Muay Thai Kickboxing - Overview

 

Muay Thai is a form of martial art practiced in large parts of the world, including Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries. The art is similar to others in Southeast Asia such as: Cambodia, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Laos. Muay Thai has a long history in Thailand and is the country's national sport. Traditional Muay Thai practiced today varies significantly 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 Art of the Eight Limbs", as the hands, shins, elbows, and knees are all used extensively in this art. A practitioner of Muay Thai ("Nak Muay") 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.

We have both basic and advance levels of Muay Thai training depending on interest and skill level. The training schedule outlines the days and times for each level of training. Our Muay Thai Program is lead by Coach Michael Chase Corley.  

While many strikers in the United States claim to be Thai Boxers and Muay Thai Instructors, Coach Corley is THE REAL DEAL.  A Professional Muay Thai Fighter with 35 international fights to include Canada, Korea, Cambodia, Malaysia, and competed in the most prestigious venue in the sports home of Thailand, the Lumpinee Stadium in Bankok.  Furthermore, Coach has represented the U.S. Team two consecutive years at USMF World Competition in ’08 Korea, ’09 Thailand.

In competition Coach Corley amassed an impressive international record in his 35 fights; Wins: 27 | Loss: 6 | KO: 11 Draw: 2, and recently was selected and participated in the globally casted Television Reality Show, The Challenger Muay Thai - Malaysia, where 16 of the World’s best Muay Thai Fighters are selected to compete for one winner (Airs Sept 2011).

While Coach Corley has traveled to learn and compete around the world, him choosing his home to put in his roots and coach here in The Woodlands is no coincidence since this is where he found the sport and developed his passion that lead him on his quest for knowledge and to compete against the world’s best.  In 2002 a young Michael Corley started both Boxing and Muay Thai with Houstonian and UFC Stand-out, Yves Edwards.  From there Coach made a choice not to sit back and dream but to chase after those dreams and turn them into a reality.  Coach not only went to Thailand for Muay Thai, he surpassed normal expectations!  Coach became the Camp Manager of Fairtex Bangplee, Thailand and had the honor to compete in the most prestigious venue in Thailand, the Lumpinee Stadium in Bankok.  He also represented the U.S. Team two consecutive years at USMF World Competition in ’08 Korea, ’09 Thailand, and competed in the Toyota Cup Thailand Marathon finishing as a Quarter Finalist.

We are very lucky to have him lead the Muay Thai Team at Gracie Barra The Woodlands.  You will find Coach Corley to be very approachable and full of knowledge for all levels, but prepare yourself for some hard core training as you are getting it true Thai Style straight from the sports roots of Thailand; #5 Extra Spicy.