Muay Thai

knee Traditional Muay Thai has a long history in Thailand as a martial art used by the military. The military style of Muay Thai is called Lerdrit, while today's "Sport Muay Thai" slightly varies from the original art and uses kicks and punches in a ring and 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 boxing and "four points" (fists, feet) used in the primarily sport-oriented forms of martial arts.

headkick Starting in the 1990s, Muay Thai has enjoyed a boost in popularity worldwide as it has been very effective in mixed martial arts fights, such as those held by the PRIDE Fighting Championships and Ultimate Fighting Championship. Mixed martial artists such as Marco Ruas (of Ruas Vale Tudo) and Wanderlei Silva (of the Chute Boxe Academy) have combined many striking elements of Muay Thai with grappling, submission, and choking elements from Judo, Wrestling, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into a hybrid synthesis that has been highly effective in defeating practitioners of "pure" martial arts. Shoot-fighters and professional wrestlers who have trained and influenced by Muay Thai include Satoru Sayama (the original Tiger Mask and founder of shooto) and Yoshiaki Fujiwara. Muay Thai is a versatile, brutal, straightforward martial art.


About the Instructors

Kru John

Kru John's exposure to mixed martial arts began with wrestling and progressed on to Muay Thai kickboxing. After wrestling at Worcester Poly-Tech, John transfered to Boston College. It was at this point John began his Muay Thai training.

After four years in the US, he traveled to Japan, Brazil and Thailand to continue his training. John then moved to Thailand, where he lived and trained for another three and a half years along side some of Thailand and the world's toughest fighters. Making Muay Thai his life, and visiting some 20 training camps from Loas to Thailand, John exposed himself to both very well known as well as obscure boxing camps and each of their techniques. Kru John is certified by the Kru Muay Thai Association, a recognized division of the National Culture Commission of Thailand.

Currently the Head MMA coach, with names training under him such as John "Doomsday" Howard of the UFC, Kru John led the Wai Kru MMA fight team to an impressive record in 2009 of 65-10
and the Muay Thai team to 18-3.

Kru Mark Massey

Mark began his training in Boxing at an early age under his father and uncle , the 1966 Navy Boxing champlion. He has competed in many city and state competitions. Soon after Mark turned his passion towards Martial Arts and earned 1st Dan in Shotokan Karate under Shihan Mike Hollonsworth. He studied Kempo Karate under Master Ron Gately and recieved his Shodan 2nd degree under Master Cal Cozzi. Mark has trained extensively in Savate, Silat, Arnis and Filipino Martial Arts under Shihan Bob Moran. He is a certified Personal Trainer with over 17 years of experience and has made Muay Thai his dedicated
focus for the last several years.

Kru Mark Nardone

Kru Mark Nardone began his training in the United Kingdom under Kru Ian Cocks and the auspices of Master Sken, Master Woody (now known as Grand Master Chinawut Sirisompan) and the British Thai Boxing Council. Over several years he trained and fought under both Rama and Sitnarong camps, and in 1990 after receiving his Brown III Krang Ruang from Master Woody, came to the US to study Sports Medicine. After finding few people who had even heard of Thai Boxing, he opened what was Boston's first authentic Muay Thai school.
Kru Mark became part of Khai Muay Lug Sitnarong when he found an old friend, Kru Phil Nurse had established the school in NYC. Kru Mark opened a Boston branch in 1996 and produced several successful fighters who competed in both the US and Thailand. However due to time constraints and an ankle injury, the school closed in 2001 and Kru Mark concentrated on finishing his Masters degree. However Mark kept training, spending time at Fairtex in San Francisco with Gangyao, Boonkerd, Jongsanon and the late Alex Gong. Kru Mark is recognized by the Kru Muay Thai Association of Thailand and one of the few people in the US who have been certified to teach Muay Boran.