Bernard Hopkins: "There is no skill in MMA"

Without gloves you also stand a better chance of breaking someone's face. Smaller gloves on a Pro boxer like Tyson, Foreman, Shavers, etc. could be deadly. Example: Mitch "Blood" Green went 12 rounds with Tyson in a boxing match, in a street-fight, he went out quickly, and did you see what happened to his face? Of course Tyson suffered an injured hand which is the reason why fighters wear gloves, but the point is the damage with one full impact punch. However, fighters are getting kicked in the face and survive so maybe we can use this as an arguement to allow smaller gloves for boxers. For the person that said boxers are more skilled or it takes more skill consider this: boxers only have to practice fist fighting while MMA fighters have to become well diverse in all aspects of fighting {wrestling/grappling, kicking, punching}.

Actually the small gloves are alot better at reducing concussions for 2 reasons: 1)they don't have that concussive effect a padded glove has. 2) they are way more likely to open up a fight-ending cut before a concussion will happen.

There is plenty of skill involved in MMA. Whether or not boxing takes more skill remains to be seen. Nobody really knows unless they do both. To the untrained eye it looks like a streetfight, but its really not. These guys literally know hundreds of ways to take a guy out in seconds. There are so many elements involved. Agree...we also have to factor in that a boxer only has to practice perfecting fist-fighting, while MMA is all forms. So when a boxer has 6 hours, he is working on boxing only, while the MMA fighter has to work on boxing, wrestling, kicks, etc.

a striker will last for ever in mma... the wrestler has to take shots to get in and over the years alot of grapplers and wrestlers may and up with brain damage from them small gloves if better strikers join the sport , fighters like anderson silva and lidell.. and all the striker has to do is tap out to avoid damage

There is plenty of skill involved in MMA. Whether or not boxing takes more skill remains to be seen. Nobody really knows unless they do both. To the untrained eye it looks like a streetfight, but its really not. These guys literally know hundreds of ways to take a guy out in seconds. There are so many elements involved.

How much does Liddell get per fight? around 200 K Damn, and I thought boxing was corrupt. Chuck Liddell: UFC 57 defeated Randy Couture - $250,000 UFC 62 defeated Babalu - $250,000 UFC 66 defeated Tito Ortiz - $250,000 Remember a couple of things: 1. That is just the disclosed salary figure. That does not include any bonuses(KO of the Night, Fight of the night, etc.) NOR PPV cuts top MMA have in their contracts. Tito and Chuck both made between 2-3 million for UFC 66, mainly due to PPV % cuts. Also, that does not include any advertisement deals. However, only top draws get pvv cuts, so everyone else is still making peanuts compared to even b-level boxers. So brings up with next point. 2. MMA is barely a 15 year old sport, and for half of that time, it wasn't as organized or even sanctioned as it is now. Oh yeah, to say MMA fighters have no skill just shows you're in denial.

I am convinced this guy has a 3rd grade education at best.

ok bernard, lets see what happens when you have to fight and cant use ur hands. yeah, muay thai doesnt require any skill. nor does jujitsu, grappling, wrestling, kickboxing, submissions, or take-down defense require skill, either. a testament as to how popular MMA (not just UFC) is right now: even boxers cant help but talk about it.

Hopkins is sorta right. If he's talking hand striking, he's right. Because there's study of several other forms of hand striking as well as striking in general, you're not going to get a crisp and controled form of hand striking. But if he's talking skill in general, he doesn't know what he's talking about.

Bernard said this on Jim Rome's radio show and Rome played it again on his television show. Bernard also said that you can go to any bar and get a MMA fighter. Rome basically said on his show that a boxer would win in boxing rules and MMA fighter would win in MMA rules. Also, MMA is not a Fad, it is here to stay. Chuck is on right now: B-Hopp also said that if he got into a fight with an MMAer under MMA rules he would get his ass kicked.

Hopkins would beat most MMA fighters in a streetfight, that's for sure...

Addison, I totally agree boxers are tough, and they are athletes in every sense of the word. But so are MMA guys. The ignorant attitude of some here is fucking sad. I NEVER put down boxing, I just tried to say MMA was a legit sport. Saying good stuff about MMA is NOT bashing boxing. People need to learn this. I do both also. I'm a blue belt in BJJ, and I admit alot better on the ground than stnding up. But I totally respect boxers big time. Hell, I know firsthand it sucks to get hit by one! I see where you're coming from. :beerchug: The sweeping generalizations don't apply. I would be a little more neutral or even protective of other fighting arts; unless I had come to the ultimate conclusion that Boxers have a greater capacity for pain and endurance than other forms - and that is what ultimately wins fights. The majority of fights at least.. Although again - I appreciate what you're saying about guys who can do everything. There's not much you can do to stop that no matter how tough or durable someone is.. It's just the wild talk that MMA guys would "destroy" Boxers that gets to me.. Your position is one I do respect. You feel the same way I do - you don't want to hear overblown hype that MMA would stand no chance on the other side of the equation. I agree. I posted this just last night as a friendly reminder to friends in the lounge that nothing is inconcievable or a foregone conclusion in combat. As much of a Boxing advocate as I am, I must concede there are plenty of Boxers who could/would be susceptible to unorthdox attacks and angles - even the taboo "high kick":

Gun, they are DIFFERENT sports! Is this really that hard for you to understand? You don't see Roger Clements challenging Randy Moss to come up to the plate and bat do you?

Addison, I totally agree boxers are tough, and they are athletes in every sense of the word. But so are MMA guys. The ignorant attitude of some here is fucking sad. I NEVER put down boxing, I just tried to say MMA was a legit sport. Saying good stuff about MMA is NOT bashing boxing. People need to learn this. I do both also. I'm a blue belt in BJJ, and I admit alot better on the ground than stnding up. But I totally respect boxers big time. Hell, I know firsthand it sucks to get hit by one!

To all the guys saying MMA guys are not skilled or can't take punch or are scared, take your mouth to an MMA gym and run it. I have, believe me. :fing02: I've been in the ring at the pro level in KB, and I have been all over the community around Boxing, MMA, ect. Technically, I'm qualified to compete in MMA. Martial Artists, MMA, and other fighters marvel at Boxers ability to take and give punishment. Without that ability - you cannot be a Boxer. That's one of the primary differences. Fundamentally.

Your as fucking stupid as Gunstar! If it's so fake, go drop a challenge at an MMA gym. You may hate it, but it as real as boxing. Yes, you have to be under contract, but they do not pick the winners and losers. UFC is overseen by State Boxing/Combative Sports Commisions. In Texas there are State officials at ringside and backstage at every MMA(and boxing) event. Fixing or faking is against the law, I THINK it's actually a felony.

I understand where he is coming from because there is more skill in boxing, but I would have to disagree about their not being any skill. Their is some especially on the ground, but in the stand up it's really no contest, boxers have the better skills. It's gonna be a arguement that people will discuss for years. This is well said!!!

No, their rednecks. Not Caucasion, it's like how black people don't like N#!@#!S(It's true chris rock even did a racial skit about it saying black people hate N-word.) and consider them a different race all together. White people have the same feud with Rednecks, we don't like them. Thats their sport Everytime you comment on MMA you sound more stupid than before. Actually MMA is actually very popular with college/frat guys. If you go to a live show you will honestly see about 5 preppy types for every 1 redneck, and this is in Texas.

Interview with John Hackleman, Chuck's trainer at the end he talks about boxing http://www.**********.com/pag/article10935.html PC: Which do you think is tougher, a boxer going to MMA or a mixed martial artist going into boxing? JH: Ah shit, that’s a good one. I think it would be harder for a boxing guy to go to MMA because of all the wrestling and stuff. It’s so much striking going on in MMA now a lot of guys can’t come over and just bang. The biggest thing with a boxer would be them thinking it’s a boxing match and within 2 seconds they would be on their back and can’t get back up You have to modify your stance, your punching and your strategy. If a MMA guy goes to a boxing coach for his standup, it’s not going to be affective at all. Boxing hands isn’t going to work in MMA. A boxer would have to modify it. If they already have the punch…like I think Tyson would knock everyone out if he went to MMA. He has that low stance and I bet he could pick up wrestling quick. A natural guy like Roy Jones would be really good in MMA. PC: I appreciate the interview John. Is there anything you want to say in closing? JH: I love boxing. Boxing is probably the main stay of our training and we just combined it with everything else. I think boxing guys picking up on MMA training methods is a great way to cross train and get well conditioned. ---------------------------------------------------------------- I could only imagine what a young Tyson or Foreman would do in MMA if they had trained since they were 14 or so, or even started when they were in their early 20's, took some time to learn other fighting disciplines, then fought in MMA. 4oz gloves on Tyson and Foreman, could you imagine

To all the guys saying MMA guys are not skilled or can't take punch or are scared, take your mouth to an MMA gym and run it.