Muay Thai, the ancient art of eight limbs, has gained tremendous popularity worldwide, including here in the United Kingdom. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just starting to discover this thrilling combat sport, there are so many different ways to watch Muay Thai.
In this blog, we'll explore various avenues for catching Muay Thai action in the UK, both in-person and online, including notable events, YouTube channels, and the sport's exponential growth.
Here's how you can watch Muay Thai in the UK:
The Rise of Muay Thai and its Impact: Muay Thai, often referred to as the "Art of Eight Limbs," originated in Thailand and has captivated martial arts enthusiasts and fight fans worldwide with its blend of striking techniques, devastating kicks, culture and rich history. Over the years, the sport has gained immense popularity in the UK, attracting a growing fan base and fostering a vibrant Muay Thai community.
TLDR;
Live Muay Thai Shows UK
- Hitman Fight League
- SKS Empire
- MuayThai Grand Prix
- Muay Thai Interclubs
Streaming Muay Thai in the UK
- ONE Championship
- Hitman Fight League
- Rajadamnern YouTube Channel
- Petchyindee
Where to watch Muay Thai shows LIVE in the UK
With the wealth of growth for Muay Thai in the UK, there are plenty of places to watch in person, live Thai boxing events in the UK. From global stage shows, new, upcoming promotions and regional shows, here's where you can watch Muay Thai shows live in the UK.
Hitman Fight League
The Hitman Fight League is a well-established promotion that showcases high-level Muay Thai matches across the UK. Founded by the UK Muay Thai legend himself, Liam "The Hitman" Harrison, the newly launched promotion is putting some of the UK's most exciting upcoming talent on the map.
Hitman Fight League shows are one of the best ways to catch Muay Thai action in the UK. We had the pleasure of attending the June show in Manchester, seeing Joe Ryan claim his world title with an incredible headkick knockout.
If you're a Muay Thai fan in the UK, we strongly encourage grabbing some tickets to the next Hitman Fight League, you won't be disappointed!
SKS Empire
SKS Empire produce some great Muay Thai gear, but they also put on some great Muay Thai events too.
The best place to find out about SKS Empire events is on their Instagram page.
They're showcasing some of the UK's upcoming and exciting fighters, putting on events all around the UK.
Muay Thai Grand Prix
One of the most exciting places to watch Muay Thai in the UK is at one of Muay Thai Grand Prix's events!
Muay Thai Grand Prix or MTGP are putting on some exciting fight cards around the world and have hosted some incredible events in the UK. With fighters competing for their chance to fight on ONE Championship, you can be rest assured that the next MTGP event that you go to will be an exciting one.
Find out more about Muay Thai Grand Prix Events.
Muay Thai Interclubs
Now Muay Thai interclubs may not be as exciting, flashy or extravagant as some of the others on this list. BUT you're seeing Muay Thai in the making. You're going to see fighters that you wouldn't usually get to see as they take their path to competing on potentially bigger shows.
Interclubs can be quite sporadic in nature. As the clubs putting them on tend to be a lot smaller as they're a way to build more experience and confidence for younger or inexperienced fighters.
But that's not to say you're not going to have a great time and see some amazing Muay Thai on show. The best way to find interclubs is to search "muay thai gyms near me" and check their social media pages or contact them asking if they're hosting any interclubs. Alternatively you could search "Muay Thai interclubs near me".
Where to watch Muay Thai shows online in the UK
The growth of Muay Thai around the globe has led to more excited fans seeking more ways to watch the sport in their own countries. In the UK, there are a wealth of streaming services, Muay Thai pages and media outlets that stream the art of 8-limbs to millions around the world.
There are many different ways to watch Muay Thai online in the UK. Here are some of the best and most popular.
ONE Championship YouTube Channel
If you're a Muay Thai fan then it's very likely you've heard of ONE, if not, you must've been living under a rock. But that's not a bad thing, you've got loads of Muay Thai action to catch up on with the ONE Championship YouTube channel.
ONE Championship has played a significant role in the growth of Muay Thai, helping to bring the sport to millions of people around the globe. Luckily with ONE streaming a range of martial arts for free on YouTube, the channel brings in more fans worldwide from different fighting backgrounds, bringing more eyes to the art of 8-limbs.
Hitman Fight League
We mentioned Hitman Fight League in our roundup of live Muay Thai shows in the UK, but they have a great setup as a stream too!
One of the great things about Hitman Fight league stream is that they have behind the scenes footage and a watch along show on YouTube with interviews with fighters, brand associated with Muay Thai and much more.
You can watch along live on Kapture TV. Hitman Fight League Stream.
Rajadamnern World Series
Where better to watch Muay Thai than the world's first Muay Thai stadium, Rajadamnern. And yes, you can do it from the comfort of your own home in the UK.
Oh, did we mention for free too?
You can stream some of the very best Muay Thai action via the Rajadamnern World Series YouTube channel.
You can also watch back as the channel uploads the full nights of fights to YouTube after the event, no missing out for the UK Muay Thai lovers! 🙏
Petchyindee
Petchyindee is a very well-known Muay Thai gym based in Bangkok. Luckily for us Muay Thai fans in the UK, Petchyindee academy shows fights almost every day on their YouTube channel. Showcasing some incredible talent working their way through the Muay Thai scene in Thailand.
Fighters from around the world travel to compete and put themselves to the test.
You can watch replays as well as live streams on the Petchyindee YouTube channel.
Top UK Muay Thai Fighters
Some of Muay Thai's greatest fighters are from the UK. So, who are those said fighters? Muay Thai fans would've likely heard of most, if not all of these fighters. If you're new to the sport, you're in for a treat!
Liam Harrison - The UK's Most Notable Muay Thai Fighter
Liam "The Hitman" Harrison, a name you've probably heard of if you've been involved in Muay Thai, no matter where you live. His exciting, powerful, full-throttle style and relentless pace is very popular amongst fight fans.
Harrison was playing sport from a young age, albeit very different - football -, his cousin introduced him to Muay Thai in his early teens.
Winning his first 29 fights, at the age of just 17, he was already number one in the UK, winning his first world title a couple of years later.
The Hitman has fought all over the world, living in Thailand for a period and putting his pressure fighting style to the test against some of Thailand's top technicians such as Saenchai.
Liam "The Hitman" Harrison Highlights
Andy Howson - Five-Time Muay Thai World Champion
You can't speak about UK Muay Thai legends without mentioning Andy Howson. The five-time Muay Thai world champion. The relentless style clearly runs in the blood and through the veins of the Bad Company gym in Leeds from where Andy Howson fights out of. Yes, the same gym as his cousin, Liam Harrison.
Howson's titles include Intercontinental Champion (2x), Commonwealth Champion (2x), European Champion, British Champion (2x), and English Champion.
Without a doubt, Andy Howson is a very exciting fighter to watch, every fight delivers, put it this way, his record speaks for itself. 96 fights, 81 wins, 14 losses, and 1 draw.
Andy Howson "Lord of War" Highlights
Ronnie Green
Ronnie "Machine Gun" Green. A legendary British kickboxer who is a former four-time world champion. Winning championship status is any sport is no easy feat, but becoming the first to ever do it from the UK and setting the bar for generation to follow is even harder.
Raised in our home city of Manchester, Green trained under the legendary Thohsaphon "Master Toddy" Sitiwatjana in 1977.
Green won competitions around Europe and became the first Brit to win a kickboxing match in Thailand, defeating Lamnak Pitiporn at Rajadamnern Stadium in 1983.
Ronnie Green is truly incredible to watch. Although he formally retired from fighting in 2002, his highlights and some of his fights are available on YouTube to watch back, for fans to find out to see why he went by the name "Machine Gun".
Ronnie "Machine Gun" Green Highlights
Damien Trainor
Trainor is a Former 2x World champion. Being in a light weight class, naturally Trainor fought in Thailand's most fierce weight divisions. He had his first pro fight in 1996 but started training and competing much earlier than this.
Trainor has fought some of the world's most legendary Thai fighters, with each fight being a technical masterclass, showing his range of abilities, even when faced with top level Thai's on their home soil.
Damien retired in 2016 and now trains fighters from the likes of UFC and Bellator. He posts regularly on his social media profiles with techniques and fight footage.
Damien Trainor Highlights
Jonathan Haggerty
Known more recently for his impressive win over the top level Thai, Nong-O Gaiyanghadao, Jonathan "The General" Haggerty is the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion and former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion.
Haggerty is majestic to watch, his long range and stance switching leaps allow him to get in close range, land and then retreat, only to bring his opponents onto another shot as they move into his range.
Jonathan Haggerty Highlights
Muay Thai's popularity has soared in the UK, and there are ample opportunities for fans to watch the sport both online and in person.
If you can't make it to an in-person show - we strongly suggest you do! - but if you can't luckily for you this blog rounds up some of the best places to watch Muay Thai in the UK online.
Has all this Muay Thai action given you a thirst for training? Why not shop our range of Muay Thai gear?