Muay Thai, also known as the “art of eight limbs,” is one of the most famous martial arts where the fighter uses their fists, elbows, knees, and legs to fight their opponent. At first glance, especially to the untrained eye, Muay Thai may seem like a sport of aggression. It may look like Muay Thai fighters thoughtlessly launch heavy punches and kicks to damage their opponents. However, real Muay Thai enthusiasts know that there is an underlying thought process behind each strike of this martial art, depending on the fighting style adopted by the fighter.
There are many different styles of fighting in Muay Thai; however, the most artistic style with technical superiority is that of Muay Femur. In this article, we’ll explore the Muay Femur style, the advantages of mastering it, its differences from other prominent fighting styles, and the best Muay Femur fighters that have reigned and are reigning.
Who Is a Muay Femur?
Muay itself means boxing, while the word “femur”’ or “femeu” refers to skilled or trained. Muay Femurs are technical fighters with a high fight IQ, delivering calculated strikes by analyzing their opponent’s tactics. Their moves are less aggressive, sometimes even artistic, with fighters effortlessly shifting from their front foot to their back foot, alternating with various striking techniques like knee strikes, elbow strikes, punches, kicks, and whatnot – all depending on their opponent.
Many fans and critics of Muay Thai in mixed martial arts have pointed out that the combat sport maintains no sense of rhythm, foot movement, or stance. However, Muay Femur fighters are the clear-cut response against that accusation with dance-like footwork and technique. It is the most difficult style to learn and master, but once you have mastered it, there is no going back on your success.
Muay Femurs can easily be called the greatest fighters in the Muay Thai world, with the style taking the name “King’s Discipline” due to how they dominate the scoring system to win fights without delivering a knockout. This type of Muay Thai fighter observes other fighters to find their weaknesses before using their bodily weapons to inflict powerful strikes. Using their minds to counter fighters, Muay Femurs rely on their knowledge and analytical skills to tactically move, defend themselves, and win their fight.
Below, we explore the benefits of using such a style of fighting to maintain a dominant position in Muay Thai.
Advantages For Muay Femurs
Being well-versed in all Muay Thai fighting styles, these fighters have the advantage of being prepared to face any obstacle. Here are the benefits of being a Muay Femur fighter.
Long-Range Striking
As a master of all the body’s weapons, the Muay Femur doesn’t need to be in close range to deliver an impactful strike. Despite the distance, these fighters gracefully use various knee techniques, punching tactics, and other hard-hitting approaches to leave opponents dazed. With lightning speed, the fighter scores point after point while defending themselves by staying afar, challenging the opponent.
Ability To Shift Styles According To The Opponents’ Style
There is a division within the Femur that thrive on how effectively they can shift their style to match their opponent, whether it is Muay Khao, Muay Tae, Muay Mat, or any other style. Unlike the average fighter, their use of clinches, agile footwork, and eight limbs is put together to strike unpredictably.
They can use all their bodily weapons in different ways, whether it is a roundhouse kick, Matrix-style lean back, flying elbows, or allowed Muay Boran strikes. Their skill to adeptly shift styles always allows them to pleasantly surprise fans, every time an unpredictable strike or defense comes to light.
Easy To Outsmart Opponents
Technical fighters avoid going head-to-head with their opponents or trading punches. Instead of aggressiveness, they aim to strike while also defending themselves without positioning themselves in harm’s way. This allows them to strike more powerfully without a lowered impact due to being damaged.
The goal is to manipulate their opponent’s vulnerabilities while outperforming them every step of the bout. Many Muay Femurs are counter fighters, sparring off their back foot and taking control of the battle rather than pursuing it. However, their keen eyes are inclined to find any minimal opening that will help them secure the win, and when they do find it, they will deliver with maximum impact.
Counters Physical Disadvantages
Muay Femur ensures that the fighter has a strong mind, tactical eyes, and excellent reflexes. Despite having smaller builds and weight classes than their opponents, many Muay Femur fighters have used their wit and skill to win many bouts.
Notable Muay Femur Fighters
Below are the most acclaimed fighters of the Muay Femur technique from the golden age of Muay Thai to right now.
Golden Era Fighters
The golden era of Muay Thai fighters has left a last impression on the sport and the best of them are from Muay Femur fighters. Below are some of the best technical fighters of the Golden Era.
Saenchai
Saenchai is a Muay Thai living legend who is the face of Muay Femur and a world champion considered by many to be the best fighter of modern Muay Thai, almost like the Muhammad Ali of boxing. Saenchai is an analytical expert with superior striking strategy, range and footwork prowess, and the competence to dump or sweep anyone with little hard work. All of this equates to the skill to outwit opponents much larger and more powerful than himself.
He is known to entertain fans despite not being as physically gifted as his competitors with a strong build. Instead, his artistic, high-fight IQ style of fighting has given him almost 300 wins in his career. The legend is a five-time Lumpinee champion with a currently undefeated streak of 61 wins from October 2014.
Samart Payarkoon
The legendary Samart is a favorite Muay Femur fighter amongst many “OG” fans of the sport. Even some modern Muay Thai fans consider him the greatest of all time. Awarded “Best Fighter of the Year” in 1981, 1983, and 1988, 4 Lumpinee titles across different weight divisions, and a WBC Super Bantamweight world title, it shows just how far his technical style has helped him imprint his name in the legacy of martial arts. His tactical movements and extremely quick reflexes have always astounded fans as they allowed the legend to have both, an excellent offense as well as defense.
Despite being known to have weak cardio due to his small lungs, his legendary acclaim is due to his technical superiority that secured his many wins. Known to be a personified version of the Muay Femur style, his control over all his eight limbs to deftly strike the opponent and defend himself are aspects that young trainees aim to learn. You can check out our article to learn more about Samart.
There are also many other prominent Muay Femurs like Somrak Khamsing and Namsaknoi Yudthagarngamtorn.
Modern Era Fighters
There are many fighters that use this technique right now. Below are two of the most technical fighters in the modern era of Muay Thai.
Nong O Gaiyanghadao
Nong-O Gaiyanghadao is an iconic Muay Femur. He has solid foundations, enormous impact, and perfect balance. Although not flashy, his quick reflexes and expertise enable him to succeed effortlessly. His agile footwork and use of punches, elbows, and kicks have given him advantage over many strong fighters.
Nong-O won four Lumpinee belts, a Toyota Marathon Tournament championship, a Rajadamnern belt, and the 2005 Fighter of the Year award during his prime years in the ring. Some fans regarded him as one of the finest pound-for-pound fighters in history. He returned to the ring in 2018, winning the ONE Championship Bantamweight Muay Thai world title the succeeding year and defending it three times.
Sam-A Gaiyanghadao
Sam-A is an acclaimed Muay Femur technician, carefully using his moves to take opponents by surprise landing sure punches and deftly defending himself. He has a successful career of more than 350 wins, Lumpinee Stadium titles in three weight classes, and a legacy for his blazing-fast kicks.
Sam-A’s style is so popular due to his trained skill and consistency in both knowing how to strike and not get struck. Circling his opponents to create perfect angles to strike, and effortlessly defending kicks and clinches, he is a technical phenomenon. Although much older than his opponents, age does not affect this technical maestro’s agility and keen eye. With swift movements across the rings, the fastest kick ever recorded, and a wild concoction of punches, kicks, and knockouts, Sam-A is a prime example of maximizing the Muay Femur style.
However, the Best Muay Thai Fighters Of All Time are not only Muay Femur professionals. There’s more and each fighter and their respective fighting style has its own advantages and weaknesses.
Become A Muay Femur Fighter: The Art Of Technical Mastery
It is not easy to use the Muay Femur technique but neither is it impossible. This technique requires learners to condition and strengthen their minds as much as their bodies. However, once mastered the path to success is a technical challenge but quite an easy win too. If you’re interested in mastering this style of fighting when you’re in Phuket, check out the best Muay Thai Gyms in Phuket.
If you would like to learn more about this style, contact us and let us help you!
FAQs
Without a doubt, the legendary Saenchai. However, many old fans and even some modern fans believe the phenomenal Samart Payarkoon’s Muay Femur cannot be matched.
Muay Khao is a knee-fighting technique where the knee is used to strike the opponent and score. These fighters are also known for their strong clinches which, if an opponent gets into leaves them open to damaging elbows if not knees.
