Mixed Martial Arts is a combat sport that combines different fighting styles like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Wrestling, Boxing, Judo and others. Each style contributes unique techniques and strategies that shape modern MMA competition. Understanding these styles helps fans appreciate each fighter’s toolkit and the evolving landscape inside the Octagon. Some fighters rely heavily on striking arts like Muay Thai and Boxing, while others dominate through grappling and submissions rooted in Wrestling or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The best competitors are often those who can blend multiple styles seamlessly, adapting to different opponents and fight scenarios.
Muay Thai Top 2025 Fighters that Will Surprise You
Muay Thai is an art of eight limbs that has long been engaged by legendary Thai warriors. In 2025, this sport has experienced a rebirth thanks to GGBET online betting and technological advancement and perception. Although household names like Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Superlek Kiatmoo9 still rule stadiums and ONE championship cards, a new trend of fighters is topping the ranks from some unexpected corners of the world.
These fighters are reshaping the sport. They do this with unconventional methods, global perspectives, and remarkable resilience. Let’s look at some of the Muay Thai fighters of 2025.
What Oz Gloves Should You Use for Muay Thai?
When training or competing in Muay Thai, choosing the right glove size is crucial for protecting your hands, maximizing performance, and ensuring safety during sparring. The size of Muay Thai gloves is measured in ounces (oz), which refers to their weight. The ideal size for you depends on your weight, training purpose, and personal comfort. Let’s dive into the details to help you pick the perfect gloves.
Hamza Bounabri Set to Make His MMA Debut
We’ve recently interviewed Hamza Bounabri, a Moroccan kickboxer and Muay Thai fighter, who will be making his MMA debut this year. The location is at the beautiful hotel Onomo in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on November 30, 2024. Abidjan is the largest city and the former capital of Ivory Coast. The event will be broadcast on YouTube Pay-Per-View via Eric Favre TV.
The fighters on this card are from Africa and beyond. The countries who represented include Morocco, Ivory coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Algeria, Cameroon, Togo, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Guinea and England. Be sure not to miss this event!
MMA & Boxing Author | Business Development Consultant
I have been a fan and avid viewer of all combat sports for decades. I was once a Judoka, which is what eventually piqued my interest in Mixed Martial Arts. I have been a spectator of the UFC since 2001. For 25 years I’ve worked in healthcare, and now am trying to make something that was a hobby, into a full-time endeavor.
All You Need to Know About Muay Thai
In this article, we answer some common questions that a casual combat sports spectator may have about the art of Muay Thai and it’s history.
Q: What is the origin of Muay Thai (MT)?
A: Muay Thai is considered the national sport of Thailand, so children have been learning in schools and gyms for years and years. It comes from the term “Siamese Boxing.” Noting that Thailand was named Siam in the past, just as Myanmar was called Burma, and having a lot of ancient war history between the two countries. A legend is told that the king of Burma had a Siamese prisoner named Khanomtom and he had to face multiple attackers one after another. The king was amazed, and this is the “legend” or “myth” of Muay Thai fighters being such strong people and honing their skills. They began to give it life; they wanted everyone to be strong like this man that was given his freedom after fighting an ungodly amount of people using the art of 8 limbs.
My name is Austin Petti. I have been writing short stories and poetry for my whole life. Also, another passion is MMA and Muay Thai. You see I have been doing MMA since I was 19 years old–25. I made my pro debut in Indonesia. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer, which I have many stories. I joined Indonesia because it was the closest country to Thailand and hoped I could find a job in Thailand from another Peace Corps Volunteer and I did it. Now I have been living in Thailand for 8 years I have 16 pro fights. I just want to educate the people who watch MMA like me what is practical and what is different? What is the same between the martial arts and a lot of interesting training tools.
UFC 307 PREDICTION: ALEX PEREIRA VS KHALIL ROUNTREE JR
Saturday, October 5, 2024
10:00 PM EDT
Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Streaming: TNT SPORTS, ESPN+
Cheers!! On Saturday, Salt Lake City will host another UFC Octagon blockbuster Light Heavyweight division fight. The scheduled bout would have [#1 LHW/#6 P4P] (C) Alex Pereira try to defend his UFC Light Heavyweight Championship for the third time against “The War Horse,” [#8 LHW] Khalil Rountree Jr. All odds are available via fightodds.io
Joshua Okeke’s journey in sports writing began with lively debates about football’s greatest players, eventually leading to a career with top publications in the US and India. His work has been featured on the front pages of newspapers like Nordonia Hills, praised for its clarity and engagement. Specializing in SEO, sports analytics, video editing, and digital content management, he crafts articles that resonate with fans, simplifying complex topics. Committed to helping aspiring writers and promoting remote opportunities in journalism, he shares practical advice on LinkedIn while pursuing a master’s in Mining Geophysics.
Exclusive Interview with Professional Kickboxer, Hamza Bounabri
Introduction
Hamza Bounabri is a professional kickboxer and Muay Thai fighter from Casablanca, Morocco. When he moved to a smaller city, he decided it was time to hit the gym. Hamza Bounabri had begun to train Taekwondo at the young age of twelve. Afterwards, he went to Thailand and fell in love with the culture and trained in Muay Thai. His professional record is 32-6-0 and he is ranked #11 Super Lightweight in the world by the World Kickboxing Federation. Hamza is a well-rounded fighter with experience in various martial arts. He has an impressive record, and after stepping into a gym at twelve years old, he acquired a seemingly different mindset.
MMA & Boxing Author | Business Development Consultant
I have been a fan and avid viewer of all combat sports for decades. I was once a Judoka, which is what eventually piqued my interest in Mixed Martial Arts. I have been a spectator of the UFC since 2001. For 25 years I’ve worked in healthcare, and now am trying to make something that was a hobby, into a full-time endeavor.
Khalil Rountree and Health Awareness
On October 5th 2024, UFC Light Heavyweight champion [#1] Alex ‘Poatan’ Pereira will be defending his title against a 15-fight UFC veteran, [#8] Khalil Rountree Jr. Rountree had a somewhat rocky start to his UFC career; however he is currently on five-fight win streak with four finishes. While Khalil is an underdog in this fight, with the current odds having Pereira as -500 favorite, Rountree’s Muay Thai skills and power make him a dangerous opponent to even such a decorated striker as Poatan. It will be an uphill battle for Khalil, but I am hoping to see an entertaining stand-up fight while it lasts.
I think Khalil Rountree is a great Muay Thai fighter and wonderful mental health advocate and inspirational person. During a press conference, he opened up about how he had struggled with being depressed and overweight in the past. This hits hard to home for a lot of people in the United States and worldwide. He’s a very relatable individual to so many of us out there. With mental health illnesses still having a stigma, it’s impressive to see a public figure being so open and emotional on live TV, regarding his life struggles with depression and obesity.
MMA & Boxing Author | Business Development Consultant
I have been a fan and avid viewer of all combat sports for decades. I was once a Judoka, which is what eventually piqued my interest in Mixed Martial Arts. I have been a spectator of the UFC since 2001. For 25 years I’ve worked in healthcare, and now am trying to make something that was a hobby, into a full-time endeavor.
The Different Styles of Muay Thai
So, in this article we are going to explain the different styles. Some are minor styles that are not used often, and some are the main styles that most people use.
1. Muay Mat: (Boxing Low-Kick Style)
Muay Mat is the most popular style for foreigners of Thailand to use and Thai people as well. You can use all the tools of Muay Thai in any situation but in Muay Mat the Nak Muay (fighter) uses good boxing skills as well as nasty low kicks as their main weapons and they use a full power looking for the KO if it is due to low kicks or KO punches.
My name is Austin Petti. I have been writing short stories and poetry for my whole life. Also, another passion is MMA and Muay Thai. You see I have been doing MMA since I was 19 years old–25. I made my pro debut in Indonesia. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer, which I have many stories. I joined Indonesia because it was the closest country to Thailand and hoped I could find a job in Thailand from another Peace Corps Volunteer and I did it. Now I have been living in Thailand for 8 years I have 16 pro fights. I just want to educate the people who watch MMA like me what is practical and what is different? What is the same between the martial arts and a lot of interesting training tools.
UFC 307: Glory (Kickboxing) vs Muay Thai
Why did I choose Khalil as the ambassador for Muay Thai? He is married and got married in Thailand. He enjoys training at Tiger Muay Thai & MMA in Phuket. First, we have the Wai Kru, a dance that Khalil does. He does a much quicker version of the Wai Khru, as it is a big part of the muay Thai show. It is the dance, which may be similar to John Wayne Parr in which you pull out your invisible guns, much like the original John Wayne. This is where you can be a little creative or insert part of your personality. I noticed his last fight with Anthony Smith, he did a similar Wai Khru, which provides protection, shows honor and gives you heart.
If you want to see a Muay Thai clinic you should watch his fight with Eryk Anders. He nearly knocks him out via leg kicks with Anders falling due to them throughout the fight. Most of the Fight was spent, by Khalil, having Anders stand back up using the low kick to provide his victory.
Khalil would be considered more of a Muay Mat type fighter. It is normal for foreigners to take this style, as it is more based on boxing and ending combinations with low kicks or entering starting with the low kick to keep you confused about low and high attacks . This is the link to the actual fight, but it is a Muay Thai clinic without one answer.
When watching these fights, you can notice in the first minute, he is bringing his front leg light and puts most of the weight on the back foot. You can also see him target the low kick and moving into the second round he picks up the pace to try to finish the fight. This goes on for round two and three. Eryk Anders, comments that Anders should throw in the towel. Noticing how Khalil has a leg strong kicks and mid kick defense, he uses the shield he brings the leg up connects his knee to elbow to make the power disperse over a larger mass shows we need to keep a look for his defense coming up with Pereira every fighter says the leg kick is so hard. Which segues us into Alex Pereira.
My name is Austin Petti. I have been writing short stories and poetry for my whole life. Also, another passion is MMA and Muay Thai. You see I have been doing MMA since I was 19 years old–25. I made my pro debut in Indonesia. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer, which I have many stories. I joined Indonesia because it was the closest country to Thailand and hoped I could find a job in Thailand from another Peace Corps Volunteer and I did it. Now I have been living in Thailand for 8 years I have 16 pro fights. I just want to educate the people who watch MMA like me what is practical and what is different? What is the same between the martial arts and a lot of interesting training tools.