Muaythai Judging: Fight Classifications

By Tony Myers

Introduction International Competition
Fight Classifications Differences between associations
What techniques score? Fouls
How are fights actually scored? Decisions
Some common mistakes made when judging Muay Thai bouts, and how to avoid them Summary

Professional fights in Britain (and across Europe and in a number of other countries across the world) are classified as "A", "B" and "C" class. "A" class referring to open class fighters, "B" class referring to experienced fighters who have had reasonable fight experience and are technically and physically capable of competing over five, two minute rounds. "C" class fighters are less experienced fighters, relative novices, who are capable of fighting three rounds. Most of the rules that apply to "A" class fights apply to "B" and "C" class fights with a few exceptions.
In most associations in Great Britain, "C" class "professional" fights are fought over three rounds of two minutes in duration with a minute break in between rounds and do not allow elbows or knees to be delivered to the head or face. "B" class fights are usually fought over five two minute rounds, again with one minute rest intervals. In some associations knees to head are allowed, in others they are not. Generally elbows to the head are not allowed in "B" class fights, although, on occasion, they are used with agreement of both boxers. In Britain even some "A" class fights are fought without allowing elbows to the head, although the use of elbows is becoming far more common. "A" class fights are held over five three minute rounds with two minutes rest between rounds (this is sometimes reduced to one and a half minutes in some associations).

On to Differences Between Associations