HERE'S WHAT IT'S LIKE TRAINING MUAY THAI IN THE MOTHERLAND

Let me tell you, training Muay Thai in Thailand is a whole different ball game.

I lived, trained and fought there for several years (first living on Koh Phangan, then Koh Samui - but I've traveled all over the country), and if you’re thinking about making the trip or just curious about how it stacks up against training back home, I’ve got some insights for you.

From the intensity and culture to the vibe of the gyms, here’s what you can expect when you step into a Thai gym.

INTENSITY OF TRAINING

Right off the bat, the first thing that hit me was how intense the training sessions are. Thai fighters usually train two to three times a day, and I got swept up in the high-energy atmosphere. We did everything—running, pad drills, heavy bag work, and sparring, all packed into each session. It’s like everyone’s pushing each other to bring their A-game.

Back home, I noticed that training might not...

DON'T EXPECT WHAT YOU'RE USED TO WHEN TRAINING IN THAILAND

When it comes to training Muay Thai in Thailand, most people envision an intense and authentic experience that will skyrocket their skills.

That said, there are a few surprises that can catch even the most seasoned practitioners off guard.

If you’re coming from a gym in the USA, here are five things you shouldn’t expect when you step into a Muay Thai gym in Thailand.

1. NO AIR CONDITIONING, NO PROBLEM

In many U.S. gyms, you’re accustomed to training in a climate-controlled environment. In Thailand, the heat and humidity can be overwhelming. Don’t expect air conditioning to provide a comfortable workout; most gyms are open-air and designed to let the natural elements in. The heat may feel punishing at first, but it’s all part of the experience.

Embrace it as a way to build your mental toughness and enhance your cardio!

2. LESS STRUCTURE IN CLASS

If you’re used to a structured...

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF A 30-DAY MUAY THAI TRAINING CAMP IN THAILAND

Training Muay Thai in Thailand for 30 days is one of the most transformative experiences a fighter can have.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced practitioner, a month-long camp allows you to dive deep into the art of Muay Thai, sharpen your skills, and immerse yourself in Thai culture. In this guide, I'll outline what your 30-day Muay Thai camp could look like—from daily training to recovery, and everything in between.

WHY TRAIN IN THAILAND FOR 30 DAYS?

There’s no better place to sharpen your Muay Thai skills than in the sport’s birthplace: Thailand. Spending 30 days at a training camp provides you with world-class coaching, an intense training schedule, and the opportunity to truly focus on improving your skills.

The heat, the relentless training, and the respect for tradition all contribute to making Thailand the ultimate destination for anyone serious about Muay Thai.

Plus, it’s...

TRAIN HARD, EXPLORE THAILAND: THE ULTIMATE MUAY THAI VACATION GUIDE

By Sean Fagan

Thailand is the birthplace of Muay Thai, and for any fighter or enthusiast, it’s the ultimate fight tourism destination to experience the art in its most authentic form.

Whether you're traveling to improve your technique, boost your fitness, or simply immerse yourself in the culture of Muay Thai, planning the perfect training vacation can be an incredible, transformative experience.

Here's how you can make the most of your trip to Thailand while balancing world-class training with unforgettable travel.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT MUAY THAI CAMP FOR YOUR GOALS

The first step in planning your Muay Thai vacation is choosing the right camp. There are hundreds of camps across Thailand, each catering to different types of fighters and goals. Ask yourself what you want out of your training experience—are you looking to sharpen your skills, train for an upcoming fight, or just get in the best shape of your...

HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR 30-DAY TRAINING CAMP EXPERIENCE

The time I spent training at different Muay Thai camps in Thailand is full of my most treasured memories. It's is an incredible opportunity to level up your skills and immerse yourself in the art, even if you're only there for a month.

If you’re spending 30 days in a Thai gym, you want to make every moment count. Here are the top 7 ways to maximize your progress during your fight camp.

1. Consistency is Key

Commit to attending every training session and giving it your all. Whether it’s early morning runs, pad work, or sparring, consistency is crucial for improvement. Make it a point to show up even when you’re fatigued or feeling off. Every session builds on the last, so the more time you spend training, the faster you’ll progress. Aim for at least two training sessions a day, mixing technique drills with conditioning and sparring to keep things dynamic.

2. Focus on Technique Over Power

In a short time...

FIGHT ANALYSIS: "IT'S HEATIN' UP!!!"

By Evan Lee

Round 1 and Round 2 were good and all, but this is where the fight starts getting juicy.

In Thailand, Muay Thai scoring is weird. The first two rounds don't really count for much (very weird, indeed), so the third round is when things begin to pick up.

The fight is moving faster in round three, more combinations are being thrown, and there’s just a great flurry of techniques to deal with, usually on and from both sides.

In the last breakdown, I focused primarily on the teep, which I called "the ultimate nullifier." Today, we will be focusing on another nullifier, though not as effective: the clinch.

First, though, let's catch up on the fight!

Fight Breakdown: Clinch Tactics, Punch Combos & MORE Teeps (Round 3)

The Smothering Power Of The Clinch

The reason why the teep is so effective as a defensive tool is because it creates distance. It doesn’t matter what strike is being thrown at you - if you can create...

DING, DING! ROUND 2 ANALYSIS- BEGIN!

By Evan Lee

Last week, we talked about Round 1 of Sean's fight - now we're moving to Round 2. 

Today, we’re going to focus on key techniques. Specifically, we’re talking about the teep, aka. the push kick.

This breakdown will focus on the teep because it was a technique that defined the course of fight. It's also one of the most important techniques in Muay Thai in general.

Watch as Sean gets self-critical and breaks down round 2 of this excellent Muay Thai fight:

Fight Breakdown: Shovel Uppercut & Accurate Teeps (Round 2)

The Versatility Of The Muay Thai Teep

The teep is to Muay Thai what the jab is to boxing. It is, along with the jab, the most important technique of your Muay Thai arsenal. 

To take in a masterclass on combining the two, I highly recommend watching Buakaw’s two fights with Nieky Holzken.

To sum it up for you, Buakaw was able to shut Nieky’s combination punching down...

BREAKING DOWN AN AUTHENTIC THAI BOXING FIGHT

By Evan Lee

A fight breakdown of our very own 'Muay Thai Guy' himself, Sean Fagan, against a talented Thai by the name of Phetch Banmai.

If you’ve never witnessed a fight in Thailand or in general know little about how fights are in Thailand, you are in for a real treat.

What’s so wild about fighting in Thailand? Well, one of the biggest surprises about fighting in Thailand is that sometimes you will be unable to get film on any opponent or, even better, you may get a completely different opponent the day of the fight. Thailand, baby!

Another wild fact is the frequency with which Thais fight. It's not uncommon to see fighters end their careers with hundreds of fights. Namsaknoi had 300 fights; Sagat had 317 fights; Saenchai has 345 fights, and the list goes on.

Because they fight with such a frequency, Thais train and fight differently than anywhere else. And you’re going to get a nice peek into what that...

SURVIVING & THRIVING IN THE MOTHERLAND

By Evan Lee

Training Muay Thai in Thailand is an experience unlike any other. Most people who train Muay Thai outside of Thailand think that they’re ready for the real deal, don't they? They think that "Muay Thai is Muay Thai" and ultimately, it doesn't matter where you pick up and master the techniques. 

Wrong.

Remember that in Thailand, Muay Thai is their national sport. If you’re not a full-time Muay Thai fighter, odds are that you will not be training at the same intensity and frequency in which your Thai counterparts train, which is to be expected. You wouldn’t expect to keep up with them in any Muay Thai workout anymore than you would expect a casual football fan keep up with an NFL player.

Of course, you want to be prepared when you’re training in Thailand. If you’re not maximizing every second of time you spend training in Thailand, then you’re losing out on training with...

WHY YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT PRE-FIGHT MUAY THAI RITUALS

By Sean Fagan

In my opinion, being respectful should be one of your top priorities as a fighter and as a person. There are plenty of douche bags who fight for the wrong reasons and act arrogantly whether it’s in the gym or in the ring.