MUAY THAIEIGHT LIMBS by KELLY CRIGGER THE ARTOF THE Developed for the battlefield, the ancient art of Muay Thai finds a home in modern MMA. “Khai Muay kap kum mak kup,” Mark DellaGrotte chants as he locks up his Muay Thai Academy at the end of another long day of training. As if praying, he clasps his hands together at his forehead and bows, uttering the Thai phrase that means, “Thank you for all you have given me.” 8 82 FIGHTMAGAZINE.COM | APRIL 2009 MUAY THAI FIGHTMAGAZINE.COM | APRIL 2009 83 . and strikes to the genitals were legal. an activity considered taboo because Thai kings were not permitted to mingle with commoners. But this simple act of reverence reflects the deep respect that is at the core of Muay Thai. there was a man named Nai Khanum Tom who impressed the Burmese King with his Muay Thai skills. Not to be outdone by his dad. would probably regard DellaGrotte as a schizophrenic who talks back to the voices in his head. rings. King Rama V established a professional boxing camp and encouraged his nobility to do the same. and it still commands a deep respect among modern-day warriors. one after the other. The Royal Bond “Muay Thai brought us our freedom. and the Burmese King stayed true to his word. As such. since the kingdom’s archives were lost when the Burmese sacked the ancient Thai capital of Ayutthaya in 1767. and defines its unique relationship between the physical and the spiritual realms. What is known is that Muay Thai was developed for the Thai warrior in an era when only handheld weapons were available. King Rama l chose his best man.’ Nai Khanum Tom defeated all ten. So the Burmese King asked him. Massachusetts. it’s one of the few tangible examples of Muay Thai in the country’s history.’ So the Burmese King said.COM | APRIL 2009 Mark Dellagrotte continues an ancient tradition at Sityodtong in Boston. such as the use of gloves and groin protectors. “Defeat ten of my best fighters and I will set Thailand free. Muen Phlan. and when a soldier was often left on the battlefield with only his hands to fight with. and competitions. ‘I want my country to be free. and it’s actually mandatory learning for every schoolkid in the kingdom today. It was also the pastime of the country’s kings. That is why Muay Thai is so sacred in my country. an ancient form of combat. King Sanpet VIII had a habit of disguising himself to compete in local Muay Thai boxing tournaments. Unfortunately. It was developed and refined as a practical combat system on the battlefields of Southeast Asia over several centuries. through the dynasties. King Naresuan the Great used Muay Thai to defeat Burmese boxers and gain his country’s independence in the sixteenth century. Before Nai Khanum Tom. and was about to experience its golden age. We know that from 1350 to 1921 Muay Thai was mandatory training for all soldiers. promulgating the sport nationally. the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.” The tale is not a tall one. and establishing rules and regulations.MUAY THAI nyone walking down Cutter Street in Somerville. When Thai soldiers had to develop a way to knock their Burmese enemies off the backs of charging buffalo. (Until 1928 the hands were bare or wrapped in hemp. allowing commoners to run their own boxing camps. ‘What is it you want?’ And Tom said. The French should have learned from this event and stayed out of Indochina! By the nineteenth century the sport was growing in popularity. like Jigoro Kano’s Judo or the Gracie family’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. “When Burma conquered Thailand (in 1767). Thank God for progress!) King Rama VI’s patronage and the expansion of modern transportation . During this period. a tale emerged of two Frenchmen who came to Thailand to challenge the best Muay Thai boxers the country had to offer.” says Master Toddy. who was born in Thailand. King Rama I held boxing tournaments on his palace grounds and selected the best Muay Thai fighters to join his personal guard. King Rama VI went a step further by constructing large arenas. Muay Thai is not a style developed in a non-combat environment. who each put his personal stamp on the sport as it was passed down 84 FIGHTMAGAZINE. who defeated both Frenchmen in succession despite being smaller in size . they developed the flying knee that’s still a devastating weapon in today’s Muay Thai rings and MMA cages. Modern Buddhism believes in purifying the soul through meditation. “The temple in my village would put on Muay Thai fights so the kids could make money. and within a generation the sport transitioned from a military skill and the sport of nobility to a saving grace for street urchins. there is evidence that monks blessed Thai warriors before a battle. “The spirits of a fighter’s ancestors are embodied in the head. A Rite of Passage “Back in the day. which is performed by each contestant before the fight. It’s also why they jump over the top ring rope. “It was their way of helping the kids to survive. and keeping them from becoming little thieves or things like this. so temples contributed to the development of the sport as a means of helping others. a practice that carried over into the ring with a prayer for the combatants’ safety and a call upon their ancestors to be with them in the arena. “That’s why we wear the mongkol on the head and why boxers in Thailand don’t let women touch their heads. Upper class children don’t have to do that. but the two cultures are polar opposites in temperament.” Children’s full-contact fighting would have set off a firestorm of moral and ethical controversy in western countries. and that is where the bond between the physical and spiritual worlds were often formed. and demonstrates his abilities regarding balance and control. boxing could probably benefit from a dose of Buddhism. In that regard. caused Muay Thai camps to spring up like a contagion throughout the land. Buddhism believes in reincarnation and the ability of bygone people to have a spiritual presence in the physical world. however. Enter the religious right.” Master Toddy says.” Mark DellaGrotte laments.” says Erich Krauss. Thais believe they can actually protect the fighter from being cut in the ring. The connection between compassionate monks and hungry kids is a relationship that’s unique to Muay Thai. and camp. when I was six years old. while young American boxers prefer the Muhammad Ali style of machismo and braggadocio. because they don’t make money unless they turn pro. Muay Thai fighters are bereft of “attitude” and don’t like to admit what they do for a living. The Buddhist influence on Muay Thai runs deeper than its use as a philanthropic outlet. DellaGrotte knows the process. “It’s for poor kids because it’s one of the only ways they can make money.” Their situation is not unlike that of the inner-city boxing gyms in America.” Master Toddy echoes Krauss’ sentiment. “Muay Thai is practically male prostitution because it’s only for the poorest sector of society. While tattoos are decorative art forms in the west.MUAY THAI “The spirits of a fighter’s ancestors are embodied in the head. “In Thailand the upper class does not let their kids do Muay Thai. but it sets Muay Thai apart as the most ritualistic martial art in the world. Going back to the earliest days of border warfare. “You learned it because a master accepted you into his dojo.COM | APRIL 2009 Purification Through Pain Buddhist monks advocate peace. physical exertion was the way to spiritual enlightenment. Muay Thai clings to the traditional way of passing itself down: by selecting its future gatekeepers through a merit system based on commitment and passion for the art…and by keeping the FIGHTMAGAZINE. In previous centuries.” Toddy says. It’s not surprising when you consider the fact that most conflicts around the world are centered on religion. because if they go through the ropes their heads might touch it and they’ll lose their power.” Master Toddy says. Now anyone with a check and a pen can join a gym. It’s a carefully choreographed set of movements that pays respect to the fighter’s ancestors. Kneeling as a sign of respect to God and Buddha and a prayer for the safety of the fighters are key components of the Wai Khru Ram Muay. That’s where I started fighting. That belief in higher powers accompanied by a need to appease them may seem like pagan worship to westerners. “That’s why we wear the mongkol on the head and why boxers in Thailand don’t let women touch their heads” Thai was a natural fit for the Buddhist way of life. but it’s one of the few survival options available to a poor.” After thirteen years of working his way up through the Muay Thai hierarchy and being named the official conservator of the art in the United States. But not everyone is impressed with the purported link between the two. teachers.” Master Toddy says. but their history is littered with violent periods. But the granddaddy of all Muay Thai rituals is a dance called the Wai Khru Ram Muay. rural society like Thailand’s.” Tattoos are another part of the Muay Thai mystique. an American Muay Thai fighter and author of Muay Thai Unleashed. Muay 85 . “It’s basically survival for them because it’s their only alternative. but Buddhism in particular is inseparable from violence and the martial arts. you didn’t learn martial arts because you paid a guy. So kids become professional fighters at just six years old. Like farming. Unless you consider Sumo a viable martial art. National pride in Muay Thai runs deep. Half the crowd will sing along. Lee won his battle to teach. “In MMA today everyone is like. which weeded out the nonessentials. ‘What’s up bro. or kickboxing. and two elbows —to deliver crushing blows that can cause immense damage and frequently break the skin.” DellaGrotte says. who spent years studying various martial arts before settling into a life of Muay Thai.” DellaGrotte has achieved what’s available to all. Rites of passage are nothing new. like belts.COM | APRIL 2009 the unspoken hierarchy of respect that gives Muay Thai a mystical appeal seldom found in modern martial arts.” says DellaGrotte. two feet. like western boxing. Muay Thai earned its moniker as “The Art of Eight Limbs” because it uses eight striking points—two hands. Many martial arts refrain from allowing insiders get too close to their inner secrets. Anyone who’s studied the arts knows the famous tale of Bruce Lee’s fight with his fellow Chinese teachers over sharing the secrets of Kung Fu with Americans. The evolution of Muay Thai was influenced by the hot climate of Southeast Asia. “It’s simple and effective. “I was four years old and I would watch the fighters train through the fence every day. With MMA. where the indigenous people don’t wear heavy clothing that restricts their movements.’” DellaGrotte says. “When I was a boy there was a gym in my village. They wanted to work on defense and asked me to throw strikes at their champion… and sweep the floor of course.” he says. This allowed the art to develop strikes that are efficient and natural. Muay Thai is not restricted. They’re a facet of most collective organizations. you’ll get all they have to offer. like a sensei) finally invited me in to help train their fighters. but it’s 86 FIGHTMAGAZINE. Compare that to the stiffer movements and rigid forms of those martial arts designed for a combatant wearing a gi or body armor. As long as you show a sincere appreciation for the sport and give it your all. and Muay Thai has the same . I came from a Jeet Kune Do background. but several art forms still remain closed to the unwelcome. Muay Thai is on the opposite end of the spectrum: Thais are generally happy to throw their doors open and teach their art to anyone who wants to learn. “But in Muay Thai we all wai (the traditional gesture of holding both hands to the head) and bow to show respect to those who have earned it. Thailand. we get to see what works and what doesn’t. Thai people have no tolerance for farang (westerners) who just want to go through the moves and strike without passion. but attained by so few.” Master Toddy says of his childhood in Prakanow. “At boxing matches you can hear a pin drop during the national anthem. But the faint of heart need not apply because. from the Freemasons to fraternity houses. in general. After a year the Kru (master trainer. which only has four.MUAY THAI going off or they’re mumbling to each other. Every Joe has his cell phone And what they have to offer is significant.” It’s all about pride in something that you’ve worked hard to achieve and which has given so much back to you in return. “They look for the guy who just wants to have an adventure. which only has two striking points. “Any white guys who go to Thailand and don’t show heart and dedication get tossed over to the heavy bags right away and never get the attention they want.” says DellaGrotte. It’s not a tangible system of recognition. which is understandable when you consider that it’s credited with saving their country. “MMA has proven it.” // PHOTO BY SUSUMU NAGAO Muay Thai in MMA “Dragging your opponent down while bringing the knee up can deliver up to two and a half tons of force” camp clean. “Try that at a baseball game in the States. laughing. but it’s not the same. But being accepted into Muay Thai is something that stays with each individual and instills a code of respect for the art’s elders. two knees. and added an incredible KO to his highlight reel. “Human bones can resist forty times more stress than concrete. “It’s the same principle that cracks a whip. It’s the equivalent of hitting our opponent in the chest with a sledgehammer. Mae Mai Muay Thai The mastery techniques are not allowed in sporting competitions because they’re lethal (and too slow for today’s professional fighters).” “And unlike most strikes. where it morphed into Brazilian JiuJitsu. After that it was always called BJJ. and there will always be that danger of breaking your hand when you do. It’s a Burmese dance that is not done until the fight is over. it’s undisputable that the art was developed and refined in Thailand and so is justifiably called Muay Thai. Muay Chaiya. 88 FIGHTMAGAZINE. Muay Bando Burmese boxing.” The History Channel delved into the science of Muay Thai in its Human Weapon series to discover what makes Muay Thai strikes so effective. For anyone who loves big knockouts (and who doesn’t). Silva took the extraordinary step of adapting a Muay Thai strike from a movie to a professional fight. “Turning the hips just a few degrees forces the foot to travel a much greater distance. “Dragging your opponent down while bringing the knee up can deliver up to two and a half tons of force. The Champion Maybe that’s what Anderson Silva should change his nickname to. I used that to my advantage. Muay Khmer Cambodian boxing.” Silva says. but in combat and in self defense. Also referred to as Muay Chao Chur. The strikes are not that powerful. it’s easy to learn.” Examples of this in modern MMA abound.” Always the student. hard area. Muay Lang is also used as a term for royal bodyguards in Thailand. Ta Sao. and it’s effective. “Where I trained. It’s rumored that two fighters could agree beforehand to dip their hands in glue and crushed glass. Jiu-Jitsu was first developed in Japan. Muay Kaad Chuek The old form of wrapping the hands and fingers in unrefined hemp to protect them.” continues the narration of “Human Weapon. developing a strong Muay Thai clinch is a long tradition. That’s the least we can do for a martial art that has given us so much. Muay Chalat Intelligent style or Felix Trinidad style.” Silva says. While there may be some merit to this theory. Even if the elbow does not deliver a knockout. and creates a lot of speed as it does. it will almost always leave a nasty cut. Some claim that Muay Thai actually originated in Cambodia. After seeing Muay Boran legend Tony Jaa execute a reverse back elbow in the movie Ong Bac. All the professors have spent years mastering it.” says DellaGrotte. “What allowed me to dominate that fight was the Muay Thai clinch.” according to the program. I spent a good portion of my training on this position alone and even worked on new techniques with it to make it more applicable to MMA. Muay Plum Wrestling style. Muay Korat. so I learned to defend takedowns using the clinch. It’s a very complete art. Silva practiced the move with his wife. Muay Sangha Includes attuning the fighter’s energies to his nature and chanting to open the chakras of the body. Geographic disparities and stylistic differences have created a plethora of names that are hard to keep track of and are always disputed: Muay Boran The original form of Muay Thai. standing on his couch holding pillows. To put it into perspective.” Almost all martial arts use hands and feet. I knew that every time a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner or wrestler goes for a takedown he has to drop his head.” points out the narration in “Human Weapon.COM | APRIL 2009 . but it spread to Brazil. “The Spider” was raised on Muay Thai competitions. the strike was jaw dropping. Someone who’s referred to as a Muay Chalat is said to have good eyes and good technique. which makes elbows and knees unique to Muay Thai. how you could string the various techniques together to form complex combinations. not JJJ. Muay Thai fighters are taught to strike with the hard bone of the shin. in Curitiba. When I tied up with him in the clinch I felt considerably stronger. Muay Ba Crazy style. “But if you hit something with your elbow. Muay Thai is probably the one style that most accurately resembles a street fight.” The knee is also a Muay Thai specialty that derives its power from leverage. and kicks to the head when you’re on the ground.” The Various Forms of Muay Thai Muay Thai has been called many things. Just go for it and see what happens. and regards Muay Thai as a critical component of his skills. which land with some combination of flesh and bone. and in fact it was called Krabi-Kabong long before it became Muay Thai. All the force is magnified by being concentrated in a small. groin strikes. it’s his clinch that he credits with winning the most important fight of his life.MUAY THAI philosophy. Muay Lang The power style or Mike Tyson style of swinging for the fences. the elbow strike is almost pure bone. They found that a Muay Thai kick generates roughly the same amount of force as a baseball bat because of the rotation of the hips. but they’re kept as a tradition. “You can punch a hundred ways. Muay Lopburi All regional styles developed in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Kenny Florian’s elbow to Sean Sherk’s temple at UFC 64 and BJ Penn’s elbow strike to Joe Stevenson’s forehead at UFC 80 are among the bloodiest fights in the sport. which Americans. The Wai Khru Ram Muay is also different. “When I was growing up I fell in love with the breadth of the discipline. Despite his trainers’ telling him it would never work. Known for his formidable Muay Thai striking. Today an annual Muay Kaad Chuek festival is held on Thailand’s border with Laos in which fighters go at it until one is knocked out. you’re going to break what you’re hitting . so this form is used more by the older Muay Thai fighters. so it’s very efficient. Muay Chalat uses timing to defeat brute force with the least amount of effort possible.” “The flying knee concentrates all the power of the body into the spear point of the knee and combines it with gravity. It’s easy to teach. and MMA fans in general. It’s an art that uses what works and ignores what doesn’t. Muay Pra Nakorn. It was the one thing Rich Franklin didn’t expect. not just in MMA. and figures of men fighting are indeed carved into the walls of ancient Cambodian temples. Muay Bando still uses the head butt. Emphasizes powerful shots over technical prowess. Unlike Karate fighters . appreciate. It is probably the best illustration of how efficient even the most unorthodox Muay Thai strike can be. Emphasizes the use of body weight and control in the clinch to throw the opponent before striking. when he downed former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin. he threw it at Tony Fryklund at Cage Rage 16.