Muay Thai

While browsing the internet for articles and news regarding Ultimate Fighting, I came across a very interesting discovery which introduced me to a new style of fighting, similar to that of the UFC. This style of fighting is known as Muay Thai and is further described below:

"Muay Thai (pronounced [muāitʰāi]; Thai: มวยไทย) literally Thai Boxing and also known as The Art of the Eight Limbs is the Thai name for a form of hard martial art practiced in several Southeast Asian countries including Thailand. The different styles of kickboxing in Southeast Asia are analogous to the different types of Kung Fu in China or Silat in the Malay peninsula. The Thai military uses a modified form of Muay Thai called Lerdrit.
Muay Thai has a long history in Thailand and is the country's national sport. Traditional Muay Thai practiced today varies slightly from the ancient art Muay Boran and uses kicks and punches in a ring with gloves similar to those used in Western boxing. Muay Thai is referred to as "The Science of Eight Limbs", as the hands, shins, elbows, and knees are all used extensively in this art. A master practitioner of Muay Thai thus has the ability to execute strikes using eight "points of contact," as opposed to "two points" (fists) in Western boxing and "four points" (fists, feet) used in the primarily sport-oriented forms of martial arts."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muay_Thai

Muay Thai techniques involve the use of the entire human body. In other words, if you want to learn Muay Thai, you have to learn how to use everypart of your body; including fists, elbows, shins, feet and knees.

This is the reason why Muay Thai received it's name, “The Science of Eight Limbs”.
Muay Thai techniques are divided into categories of punch, elbow, kicking and knee techniques.

One key Muay Thai technique is the "clinch or grappling," used extensively in Muay Thai fights. "A common clinching technique in Muay Thai fighting is to tap the head downward before executing a throw. "
http://www.muaythai.cc/Muay-thai-kick-boxing.php

Muay Thai techniques are also used in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Apart from traditional Muay Thai fights, you will find Muay Thai techniques being used in MMA fights like PRIDE Fighting Championships and Ultimate Fighting Championship as well.

The following video depicts a traditional Muay Thai fight which also demonstrates the Muay Thai techniques mentioned above: