The Thai Martial Art Style of Muay Boran

Muay Thai is well-known enough that almost everyone in the martial arts is aware of it. Often you will hear it referred to as the "art of eight limbs". Muay Thai, or Thai Boxing, is a well known sport in Thailand, being that country's official sport. It is popular around the world. It is competed in kickboxing matches, used for self-defense, and remains a leading element of Mixed Martial Arts. Where does Muay Boran fit into this? Many people don't know that Muay Boran can be regarded as Muay Thai's parent martial art form. Sadly, there is a danger that Muay Boran will become a lost martial art if it continues to lose attention.

So, precisely what is Muay Boran? If you're to translate the name it'll come off roughly as "Ancient Boxing" in English. This is a fitting name given that the modern version is in essence the sport of Thai Boxing. A lot of people write off Muay Boran under the misconception that it is simply a bare knuckle Muay Thai. Although it is true the ancient art was created to work without gloves, it isn't as close to the modern-day interpretations of Thai Boxing as many would think. Muay Boran was known as the art of "nine weapons, not the "art of eight limbs". As in addition to the hands, feet, elbows, and knees of Thai Boxing, Muay Boran added the headbutt, which is not legal in Muay Thai.

Another common misconception about Muay Boran is that its techniques and performance mirrors the striking style of Thai Boxing. There is certainly a bit of partial truth to the similarity, but mainly in the standup style they share. However, Muay Boran added many other native styles which were common to the Indochinese region. The training style of MMA is really somewhat similar to what you can expect to find in Muay Boran. MMA is a militaristic style. Muay Boran is pretty brutal. It deals with both offense and defense, but it does so in a freestyle fashion. It allows the fighter to compensate for naturally chaotic fighting conditions. The perfect places for the use of Muay Boran nowadays are militaristic and defensive.

That doesn't imply Muay Boran wasn't used in fight tournaments. Actually, the adaptation of Muay Boran after some time is thought to be how the art form of Muay Thai came into existence. There are two things attributed with Muay Boran's decline. Fighters were permitted to have their forearms wrapped in hemp as protection in traditional Muay Boran tournaments, but boxing gloves are used in competitive events these days. A great deal of the Muay Boran martial art form is illegal for use in modern-day competitive events in the name of fair play and basic safety. This is simply not to lament the introduction of Muay Thai because the birth of the ring sport was simply the result of a natural progression of events. As the attentions of people who enjoy the martial arts go to Muay Thai, Muay Boran is overlooked.

Achieving Maximum Results In Mixed Martial Arts Or MMA Thankfully, there are several masters of the traditional arts who have sought to go on teaching it to new generations. There are even instructional Muay Boran DVDs available these days, and also traditional Muay Boran clubs.