The Annual TBA Classic has only ONE 'rules style' - Muay Thai! Not K-1, Not Kickboxing, Not Low-Kick, Not Glory Rules. Straight up MUAY THAI! The Science of Eight Limbs. ALL divisions utilitze ALL 'eight limbs' - punches, kicks, knees & elbows. All divisions use padded elbows. Please visit the rules page to see the TBA-SA rules.
Every year of it's existence, the TBA-SA Annual Classic has welcomed MORE Muay Thai Nak Muay than any other tournament in the United States, making it consistently the largest Muay Thai tournament in North America!
The last FIVE years, the June TBA event has received over 1000 registrations!
The medical staff consists of multiple trauma certified physicians plus 10-12 paramedics - one pair of medics per ring with at least one extra set on hand to help with issues that arise in the warm up areas. An ambulance is on site as well as back up ambulances on alert to ensure the bouts will run continuously without delays.
Fighters fight a maximum of 2 times per day. Post fight medicals are conducted to properly screen for injury and the ability to continue if advancing to the next round. Because fighters will not fight again inside a 2-hour window on the same day, if medical symptoms (such as those associated with concussion) were to emerge after the fight, there is time for evaluation before fighting again.
Once received, registrations are typically processed and posted within 24-48 hours. Fighters stats are posted online in the bracket so participants can see who they are fighting. ALL brackets and tournament information are always available to the public. In the event a bracket only has one fighter, fighters/trainers are invited to review brackets and notify us of where they'd like to be moved to. We keep communication open and will answer all questions in a timely manner.
The TBA-SA tournamentS arguably has the most efficient weight & medical check in process. The tournament staff take pride in their organized and efficient approach to Check Ins, processing over 800 fighters in just over 4 hours. Fighters schedule their check in appointments and complete the 5 stations in an average of 20 minutes. Stations consist of paperwork, check in, scales, physicals, and check outs where all fighters receive a goody bag filled with the event T-shirt, event towel as well as other items. If a fighter does not make weight, they have an option to transfer to an available bracket, not just automatically be dropped.
After all fighters have checked in, staff begins to sort the brackets. Using both bracketology software and the necessary paper backup to prevent any major glitches.
Brackets are posted within a reasonable amount of time, as well as an online schedule, so fighters know their bout number before the next morning. During the tournament, teams are constantly aware of the progression of the tournament via the online shared, google sheet. The online spreadsheet and paper brackets are updated as soon as a bout is completed. The event is held inside the hotel, providing the fighters the opportunity to relax in their rooms until time to pick up tournament provided gloves, shin guards, and elbow pads and warm up for their bout.
That efficiency coupled with running 4 rings allows us to generally finish *ahead* of schedule. Fighters, coaches and officials are not subjected to excessively fatiguing days that detract from performance in the ring and at ringside. Having the evenings open allows for fighters to socialize and unwind, so the weekend is more than just a blur.
In order to provide fighters with the highest caliber of officials, the TBA-SA requires continuing education and training for judges and referees. During tournaments of this size, TBA-SA officials are rotated and given scheduled breaks to stay fresh and focused.
"There are many options for national amateur championship tournaments in the US, but really only one choice: the TBA's"
Steve Milles
Owner & Trainer at Five Point Academy
New York NY
"My first tournament was the TBA! And everything after that is hard to compare with! I have done it 3 times!
1. Weigh ins on time
2. Never got called last minute to fight.
3. Fight line up always posted to let you know that you were coming up.
4. The fights are in the same hotel so you can just wake up and fight or go chill out before your fights."
Samuel Mongonia,
Former Fighter out of Revolution Dojo.
Owner & Trainer at Sammy's Muay Thai
Houston TX