Muay Thai Rules – information: At first glance, Muay Thai fights might appear to some as lacking rules, but this perception couldn’t be farther from the truth. Thai Boxing boasts a rich tapestry of intricate rules carefully designed to ensure the safety of the fighters. These rules are not just about safeguarding the participants; they also contribute to the artistry and respect embedded in this ancient martial tradition. So, when you witness a Muay Thai bout, you’re not merely seeing a physical contest but a choreographed display of skill, strategy, and tradition that goes beyond mere combat.
Muay Thai Regulation – Techniques, weight classes, round times
Since there are not so many different associations in Muay Thai, the rules are almost uniformly and thus easy to internalize. All organizations in the world are subject to the pre-organization of the World Muay Thai Council (WMC) in Thailand. The Muay Thai fight rules are subdivided into legal techniques, forbidden techniques and combat decisions. Muay Thai is practiced only in full contact.
The allowed Muay Thai techniques:
- Leg kicks and punches to the upper body, the legs and the head of the opponent with the shin, foot and heel
- Punches as Cross, jabs, hooks to the head and upper body of the opponent
- Hand back blows from the rotation to the head and upper body
- Elbow blows to the head, torso and legs
- Knee kicks to the head, the torso and the legs
- Clinch and striking techniques in the clinch
- Countering the leg techniques by holding and special counter techniques
- Muay Thai throws and lever on the thigh
The forbidden Muay Thai techniques:
- Blows to the genital area
- Headbutts
- Kicking or hitting an opponent on the ground
- Shoulder – and Hip throws
- Holding the ropes in the clinch position
- Punching and Kicking against the back of the head and the knee
Here you can find more information about Muay Thai techniques.
Fight decisions:
- victory by Knock Out
- victory by scoring
- victory by submission
- victory by disqualification for offenses
- victory by termination of the referee
Muay Thai competition rules – Clothing:
- Groin guard*
- Muay Thai Shorts*
- Boxing gloves*
- Mouth guard*
- Handwraps*
- Foot wraps to support the ankle* (one per leg)
Muay Thai Rules – The weight classes
- Light flyweight 43 to 48 Kg
- Flyweight 48 to 51 Kg
- Bantam Weight 51 to 54 Kg
- Featherweight 54 to 57 Kg
- Light Weight 57 kg to 60 kg
- Light Welterweight 60 to 63.5 Kg
- Welterweight 63.5 to 67 Kg
- Half Middleweight 67 to 71 Kg
- Medium weight 71 to 75 kg
- Light Heavyweight 75-81 Kg
- Cruiser weight 81 to 86 kg
- Heavy weight 86 to 91 kg
- Super heavy weight over 91 Kg
Muay Thai Rules – The Fighting time
An official Muay Thai Title fight goes 5 rounds of 3 minutes. Between the rounds 2 minutes for recreation must be observed.
- D Class 3 × 2 min
- C-Class 3 × 2 min
- B class 5 x 2 min (title fight) Normal: 3×2
- A-Class 5 x 3 min (title fight) Normal: 3×3
However, depending on the association and event vary the round times a little. Some tournaments use only 1 minute break.
The full Muay Thai rules incl. modifications for women and children can be found on the official website of the World Muay Thai Council.