Atlas Training Blog

No, I'm not talking about people who smoke — I'm talking about Muay Thai exhibition events ("smokers")! From basic background knowledge to the ins and outs of running one, here is everything you need to know about Muay Thai smokers.

What is a smoker? 

A smoker or exhibition match is (usually) the first level of competition in Muay Thai. It’s essentially hard sparring against an opponent at your skill level and weight class. The rounds mimic those of actual Muay Thai fights (length, intensity, etc.) — the catch is there is no winner. Doing exhibition bouts will get you acclimated with ring anxiety, fighting in front of a crowd, and the pace of a fight. 

What's the difference between a smoker and an amateur fight? 

As I previously mentioned, where an amateur fight will end with a decision announcement, there is no winner in a smoker. This detail works to allow fighters to gain ring experience, make mistakes, and eventually learn from them without any effect on their record. 

Smokers will require fighters to wear more protective gear than an amateur fight. All exhibition events require 16-ounce gloves and shin pads, and some require headgear, too. Also, while it does vary by region and gym, most smokers will conduct the weigh-in around 30 minutes before fights begin, effectively discouraging any kind of dangerous weight-cutting. The fight itself is also safer than an amateur fight; referees in smokers will be more likely to stop the fight if someone is taking a lot of hard hits. 

At the end of the day, a smoker is a low-stakes, high-safety event meant simply to provide ring experience and a healthy environment to make mistakes as fighters prepare for potential amateur bouts down the line. 

When I competed in smokers leading up to my own amateur fights, I found that the experience upped my confidence in the ring as I got used to the intensity of fighting. Similarly, it helped my coach to better understand areas of improvement so that we could make the right training adjustments before the fights would count towards my amateur record. 

How are match-ups created? 

When you submit your information for a smoker, the organizer will look at a handful of different characteristics to create a competitive and constructive match. Some things they will consider include...

• Weight. This is the main one! All smoker events will match folks who are similar in weight. This can be anywhere from the same exact weight to up to a ten-pound difference depending on the organizer. 
• Experience. Another very important aspect to consider, fighters with similar experience are matched, too. Don't worry; you won't get in the ring and fight someone with fifteen amateur fights (unless your coach thinks you can handle it!). 
• Other characteristics like height, age, time training, and style are also considered. 

It's important to note that coaches will be in contact regarding these bouts to ensure that everyone is well-matched. For example, I have witnessed weight, height, age, and experience differences between fighters where the bouts still went smoothly. If the organizer and your coach create a match where there is a difference like those, it's for a good reason; you can handle it. 

What does the event itself look like? 

Come fight day, you just have to show up and give it what you've got! Fighters will typically arrive before the event starts in order to weigh in and attend a rules meeting, during which coaches and fighters hear the rules of the matches, the gear each bout has agreed upon, etc. After that, it will go by pretty quickly. These events usually have between ten and twenty matches, lasting around ten minutes each (three two-minute rounds with a minute break between rounds). 

How do I know if I'm ready to do a smoker? 

You don't decide anything — it's up to your coach to determine when you are ready! If you're interested, my best advice is to talk to your coach, express your interest, and figure out what changes you need to make to compete in a smoker. Check out this blog, So You Want To Fight, to learn more about the process of competing. 

At Atlas Muay Thai Gym, we host exhibition fight nights every two months. If your coach has decided that you're ready, have them contact us via email, send us a message on Instagram, or visit our page on smokers! 

With further questions about smokers, reach out to me by email or Instagram, and I'll do my best to help you out!

Written by Atlas Team 

May 1st, 2024