Muay Thai is a striking sport from Thailand that uses punches, kicks, knees and elbows, plus clinch work at close range — which is why it’s often called “the art of eight limbs”. At Marrickville Martial Arts Club it is taught from the fundamentals, and most of each class is technique and partner pad work rather than sparring.
Who teaches Muay Thai at MMAC
- Bastian Ayala has trained Muay Thai for more than a decade, including multiple training trips to Thailand. He teaches a technical, traditional style and takes both morning and evening sessions.
- Antonio Mammarella, the club’s Head MMA Instructor and a current professional MMA fighter, also takes Muay Thai sessions.
- Johana Reyes Lagos leads the women-only Muay Thai class and has more than eight years in the sport.
Muay Thai classes on the timetable
- Muay Thai — adult evening sessions
- Muay Thai Morning — adult morning sessions
- Women’s Muay Thai — women only
- Kids Muay Thai — children
Both adult sessions take beginners, so pick the time that suits you. Exact times are on the live timetable.
What you’ll learn
- Stance, guard and footwork
- Punches, kicks, knees and elbows
- Blocking and checking kicks
- Clinch basics
- Holding pads for a partner
- Combinations and timing
What a first class looks like
- Skipping or a dynamic warm-up
- Shadow boxing, with coaching on stance and guard
- A technique, then partner rounds on the pads
- A short conditioning finish, scaled to you
Sparring isn’t part of a first class. When it does happen, it is controlled, supervised and matched to your level.
Why people train Muay Thai
People come to Muay Thai for different reasons: fitness with a real skill attached, self-defence, stress relief, or a striking base for MMA. Pad work is demanding, so conditioning comes as a by-product of learning the techniques rather than as a separate workout.
The training space
Classes are scheduled across four mat areas, with heavy bags, Thai pads and focus mitts for the striking classes. Club gloves are available to borrow for your trial.
What to bring
- Shorts and a t-shirt or singlet
- A water bottle and a small towel
- If you keep training: your own gloves, hand wraps and shin guards
Your first class is free: one trial class, booked through GymMaster. It is a single free class, not a free week of training. See the Muay Thai program for more detail and current memberships and prices for what comes after.
