One of the UK’s most decorated female Muay Thai fighters, Niamh Kinehan, has announced her retirement from Muay Thai after a career that saw her claim eight world titles across multiple organizations. With few challengers left in the sport, Kinehan has now set her sights on a new challenge - MMA.
Franks Gym, where Kinehan has trained her whole career, confirmed the news in a social media post, revealing that she has been training in MMA for the past 18 months and has officially signed a five-fight deal with a “massive production company.” The announcement solidifies her transition to the cage.
Her decision to retire mirrors that of fellow UK Muay Thai star Iman Barlow, who retired last year due to a lack of competition. Both fighters reached the pinnacle of their divisions, collecting multiple world titles and establishing themselves as dominant forces. However, with no clear path left in Muay Thai, Kinehan has chosen to step away and take on a new challenge in MMA.
Kinehan’s background in Muay Thai makes her an exciting addition to the MMA scene. While details of her debut and promotion are yet to be announced, the “massive production company” backing her suggests she will be competing on a high-profile promotion.
With her Muay Thai legacy cemented, fans will be watching closely to see how her world-class striking adapts to the cage.
