Muay Thai, the next big thing to MMA?

[CCGIFoundation]

MMA has made the Boxing Industry look pathetic both on and off the ring. This killing machine grossly made huge amounts of money taking the evangelical approach over the last 10 years. Well, what are your thoughts on Muay Thai rising up to the MMA level? MMA is comprised mostly of Muay Thai/Kickboxing techniques, so Muay Thai should be as popular if not more known worldwide right? With Muay Thai Fights illustrating some of the most deadliest skills, people may point their eyes and money, to what gives them the most entertainment.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this…

Muay Thai Rocks!

Monica

PS. If you are not sure about Muay Thai vs. MMA, you gotta check out the major fight card in Jamaica…logon to www.IStreamYouStream.com/MuayThai for the Online Pay-Per-View!

International Muay Thai Champion of Champions Fight Night – Montego Bay, Jamaica 6/20/08 10pm EST
9-Championship Bouts; 9-Countries; One Night!
Now Live! One Pay-Per-View and On Demand at www.IStreamYouStream.com/muaythai for $14.95! Advance purchase price ends June 16, 2008. Regular $24.95.

Check out additional sites:
YouTube - MuayThaiJamaica's Channel
MySpace.com - Champion of Champions, Jamaica - 22 - Female - BURBANK, California - www.myspace.com/muaythaijamaica

[john55]

Originally Posted by CCGIFoundation

MMA has made the Boxing Industry look pathetic both on and off the ring. This killing machine grossly made huge amounts of money taking the evangelical approach over the last 10 years. Well, what are your thoughts on Muay Thai rising up to the MMA level? MMA is comprised mostly of Muay Thai/Kickboxing techniques, so Muay Thai should be as popular if not more known worldwide right? With Muay Thai Fights illustrating some of the most deadliest skills, people may point their eyes and money, to what gives them the most entertainment.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this…

Boxing is different than MMA and will always have its place just as TKD, MT, BJJ, Judo etc all will.

What do you mean by MT reaching the MMA level? Do you mean just stand up without any ground fighting? MMA involves a lot of MT. And MMA is not mostly comprised of MT. Its a combination of a lot of things, although their are some fighters who are primarily MT but they also have strong ground games.

[TRIANGLEFROMGAURD]

I don't think that Muay Thai in it's current state will get main stream acceptance in the west. I love muay thai and really enjoy watching the fights but, there are some real issues with the way the sport is organized and marketed.

Let's look at the boxing model real quick. Boxing is extremely fractioned with the three main affiliations, those being the WBO, WBC and the IBL. With these three branches and it's insane weight classes it's hard to keep up with who's who, who is the champ and who is a contender. Right now no one can tell me who the heavy weight champion of the world is with out googleing it and then debating it. Muay Thai is even more fractioned then boxing. Also from a marketing stand point muay thai would be hard to sell. The music and other elements of tradition involved in the sport will turn most westerners off to it.

Plus it would need a break out star and a solid heavy weight division to again really sell the sport. You may say why a heavy weight? Name me of the top of your head 10 boxers I bet at least 8 of them are heavy weights. People love heavy weights who knows why.

Also everyone keeps talking about how boxing has fallen and compared to it's golden days it certainly has but, the highest grossing pay per view in the last two years was Mayweather vs. De La Hoya proving that if you have something to hype people will watch it. If any of you remember that fight was on during the season finale of TUF 6 and Matt Hughes was caught on tape watching the fight in between matches.

[CCGIFoundation]

Hey John55,

Thank you for the clarification. I meant to say how MMA business is booming and how it's universally promoted and seen nowadays while Boxing is in a decline. Will other Martial Styles, specifically Muay Thai, reach that level as well?

[CCGIFoundation]

Triangle,

Thanks for that great insight...much appreciated!

In essence, anything can work if it's marketed strategically. MMA mastered that component.


Since you are a major Muay Thai fan, wish you were out in Jamaica with us to see the fight...nothing like "No Problem" drinks overseeing the beach and the fight.

You can still see it online pay-per-view though. www.istreamyoustream.com/muaythai


Thanks,
Monica

[TRIANGLEFROMGAURD]

I might check it out. Thanks

[Chapel]

Originally Posted by TRIANGLEFROMGAURD

Plus it would need a break out star and a solid heavy weight division to again really sell the sport. You may say why a heavy weight? Name me of the top of your head 10 boxers I bet at least 8 of them are heavy weights. People love heavy weights who knows why.

I think the major reason why people love heavy weights is because they look tough because they are so big. You see light weights and say, "Pfft... I can take him."

[WC_Lun]

I think Triangle has this right. Unless MT can get a strong league formed and create some great marketing, it will not grow to the status of MMA.

[LeiWuLong]

I see the trend though, inm australia many people start doing Muay Thai then drop out after a few short weeks, heehee its harder than most think.

[CTOWNP]

there is a possibility of this becoming a reality. The versus channel will be covering the contender asia starting this month. The contender asia is like the contender over here only it focuses on muay thai. Now while I dont believe muay thai will ever reach mma status, the contender asia will definently expand muay thai's fan base.

[nascarmike71]

Originally Posted by CTOWNP

there is a possibility of this becoming a reality. The versus channel will be covering the contender asia starting this month. The contender asia is like the contender over here only it focuses on muay thai. Now while I dont believe muay thai will ever reach mma status, the contender asia will definently expand muay thai's fan base.

I've seen them advertising that it looks interesting.By the way is there anymore televised kickboxing all i can ever find is reruns on espn classics

[The End]

Maybe what MMA did for BJJ and to some degree, Judo it may do for Muay Thai

[LeiWuLong]

We will see, im pretty confused as to what will happen

[Them's Fighting Words]

Kick boxing is the biggest threat to Muay Tiai ever becoming truelly main stream. My former Muay Thai stable attempted to market itself by linking with kick boxing. I quit that same week.