Kyokushin karate vs Muay Thai and which one is better has been among the hottest debates within the martial arts world.
On one side, Muay Thai is considered the best striking martial art, highly practical for self-defense and MMA. On the other, Kyokushin is a full-contact karate known as the hardest striking martial art that embraces the concept of real-world fighting.
In this article, you will discover how these two compare in aspects such as self-defense, MMA, and street fighting, and come to a conclusion on which one is better,
What Is Kyokushin Karate?
Kyokushin is a full-contact karate style developed by Masutatsu Oyama in the 1960s. As a concept, it is a striking martial art that includes:
- Kicking techniques (low-high)
- Punches (primarily direct punches)
- Knee strikes
- Elbow strikes
- Throwing techniques (adopted from Judo)
It is conceptually similar to kickboxing. However, there is one big distinction — there are no punches to the head in Kyokushin. Practitioners can only hit the upper body area below the neck and above the waist. Only kicks to the head are allowed by the rules.
In contrast with other karate styles, Kyokushin is harder. This is mainly due to its emphasis on sparring, realism, and the lack of protective gear. Students spar and compete bare-knuckle, without wearing gloves or other basic gear.
However, modern practice is evolving, and sparring gear is optional in most dojos.
What is Muay Thai?
Muay Thai is a popular combat sport in Thailand. It is a striking martial art developed in the 19th century with its origins coming from the military system called “Muay Boran”.
It is widely regarded as the best standup martial art due to its emphasis on striking using all limbs.
The rules enable Thai boxers to strike using punches, kicks, knees, and elbows at all ranges, including the clinch. From the clinch position, they can also execute certain grappling moves such as trips, throws, and sweeps to the opponent down. Still, ground fighting is not allowed.
The emphasis is on power and damage. Hard kicks are considered the main weapon, and dirty fighting inside the clinch.
Kyokushin vs Muay Thai — What Are The Differences?
The key difference is the concept as Kykoushin is a traditional martial art while Muay Thai is a combat sport. Next, the rules and techniques are also different, as well as the emphasis and objective of training.
Here is a detailed look into all the differences between these two arts:
Techniques and objectives
Thai boxing includes striking with kicks, punches, knees, and elbows, both above and below the waist. They fight at all ranges, including the clinch where they can attack with takedowns. The emphasis is on kicking skills and close-range exchanges in the clinch.
Kyokushin is a bit different. On paper, it includes the same techniques. However, knees and elbows are not allowed in competition, as well as punches to the head. Thus, students primarily drill only kicks and direct punches to the chest.
Orientation and emphasis
Muay Thai is a brutal combat sport. It trains a fighter to compete under the rules and win matches, and money. The concept does not adopt other martial arts elements such as philosophical teachings, grading levels, and methods that encourage personal growth.
Kyokushin is a martial art rooted in respect, honour, discipline, and personal growth. Though competition is important, it is primarily a self-defense system that trains a person for real combat.
Fighting gear
Muay Thai fighters wear:
- Pair of full-padded boxing gloves
- Hand wraps
- Shorts and Armbands (optional)
- Mouth guards and groin guards
- In training, the additional gear includes a head guard and shin pads.
Kyokushin includes only:
- Hand wraps (optional)
- Mouth guards
- Groin guards
- Belt rank around the waist
- Gi uniform (pants and jacket)
There are no gloves or shin pads. Not even in traditional training. However, modern practice is slowly adopting shin guards and gloves because that decreases the injury rate.
Kyokushin vs Muay Thai — Who Would Win In A Fight?
Muay Thai fighters have slightly better chances of beating Kyokushin karateka in a real fight. They have more advanced all-around skills at their disposal, and the concept of Thai boxing is more in line with real combat.
Here are the key advantages of both arts:
Muay Thai is technically advanced
Kyokushin Karate is known for its powerful strikes and kicks, emphasizing strong and precise techniques. However, it is heavily limited by the rules that do not allow punches and elbows to the head. Also, there is no clinch fighting which gives Thai boxers a big advantage.
On the other hand, Muay Thai is more advanced as it teaches better boxing techniques and more efficient clinch work. They also have better guards and are better in blocking the punches and targeting the head.
On paper, its fighters would be superior to karateka in most street fight scenarios and can overwhelm them with a wide variety of techniques. But this is only in theory.
Kyokushin is more realistic
Kyokushin karatekas have all the skills to beat Thai boxers in a fair fight. They are tough, much better at striking bare-knuckle and absorbing damage, and have the ability to land a knockout blow.
While most Thai boxers would break their hands punching without the gloves, karatekas know how to control their power and hit at the right angle to protect their hands. Their chances would increase as the fight progresses.
Kyokushin vs Muay Thai — Which One Is Better For Self-Defense?
Muay Thai is considered a more effective self-defense system because it is technically more advanced, notably when it comes to hand strikes and clinching.
First, the Muay Thai clinch makes a big difference. Most street fights include a lot of grabbing and pulling at close range. Thus, knowing how to position yourself, keep balance, and do damage with elbows and knees gives you a big advantage.
Next, Thai boxing also teaches better punching techniques and defensive work. Due to the lack of punches to the head, Kyokushin karate is not that good at keeping their guard tight, dodging/slipping punches, and blocking the shots. They have a tendency to keep their chin wide open, which is bad for self-defense.
On the other hand, what Kyokushin karate does better for self-defense is body and mind conditioning. Due to the lack of gear, practitioners learn how to absorb shots and strike without the gear, which is crucial for self-defense.
Keep in mind that this is just a general overview of the pros and cons of self-defense training in both arts.
In the end, which one is better depends on many individual factors. This includes skill level, strength and size, situational awareness, and one’s ability to apply techniques in real-world situations. Also, choosing the one that aligns with personal preferences and training goals is key.
Are There Similarities Between Kyokushin and Muay Thai?
The key similarity are the techniques, notably the kicks. The concept in both martial arts revolves around striking using all limbs, with kicking techniques being very much the same.
Also, the following similarities are the reason why practitioners can easily make a transition from one to the other.
Kicking techniques
Both of these combat systems utilize the same kicking techniques that primarily originate from traditional karate styles. Although each one has distinct variations, the kicks are visually very similar. This includes different types of front kicks, side kicks, spinning attacks, etc. The execution also might differ as well as the emphasis.
The concept
Both are striking-oriented combat systems where practitioners use eight points of contact to strike. Though Thai boxing is a bit more versatile in terms of techniques, the concept of standup battle remains the same. Additionally, both styles prioritize physical fitness and mental toughness.
Kyokushin or Muay Thai For MMA?
Muay Thai is widely regarded as the best striking martial art in MMA. Compared with other arts, including Kyokushin, the concept of Muay Thai is close to ideal, and here is why.
MMA is a hybrid mix of striking and grappling. As far as striking is concerned, the rules allow striking using all limbs. This includes kicks, punches, knees, and elbows. Also, fighters are allowed to fight inside the clinch, and take each other down, making Muay Thai great for MMA as it covers all the elements.
Some of the most famous Muay Thai fighters in MMA are:
- Anderson Silva — former UFC Middleweight Champion
- Jon Jones — former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion
- Edson Barboza — Top UFC contender
Kyokushin on the other side is a bit different notably when it comes to punches and defensive skills. The lack of punches to the head limits their abilities in freestyle combat.
However, skilled karatekas are capable of making fast transitions and there have been many black belts who became UFC champions.
- Bas Rutten — 5th degree black belt; former UFC Champion
- George St. Pierre — 3rd dan black belt; former UFC Champion
- Guy Mezger — 6th dan black belt ;
Kyokushin karate vs Muay Thai Matches — Who Won?
In 1964, the founder of Kyokushin Karate, Mas Oyama, travelled to Thailand with three of his best fighters to challenge Muay Thai fighters at the legendary Lumpinee Stadium.
They fought under customized rules that didn’t favour either style, and that would later evolve into “kickboxing rules”. Although these were not pure Kyokushin karate vs Muay Thai matches, they presented a middle ground for both styles to showcase their effectiveness.
These three fighters were Tadashi Nakamura, Akio Fujihira, and Kenji Kurosaki. Apart from striking with all limbs, the rules also enabled takedowns and throws, which slightly favoured Kyokushin.
The Thai nation was in for a massive shock. Both Nakamura and Fujihira managed to win their bouts decisively by knocking their Thai opponents out. Kurosaki, on the other hand, was in for a rough night in the office. After a hard back-and-forth battle, his opponent Rawee Dechachai managed to land a knockout blow.
Kyokushin karate vs Muay Thai — Which One is Harder To Learn?
The only fair answer is — both. Each of the two is difficult to master both from the technical standpoint and rigorous physical conditioning. Thus, which one is “harder” is subjective and based on many individual factors.
Kyokushin Karate places a strong emphasis on full-contact sparring without the basic gear, which makes it one of the hardest karate styles. Naturally, this increases the risks of injuries and makes the overall experience far more physically demanding. Not all people can sustain the damage and workload that comes with this training approach.
On top of that, learning precise techniques and mastering the art’s linear movements can be challenging, requiring dedicated practice and perseverance.
Is Karate Hard to Learn? (Expert Opinion)
Muay Thai, while also physically demanding, introduces complexities with its diverse range of strikes, clinch work, and defensive tactics. Coordination and timing become crucial elements, adding layers of skill development beyond basic techniques. It is technically more advanced and harder to master in that segment. On average, it takes around 3 years for a dedicated student to reach a high level of proficiency.
Ultimately, the perceived difficulty may vary from person to person. Some may find Kyokushin’s emphasis on discipline and powerful strikes more challenging, while others might appreciate the strategic nuances and versatility demanded by Muay Thai.
The key lies in choosing a martial art that aligns with personal interests, commitment levels, and individual learning styles. Both Kyokushin Karate and Muay Thai offer rewarding paths for those seeking physical and mental growth
Final Thoughts on Kyokushin karate vs Muay Thai
Both Kyokushin Karate and Muay Thai have their strengths and weaknesses, and each is highly effective in its own right.
Ultimately, the “better” martial art depends on your personal goals, preferences, and the specific context in which you plan to train or apply your skills.
Some people may prefer the traditional aspects and strong discipline of Kyokushin Karate, while others may be drawn to the versatility and effectiveness of Muay Thai’s striking techniques.
t’s often beneficial to try both and see which one resonates more with you. Additionally, cross-training in multiple martial arts can provide a well-rounded skill set and a deeper understanding of combat techniques.
