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Muay thai competitor in black glove throws left body kick to opponent in red gloves

Kickboxing vs Muay Thai

What is the Difference?

Kickboxing and muay thai may seem similar at first glance, but it is important to realize there are key differences between the two.  While there are many similarities, kickboxing and muay thai are two different sports. Yes, the fighters compete in a ring, fight with boxing gloves, and generally wear shorts, but there is much more going on. The real differences lie in the rule-set, and culture surrounding the sports. The different rules result in different styles, making up the distinction between kickboxing and Muay Thai.  For this article kickboxing refers to the K1 style rule-set and organization.

two kickboxing students in blue ranked shirts demonstrate proper kickboxing stance

Differences in Rules Between Kickboxing and Muay Thai

A brief breakdown of the rules for kickboxing (K1 rules):

  • Legal strikes include punches, kicks, and knees.
  • The clinch is limited to 3 seconds; the fighter must be actively kneeing inside the clinch. 
  • No sweeps or throws 

A brief breakdown of the rules for Muay Thai,

  • Legal strikes include punches, kicks, knees, and elbows.
  • Clinching is not limited as long as the fighter is active and scoring via knees, elbows, punches, throws, etc.
  • Sweeps and throws are aloud.

Differences in Style Between Kickboxing and Muay Thai

Kickboxing and Muay Thai have different styles because the fighters have learned to accommodate the ruleset that they are fighting under. Let’s start with the stance. A kickboxer’s stance might have their weight more evenly divided between their lead and rear leg, whereas a Thai boxer generally stands with more of their weight on the rear leg. Reason being, kickboxing is scored very offensively. Meaning aggression and volume are important, so their stance helps them be more balanced for punching, as punching is utilized more in this style. In Muay Thai, the scoring is based more on effectiveness, and aesthetic than aggression. So Thai boxers utilize kicks much more. A kick is generally more powerful than a punch, therefore it is thought of as more effective. So the stance weighted to the rear allows for quick blocking of frequents kicks, by using the lead leg to check.

Kickboxers also are usually (not always) thought to have better boxing technique and skill, than pure Thai boxers. Thai boxers are usually thought to have better kicking technique and skill that their kickboxing counterparts. 

Differences in Culture Between Kickboxing and Muay Thai

A large difference between these martial arts is the culture behind them. Kickboxing is considered more of a sport than a martial art. A typical kickboxing event is very simple and straight to the point. The athlete warms up, walks out, climbs through the ropes,

 and into the ring. The contest starts, ends, and the fighters exit the ring. kickboxing instructor in blue shirt and red boxing gloves, throws a left cross

Muay Thai is just as much a martial art as it is a sport. There is a rich culture involved in Muay Thai. In a typical event the athlete warms up, walks out, then it is traditional to climb OVER the top rope to enter the ring. The Sarama (traditional Thai music) starts playing, and the athlete then performs a dance called the Wai Kru Ram Muay. It is a ritual to show respect to their teachers and family. Each movement has a different meaning. Once the athletes are finished, they go back to their respective corners, and their teacher removes the Mongkon (traditional Thai headband) from the fighters’ head. The fight starts, and the Sarama is played during the fight. The fighters usually use the music to keep a rhythm, and the music increases in speed with each round. This encourages the fighters to pick up the pace as the fight goes on. 

 

 

What are some differences between the two styles that you have noticed or experienced?

 

 

If you are interested in trying out Kickboxing or Muay Thai Classes, your first class is always free!