UFC 128 Fight Card: Shogun Rua and the Top Muay Thai Practitioners in MMA

For many, Muay Thai has become the standard striking discipline in MMA.

Known as the "Art Of Eight Limbs," Muay Thai is functional for MMA because it utilizes punches, kicks, knees and elbows—all of which are legal in MMA competition.

It is also known for its aggressive nature and powerful techniques.

Several top MMA fighters have a background in Muay Thai and still many others choose to train with top Muay Thai trainers, often traveling to Thailand to find the best instruction.

At UFC 128, we will be treated to one of the top Muay Thai practitioners in all of MMA in Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio Rua.

This list is not ranked, and so in no particular order, I present Mauricio Rua and top Muay Thai practitioners in MMA.

Edson Barboza

Also appearing on the UFC 128 card with Rua is highly-touted lightweight prospect Edson Barboza.

His professional Muay Thai record is at 28 bouts with 25 victories.

He is a devastating Muay Thai striker and won his last two fights impressively by way of leg kicks.

At UFC 128, Barboza will be facing Anthony Njokuani—a talented Muay Thai striker in his own right.

Cyrille Diabate

A former world champion in kickboxing and Muay Thai, veteran Diabate is one of the most talented Muay Thai fighters on this list.

That point was made clear when he defeated talented kickboxers Steve Cantwell and Luiz Cane in the UFC.

Jose Aldo

Aldo has become the UFC featherweight champion and one of the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, mostly due to his overwhelming Muay Thai attack.

Versatile and devastating, Jose Aldo can end fights with his kicks, knees, punches and elbows.

Duane Ludwig

One of the most accomplished Muay Thai fighters to ever compete in MMA, Ludwig has over 50 professional kickboxing fights and won several Muay Thai titles.

In MMA, that striking background has translated into Ludwig being one of the most feared and respected strikers in the lightweight and welterweight divisions over the past decade.

Brandon Vera

Studying under Rob Kaman—regarded by many as the best kickboxer of all time—Brandon Vera has developed one of the best Muay Thai games in MMA today.

Especially with kicks and knees, Vera brutalizes his opponents with his strikes.

Amir Sadollah

The former winner of Ultimate Fighter, Sadollah's main weapon is his technically-sound Muay Thai attack.

Using knees, elbows and a pronounced swivel in his hips for kicks, Sadollah's Muay Thai makes it difficult for any of his opponents to stand and trade with him.

Melvin Manhoef

Manhoef uses Muay Thai in the common hybrid Dutch kickboxing style, making him one of the most dangerous strikers in both kickboxing and MMA.

Wanderlei Silva

A legend and beloved MMA fighter, Wanderlei Silva took his roots in Muay Thai and applied them in a very aggressive manner to MMA fighting.

Originally from the same "Chute Boxe" academy in Brazil as Mauricio Rua, Silva is an expert at smelling weakness and using all manner of strikes to go for the finish.

Thiago Alves

A powerful striker and fighter, Alves has been described as "a Muay-Thai wrecking machine."

With strong Muay Thai knees and kicks, many consider Alves to be the most formidable striker in the welterweight division.

Alistair Overeem

A well-rounded fighter, Alistair Overeem is also a lifelong student of many forms of kickboxing. That dedication has lead him to world titles in MMA and K-1 kickboxing.

In recent years, Overeem has trained out of the new Golden Glory gym in Thailand, further developing his abilities in Muay Thai.

Paul Daley

A student of many striking disciplines, Paul Daley has competed in a number of Muay Thai matches and is one of the most devastating knockout artists in the game.

Evangelista Santos

Another product of Brazil's "Chute Boxe" Muay Thai academy, Evangelista Santos is loved for his aggressive Muay Thai attack.

Alan Belcher

Belcher is one of many great strikers and kickboxers training with the famed "Duke" Roufus.

Alan Belcher uses a more Muay-Thai-centric style than Anthony Pettis (Taekwondo) or Pat Barry (Sanshou).

Martin Kampmann

Martin Kampmann was a Muay Thai kickboxing champion in his home country of Denmark.

He uses a technical and disciplined Muay Thai style to out-strike his opponents.

Kenny Florian

Florian has shifted from Muay Thai to more boxing in recent years, but he still has some of the better Muay Thai technique in the lightweight division.

Anderson Silva

Argued by many as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport, Silva has made a name for himself by being perhaps the supreme striker in the sport.

His style is based in Muay Thai and he has fought in Muay Thai matches.

Versatile and precise, Anderson Silva is dangerous with punches, knees, elbows and a variety of kicks.

Mauricio Rua

Mauricio Rua is a one of the most relentless and dynamic strikers in the history of MMA.

Flying forward with punches and kicks, Rua is outstanding at pressing the action faster than his opponents can defend.

Rua is a world champion thanks to being one of the best Muay Thai practitioners to ever compete in MMA.