Muay Thai, aka Thai Boxing, is one of the more prominent and effective martial arts one can learn. Not only is it effective for street fights, but it’s also effective for self-defense and self-development. So once and for all, let’s examine why Muay Thai is effective.
Muay Thai is one of the most effective martial arts in the world because it teaches aggressive and powerful strikes, primarily punches and kicks. It teaches its disciples to combine these techniques and creates an even more fierce fighting style, allowing you to tackle self-defense and dangerous situations.
All in all, it’s one of the best martial arts in the entire world. Originating in Thailand, Thai Boxing has been developed throughout the years and, today, it’s as prominent as it is because of its community and the number of effective techniques and combinations you’ll learn.
This article will break this martial art down and prove that it’s highly effective for self-defense and street fights. Likewise, we’ll examine why it’s so powerful for self-improvement and becoming a better, more fulfilled person—who has a growth mindset—with high self-esteem, self-efficacy, and self-confidence.
If you still haven’t started your training, this article will get you fired up to start changing your life and become an extremely capable fighter; I think that’s enough introduction!
Will Muay Thai Help in a Street Fight?
When you enter a Muay Thai gym for the first time, you might be surprised by the variety of people there. In my first class, I trained with a 55-year-old woman, and she was good! Likewise, I trained with a 21-year-old beast and a 15-year-old trainee. All in all, Thai boxing really is for everyone. But, is it really as effective as people put it to be?
Muay Thai will help in a street fight because it teaches effective striking techniques, including punching and kicking. These techniques aren’t the only effective moves it teaches; it also teaches various defensive moves and how to use combinations to cause as much damage to your opponent.
In the upcoming sections of this article, we’ll cover examples where Muay Thai has worked flawlessly in a self-defense or street fight situation. Why did I choose to do that? You might ask.
Well, the primary reason for that is to force you to understand that we’re talking about a highly effective martial art that you should learn. Let me reveal a little secret to you; the entire point of this article was to get you to take action.
So it’s definitely for you if you haven’t begun your Muay Thai training yet. If you have, the upcoming sections will get you fired up and fuel your motivation tank to full!
Example #1 – Streetbeefs Scrapyard Fight
The first example we’ll review definitely applies to our question. What we have is two Muay Thai fighters going at it. Now some will argue that you can’t interpret Muay Thai as an effective martial art by watching a Muay Thai fight. While I partly agree with that, this is different, and I’ll tell you why.
What they do in the video is face two fighters against each other in a more lighthearted manner when it comes to rules. Therefore, it looks and acts more like a street fight than a professional Muay Thai fight.
There’s one last detail I’d like to point out to you; watch how aggressive and relentless these fighters are. This is what Muay Thai does to you. It turns you into a fighter capable of (1) getting hit and not moving a single inch, and (2) transforming into an attacking beast.
All in all, this example shows us the aggressiveness of these fighters and how this martial art allows them to attack and defend themselves fiercely.
This is the entire point of Thai Boxing!
Example #2 – Rodtang (The Iron Man)
The 2nd example we’ll look at—is Rodtang, one of the most feared Muay Thai fighters in the entire world. This is, in my opinion, the best example of why this martial art works so well in both street fights and self-defense situations.
The next example is going to be a complete fight. However, what it really is—is a showcase of one of the best fighters—whose name is Rodtang, or, by his nickname: The Iron Man.
What I want you to understand from this example is the number of damage he’s capable of getting and not caring. So, what you’ll see is a fighter capable of getting kicked right in his face and smiling, as he’s so used to pain.
I admire fighters like that. However, I really believe that his having learned Thai Boxing has everything to do with the fact he’s such a great fighter. Not only is it an effective martial art for learning to fight, but also to get hit in the face and take it like Iron Man.
Example #3 – The Infamous Headkick
The last video we’ll review is a Muay Thai fighter getting kicked in his head and not moving an inch. I absolutely love this video because it showcases the sheer force this martial art has.
Kick a regular person in the face and you’ll see the reaction you’d expect to see a big panic. However, when you see this guy, you see just how calm he is. Now, of course, this has everything to do with how this specific fighter trained and his competence.
Nonetheless, I assure you that Thai Boxing has everything to do with it. I’m not suggesting that by punching a punching bag once in a while you’d be able to become him. However, by consistently training, sparring, and competing, I’m confident that you’ll be able to begin amping up your pain tolerance easily.
Should You Learn Muay Thai?
The last section of this article will be about whether you should learn Muay Thai. If you’ve read the entire article thus far, I believe you know the answer to this question, as I’ve been praising it for the entire time. However, there’s still something you don’t know.
Learning Muay Thai is one of the wisest choices you can make because not only will it turn you into a competent fighter, but it’ll also improve your well-being and make you a better person. For example, it’ll boost your self-esteem, self-efficacy, self-confidence, self-respect, and competence in all realms of life.
The last sentence of the last paragraph shows just how much you should strive to train in Thai Boxing. You’ll be able to start seeing results in ALL realms of life as a consequence of your vigorous training.
And this is the primary reason you want to begin your Thai Boxing training. Eventually, most martial arts will have that effect, but I would argue that not on the same level as Muay Thai.
Therefore, if you want to become a more competent individual, look to begin your training as soon as possible.
Final Words
And this is this article. You now understand the importance of training in martial arts, and more specifically, Muay Thai. It’ll allow you to become a competent fighter, capable of attacking like a beast and getting hit right in the face and smiling about it.
If you have yet to start your training, what are you waiting for? I wrote a complete guide to training Muay Thai, and you must read it if you desire to fire up your training (either from home or from a qualified martial arts gym.)
Here are other articles you’d enjoy reading:
Muay Thai 101 – Complete Guide for Beginners
The Beginner’s Guide to Training Muay Thai at Home