6 Things Muay Thai Fighters Hate Posted on March 14, 2023March 21, 2023 By Angela Chang Fighters have their fair share of challenges both in and out of the ring. They learn to deal with the ups and downs of Muay Thai. Some things just suck. But other things are simply unacceptable.Although disliking something can be highly subjective, here are some common experiences and opinions from Muay Thai fighters of things they really don’t like.Please support the continuation of content on Muay Ying via PatreonCutting WeightA weight cut involves purely water loss via dehydration and/or water manipulation methods. It can be challenging and exhausting, and it requires strict dietary restrictions and intense workouts.Still from ReelEarth: A Muay Thai Pilgrimage, filmed and directed by Mohammad Homouda.Weight cutting isn’t always done in a safe manner, and there have, unfortunately, been instances of people being hospitalized or dying from cutting too much weight (some examples fighters we’ve lost are Jessica Lindsay and Jordan Coe). Whether it’s done in a safe manner or not, dehydration is dehydration. Your body is under red alert, telling every bit of you, Danger! Danger!InjuriesThis probably speaks for itself. Injuries are frustrating because it forces fighters to miss fights and training sessions. Our sense of routine may throw us off balance.Muay Thai is a contact sport, and injuries are common. Sitting on the sidelines is difficult for a lot of fighters. The pain and recovery time are frustrating to deal with.LosingWhile winning is not imperative to be successful or to become better, Muay Thai is a competitive sport. And, let’s face it: nobody trains hard to lose. Losing can be disappointing and frustrating. They put a lot of time and effort into their training, and losing can be demotivating.Bad Judges’ DecisionsSometimes, fighters may feel that they won a fight, but the judges’ decision goes against them. When judges favor fighters for whatever reason (nationality, other personal biases), they’re compromising everything. It’s almost an attempt at invalidating the work the fighters put in.Officials should be fair, unbiased, and see fighters as how they show up in the ring. Nothing less, nothing more. This can be frustrating and demoralizing, as the outcome of a fight can have a significant impact on a fighter’s career.OvertrainingIf you’ve been in this territory, you know exactly how much this sucks and how drained it feels. To quote an article I wrote for Muay Thai Guy, “People often confuse this term with feeling fatigued, but take note: overtraining is not as simple as that. Its consequences are quite sobering, especially for those who are serious about their progress.”Overtraining leads to burnout, injuries, and more. It’s important (yet difficult) to find the right balance between training and rest to avoid overexertion.Poor SportsmanshipPoor sportsmanship is usually characterized as disrespectful behavior towards opponents or excessive celebrations after a win. One of the things that draw many people to Muay Thai is its culture of honor and respect, and poor sportsmanship can be seen as a violation of these values.Trash-talking, not touching gloves, intentional fouls, hitting someone after the bell… these are not good reflections of essence of Muay Thai.This article is not intended to complain, but to raise awareness, create new norms, and encourage change. Let’s work together to create a better, safer, and more supportive environment for all fighters.[I speak about this subject more in depth in a podcast episode] If you want an in-depth guide to training in Thailand, I’ve got just the thing. Fighting and Training Muay Thai muay thaimuay thai problemsthings fighters dislike
Muay Thai Tipping in Muay Thai in Thailand: A Guide Posted on April 2, 2023January 2, 2025If you’re planning a trip to Thailand to train or compete in Muay Thai, you may be wondering about the etiquette surrounding tipping. And, more specifically, what is common courtesy within the Muay Thai community when it comes to tipping. Read More
Fighting and Training A Guide to Fighting Muay Khao: Practical Tips to Overcome Knee Specialists Posted on February 3, 2025February 2, 2025In the world of Muay Thai, each fighter brings their unique strengths and fighting style to the ring. One of the most challenging styles to face is that of the Muay Khao, or knee fighter. People with this fighting style are renowned for their dominance in the clinch, relentless forward pressure, and devastating knee strikes that can overwhelm even the most experienced opponents. Legends like Saenchai have lost to Muay Khao because they could not utilize their long-ranged weapons and gassed out from the pressure.If you’re preparing for a match against a Muay Khao fighter, regularly sparring with one, or struggling to deal with the clinch in general, this guide will equip you with the tools and strategies you need to not only survive but thrive against this powerful fighting style. Read More
Fighting and Training Breaking Stereotypes in Fighting: Celebrating Diversity in Combat Sports Posted on March 7, 2023March 7, 2023“But you don’t look like a fighter.” Fighters come in all shapes, sizes, aesthetics, colors, and otherwise. The notion that there is a certain “look” that fighters need to have needs to be dismantled. Judging fighters based on their appearance is unfair and diversity in the world of combat sports should be celebrated. Read More