By Pop Praditbatuga

Click here if you do not see a menu frame to your left. Muay Thai or Thai Boxing is a self-defense technique that was developed and tested in battle by the ancient warriors of Thailand. Today, the Thai military as well as the U.S. SEAL teams and members of the CIA continue to use its effective striking techniques. In addition, it is also the National Sport of Thailand. There are five major components to Thai Boxing: (1) Punches, (2) Knees, (3) Elbows, (4) Clinching, and (5) Kicks. Thai boxers do not earn belt colors typical of Karate and Tae Kwon Do schools. Instead, Muay Thai practitioners test their skills in the ring. In fact, the only belts Thai boxers are concerned with are the Lumpinee Stadium and the Ratchadamnoen Stadium Championship belts. Most Thai males will at one time or another acquire the skills of Muay Thai. My father gave me my first Muay Thai training, which he learned in the Royal Thai Army. Most professional fighters begin their careers as early as six or seven years of age, and will fight in major stadiums early in their teens. This intensive training has allowed Thai boxers to dominate the world in full contact stand-up bouts. Holland is a close second. Actually, in the heavier weight classes, Holland is first! The skills of Thai Boxing is also superior to other striking systems. Only grapplers who practice real combat grappling like Brazilian Jiu-Jit-Su and hybrid stylists (who combine Muay Thai techniques with grappling) have been more successful in individual confrontations. Indeed, combining Muay Thai with grappling and weapon systems have given me a defense system that is simple enough to work in most modern situations. Remember that before devoting precious time to incorporate an art, one must ask oneself: "Is that particular art effective for the average size individual?" It is too often that we see gigantic men perform successfully in confrontations, but when the average size individual tries to apply the same techniques, it simply doesn't work! I like both Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jit-Su because a small person can learn to apply it effectively in a short period of time. Not all of us have 30 years to learn how to protect ourselves.

Muay Thai did not develop a ground grappling component because it was developed in the ancient battle fields where there were multiple assailants, who were very adept in the art of sword fighting. With swords, spears, sticks, and hard strikes flying from a multitude of directions, the ground was the last place that you'd want to end up. Strikes and slashes had to be quick, hard, and decisive. In such conditions, Muay Thai was used with Krabi-Krabong - a very fast Thai weapon system. Muay Thai then became a ring sport before grappling components could be perfected. As a striking art, most people who have fought against Muay Thai boxers have converted to the system. This is testimonial to its effectiveness. Many fighters like Rob Kaman had practiced other fighting systems, but eventually settled with Muay Thai. Rick "The Jet" Roufus who was a karate practitioner is now practicing Muay Thai to stay competitive in the world of kickboxing. Peter Cunningham who practiced full-contact karate with Benny "The Jet" Urquidez became an avid Muay Thai practitioner. Even followers of karate systems such as kyokushin will use the Thai kicks almost exclusively in the ring (e.g., Andy Hug and Masaaki Satake are from the Kyokushin Karate circle; yet their ring techniques are Muay Thai minus the Thai clinching and elbowing techniques). Before the effectiveness of Muay Thai became apparent to the Japanese karate community, not a single karate fighter threw the Thai Roundhouse kick (i.e., a rear-leg kick using the shin as the striking surface). I will discuss later why some people from the Japanese karate community wants you to believe that the Thai techniques are somehow a part of karate or kyokushin karate. Most critics of Muay Thai have never been in the ring against a Thai boxer. Powerful strikes may not look as impressive as flying kicks to observers. However, if you get kicked, kneed, or elbowed by a Thai boxer, you will respect the art! How does Muay Thai differ from other forms of kickboxing? For one, there is an effective use of knees and elbows. These arsenals are the objects of fear for other kickboxers around the world. Matter-of-fact, famous fighters like Benny "The Jet" Urquidez avoided any confrontation with a Thai Boxer in Bangkok under the rules which would permit the use of knees, full clinching, and elbows. He knew that he would not have a chance. It has nothing to do with the Thai Race. The Dutch fighter Ramon Dekkers has beaten many Thai Champions in bouts with knees and elbows. And even when he loses, he continued to fight according to Thai rules. He deserves much more respect as an international champion than "The Jet". Matter-of-fact, the series of matches between Ramon Dekkers and Coban Lookchaomaesaitong is my all-time favorite. The two great fighters just took turns knocking each other out convincingly. The fighters of Holland and Thailand are very tough. However, due to the physical stature of Thai fighters, good fighters are rarely over 150 pounds. This is the reason why the Heavyweight Champions have not been Thais. Not surprisingly, the Dutch have also been successful at the higher weight class.

Another major difference between Muay Thai and other kickboxing styles is the Thai Roundhouse kick. It is a rear leg kick, drawing power from the hips, and striking it's target with the shins. Conditioning the shins is no fun task, but once the nerves have been conditioned for impact, the shins can be used like a club. You have to experience it to realize the power and the superiority of the Thai kicks to the roundhouse kicks of other systems, which are usually frontal-leg snaps with the instep employed as the striking surface. The Thai kick is so effective that it is the only kick really used by Thai boxers in full-contact bouts. Watching two experienced Thai boxers fight may not seem like much, because they are so adept at defending against each other's tactics. However, what looks like a simple knee clinch requires a high level of skills. Karate fighters who first observed Thai Boxing matches thought that they would have a chance at beating a Thai Boxer. On Tuesday, September 6, 1977 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, Karate fighters representing Japan, South Korea, USA, and Europe had their opportunity. They were completely annihilated by the Thai fighters. Matches afterwards drew similar results. This is why by the time Muay Thai arrived in the USA, knees and elbows were outlawed. Yet, the Thai kicks alone have sent many fighters like Rick Roufus to the hospital on a stretcher. Had knees and elbows been permitted in that fight with Changpuerk Kiatsongrit, Roufus would have been beaten even more severely.

Earlier in 1974, kung fu stylists from Hong Kong were all knocked out in the first round against their Muay Thai opponents in Bangkok. Indeed, Muay Thai have consistently conquered other striking arts. I'm not talking about just one or two matches when I say consistent! Here is how the April 1996 issue of Inside Kung-Fu magazine described another historical match in the United States between a Muay Thai Boxer and a Western Boxer: "The crowd was silent; it could not believe what it had just witnessed. The small arena was packed with fight fans and the curious. They had come to see their boxing champion destroy the challenger, some guy from Thailand. They expected a slaughter. Where the heck is Thailand, said someone. These guys don't know how to fight, said another. But bone-crusher Murphy, all 185 pounds of him, lay face up on the canvas. His opponent walked triumphantly to his corner without glancing back. Twenty-two-year-old Sow from Chiang Mai, Thailand, had knocked out Murphy with a left hook to the jaw 30 seconds into the first round despite a 30-pound weight disadvantage." Indeed what the Muay Thai stylist did was bombard the Western Boxer with so many weapons from all limbs, that the boxer had to go on the defensive from the pain and opened himself up for a punch - an arsenal that he was supposed to be more effective with. It's funny how people later tried to fight against Muay Thai by limiting the use of knees and elbows. Makes me wonder whether they were more concerned with beating Muay Thai or someone of Thai ethnicity. If you want to fight against Muay Thai, then Muay Thai is an art that employs knees and elbows. Otherwise, it's not really Muay Thai! Full-Contact Karate and Western Boxing stylists are not prevented from using their techniques during their match against Muay Thai boxers. Old pictures from the classic confrontation at Lumpinee are shown below.

The Thai Champions pose with their easily won trophies.

The Legendary Diesel Noi

Prayoud Sittiboonlert Beat Benny "The Jet" Urquidez
Pictures and Fight Information Courtesy of Mike Miles.

In the late 1970's Benny "The Jet" Urquidez faced Prayoud Sittiboonlert of Thailand in Japan. The rules in this encounter allowed the use of knees. Sittiboonlert was not the current Muay Thai Champion. Nevertheless, he punished Urquidez so bad that Urquidez's cornermen threw in the towel at the end of Round 2. In the picture (left), Sittiboonlert throws a brutal Thai kick to Urquidez's legs. What upsets me about the Urquidez publicists is the fact that they totally try to hide the result of this match. In the December 1998 issue of Black Belt Magazine (pages 33-34), Floyd Burk wrote: "Urquidez was so 'bad' that he could go to any country on earth, fight anybody he was paired up with according to their rules - and beat the living daylights out of them . . . Thai boxing-style leg whips and elbow and knee strikes, made it impossible for Urquidez's opponents to plan an effective strategy against him. They tried, but not a single one could do it." I've had enough of such false information surrounding Urquidez's misrepresented undefeated record and his false claims of having faced kickboxing opponents under any rules. For one, Sittiboonlert beat Benny soundly. Benny could not continue into the third round. Secondly, the WKA later ruled the fight a "no-contest" because they wanted to protect the record of their boy. How could someone not have a "lost" on their record if their cornermen threw in the towel? Third, Benny did not want anything to do with having to fight against a Muay Thai fighter in Thailand (especially with knees, elbows, and clinching). He repeatedly rejected any further challenges. To Urquidez's publicists and future publicists, if you want to say that Urquidez was a Full-Contact Karate Champion, then that's okay - you would have my respect. But don't try to misinform the public by saying that Benny was an undefeated World Champion in the ring who beat all of his ring challengers. He never stepped into Thailand and his lost to Sittiboonlert was never on his record. I don't know if Benny is responsible for the misrepresentation. But his publicists need to start telling the truth. I apologize for the rather rude connotation of this statement, but I've tolerated the lack of respect towards Thai Boxers from Urquidez's crew for more than a decade and it's time to show the world the truth. It is disrespectful to lose to an opponent or to refuse the challenges of a legitimate challenger and talk as if you have conquered them. That is disrespect to Sittiboonlert! That is disrespect to Muay Thai! And I'm not just speaking for the Muay Thai community in Thailand, but for the many Muay Thai practitioners in the USA, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

American Kickboxing Champion Don "The Dragon" Wilson was also defeated by Thailand's Muay Thai Fighters. Pictures and Fight Information Courtesy of Mike Miles.

In September 1983 at Bangkok's Ratchadamnoen Stadium, one of the best American Full-Contact Karate fighters Don "The Dragon" Wilson faced Thailand's Samart Prasamit (Left Photo). Wilson was about 20 pounds heavier; nevertheless, the Thai knocked Don Wilson down twice and Prasamit was declared the winner. Afterwards, Don Wilson told reporters that he would start learning Muay Thai. For no apparent reason, Howard Hansen, then president of the WKA, changed the record on Don Wilson's record to a No Contest. Why? Hansen even admitted to have never seen footages of the match. His decision was based on the comments of Wilson's team. This would not be the only time that an American was defeated only to have an American organization erase the loss to protect the record of their champion. In 1992, Stan "The Man" Longinidis of Australia fractured American Champion Dennis Alexio's shin with low Thai kicks very early in the bout. Stan Longinidis was declared the winner. What happened afterwards? The ISKA overturned the decision to a no-contest. Also, read about the Urquidez match with Sittiboonlert above and the Roufus vs. Kiatsongrit match on my Ring of Champions documentary.

In 1984, Don Wilson faced another Thai fighter Fanta Petchmuangtrat in Hong Kong (Photo Right). This was probably Wilson's team's attempt to get a win over a Thai Champion somwhere on his record. His team negotiated to have the fight against a much smaller Thai Fighter. Wilson was 175 lbs. Fanta weighed in at only 135 lbs. What happened? Wilson had to apologize to the audience for his poor performance after the match. Fanta pounded him with vicious Thai kicks. Wilson's patented side kicks only served as a push-off to the advancing Thai. The bout again ended in a "No Contest". You know why.

However, to Wilson's credit, even though he doesn't talk about Muay Thai or his defeat much, he at least did travel to Bangkok to fight. Today, when non-Thai kickboxers do well in the ring against a Thai boxer, they are also using the techniques of Muay Thai. The younger generation may watch today's kickboxing matches and incorrectly deduce that more than the Thai kicks should be used. This was already tested in the earlier days. Karate and Tae-Kwon-Do type kicks that influenced the earlier American and European fighters were not effective against the Muay Thai kicks. In addition, American and European kickboxers begin to have more success when they started using the Thai kicks. Europe really got into Muay Thai, while the U.S. took a long time to let go of its karate and tae-kwon-do influences. Guess who is the more dominant force in global competition today? Europe. Peter Aerts. Rob Kaman. Ramon Dekkers. Danny Bille. That's powerful testimony to Muay Thai's effectiveness as a striking art.

After the effectiveness of Muay Thai became apparent, the art fell under the ugly propaganda of other nations. This propaganda was led by Japan at the time. After their full-contact karate fighters were beaten, Japan hired several Muay Thai instructors to train their fighters in the art. At the time, Thailand was not even well-known as a country. Furthermore, it was not a global power in terms of being able to advertise its art. This gave the Japanese incentives to learn Muay Thai, and rename it "kickboxing" to make the world think that it was their art. This caused many people to group Thai fighters and Japanese fighters together as Eastern or Oriental fighters. Many full-contact karate fighters who feared fighting in Thailand began to fight in Japan. Several have had success in Japan, which led them to generalize the claim that they have beaten Eastern fighters. Of course Japan is not Thailand, and for full-contact karate fighters to claim world kickboxing championship without fighting Thai fighters consistently is as ludicrous as claiming world championship in basketball without playing against an NBA team. Fighters like Benny "The Jet" who claims to have beaten Muay Thai fighters have only fought under watered-down kickboxing rules; nevertheless, "The Jet" still acknowledges that his fight against Narong Noi without knees and elbows was one of his toughest fight. You don't know what tough is until you fight in real MUAY THAI in Bangkok. Fighting under watered-down kickboxing rules is far from being the same as Muay Thai. I have seen too many fighters go down in Bangkok because they were not experienced in the clinch. To go up against the Thai Champions in MUAY THAI, one must be extremely experienced in the clinch with knees and elbows. When challenged by Thai Champion "Golden Leg" Pudpad Noy Worawoot, "The Jet" backed down. In fact, he backed down from every opportunity that the Thai promoters gave him to go and fight in Bangkok. Yet, "The Jet" claims to be the world's best kickboxer. I ask why he did not fight in Thailand on a regular basis? Yet, he's quick to choreograph the Hollywood kickboxing movies about Thailand. Now we come back to the word "kickboxing". If kickboxing is the combination of at least punching and kicking, then Thailand has more historical proofs than any other country that kickboxing was fought in the rings of Thailand long before it was practiced anywhere else. I've included two very old pictures here. Moreover, kickboxing is not a combination of karate and boxing. Many kickboxers today have adopted the Thai roundhouse kick, but still say that kickboxing is a combination of boxing and karate. I'm telling you that the Thai roundhouse kick is not a karate arsenal! Give credit to Muay Thai! Today, most people know that the true origin of the most effective form of kickboxing is indeed Thailand. The name "Muay Thai" is now used internationally in place of "kickboxing". This is due to the acceptance of the true art by many European countries (most notably, Holland and France), and by a few Thai and American enthusiasts who have effectively promoted Muay Thai. So why all this complaining by me? Because sites like the World Kickboxing Association still refers to people who know that kickboxing originated in Thailand as laymen. If you people at WKA want to discuss the separate origin of Full-Contact Karate or American Kickboxing, that would be fine. However, don't confound the issue by saying that kickboxing, in general, did not originate in Thailand. Where the heck are you guys getting your sources or reasoning abilities? Muay Thai has always been the National Sport of Thailand! It's simplicity is so effective that the modern form have changed very little from the traditional form. To you WKA folks, I think most people are too intelligent to fall for your propaganda. And we don't appreciate being called laymen just because we know the truth! When you talk about kickboxing, the world does not see it solely as a sport that originated from American Kickboxing. Matter-of-fact, there are way too many countries practicing the Thai form of kickboxing that your assertion - that kickboxing did not originate in Thailand - is way too simplistic. I am not denying the fact that America also developed it's own kickboxing style in the form of full-contact karate, but it is YOU who stated that kickboxing, in general, did not originate in Thailand! You are an organization that is supposed to represent the entire world in kickboxing. So why ignore Thai Kickboxing in the justification of the very first line of your statement? Furthermore, don't group Thai fighters with Japanese fighters as if they were one. It is Thailand that developed knees, elbows, and the shin kick, NOT the Japanese. And, success in Japan does not mean success in Thailand! I'm sure fighters who have fought in both places will attest to that! It also puzzles me why the WKA would separate divisions according to Full-Contact Karate, Kickboxing, and Muay Thai, but attribute the origin of modern kickboxing solely to the birth of full-contact karate. What they should have done was discuss the origin of full-contact karate, the origin of Muay Thai, and admit that kickboxing (as they classify it) is just a watered-down version of Muay Thai. Again, I still cannot believe how many kickboxers use the Thai roundhouse kicks, and still claim that the art they practice has it's roots in karate, without a single reference to Muay Thai! Go to the WKA site and e-mail your dissatisfaction with their misleading information. I have contacted them, but they have refused to answer. But it shouldn't surprise me, since the organization was founded by those who feared fighting in Bangkok when they were younger. Why else would they all have a lot of experience fighting in Japan, and zero experience fighting in Bangkok (when Thai fighters demand much less pay than the Japanese fighters)? Am I being too harsh? One man's criticism is never as harsh as the misrepresentation promoted by a global organization!

Finally, let me say that although I am extremely displeased by the WKA's coverage of the history of kickboxing, I am in no way criticizing the skills of many fine modern Muay Thai boxers who are currently fighting WKA tournaments. I have several favorite Muay Thai fighters who are associated with the WKA. I just hope that when you put on those Muay Thai shorts and throw the Thai roundhouse kick, you will at least acknowledge where your skills really came from. For example, Maurice Smith throws more Thai kicks than any of the WKA Heavyweights; yet, people call his art kickboxing. I guarantee you that the skills of Maurice Smith is more like Muay Thai than any other form of fighting! I also believe that before any of the lighter-weight class fighters from the WKA can claim World Championship, they should definitely have to go through Lumphini Stadium more than just once or twice. In the heavier weight class, K-1 is a tournament that offers some of the most exciting match-ups in Muay Thai. But even in K-1, its Japanese promoters have never mentioned one word about Muay Thai. Just click and see for yourself. Any experienced fighter watching K-1 knows that these fighters are using Muay Thai techiniques almost exclusively. Seriously, when was the last time you saw a karate or a tae-kwon-do kick thrown in K-1 that consistently resulted in some major damage? Some fighters occasionally adds an axe kick for show. Sometimes the axe kick may even land! Some people may cite the few incidents of successful axe kicks as proof of karate's success. However, by far, the MAJORITY of the damaging kicks delivered are Muay Thai kicks. Yet, you have a group of fighters showing up on K-1 as karate fighters. How is it karate or anything else when the mostly used if not exclusively used techniques are Muay Thai? Granted, K-1 doesn't allow the employment of all of the Muay Thai arsenals (i.e., longer clinches which create another range for knee application, and the elbow range); however, what is used in K-1 are Muay Thai techniques. Even if one were to find fighters in K-1 using karate or other techniques periodically, one would have to agree that Muay Thai techniques are definitely used in K-1. Yet, the Japanese K-1 promoters do not mention Muay Thai even once as one of the arts. In the Philippines, Muay Thai is known as Yaw-Yan. What is wrong with calling Muay Thai - MUAY THAI? It is from Thailand! It is not Kyokushin Karate from Japan! It is not Kickboxing from Japan or the USA. It is not Yaw Yan from the Philippines. Muay Thai techniques are called Muay Thai or Thai Boxing from Thailand - period! Some people need to stop promoting this effective Thai art as if it had another origin. I have no idea why the truth is so hard to come by.

We've been talking about styles and techniques here. In the ring, techniques will often dictate the outcome of the fight because two fighters are usually equal in terms of weight, size, and conditioning. In contrast, street matches are often determined by technique, size, agility, endurance, and match of styles given the previous four variables. What I mean by match of styles is how well a certain style can be applied given the opponent's size, agility, endurance, and style relative to those of your own. If a very large opponent is very difficult to take down with grappling, then low Muay Thai kicks to the legs or a Savate kick to the groin may be more applicable. This was apparent in the Marco Ruas vs. Paul Varelans match in Ultimate Fighting Championship VII. In that match, Marco Ruas had a good match of styles between his Muay Thai techniques and a large fighter like Paul Varelans who was not a good grappler, but difficult to take down. In contrast, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu stylist Joe Moriera did not have a good match of styles with Varelans in UFC VIII because although Moriera is great on the ground, Varelans was so big relative to him that a successful take-down could not be executed. In conclusion, you better be prepared for all types of fighters. And if the situation becomes too dangerous, then you should either learn to talk it out or use a weapon correctly.

If you ever get the chance to visit Thailand, please visit Lumpinee or Ratchadamnern Stadium. There is nothing like fight night in Bangkok. Fight night is almost every night. Where else in the world can you see Muay Thai that often? Don't worry about locating the stadiums because any taxi driver will be able to take you there. The fighters you see in Bangkok are young men with devastating skills. In contrast, the Thai fighters in the U.S.A. are usually former Champions from Thailand who are now instructors and no longer in their prime (although for promotional purposes, they may be labeled as Thailand's World Champion). For example, when Coban Lookchaomaesaitong was in his prime, U.S. promoters did not send their fighters to face him at Lumpinee Stadium. Now that he is out of shape and beyond his prime, they have him fight fighters like Manson Gibson. Then when Manson Gibson knocked the old and obese Coban down, ESPN 2 kept showing the match. That is hardly the way to get an American fighter on the map of Muay Thai Champions. Fortunately, the U.S. is now producing some real promising fighters, and with respect for Muay Thai, they will soon master Muay Thai at a global level. I really like what I see coming out of the new U.S. Muay Thai generation. My respect to you all. Walter Michalowski, Duane Ludwig, Richard Kostuck, the late Alex Gong, etc. You guys just lead the way!

Many people have tried to compare the longevity of a Muay Thai fighter's professional career with those of other full-contact fighters in terms of years to indicate that the latter are more durable. This comparison is faulty in a sense that it does not indicate how often Muay Thai fighters fight. Most fighters in Bangkok will have had more professional fights in five years than other fighters have in their lifetime. The point is if you fight less, then you can't really say that you're more durable based solely on the number of years (not to mention the additional fact that Bangkok rules would have sent many other durable fighters out of commission in less than a year).

The Old Style - Yes, Thai arts have always had a spiritual component.

The ancient warriors needed to be skilled at both weapons and empty hand techniques. Winning was not an option; it was a necessity. You lose, you die! Once you understand this you will understand why the battle-tested arts of Thailand are no-nonsense and extremely brutal. It didn't start off as a form of entertainment; it was what kept a people of a nation alive.

The weapon system especially required extreme concentration. One false move and a blade would take your life away. This is why spiritual components are an integral part of the Thai fighting arts. Both Muay Thai and Krabi-Krabong require the Thai fighters to engage in spiritual dances (known as ram) to: "(1) pay homage and tribute to teachers and those whom gratitude was due. (2) consecrate a blessing on the performer, a morale booster, and as a shield against nervousness and fear. (3) show the origin of the boxer, what camp he belonged to, as each camp had its own distinct style" (Muay Thai - The Most Distinguished Art of Fighting by Panya Kraitus and Dr. Pitisuk Kraitus, 1998, page 82). In Muay Thai, the dance is known as ram muay or wai kru. In krabi-krabong, it is known as ram daab. Click here for more information on krabi krabong and the sacred Buddhai Sawan Institute of Bangkok, Thailand.

(Above Left) Krabi-Krabong practitioners going through their drills in a holy place.

(Above Right) In high-level performance, the spiritual drills pay off. One false move even in such an exhibition could prove fatal. Krabi-Krabong is extremely fast and during practice sparks can be seen from the contact of the blades.

Albeit Muay Thai was originally designed for battles against enemy nations in the ancient days, its practitioners have always used sport to test their skills. In the old days before the ring was introduced, fighters would have confrontations on the natural ground surrounded by enthusiastic spectators. Hands were wrapped with cloth in lieu of boxing gloves. Sometimes, the wrapping were dipped in finely crushed glass to create a mild abrasion. Contrary to what is portrayed by ill-informed Hollywood movies, these were not big chunks of sharp glass. Today, this old way of fighting may be observed at temple festivals in the more agrarian regions of Thailand. Because the fights took place on temple ground (wat), it is often called Muay Wat (temple boxing). Also because this was the way the famous Thai fighter Naikhanomthom beat ten of Burma's best fighters as a war captive in 1774, this type of Muay Thai tournament have been given an exotic name Muay Pama (Burmese Boxing) by the Thais. It is however, Thai in origin.

Using Muay Thai Kickboxing in No Holds Barred (NHB) Events

Above: Muay Thai Kickboxer Maurice Smith vs. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu EFC Heavyweight Champion Marcus "Conan" Silviera in EFC 3. Maurice delivers a hard Thai kick to the head of Conan. Conan was shaken up badly and lost the fight. Maurice became the new EFC Heavyweight Champion.

Left: Maurice Smith defeated Freestyle Wrestler Mark Coleman in UFC XIV. Prior to this tournament, Mark Coleman had defeated all of his UFC opponents with ease. Coleman is a powerful man, but Maurice's kicks, punches, elbows, and grappling were too much for Mark. Maurice became the new UFC Superfight Heavyweight Champion. Subsequent to this match, Mark Coleman lost to both Pete Williams (Lion's Den Submission Fighting) and Pedro Rizzo (Muay Thai and Ruas Vale Tudo) because Coleman never learned how to defend against the Thai kicks. But guess what? By October 1999, Mark Coleman was training in Muay Thai with authentic Muay Thai trainer, Manu N'toh. In addition, Frank Shamrock (a UFC Champion NHB fighter) was quoted as saying: "Muay Thai is the most brutal of all sports. Hands down it's an entire body wreck everytime you go out to fight. I have a lot of respect for those guys. America is behind on the current kickboxing scene. Maurice Smith was kind of an innovator here with the low kick. But (for the most part) we're still in the karate days." (Quoted from Inside Kung Fu/ November 1999 Issue/ Article: "What Does it Take to Win the K-1?" by Stephen Quadros/ Page 118).
I am a firm believer that Muay Thai is the best striking art out there. In kickboxing tournaments, Muay Thai reigns as the supreme style. However, it is important to realize that NHB is different. Yes, Muay Thai is useful in NHB as evident by Maurice Smith's performance. Other no-holds-barred fighters who have been successful with Muay Thai techniques include Danny "Boy" Bennett (Muay Thai), Bas Rutten (Muay Thai and Shootfighting), Marco Ruas (Muay Thai and Vale Tudo), Pele Landi (Muay Thai), Igor Vovchanchin (Muay Thai) and Mark Kerr [an awesome wrestler who admits that he chose Muay Thai for his stand-up arsenal because it is the most effective striking art (Black Belt Magazine, October 1998, pages 81-85)]. In his prime, Changpuerk Kiatsongrit of Thailand had also defeated a Japanese Wrestler with his extremely hard kicks and knees. This was surprising because NHB has not yet caught on in Thailand and the Thai fighters are still behind in groundfighting skills despite having a dominant status in the stand-up clinching techniques. All in all, one must realize that most successes in NHB by Muay Thai stylists do not happen because of Muay Thai techniques alone. Muay Thai must be combined with grappling for NHB! Maurice Smith may be an excellent Muay Thai Kickboxer, but his Muay Thai was used successfully in NHB only because he was also skillful enough in grappling to nullify the grappler's attack. Surely, Muay Thai is brutal and deadly, but the combination of Muay Thai and ground grappling can be deadlier. But again, I must stress that Muay Thai and NHB are different. Just as one can dominate a Muay Thai tournament and not succeed in NHB, one can also dominate NHB and not dominate in Muay Thai. Even Maurice himself have had problems in Muay Thai bouts losing to the likes of Jerome Le Banner, Ernesto Hoost, and Peter Aerts. I also do not agree with people who think that it is the individual and not the style. I believe that it is the combination of the individual AND the style.