Muay Thai may have originated in Thailand, but “the art of eight limbs” has evolved into distinct regional styles that showcase dramatically different approaches to the ancient martial art.
You’ll witness this stylistic clash on full display when Dutch-Surinamese striker Regian “The Immortal” Eersel defends his ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Title against British destroyer George “G-Unit” Jarvis at ONE Fight Night 34 on Prime Video.
The bout goes down Friday, August 1, in U.S. primetime live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, featuring two athletes who represent completely different schools of Muay Thai philosophy – Dutch pressure versus U.K. power.
With that said, here’s how these two distinct regional approaches have shaped modern Muay Thai.
Dutch Style: Pressure And Combinations
The Dutch approach emerged when Muay Thai arrived in the Netherlands in the 1970s and 1980s. Dutch fighters, many with strong boxing backgrounds, adapted “the art of eight limbs” to emphasize aggressive forward pressure and devastating combinations.
This style is perfectly embodied by Eersel, who represents the modern evolution of Dutch Muay Thai. The nine-time ONE World Champion showcases the Dutch approach with his exceptional output. His record-setting 188 strikes landed against Nieky Holzken remains the most in ONE’s kickboxing and Muay Thai history.
What sets Dutch Muay Thai apart is its emphasis on combination striking and relentless pressure. Eersel exemplifies this with his high-volume, high-flying style that uses lateral movement while striking, often throwing multiple power strikes off the same side. His trademark flying knees and ability to maintain intense pressure for five rounds demonstrate the exceptional conditioning that Dutch fighters are known for.
The Dutch system’s emphasis on volume and aggression is evident in Eersel’s approach – he reads opponents quickly, then turns up the heat with combinations of five strikes or more that finish with knees or kicks in classic Dutch style.
UK Style: Boxing Power Meets Muay Thai
British Muay Thai has developed its own distinctive character, heavily influenced by the country’s rich boxing heritage. U.K. fighters typically enter Muay Thai with strong punching fundamentals and adapt the sport to emphasize hand techniques and knockout power.
Jarvis perfectly represents this approach. The British destroyer earned his WBC Muay Thai World Title at just 21 years old through a relentlessly aggressive style that prioritizes power punching while incorporating devastating kicks and knees.
The U.K. style also places significant emphasis on head movement and footwork borrowed from boxing. Jarvis exemplifies this with his sharp counter-striking ability, using slips, lean-backs, catches, and the long guard to stay in position while defending and setting up his shots.
His ability to switch stances constantly creates confusion while allowing him to land devastating combinations from both orthodox and southpaw positions.
What makes U.K. Muay Thai particularly dangerous is its emphasis on finishing fights. Jarvis has scored 11 knockout victories in his career, demonstrating the killer instinct that British fighters bring to “the art of eight limbs.” His heavy hands and fluid boxing allow him to land high-volume combinations that can end fights in an instant, turning the tide of any bout with a single exchange.
