I want to start Muay Thai but...

[elbows_and_knees]

To be honest, I wouldn't try...

[y2_sub]

But do you actually learn the self-defense aspect of Muay Thai, as in anything useful in a fight if you don't actually fight in the ring?

What works inside the ring , works outside the ring as well , if u are able to hook ur opponent down to the ground in a tournament , imagine what that will do to him Bare-knuckled

I always thought the only way to know how to fight was to actually fight, no learnt set of actions will work unless you know what it's like to be punched in the head and you don't panic...

Yeah , 100% true , thatz where inring fighting is important