muay thai or karate

[TenderLoving]

Well, as already pointed out you should try a couple of classes of each and see what you like.

I'm a Muay thai man myself, but I know some really good kyokushin guys, and they got great training. Only obvious drawback of kyokushin that I know of is the lack of punching to the head, atleast there is here in Norway.

 

[bellator]

I'll agree with these statements only if they pertain to a specific style that only focuses on SPORT competition, like um I don't know maybe Shotokan? Your last point especialy.
I'll agree there are plenty of McDojo's out there that has watered down Karate to almost a joke, but don't throw out blanket statements over a whole Martial Art based on a few bad Styles/dojo's.

As for the TS, go out and find a Muay Thai gym and a decent Karate Dojo. Take some free classes, talk to the students, instructors, and take what you think bests suits you. Thats about the best advice I could give.

What i mean by saying that most techniques don't work in a real fight i sure ain't talking about sport karate (under tradicional ippon rules) wich i think is complete garbage and one of the main reasons why most karateka's can't fight for shit. They get so used to that touch and get out crap kiai'ing all the way, they have no idea on how powerfull their techiniques are. Not to mention the punching with one hand while keeping the other next to your hip, leaving your entire body completly open to get hit really hard in return.
Guess i went a bit off topic, but just had to say that

 

[MMAftfw**]

Muay thai might be better if you can only go to one. I've seen some karate gyms that have full contact sparring with face contact but its harder to find so just go with whats the best in your area regardless of style.

 

[Goon Dog]

It's not the style, it's the school and its instructors and most people are limited by what's nearby. Like others have said, go to as many as possible and ask to try them out. Most will let you try a few classes for free.

If you don't spar live against a free-willed opponent after several weeks of intro training, then you may as well be breaking boards. If they train with katas, you may as well take ballroom dancing. At least some chicks dig that shit.

A good karate school will train you in street fighting. I call it Cheap Shot Do to the knees, groin, throat, eyes, etc. It can be damned effective but mostly useless in competition. MT is good for the street but better for the ring.

My first school was Cheap Shot Do and after about 6 months they allowed us to spar balls to the wall. One of the instructors was a Machado black belt and he taught BJJ on Saturdays-pretty much just survive on the ground type stuff but it helped a lot once I started training MMA. I'm BJJ and MT now, but the mix was worth it.

If all you have are McDojos then look for a good boxing gym and a wrestling program. JMO.

 

[AussieBJJ]

GSP does karate and look at how good he is, it really depends on your instructor. Lots of karate styles are not good in actual combat, but some are. I would go with Muay Thai though

 

[Tre5sev]

What i mean by saying that most techniques don't work in a real fight i sure ain't talking about sport karate (under tradicional ippon rules) wich i think is complete garbage and one of the main reasons why most karateka's can't fight for shit. They get so used to that touch and get out crap kiai'ing all the way, they have no idea on how powerfull their techiniques are. Not to mention the punching with one hand while keeping the other next to your hip, leaving your entire body completly open to get hit really hard in return.
Guess i went a bit off topic, but just had to say that

It still seems as if your speaking about sport karate...

 

[Vector_X]

meh as long as either has full contact sparring i'm sure both would work out fine. Just make sure the karate dojo actually caters towards fighters and fighting. This is probably the big difference between the thai gym and the karate dojo. The thai gym will always be about fighting and practicality and some karate dojos really don't.

 

[Dan Koong]

muay thai! if only for the clinch work

but really, pay attention to these posters, they know what they're saying.

and the rogan quote: "MT comes closest to being complete, but like Joe Rogan said (lol) its a brawler style and low on technique high on throwing lots of techs out in a round", that actually makes me angry...

has he ever even SEEN professional muay thai fights?
brawler style with low technique... one name: Seanchai Sor Kingstar. Pro's have trouble even staying on two feet against this guy, let alone landing stuff lol.

I'd like to spar him since we're in the same weight class, it'd be the most painful and fun lesson of my life probably.