Muay Thai Ranking System?

[Trioxin149]

I'm switching training camps in January or February and the new training center I'll be going to has the following requirements in order to be able to be on their Fight Team or even take their "MMA" class. You must have 3 stripes on your white belt in BJJ which is fine and dandy but they also said that you will need to be at least a Green Rank in Muay Thai. The last time I checked, Muay Thai didn't have a ranking system (like boxing) so can anyone explain this to me or is this just specific to this camp?

[JohnKG]

I thought Muay Thai had different colored ropes to represent their level. Like how Karate uses belts around there Gi. I could be wrong though. Maybe it'll help jog your memory from something you or somebody who reads this post heard/read though.

[Trioxin149]

I did a quick search online and couldn't find anything but hopefully someone will know

[Lamer]

The ranking system is fairly simple.

A yellow tassel is given to basic students, ones who have learned all of the basics of Muay Thai.

Green tassels are given to intermediate level boxers who have learned some of the advanced techniques, learned basic combos and have a basic understanding of Muay Thai strategy.

Blue tassels are given to boxers who have proven themselves in the ring.

Red tassels are presented to boxers who have not only proven themselves in the ring, but have shown proficiency in both Muay Thai technique, but also strategy.

Black tassels are given to boxers who have mastered all of the techniques and strategy to the point that they can teach others competently, so basically it's given to those who are then able to become teachers

finally the red and black tassels are given to those who not only have been given the right to teach, but have also shown themselves to be accomplished boxers.


So basically, you need to be an intermediate level Thai boxer. I should note, however, traditionally your record in Muay Thai combat is your rank. IMO, it's dumb as hell. But because Thai fights rarely happen in the US, they need some way to keep track of a students progress.

I'll also note that mongkhon, the head band the poster above spoke of, doesn't have anything to do with your rank or ability as a fighter, but is of the up most importance in Muay Thai. Thai fighters in general are very superstitious, and the mongkhon plays a big role in giving Thai's confidence as well as a sense of safety. You'll never see a Thai Muay Thai fighter not wearing one and they will never remove it themselves.

[Trioxin149]

Thanks for the very detailed response. Exactly what I needed! Sticky that shit! lol

[JohnKG]

The ranking system is fairly simple.

A yellow tassel is given to basic students, ones who have learned all of the basics of Muay Thai.

Green tassels are given to intermediate level boxers who have learned some of the advanced techniques, learned basic combos and have a basic understanding of Muay Thai strategy.

Blue tassels are given to boxers who have proven themselves in the ring.

Red tassels are presented to boxers who have not only proven themselves in the ring, but have shown proficiency in both Muay Thai technique, but also strategy.

Black tassels are given to boxers who have mastered all of the techniques and strategy to the point that they can teach others competently, so basically it's given to those who are then able to become teachers

finally the red and black tassels are given to those who not only have been given the right to teach, but have also shown themselves to be accomplished boxers.


So basically, you need to be an intermediate level Thai boxer. I should note, however, traditionally your record in Muay Thai combat is your rank. IMO, it's dumb as hell. But because Thai fights rarely happen in the US, they need some way to keep track of a students progress.

I'll also note that mongkhon, the head band the poster above spoke of, doesn't have anything to do with your rank or ability as a fighter, but is of the up most importance in Muay Thai. Thai fighters in general are very superstitious, and the mongkhon plays a big role in giving Thai's confidence as well as a sense of safety. You'll never see a Thai Muay Thai fighter not wearing one and they will never remove it themselves.

Thanks for all the information..

[Lamer]

Hey, no problem. I'm a huge fan of the Art of Eight Limbs and will gladly share my knowledge of it to the best of my abilities.

[Trioxin149]

A good art it is.

[JayDeeHero]

The ranking system is fairly simple.

A yellow tassel is given to basic students, ones who have learned all of the basics of Muay Thai.

Green tassels are given to intermediate level boxers who have learned some of the advanced techniques, learned basic combos and have a basic understanding of Muay Thai strategy.

Blue tassels are given to boxers who have proven themselves in the ring.

Red tassels are presented to boxers who have not only proven themselves in the ring, but have shown proficiency in both Muay Thai technique, but also strategy.

Black tassels are given to boxers who have mastered all of the techniques and strategy to the point that they can teach others competently, so basically it's given to those who are then able to become teachers

finally the red and black tassels are given to those who not only have been given the right to teach, but have also shown themselves to be accomplished boxers.


So basically, you need to be an intermediate level Thai boxer. I should note, however, traditionally your record in Muay Thai combat is your rank. IMO, it's dumb as hell. But because Thai fights rarely happen in the US, they need some way to keep track of a students progress.

I'll also note that mongkhon, the head band the poster above spoke of, doesn't have anything to do with your rank or ability as a fighter, but is of the up most importance in Muay Thai. Thai fighters in general are very superstitious, and the mongkhon plays a big role in giving Thai's confidence as well as a sense of safety. You'll never see a Thai Muay Thai fighter not wearing one and they will never remove it themselves.

It's a good thing I stumbled on this thread. I was wondering how they did that too, and what those bands meant. I swear...if I ever got anywhere higher than green, I'd wear that thing all the time. Is that disrespect?

[JohnKG]

The ranking system is fairly simple.

A yellow tassel is given to basic students, ones who have learned all of the basics of Muay Thai.

Green tassels are given to intermediate level boxers who have learned some of the advanced techniques, learned basic combos and have a basic understanding of Muay Thai strategy.

Blue tassels are given to boxers who have proven themselves in the ring.

Red tassels are presented to boxers who have not only proven themselves in the ring, but have shown proficiency in both Muay Thai technique, but also strategy.

Black tassels are given to boxers who have mastered all of the techniques and strategy to the point that they can teach others competently, so basically it's given to those who are then able to become teachers

finally the red and black tassels are given to those who not only have been given the right to teach, but have also shown themselves to be accomplished boxers.


So basically, you need to be an intermediate level Thai boxer. I should note, however, traditionally your record in Muay Thai combat is your rank. IMO, it's dumb as hell. But because Thai fights rarely happen in the US, they need some way to keep track of a students progress.

I'll also note that mongkhon, the head band the poster above spoke of, doesn't have anything to do with your rank or ability as a fighter, but is of the up most importance in Muay Thai. Thai fighters in general are very superstitious, and the mongkhon plays a big role in giving Thai's confidence as well as a sense of safety. You'll never see a Thai Muay Thai fighter not wearing one and they will never remove it themselves.

It's a good thing I stumbled on this thread. I was wondering how they did that too, and what those bands meant. I swear...if I ever got anywhere higher than green, I'd wear that thing all the time. Is that disrespect?

It ain't trickin if you got it..

[Lamer]

The ranking system is fairly simple.

A yellow tassel is given to basic students, ones who have learned all of the basics of Muay Thai.

Green tassels are given to intermediate level boxers who have learned some of the advanced techniques, learned basic combos and have a basic understanding of Muay Thai strategy.

Blue tassels are given to boxers who have proven themselves in the ring.

Red tassels are presented to boxers who have not only proven themselves in the ring, but have shown proficiency in both Muay Thai technique, but also strategy.

Black tassels are given to boxers who have mastered all of the techniques and strategy to the point that they can teach others competently, so basically it's given to those who are then able to become teachers

finally the red and black tassels are given to those who not only have been given the right to teach, but have also shown themselves to be accomplished boxers.


So basically, you need to be an intermediate level Thai boxer. I should note, however, traditionally your record in Muay Thai combat is your rank. IMO, it's dumb as hell. But because Thai fights rarely happen in the US, they need some way to keep track of a students progress.

I'll also note that mongkhon, the head band the poster above spoke of, doesn't have anything to do with your rank or ability as a fighter, but is of the up most importance in Muay Thai. Thai fighters in general are very superstitious, and the mongkhon plays a big role in giving Thai's confidence as well as a sense of safety. You'll never see a Thai Muay Thai fighter not wearing one and they will never remove it themselves.

It's a good thing I stumbled on this thread. I was wondering how they did that too, and what those bands meant. I swear...if I ever got anywhere higher than green, I'd wear that thing all the time. Is that disrespect?

I don't see why it'd be disrespectful. Like I said, the tassels don't really mean anything to the thai's. It's bullshit invented here to keep track of students, as Thai fights don't happen regularly. So wear them to your hearts content.