Muay Thai. MMA's secret weapon: Why is the world wild about Thai style

When we hear “Muay Thai”, images of packed Lumpinee and Rajadamnern arenas, the smell of Thai oil, and the sounds of traditional music immediately come to mind. For Thailand, this martial art is a true part of the country’s cultural identity. But let’s face it: by 2026, Muay Thai has long ceased to be our sport alone. And that is perhaps the greatest compliment Thailand could receive.

Muay Thai has taken over rings and octagons worldwide, becoming one of the key striking styles in the UFC. The paradox is that relatively few Thai fighters compete in Western promotions, yet their legacy is having a bigger impact than ever.

Foundation of greatness: from Anderson Silva to the present day

The Thai school of fighting is the foundation on which some of the world's greatest fighters built their empires. Take Anderson Silva, for example. His dominance in the middleweight division was built not on wrestling, but on the effortless fluidity and impeccable timing that Muay Thai instills. His clinch work and devastating knees were a pure embodiment of the “art of eight limbs”.

José Aldo spent decades destroying his opponents’ legs with his legendary leg kicks. Could there be a better advertisement for the Thai school? And what about Valentina Shevchenko? Her control of distance, body movement, and counter-striking is the highest form of Muay Thai technique, refined to perfection and helping make The Bullet one of the greatest women in mixed martial arts history.

The new generation also pays homage to Thai traditions. Sean O’Malley is more than just a striking image for social media and the media. His game is built around footwork and precision kicking. He may not look like a classic Thai fighter, but his striking style would not be nearly as spectacular without Muay Thai.

Battle of styles: breaking down the Makhachev vs Prates title fight

The hottest topic of recent months has been Carlos Prates’ preparation for his title fight against Islam Makhachev. This will be more than just a fight for the belt. It will be a clash of philosophies.

On one side is the ruthless, pragmatic Dagestani wrestling that has become accustomed to “eating up” pure strikers.

On the other is Prates, whose Muay Thai could prove to be the factor capable of changing the game at welterweight in the UFC. Can pure striking technique and takedown defense, built on a Thai foundation, stop the machine from the Nurmagomedov team?

If Prates pulls off a stunning upset, it could mark a seismic shift and usher in a golden era for Muay Thai in the UFC. Especially after pure striker Song Yadong knocked out Umar Nurmagomedov, the myth of the Dagestani wrestling school’s “invincibility” against elite striking has been seriously shaken.

Why are there so few Thai fighters in the UFC, yet their style is everywhere?

A fair question arises: if Muay Thai is so effective, why are there so few fighters from Thailand in the UFC itself?

As always, the answer is complex. Paddy Pimblett recently offered a great explanation. It comes down to economics and tradition.

“The Thai fighters – some of them start fighting from the age of six, seven, eight, and they're fighting every week,” The Baddy noted. “They’re the breadwinners for the family from that age, man. That’s madness. By the time a Muay Thai fighter is in their late 20s, their career is likely done after hundreds of matches.”

Moreover, for a Thai fighter, competing at a legendary stadium in Bangkok is an honor comparable to winning a UFC belt. They remain deeply rooted in their traditions. What about the technical side? A traditional high Muay Thai stance in MMA does leave fighters more exposed to takedown attempts. Those who adapt their style and blend disciplines, such as many Brazilian and American fighters, have found success. Pure Thai fighters, unfortunately, often remain vulnerable on the ground.

ONE Championship – home of Muay Thai legends

If the UFC is a melting pot of fighting styles where Muay Thai is just one ingredient, then ONE Championship is its temple. This is where some of the world’s elite strikers compete.

Demetrious Johnson is a name that features on virtually every list of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. His versatility is remarkable, but his striking and stand-up game, particularly during his time in ONE, showed that even a “wrestling legend” couldn’t withstand the magic of the Thai style.

Muay Thai thrives in its purest form in ONE, drawing packed crowds from Singapore to Bangkok.

Spectacle against pragmatism

We love Muay Thai for the emotion it brings. For those wild exchanges, the elbows that split open eyebrows, and the sheer fighting spirit. Modern MMA increasingly revolves around “dirty boxing” and grinding opponents against the cage. It’s effective, but it can be dull.

The million-dollar question is this: can spectacular Muay Thai eventually overcome pragmatic wrestling in the world of mixed martial arts? Or will wrestlers keep turning fights into a game of chess on the ground?

We are already seeing Thai techniques being adapted to MMA: a knee up the middle to counter a takedown, as Jiří Procházka does, or an elbow in the exchanges, like Khalil Rountree. The answer seems to depend on who can best adapt this ancient art to the modern realities of the sport.