopburi is taught in the center region and focuses on emphasized movements while Muay Chaiya is taught in the south and centers on posture and defense using more of the elbows and knees.
Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) - The national martial art and sport of Thailand. It dates back some 2000 years. Knees and elbows can be used in addition to punches, kicks and throws. Bouts consist of two, three or five rounds of 2-3 minutes. Standing clinching is used to put the opponent off balance or to execute knee and elbow strikes. Kicks are executed with the shin and not the foot as there are too many small bones that could easily be broken. Power comes from the hip movement, therefore, different from American kickboxing. The pre fight ritual of the Wai Kru is used at amateur level and above, the Ram Muay is optional at amateur level except at world championships and compulsory at professional Thai fights unless otherwise stipulated.
Muay Boran - Muay Boran, which translates to "Ancient Boxing", is the term Thai people called their fighting art and competition during the fists binding or "Kaard Chuerg" era ,to differentiate it from the modern rules Muay Thai. Eventually, regional styles of Muay Boran were developed such as Muay Thasao (North), Muay Korat (Eastern or North-East), Muay Lopburi (Central) and Muay Chaiya (South). There is the phrase "Punch Korat, Wit Lopburi, Posture Chaiya, Faster Thasao".
The practice of Muay Boran was kept up largely by Buddhist monks who were the keepers and teachers of all arts both practical and spiritual. Temples began holding fights during festive occasions. As every Thai man is expected to live as a monk at least once in his life the art grew in popularity among common people, so much so that it was said that any man worth his salt would practice it.
Muay Boran's form is quite efficient, in that it maximizes the amount of damage that each blow can inflict, and effective, in that it can easily lead to the death or serious injury of the opponent. Most notably, Muay Boran emphasizes the use of extremely powerful elbow and knee techniques, and combinations thereof, always thrown at full force and speed, with the intent to overcome one's adversary as quickly as possible, because another one might already be coming close or attacking.
Traditionally, Muay Thai masters would teach the techniques of Muay Boran as advanced Muay Thai but this is not often done today. Various moves in Muay Boran are forbidden in present-day Muay Thai tournaments and competitions. Even in Thailand it is becoming increasingly difficult to find a school willing to teach it; they prefer to focus on "modern" Muay Thai, as this is more easily exploitable as a form of income. Many schools nowadays who claim to offer Muay Boran just teach Muay Thai and sell it under the name of Muay Boran.
Muay Boran was previously not well-known in the West outside a small circle of practitioners. The art was featured in the 2003 Thai film Ong Bak starring Tony Jaa.
Muay Boran may be the offspring of Mae Mai Muay Thai.
Muay Boran has some similaries with the Burmese martial art, Lethwei, due to the allowance of headbutts and other techniques not allowed in sporting Muay Thai.
American Kick Boxing - Around since the early 70's and made famous by such fighters as Joe Lewis and Benny Urquidez. Considered to be the least robust of the full contact codes, the striking area is above the waist only (akin to Western boxing). The back-fist may also be used in addition to kicks and punches. The use of knees, elbows and throws are illegal. Six / Eight kicks per round must be thrown to avoid points deduction. Duration of bouts: 2 x 2 minutes, up to 12 x 2 minutes. Pads are worn on the shin and the instep.
Freestyle - Kicks are permitted to any part of the body, except the groin and the lower leg. Throws may also be allowed where stipulated. Instep pads are sometimes permitted. Bouts are comprised of 2-3 rounds (N/C class) and 5-12 rounds (B/A class).
Savate - Developed in France during the 19th Century, it is now becoming one of the worlds premier ring sports. Savatuers wear a one piece tunic, 10oz gloves with wrist protection and boots similar to those worn by wrestlers. Bouts are 2-5 rounds of 1-2 minutes each, kicks score more points than punches.
San Shou (Chinese Kick Boxing) - Most competitions are on a raised platform called Leitai with the fighters wearing protective gear. They are allowed predominantly to punch, kick and throw. This can sometimes be called Amateur San shou. A competition held in China, called the "King of Sanda", is held in a ring similar to a boxing ring in design but larger in dimension. They wear no protective gear except for gloves and are allowed to use knee strikes as well as kicking, punching and throwing.
MMA - Mixed Martial Arts - Currently the most popular fighting style of the present day. This involves the above styles of stand-up fighting combined with judo and wrestling takedowns plus ground work and submissions from Brazilian Jujitsu, Sombo and Submission Wrestling. There are various MMA styles: Vale Tudo, Pancrase and Shootfighting are a few. The rise in popularity is thanks to the UFC and a certain fighting family called the Gracies. Click here for MMA rules.
