What do you guys think of Mui thai compared to other martial arts or hybrid fighting forms.
Whick would you recomend
As you know, every martial art has its advantages. Kyokushin karate is my favourite, but you definitely cannot go wrong with muai thai,if you like more “violent” martial arts.
Many K-1 fighters are into muai thai (Branko Cikatic,E.Hoost etc).If you never trained martial arts before, I suggest you start with shotokan or kyokushin karate.
Draz, you’re a Kyokushin practitioner? Where? I trainer in Kyokushin during my university years but am getting back in.
Bally - Like Draz said, muay thai is pretty slick but if you’ve never trained before, definitely try something a little softer to start. Some good choices would be Kyokushin, Shotokan, Kempo, Tae Kwon Do, or any of the other traditional arts to help develop you’re kicking and defense before introducing muay thai elbows and knees into the mix.
Brazilian Ju-Juit-su, very neat no nonsense BS, straight, good old fashion ass whopping.
Ron Jeremiah
Can anyone recommned a quality Brazilian Ju-Juit-su studio in the Los Angeles or San Gabriel area?
J., I am from Zagreb(Croatia). I am not actually a full time kyokushin karateka since I train with weights two(maybe three)days a week, and in a dojo for two days as well. Many people are surprised in such low karate training frequency, but that way I can use weight training benefits much more efficiently.
What do you want to get out of it? How much are you willing to put into it? Do you want to compete? Use it as exercise? Just want to be able to handle yourself in a bar fight?
I trained in MT for a little over 2 years (gave it up when i changed cities and couldn’t find a respectable teacher). It was one of the most physically demanding sports I’ve ever participated in. And its a great supplement to weightlifting, because you get an incredible cardiovascular workout without the joint pounding (although you’ll need a few days out of the gym the first time you get kneed in the ribs). And you don’t need to spend time in another discipline before jumping in to MT. That’s why they have beginner’s classes.
One last piece of advice - the teacher is far more important than the style. While I think TKD sucks, I’d rather train under a great TKD teacher than a poor MT teacher.
This is for DGSKalsky, you are lucky to be in California. I am not sure if I can post the address over here as I may violate a forum rule or two. But do a search under Rickson Gracie, Holio Gracie or Padro Sauer on the google search engine you can get info on class schedules in California area. Good luck. It is a fun form of MA. Be prepared to get your Ass kicked once in a while. But a true T-Man should be able to take it easily!
Ron Jeremy.
PS also look for ultimate world champion Rickson Gracie.
Its one of the best stand up arts you can do. Economical and effective, as well as using all eight fighting points (feet, knees, elbows and fists) Throw in some BJJ for your submissions and ground work and you are right to go. Cross training is the key. All the Thai in the world won’t help you if it hits the floor, but it is great in the clinch however. The same applies with BJJ, lacks the stand up and striking aspect of a confrontation, but is tried and tested on the floor.
I’m from Australia so I am not sure what specific schools are in California, but I know it is a BJJ ‘mecca’ i the US. You will find both the Gracies and the Machados (Torrence?)there and will have no problem training under a Brazilian black belt.
Good luck.
Pikachu.
yes you don’t need to train in a martial art to train muaythai.
the forms or katas of karate or tae kwon do will not do you any good in the sport of muaythai, and you will just have to re learn alot of things.
the sport of muaythai is basically a set of rules:5-3 min. rnds allowing kicks to the legs, body and head,+knees,punches and elbows.
if you want to learn traditional muaythai you will notice that they stand and kick way different than karate and tkd.
thats why i say you’ll have to relearn a few things.
i train at IRON CITY GYM in pittsburgh and the one trainer is trained in muaythai and the other has trained in TKD and has trained and fought in thailand and also fought in last years K-1 usa.
the latter uses alot of tkd in his style as well as boxing and what he learned in thailand.
if you’re not previously trained in anything i would jump right into muaythai. if you did train in something else you will see they are worlds apart as far as training methods and intensity goes.
I recommend wing chun. It’s a very street effective style that uses simultaneous attack and defense. It also allows you to overcome a bigger and stronger opponent(chances are that when you need to use it the opponent will be bigger and stronger). Also, it doesn’t take long to learn some effective techniques. BJJ is also good, but what happens if you are facing multiple opponents?? Just my opinion.
I can personally attest to the fact that someone skilled in judo and knows how to strike can deliver a pretty solid ass kicking (mine).
Thats why cross training is the key. The BJJ - multiple opponent statement is a valid argument, but the same point can be applied to Wing Sun, ‘what happens if it goes to the ground?’ Each art has its weakness.
I prefer Thai for my stand up because it is truly a comative sport, it is tried and tested in the ring. What ever techniques don’t work are disregarded.
I have only fought two Wing Tsun stylist and found their defence easy to break down, and the centre line theory an open invitation for the easy take down. I can’t tell you how good these guys were, so I may have a bad impression of the style.
Not bashing the style, I’m sure if you trained in it you would have plenty of tools against the average guy, but the thread did ask about Thai.
Pikachu.