Muay Thai vs Kickboxing: What’s the Difference?
People often lump Muay Thai and kickboxing together — and at a glance, it’s easy to see why. Both are striking sports. Both use punches and kicks. Both look intense in the ring.
But the differences between Muay Thai and kickboxing are deep — in technique, strategy, rules, and culture.
1. The Limbs Involved
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Muay Thai is the Art of Eight Limbs. It uses:
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Fists
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Elbows
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Knees
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Shins
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Kickboxing, especially Western or K-1 style, uses only:
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Fists
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Feet (and sometimes knees)
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Key difference: Elbows and prolonged clinch work are allowed in Muay Thai — but usually illegal in kickboxing.
2. The Clinch Game
In Muay Thai, the clinch is a weapon. Fighters use it to:
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Off-balance opponents
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Land knees
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Cut with elbows
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Control the pace
In kickboxing, the clinch is usually broken after a second or two — it’s used more for resets than attacks.
3. Scoring and Fight Style
Muay Thai scoring values:
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Balance
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Effective strikes (especially body kicks and knees)
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Ring control
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Composure
Kickboxing scoring leans more on:
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Volume
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Aggression
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Clean hits to head/body
That’s why Muay Thai fighters often look more relaxed — they’re not trying to out-punch their opponent every round; they’re playing a longer, more strategic game.
4. Culture and Tradition
Muay Thai is deeply tied to Thai culture. Fighters perform a Wai Kru before each bout. There’s a strong emphasis on respect — for your trainer, opponent, and the sport itself.
Kickboxing has fewer rituals. It’s a sport first, not a tradition.
5. Stance and Rhythm
Muay Thai fighters tend to use a more upright, square stance to check kicks and defend elbows/knees. Their rhythm is slower, measured — with bursts of explosive violence.
Kickboxers often have more bounce, lateral movement, and boxing combos — especially in Dutch or K-1 styles.
So… Which One is Better?
It depends on your goals.
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Want to fight in Thailand? Take Muay Thai Classes.
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Love fast combos and sport-style striking? Try kickboxing.
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Want the best of both? Train both, but understand the rule differences.
At Commando Temple, we train primarily in Muay Thai — but we respect all striking arts. What matters is how you train, and how much heart you bring.
