Should Muay Thai Have Belts… Or Is That Ruining It? | Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast Ep. 238

In Episode 238 of the Pu’u Muay Thai Podcast, Jonathan Puu breaks down one of the most debated topics in modern Muay Thai:

Should Muay Thai have belts or a ranking system?

It’s one of the first questions beginners ask when they walk into a gym. Where do I rank? How do I level up? When do I get promoted?

But Muay Thai has traditionally operated very differently from other martial arts like karate, taekwondo, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — where belts and rankings define progression.

In this episode, Jonathan explains both sides of the argument and what’s actually at stake when you introduce ranking systems into Muay Thai.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

•  Why Muay Thai has historically never used belt rankings 
•  How skill, experience, and performance define your level in Muay Thai 
•  Why beginners are drawn to structured ranking systems 
•  The pros and cons of belts for retention, motivation, and growth 
•  How ranking systems can shift focus away from real skill development 
•  The risks of “black belt factory” systems in martial arts 
•  Whether there’s a middle ground between structure and authenticity 
•  How Pu’u Muay Thai uses a shirt-level system — and why 

Jonathan shares his perspective from nearly two decades in Muay Thai as a student, fighter, coach, gym owner, and ring official — explaining why structure can be helpful, but should never replace the true measure of progress:

Can you actually perform under pressure?

This episode is a must-listen for beginners trying to understand progression, coaches designing programs, and anyone interested in preserving Muay Thai while helping it grow in the West.