An updated guide to today’s Muay Thai scoring systems
11 mins read

An updated guide to today’s Muay Thai scoring systems


Muay Thai is Thailand’s national sport and, until recently, the way a fight was scored was dictated by Thailand’s elite stadiums. It was a nuanced system, somewhat influenced by elements of randomness and strategy, that left many foreigners and laypeople confused when the winner of a match was announced.

As the sport grew in popularity, several scoring systems were created to make judging, fighting, and watching Muay Thai fights more accessible and entertaining for a wider audience.

Today, there are countless expressions of Muay Thai scoring in different promotions and governing bodies. While these scoring systems are mostly the same, each system is unique in how it grapples with the delicate balance of scoring Muay Thai as both a physical competition between athletes and a cultural art form.

In this article, we provide a guide to the five most common Muay Thai scoring systems in the world. We’ve included some context about each system, as well as information about the round length and scoring criteria for each. We have included in this article a short glossary of terms that highlight some key points but, before that, we define the system of 10 must points; the way judges apply the scoring system to determine the winner of a match.

Mandatory score of 10 points

This is the method used by every Muay Thai judge to determine the winner of a bout, and with the exception of traditional stadium scoring, all scores are compiled the same way.

In 10-Point Must scoring, each round is scored individually based on the judging criteria established by the promotion where the bout takes place. The winner of each round “shall” be awarded 10 points while his opponent will be awarded 9 or less. In case of a tie, both fighters receive 10 points.

If a fighter receives a count of 8, they will lose one point for that round. A fighter who is knocked down will not only lose a point, but will usually also lose the round unless he manages to knock down his opponent in return, the result is almost always a 10-8 round.

At the end of a fight, if there is no knockout, the total scores are tallied and the fighter with the highest score during the duration of the fight is determined as the winner.

Stadium scoring uses a small deviation from the mandatory 10-point system which can make scoring incredibly difficult for a layman. In this format, the first two rounds are considered a draw unless one fighter clearly dominates.

The logic here is that both fighters are laying the foundation of their game plans that they will use in weighted rounds at the end of the fight.

These rounds are marked 10-10 on the scorecards, but that doesn’t mean the judges don’t take note of who is having the most effect. They will still mark the winner of these rounds with a small *, signifying that, if the weighted rounds result in a draw, this fighter has passed the round and can be considered the winner.

5 Common Scoring Systems Used in Muay Thai

Now that you understand how the Muay Thai fight scoring system is applied to scorecards, let’s take a look at 5 of the most popular systems used today. By reading this, you will begin to understand how variations in scoring priority can have a major impact on how a match is fought and judged.

1) Traditional stadium scoring

This current expression of scoring criteria has been fought for in Thai stadiums since the introduction of boxing rings and gloves in the 1920s. Although this set of rules has undergone some changes over the last century, most fighters and hardcore fans consider it the “true” scoring system and it is the default scoring system used in many countries, including today the United Kingdom.

Information about the duration and duration of the round: 5 3-minute rounds with a two-minute rest period.

Scoring criteria:

  • Kicks and knees to the center of the body always count, but will have a higher score if they have a clear effect.
  • All other techniques are conditionally evaluated based on the effect.
  • Clinch dominance is highly rated.
  • Beautiful demonstrations of Muay Thai are taken into account, such as balance, skill and clean defense.
  • Aggression is not considered unless all other factors are equal.
  • In an otherwise tied round, the fighter who appears the least damaged or fatigued is deemed the winner.
  • Rounds are weighted such that the first two rounds are generally unscored unless someone clearly dominates, otherwise rounds are weighted heavier as the fight progresses. For example, it is possible for a fighter to lose rounds 1-3, but winning 4-5 will still result in a victory.

2) ONE Championship

ONE Championship created its own “global ruleset” as a response to the ambiguity of the traditional expression of stadium Muay Thai, which served as a barrier to entry for foreign and non-professional fans. The ruleset, which favors damage and aggression, is paired with the use of four-ounce MMA-style gloves that shift the balance of the fight so that punches can become just as damaging as other Muay Thai weapons.

Match length and round length: 3 rounds of 3 minutes with a 1 minute rest period. (Championship matches last 5 rounds)

Scoring criteria:

  • Knocking down an opponent is the highest scoring action.
  • All shots score the same. The score is based on the damage they cause (e.g. internal, accumulated and superficial).
  • Following the damage, the volume of clean blows delivered is considered.
  • Aggressiveness and top ring position (holding the middle ring) are taken into account when all else is equal.
  • All rounds have the same weight.

3) Rajadamnern World Series (RWS)

The RWS promotion is the expression of Muay Thai that Rajadamnern Stadium broadcasts internationally. 3-round fights have been adopted to increase the pace and scores are broadcast live at the end of each round, allowing athletes and fans to know where the fight stands in real time, incentivizing fighters to make quick adjustments to their game plans as they fight for victory. .

Match length and round length: 3 rounds of 3 minutes with a 1 minute rest period (Championship matches last 5 rounds).

Scoring criteria:

  • Hits are scored based on spin. The fighter who lands the most spin shots wins the round.
  • Clinch dominance is highly rated.
  • Ring position is taken into account, and maintaining the center ring and controlling the pace of a fight are taken into account if scoring shots are equal.
  • Skillful displays of defensive techniques impact scorecards if all else is equal.
  • All rounds have the same weight.

4) Muay Thai WBC

The WBC is one of the main Muay Thai sanctioning bodies on the planet. Although the length of the bout is the same as Traditional Muay Thai, the scoring criteria are very similar to those of RWS and the rounds are not weighted. The WBC also points out that for them ringcraft is not defined by aggression and holding center position, it is the ability to control the flow and pace of a fight. Therefore, if a fighter leans back on the ropes but can successfully stop his aggressive opponent’s engagement, he is considered to have superior ringcraft despite being on the back foot.

Match length and round length: 5 rounds of 3 minutes with a 2 minute rest period

Scoring criteria:

  • All hits are scored based on spin. The fight that has the most effect (not the most hits delivered) during the round will be considered the winner.
  • Ringcraft is considered if both fighters have similar effects.
  • A nice demonstration of defensive techniques is considered if the effect and control of the ring are equal.
  • The rounds are not weighted.

5) International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA)

The IFMA is the governing body that aims to make Muay Thai an Olympic sport. This is an “amateur” regulation, meaning that unlike the other regulations listed here, athletes must wear protective equipment including head, elbow and shin guards. In this ruleset, the volume of scoring techniques landed takes priority (as they are thrown with power), with damage and effects only being considered by judges if the number of scoring shots is equal.

Match length and round length: 3 rounds of 3 minutes with a 1 minute rest period.

Scoring criteria:

  • The fighter who lands the most scoring techniques in a round will win the round.
  • If the number of scoring techniques landed is similar, the winner will be the fighter who has the most powerful strikes.
  • Shots that land with lack of strength or poor technique will not be scored.
  • In a close round, the fighter who appears least damaged or fatigued may be considered the winner if all other criteria are considered equal.

Glossary of terms

  • Weighted shifts: The more weighted a round is, the more important it is in determining a winner. In traditional stadium scoring, later rounds carry the most weight, meaning it is more important to win later rounds of a fight. If the rounds are evenly weighted it means that all rounds have the same value in determining the winner.
  • Effective hitting: An effective strike is a Muay Thai technique that damages or unbalances a fighter or changes the position of his body.
  • Ringcraft: It refers to how a fighter controls the pace or tempo of a fight. Often “superior ringcraft” is determined by whoever occupies the central position in the ring, but can also refer to the fighter who is able to control the pace of a fight through the use of both offensive and defensive techniques.
  • 10 point obligation: The system used to compile scores in Muay Thai (and other combat sports) in which the winner of a round must be awarded 10 points and his opponent 9 or fewer.
  • Conditional score: A technique that only affects scorecards if it takes effect during landing.

Conclusion

Understanding the various scoring systems of Muay Thai is essential to appreciating the complexity and rich tradition of the sport. Each method balances Muay Thai’s cultural heritage with its evolution as an international competition. By familiarizing yourself with these different rules, you will gain a deeper appreciation for the strategies, techniques, and nuances that define each fight. Whether you are a competitor, a fan, or someone new to the sport, knowing these systems enriches your overall Muay Thai experience.

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