Think you know who won a Muay Thai fight just because one fighter landed more strikes, scored more dumps, or put their opponent on the canvas more often?

Muay Thai judging does not work like a scoreboard.

In Episode 248 of the Pu'u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu breaks down one of the biggest misconceptions in the sport: knowing Muay Thai is not the same as knowing how to judge Muay Thai.

Using Petchmorakot vs. Jimmy Vienot as a real-world example, Jonathan explains why controversial decisions often make more sense once you understand the actual judging criteria being used.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why Muay Thai judges do not simply count kicks, knees, dumps, or punches
• How damage, balance, control, and effective technique are actually evaluated
• Why a sweep is not automatically equal to a knockdown
• How catching a kick after absorbing full damage can be misunderstood
• Why Petchmorakot's knockdown of Vienot was so important to the score
• How fouls like hooking and plowing affect what happens in an exchange
• Why close rounds are not automatically 10-10 rounds
• How the 10-point must system works in Muay Thai
• Why experienced fighters and coaches can still misunderstand judging
• How judges can make mistakes—and why continued education matters

Jonathan also shares an example from a heavyweight fight where a decision was successfully protested and overturned after judges gave too much weight to visually impressive throws instead of the higher-priority judging criteria.

The point of this episode is not that judges are always right. They're not.

The point is that judging is its own skill, and understanding the sport does not automatically mean you understand how to consistently apply the criteria used to determine a winner.

If you've ever watched a close Muay Thai fight and immediately yelled "robbery," this episode may change the way you watch fights.

Jonathan also discusses SIAM Standard, his Muay Thai ring official training program designed to help referees, judges, inspectors, timekeepers, and supervisors better understand the responsibilities and standards required to officiate the sport properly.

Get started on SIAM Standard here: https://muaythairingofficial.com

Support the show

Leave a message or text us 24/7/365!
+1-805-456-3316

💬 What Do You Think? Join the Discussion!
📩 DM us on Instagram: @muaythaipodcast
💥 Join the Black Room VIP Community to talk more about this topic!

📺 WATCH & LISTEN NOW: Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & More!

👊 Train hard, stay sharp, and keep the Muay Thai spirit alive. See you next time!