Muay Thai is one of the most powerful martial arts on planet Earth. It teaches effective fighting techniques and will allow you to win fights with ease, particularly against the average person. Also, it is highly effective for street fights.
Muay Thai is effective for street fighting because it teaches practical and valuable fighting techniques, which are punching, kicking, elbowing, and kneeing. In a street fight, you are more likely to face an untrained individual than someone who knows to fight, which Muay Thai fighters can knock out with a single strike.
I have seen a couple of fights in my life and I know what usually happens. There is typically someone who has practiced martial arts and someone who has not. When I say martial arts, it can be anyone that is actively taught today, such as Boxing, Kickboxing, and even Kung fu and Karate.
Truth is, you will become a competent fighter by training in most martial arts out there. However, you will be able to perfect your fighting skills particularly with Muay Thai training, as it is one of the only ones out there that focuses as much as it does on fighting.
Let us now review the reasons why it is such an effective martial art for street fights!
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Why Muay Thai Is Effective in a Street Fight
Many people think, truly in their hearts, that Muay Thai is not effective in real life. When you examine other martial art and say the same thing, I can at least understand where you are coming from. However, when it comes to Thai Boxing, it is truly one of the most effective and practical fighting styles worldwide; not just as a combative sport, but also to real life.
What you might not understand is the amount of training Muay Thai trainees go through. Even if you are not planning to compete, you will get hit in the face countless times throughout your training. There is no way you will not become comfortable with fighting and with getting hit straight in the face.
That is why it is so effective. It also teaches exceptionally damaging and painful techniques, which is also a major part of why it is as effective for street fighting.
Anyways, let us dive into the four reasons why Muay Thai is as effective as it is for street fighting!
Reason #1 – It teaches four types of strikes
The first reason is the types of techniques it teaches. As you might or might not know, it is also known as the art of eight limbs. The reasoning for that is that it teaches you to use eight contact points. Here they are:
- two fists
- two shins
- two elbows
- two knees
Or, in simpler terms, you will learn to:
So you will learn to punch, such as by throwing a jab, cross, hook, and overhand punch (there are more punches that you will learn.) You will also learn to kick in different heights to cause maximized damage. And lastly, you will study the art of elbows and knees, which can knock out your opponent with a single hit if they are not ready.
The basic premise of knowing to fight is knowing to attack. Muay Thai teaches just that; it will teach you how to attack quickly and powerfully, potentially knocking out your opponent.
Read a complete guide on the basics of Muay Thai, including both attacking and defending, by following this link.
Reason #2 – It teaches you to clinch and sweep your opponent
The second reason why Muay Thai is effective for street fighting is that it teaches you to clinch and sweep your opponent. There is a big difference between martial arts and real violence. There is absolutely no doubting that. I have experienced both and they are truly different.
When you will experience violence, which typically comes either in self-defense or street fighting, you will do everything it will take to win. You will hit in spots that you would not usually aim for, perhaps the groin if you must. When it comes to real risk, you will do everything to win.
So why am I telling you this?
I am telling you this because Muay Thai will teach you two more effective techniques, which are grappling-based techniques. These are the clinch and the sweep, both of which will come in real handy in a real street fight.
The clinch is when you “hug” your opponent, controlling his upper body, which in turn allows you to throw effective knees and elbows. A sweep is when you literally sweep your opponent and off-balance him so he falls to the ground. Both will come in handy during a real fight.
Learn to use the clinch effectively in Muay Thai by following this link! It will make you a much more competent fighter!
Reason #3 – It is versatile and dynamic
The third reason is that it is versatile and dynamic. There is a certain point you will get to in your training that will be a big turning point. You will suddenly realize that you are extremely capable. What I mean by that is that you will realize that you are capable of disabling almost anyone on the street.
The number of techniques Muay Thai fighters can throw—is just perfect. While it does not go crazy with the number of techniques taught, it also does not teach too few. For instance, Boxing and Kickboxing teach way fewer techniques than Muay Thai does, which makes Muay Thai more dynamic and versatile.
The point I am trying to make is that you will know to react to more situations by learning everything you are about to learn. As a result, you will be capable of winning more fights just by the fact that you know to throw a punch, kick, elbow, knee, clinch, throw, sweep, and do various other fancy moves.
Reason #4 – It includes many spars and conditioning
The last reason is because it includes many spars and conditioning exercises. Here is the deal; most martial arts today are wishy-washy. As a result, they do not really prepare you for a real encounter, a real fight. I dive into far more detail on why most martial arts today do not prepare you for real-life fighting in the video below!
The reason Muay Thai is so perfect in that regard is that it includes so many sparring sessions. Now, this might intimidate you, and I totally get it if it does. If it does not, then you will enjoy training very much, you can count me on that.
However, if sparring does intimidate you, I want you to know that this fear goes away after a few sparring sessions. Your body is going to start getting used to getting constant hits, which is the key to unlocking your true fighting skills.
Who is more likely to win in a fight? A fighter who sparred 1200 times before or a fighter who has only punched a heavy, which as you might know—does not punch back.
Understand that Thai Boxing is extremely effective for street fighting not just because of what it teaches (although it’s a big part of that) but also because it will condition you to real fighting. Your pain tolerance is going to be extremely high, especially more than the average person on the street.
To win more spars in Muay Thai, follow this link to read an article that explains nine simple tips you can follow to win more spars!
And this is why Muay Thai is so effective for street fights.
Final Words
Muay Thai is one of the best martial arts out there. It is particularly effective for fighting and for real fights. So, if you are interested in becoming a solid fighter, this is the direction you should be heading.
I will now reveal the true purpose behind this article. It was to motivate you to start your training if you have not already. And if you have, I want you to double down in training and invest more effort. Because after all, the effort you invest today will be the results you gain tomorrow!
Here are other articles you will benefit from reading:
Here’s Why Muay Thai Is the Perfect Martial Art (9 Reasons)
Here’s How Deadly Muay Thai Really Is (Tips to Stay Safe)
Muay Thai vs. Taekwondo – Which Is Better (Differences)