So, you’re a Muay Thai purist, you love the crack of a well-placed shin kick, the sting of a sharp elbow, the rhythm of the clinch. But then… someone shoots for a takedown. Suddenly, you’re on your back, tangled in limbs, and the mat feels like quicksand. Sound familiar?
Welcome to the striker’s biggest nightmare: the ground game. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) dominates MMA’s grappling scene, but that doesn’t mean Nak Muay (Muay Thai fighters) are helpless. This guide from expert will teach you how to defend, escape, and even attack when the fight hits the floor, without abandoning your striking roots.
Why Strikers Struggle on the Ground (And How to Fix It)
Muay Thai is brutal standing up expert, but BJJ fighters live for the mat. Here’s where the clash happens:
- Range Disadvantage – In the stand-up, you control distance with teeps and jabs. On the ground? Your opponent is inside your guard, hunting submissions.
- Energy Drain – Sprawling, scrambling, and defending chokes gas you out fast if you don’t know the tricks.
- Limb Control – BJJ fighters isolate arms and legs for locks; Muay Thai relies on limb destruction (think leg kicks).
The Fix? Hybrid training. You don’t need to be a BJJ black belt, just learn enough to survive and reset.
5 Essential Ground Survival Tactics for Muay Thai Fighters
1. The Sprawl: Stop the Takedown Before It Starts
The best defense? Never hit the mat. When you see a shot coming:
- Stagger your stance (one foot slightly back).
- Sprawl hard, hips down, legs back, chest on their shoulders.
- Underhook one arm to control posture.
Pro Tip: Drill sprawls until they’re reflexive. Even UFC strikers like Israel Adesanya rely on this.
2. The Guard: Your First Line of Defense
If you do get taken down, guard retention is key.
- Closed Guard – Wrap legs around their waist to limit movement.
- Frame with Forearms – Create space to stand or strike.
- Don’t Flat on Your Back – Stay on your side to avoid pressure.
Muay Thai expert: Use elbows to the ribs/thighs when they posture up.
3. The Stand-Up: Escape Like Your Life Depends on It
BJJ players want you to stay. You want out. Fast.
- Wall Walk – Scoot to the cage, use it to push up.
- Technical Stand-Up – Post on one hand, kick the far leg out, and boom, you’re up.
- Granby Roll – Fancy but effective; flip backward to reverse position.
4. Striking from the Bottom (Yes, It’s Possible!)
You’re a striker, so strike. Even on your back:
- Upkicks – Dangerous if they stand over you.
- Elbows from Bottom – Legal in MMA; slice their ribs or arms.
- Knees in the Clinch – If they’re in your guard, posture up and knee.
Caution: Don’t get reckless, protect your neck first.
5. The Clinch-to-Trip Reset
Muay Thai’s clinch is lethal. Use it to reverse takedowns:
- Underhook + Whizzer – Control their posture.
- Knee Tap or Inside Trip – Off-balance them and you take top position.
How UFC Fighters Blend Muay Thai and BJJ
Want proof this works? Study these strikers who learned to grapple:
- Anderson Silva – Used Muay Thai strikes and slick BJJ defense.
- Joanna Jędrzejczyk – Elite TDD (takedown defense) kept fights standing.
- Alex Pereira – Survived grappling exchanges to land fight-ending left hooks.
Key Takeaway: You don’t need to out-grapple grapplers, just survive long enough to make them pay standing.
Drills to Sharpen Your Ground Game
- Sprawl & Scramble Rounds – Partner shoots; you sprawl, escape, reset.
- Guard Retention Drills – Have someone pass your guard while you defend.
- Striking-to-Ground Transitions – Mitt work → sudden takedown → escape.
Final Tip: The Striker’s Mindset on the Ground
BJJ black belts want you to panic. Don’t. Stay calm, defend smart, and look for the reset. Your goal isn’t to submit them, it’s to get back to your world, where knees and elbows reign supreme. If you want expert in Stand-Up with Muay Thai, you can check at Suwitgym for more techniques.
Now, hit the mats, drill these moves, and next time a grappler shoots? You’ll be ready. Game on.