Muay Thai

Muay Thai ((มวยไทย) (Thai Boxing) ( listen)) is a combat sport from the many martial arts of Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. This physical and mental discipline which focuses on standing combat is known as "the art of eight limbs" because it is characterized by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees, shins and feet.  Muay Thai became widespread internationally in the twentieth century, when practitioners defeated notable practitioners of other martial arts.

Muay Thai, like boxing and various forms of kickboxing, is recognized as a very effective striking base within MMA, and is very widely practiced among mixed martial artists. Fighters (some of whom have won titles) such as Maurício Rua, Wanderlei Silva, Jose Aldo, Renan Barao, Anderson Silva, Thiago Silva, Gina Carano and Cristiane Santos employ a broad range of tactics born of Muay Thai. Countless other mixed martial artists have trained in the art and it is often taught at MMA gyms as is BJJ and Wrestling.

Many techniques associated with Muay Thai are often seen in MMA, such as punches, elbows, clinch fighting, high kicks, leg kicks and knees.