Is 40 too old to fight in the ring?

**The_Great_Wall** · Posted On: 3/24/2004 2:13pm

I've been doing Muay Thai (after 5 years of Shotkan) very regularly for about 6 months now. I love it and was just wondering what the age limit would be for a ring fight? Is there any? Am I insane for even considering it? I don't want to ask my instructor just yet - I don't want to put him on the spot.

**Mr. Mantis** · Posted On: 3/24/2004 2:15pm

UFC 4 What was his name? Lee something? He was 55 or 60.

**shironinja** · Posted On: 3/24/2004 2:16pm

I think we as people can do whatever we set our minds to.

You started late in life than some ... but if the fire still burns why not?

**Meteora** · Posted On: 3/24/2004 2:18pm

Originally posted by shironinja
I think we as people can do whatever we set our minds to.

You started late in life than some ... but if the fire still burns why not?

I'll have to agree Shironinja. If you want to, go for it. Just be aware of the risk too your health.

**The_Great_Wall** · Posted On: 3/24/2004 2:21pm

Are there greater risks at 40 than 25? I mean besides the usual broken bones and stuff?

Originally posted by Meteora
I'll have to agree Shironinja. If you want to, go for it. Just be aware of the risk too your health.

**feedback** · Posted On: 3/24/2004 2:22pm

Two words: Randy Couture.

**Shuma-Gorath** · Posted On: 3/24/2004 2:23pm

Randy sez "no".

Now, pertaining specifically to Muay Thai, *I* would probably say 40 is getting pretty old. MT is really hard on your body; more so than an MMA match because you don't have the option of grappling.

By the way: How are you enjoying MT after being in Shotokan for that long? Is the transition easy? Do you find you miss some Karate techniques like the side kick?

I ask because I am at a proverbial fork in the road right now.

**Meteora** · Posted On: 3/24/2004 2:24pm

Originally posted by The_Great_Wall
Are there greater risks at 40 than 25? I mean besides the usual broken bones and stuff?

I would say yes because things start taking alot more time to heal the more you get older.

**The_Great_Wall** · Posted On: 3/24/2004 2:41pm

I could go on and on, but I think MT is better training for a real street fight. In Shotokan, we never actually hit each other, nor were we ready to deal with getting hit. On the other hand, I learned alot about hitting HARD with Shotokan, and I the front-kicks I learned are more powerful than the MT "push-kicks", I think. But overall, I think I'm learning far more about combat in MT than I did in Shotokan.

Originally posted by Shumagorath
Randy sez "no".

Now, pertaining specifically to Muay Thai, *I* would probably say 40 is getting pretty old. MT is really hard on your body; more so than an MMA match because you don't have the option of grappling.

By the way: How are you enjoying MT after being in Shotokan for that long? Is the transition easy? Do you find you miss some Karate techniques like the side kick?

I ask because I am at a proverbial fork in the road right now.

***WhiteShark*** · Posted On: 3/24/2004 2:45pm

I friend of mine just had a fight at 42 I think and he is a doctor. His trainer worked with the promoter for a while and they eventually found another 38 year old beginner for him to fight. The opponent turned out to be a lawyer! I was a good fight and I don't think either are going to launch a career obviously but they got in there and had their fight. So there you go a doctor vs a lawyer both near forty and both smart enough to know better. They got it on, so can you!