Muay Thai, often referred to as the "Art of Eight Limbs," is a traditional Thai martial art known for using the entire body as a weapon. Unlike many martial arts that primarily use punches and kicks, Muay Thai incorporates strikes with the fists, elbows, knees, and shins. This unique use of eight points of contact makes it distinct from other striking arts, which typically focus on only one or two types of strikes. Muay Thai also places a strong emphasis on clinching, where fighters engage in close-range grappling to control their opponent’s movements and set up knee strikes or sweeps. The art is known for its devastating power and efficiency, relying on a combination of strength, speed, and technique. Another key characteristic of Muay Thai is its emphasis on conditioning, with practitioners building remarkable endurance and toughness to withstand strikes and continue fighting effectively.

Muay Thai has its origins in ancient Thai military combat techniques, believed to have developed over 2,000 years ago. The martial art was initially known as Muay Boran and was taught as a system of hand-to-hand combat for soldiers during wartime. As a result, the techniques were highly practical and focused on self-defence, close-quarters fighting, and battlefield survival. Over time, Muay Boran evolved into the more formalised sport of Muay Thai, particularly during the reign of King Rama V in the late 19th century. The sport began to transition from a martial art for military training to a popular sport practised in stadiums and local festivals. The introduction of rules and regulations in the early 20th century, such as the use of gloves and rounds, helped standardise the sport and allowed it to gain greater popularity both in Thailand and internationally. Today, Muay Thai is practised worldwide, especially as a competitive sport and in modern MMA training, where it is highly valued for its effective striking techniques.

Muay Thai competitions are held globally, with the sport’s traditional roots in Thailand being celebrated through numerous events. In professional Muay Thai competitions, fighters compete in stadiums such as Lumpinee and Rajadamnern in Bangkok, which are considered the sport’s epicentres. Fighters compete in a series of rounds (usually 5) where they are judged on their striking ability, technique, power, and overall control of the fight. Points are awarded for effective strikes with the fists, elbows, knees, and shins, as well as for successful clinch work. While striking is central to Muay Thai, the clinch (where one fighter attempts to control their opponent’s posture and deliver knee strikes) is an important aspect of the competition, and fighters are often judged on their ability to dominate in the clinch. In addition to professional events, Muay Thai competitions are also held in amateur settings, with athletes participating in tournaments across weight classes and age groups. Muay Thai tournaments may vary in their rules, but typically, competitions are structured around three-minute rounds with a winner determined by points, knockout, or stoppage due to injury. Muay Thai is also a popular discipline within MMA, where it is used to enhance a fighter's striking game, particularly in close-range exchanges.