Muay Thai is definitely one of the essential skill sets for any mixed martial arts fighter, but it's an ancient and respected martial art on its own with roots that go back several centuries in Thailand where it was both a sport and part of military training. Muay Thai is a highly versatile style of fighting that incorporates the use of the arms and legs; in fact there are eight contact points - the feet, the fists, the elbows and the knees. Throughout the years, there have been many prominent practitioners of Muay Thai, and here are just a few of the best ones.
Nai Khanomtom, while not a modern fighter, deserves a mention because his story is the stuff of legends. Khanomtom was captured by the King of Burma in the late 18th century and ordered to fight the Burmese's top champion boxer. Using his Muay Thai skills, Khanomtom quickly overcame his opponent. Disbelieving of this feat, the king ordered Khanomtom to fight nine more champions and he handily defeated all of them. As a reward, he received his freedom and a few wives as well. His accomplishment is celebrated each year in Thailand on March 17, which is called either Boxer's Day or Muay Boran Day, in deference to the earliest form of the sport.
Heading into more modern times, one should consider the accomplishments of Apidej Sit-Hirun who held seven Muay Thai titles at one time and was a highly prominent fighter during the 1960s. His kicks were so powerful that he once broke both of the arms of an opponent during a bout and ended his opponent's career. The current King of Thailand named him as the Fighter of the Century, and after he retired, he became one of the sport's top instructors.
If you love Muay Thai and would like to catch some of the world's best bouts, take a trip to Thailand and visit Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, which is considered by many to be a worldwide symbol of Muay Thai. For Samart Payakaroon, winning one championship at Lumpinee was just not enough of an accomplishment. Payakaroon won four championships, but even more impressive, they were all in different weight classes. His overall record includes more than 129 victories and fewer than 20 losses. In addition, he is an award-winning singer and even has acted in a few films.
In Thailand, a champion at Lumpinee Stadium definitely has earned some bragging rights. Rajadamnern Stadium is another highly prominent Muay Thai venue in Bangkok. Jomhod Kiatadisak, also called the King of the Ring, has won a Lumpinee Championship as well as two Rajadamnern championships. In addition to these accolades, he has 14 WBC Muay Thai Championships under his belt and a career of more than 300 bouts with just 24 losses overall.
There are many more examples of amazing Muay Thai fighters, and there are certainly some great MMA fighters who are highly skilled in Muay Thai. One of the best is Anderson Silva, who holds the equivalent of a black belt in Muay Thai, along with his many other black belts in Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Tae Kwon Do. Fabricio Werdum and Cristiane Santos are a few other notable MMA fighters with strong Muay Thai skills.
Nai Khanomtom, while not a modern fighter, deserves a mention because his story is the stuff of legends. Khanomtom was captured by the King of Burma in the late 18th century and ordered to fight the Burmese's top champion boxer. Using his Muay Thai skills, Khanomtom quickly overcame his opponent. Disbelieving of this feat, the king ordered Khanomtom to fight nine more champions and he handily defeated all of them. As a reward, he received his freedom and a few wives as well. His accomplishment is celebrated each year in Thailand on March 17, which is called either Boxer's Day or Muay Boran Day, in deference to the earliest form of the sport.
Heading into more modern times, one should consider the accomplishments of Apidej Sit-Hirun who held seven Muay Thai titles at one time and was a highly prominent fighter during the 1960s. His kicks were so powerful that he once broke both of the arms of an opponent during a bout and ended his opponent's career. The current King of Thailand named him as the Fighter of the Century, and after he retired, he became one of the sport's top instructors.
If you love Muay Thai and would like to catch some of the world's best bouts, take a trip to Thailand and visit Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, which is considered by many to be a worldwide symbol of Muay Thai. For Samart Payakaroon, winning one championship at Lumpinee was just not enough of an accomplishment. Payakaroon won four championships, but even more impressive, they were all in different weight classes. His overall record includes more than 129 victories and fewer than 20 losses. In addition, he is an award-winning singer and even has acted in a few films.
In Thailand, a champion at Lumpinee Stadium definitely has earned some bragging rights. Rajadamnern Stadium is another highly prominent Muay Thai venue in Bangkok. Jomhod Kiatadisak, also called the King of the Ring, has won a Lumpinee Championship as well as two Rajadamnern championships. In addition to these accolades, he has 14 WBC Muay Thai Championships under his belt and a career of more than 300 bouts with just 24 losses overall.
There are many more examples of amazing Muay Thai fighters, and there are certainly some great MMA fighters who are highly skilled in Muay Thai. One of the best is Anderson Silva, who holds the equivalent of a black belt in Muay Thai, along with his many other black belts in Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Tae Kwon Do. Fabricio Werdum and Cristiane Santos are a few other notable MMA fighters with strong Muay Thai skills.
About the Author:
Rod Bourgoine enjoys writing about MMA benefits. For more details about muay thai in San Diego or to discover a San Diego martial arts gym, click here now.
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