Muay Thai kickboxing, often simply referred to as Muay Thai, is a traditional martial art and combat sport originating from Thailand. It is known as “the art of eight limbs” because it utilizes eight points of contact: fists, elbows, knees, and shins. This differs from other combat sports like boxing, which only uses fists.

Key elements of Muay Thai include:

1. Striking Techniques: It involves punches, kicks, elbow strikes, and knee strikes.
2. Clinching: A distinctive feature of Muay Thai is the clinch, where fighters grapple and use knees and elbows to strike opponents.
3. Defensive Techniques: Fighters use blocks, parries, and evasive maneuvers to avoid strikes.
4. Conditioning: Practitioners undergo rigorous training to build physical and mental toughness, as well as to strengthen their bodies for both offensive and defensive moves.
5. Cultural Aspect: Muay Thai has deep cultural roots in Thailand, often accompanied by traditional music and pre-fight rituals like the Wai Kru Ram Muay, a dance performed to pay respect to teachers and the sport itself.

Muay Thai is practiced both as a sport and a form of self-defense. It has gained global popularity and is a fundamental component of many mixed martial arts (MMA) training programs due to its effective striking techniques.