Without a doubt, Muay Thai and MMA are two of the most popular combat sports in the world. These two sports involve the use of brute strength, power, and technique to get the best of one’s opponent. Considering the brutality of these fighting styles, people often ask whether one is more dangerous than the other. So, is Muay Thai more dangerous than MMA? Which of these two fighting styles is the most dangerous? Let’s take a look at the answers below.
Numerous factors can affect whether a combative sport is dangerous or not. Both sports are too combative as the fighters need to kick, punch, and hurt each other. However, Muay Thai seems to be more focused on harming the opponent in different ways than MMA.
Muay Thai vs. MMA: Definition
Firstly, we need to consider the meanings of these two fighting styles. Muay Thai refers to a form of standard striking martial arts that requires fighters to utilize clinches, kicks, punches, elbows, and knees to combat. This sport originated from Thailand and has been in existence for more than 700 years.
The two fighters stand against each other in a traditional-style boxing ring with each session of the fight lasting for three minutes. Notably, victory could be determined by either a knockout or points.
When compared to Muay Thai, MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) is a relatively new sport as it only started about 30 years ago. As its name indicates, MMA is made of a combination of numerous elements of martial arts. These elements are also refined to form a particular fighting style. MMA involves some of the elements of Muay Thai as well as submissions, grappling, and boxing.
Which of these two is more dangerous?
Based on the information shown above, you will agree that both Muay Thai and MMA have elements of danger. In other words, both are dangerous as they can lead to injuries or even death. However, it can be quite challenging to determine the more dangerous one. This is because no one keeps the official records of the injuries and death involved in Muay Thai.
Furthermore, the level of dangers involved in a fight goes beyond the exact things that happen in the ring. The activities that happen outside of the ring can put the lives of the fighters at great risk. Therefore, all these factors must be duly considered.
Muay Thai may be more dangerous than MMA
Basically, Muay Thai is mostly practiced in Thailand where so many internal and external politics are involved. Although Muay Thai professionals often start practicing and fighting at a young age, there is no official record of how many of them suffer fight-related injuries and death.
Factually, as long as the person doesn’t die in the ring, the officials are rarely concerned about what happens after the fight. Unfortunately, for a combative sport like Muay Thai, many effects of the fight will not show up until hours, days, months, or even years after it.
Nonetheless, we understand that majority of the fighters stop fighting in the twenties because of the injuries sustained during the fights. This is a pointer to how dangerous the fight could be.
As practiced in many areas in Thailand, Muay Thai fighters don’t usually get enough medical attention. Sometimes, no physician or ambulance will be available when a fight is going on. Therefore, the fighter cannot get any immediate medical attention if he suffers head trauma or any other serious injury.
MMA may be less dangerous than Muay Thai
Since MMA is better coordinated and managed, there are records of injuries and deaths. A study was carried by some experts at the Faculty of Science, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. The study notes that the overall chance of being injured during an MMA fight is around 23%. However, most of the injuries come in the form of broken bones and bad cuts that may not necessarily be life-threatening. When you consider the incidences of neck and head injuries, MMA is less dangerous than the likes of kickboxing, karate, and boxing.
MMA may be less dangerous because its fighting environment is safer and more sanctioned than Muay Thai. Hence, the fighters may be able to get urgent medical assistance if anything goes wrong during the fight. In addition, the majority of MMA fighters don’t start practicing or fighting until they are well above their formative years. Therefore, MMA fighters tend to be better equipped and mature to deal with the risks of the fights than Muay Thai fighters.
Another factor that may make MMA less dangerous than Muay Thai is that you can win a fight in MMA in numerous ways. And most of these ways don’t involve the use of strikes or punches. Hence, an MMA fighter can adopt different less harmful ways to win fights. Unfortunately, this is not possible with Muay Thai as you need to strike your opponent to win any fight.
Verdict
As we have explained earlier, numerous factors can affect whether a combative sport is dangerous or not. Both sports are too combative as the fighters need to kick, punch, and hurt each other. However, Muay Thai seems to be more focused on harming the opponent in different ways than MMA.
Also, we believe that Muay Thai is more dangerous because of the issues that go on outside of the ring. In Thailand, the sport is poorly regulated. Sometimes, there is little or no regulation or rule to safeguard the fighters. Therefore, in most cases, anything goes in the fight. In some instances, the promoters may pair fighters of completely different weight brackets. Unluckily, this puts the fighter with less weight at a disadvantage.
Besides, medical personnel is hardly available to take care of the fighters if they are badly injured. This means that severely injured Muay Thai fighters may not get timely medical help.
In addition, local business individuals and gamblers have too much influence on Muay Thai in Thailand. The focus of gamblers, promoters, and local businesses is to make loads of money from the fight. Therefore, the safety of the fighters is secondary.
Considering the points explained above, you will agree that Muay Thai is more dangerous than MMA. Of course, this doesn’t mean that MMA is a safe sport.
