Ok, here we go. starting at 16, i started training in a couple of different disciplines. Boxing and bjj. I competed as a novice and open level at the amateur ranks like any newbie. in bjj i did the same. success levels were about the same. boxing didnt have the same amateur competition in my area as it did back in the day. and bjj was very green and most tournaments filled with white and blue belts at first.
of course i ended up doing MMA, moved away to train. ended up with a daughter on the way so i went with a more secure job, and still train for fun. just giving a quick background so i dont sound like someone who hasnt been in the gym. here my opinion that was formed over the years
1. the best boxer doesnt always make the best mma fighter. some boxers will transition better. of course anyone with a wrestling background is gonna do better than the #1 boxer without one.
2. people cry about MMA guys doing boxing. The equivalent of Couture boxing Toney would be Toney doing a wrestling match vs Couture. MMA lets you bring all your tools. MMA didnt cut out Toneys boxing skill. Randy Couture did. Boxing would cut out Randys skill. James Toney had the chance to do it himself in MMA but failed.
3. any 1 style will get u beat at the top level. straight bjj, straight boxing, straight wrestling. Wrestling is the dominant force in MMA. the best background bar none. they control where the fight takes place, are very strong, and work ethic 2nd to none. its the weakest part of my game and alot of reason MMA can be boring, and alot of wrestlers play off the time limit(one of them fought the other night). but its the truth.
4. MMA guys love to train with boxers to help IMPROVE that part of their game. All of the best guys, GSP, BJ, Anderson, etc... have went to Freddie Roach. they know they are not near the top guys when they walk into those gyms, they are there to get better. the ego is gone. mayweather or anyone else would have to do the same and walk into the top MMA gyms and start at the bottom to become competitive.
5. "mma is gay". what a joke. we could sit here and talk about how boring boxing is these days, how very few fighters go for the kill, wanna play by points. but fortunately i understand it and still appreciate the skill. fact is you get taken down, mounted like toney, your the *****. you could sit there and get slapped around and be able to do NOTHING about it. and most streetfights ive seen have ended up on the ground, and everyone knew whoever lost got their ass kicked. the gay stuff is the biggest crybaby excuse ever.
for the record, i hate the MMA fad that is today. the tapout/affliction/whatever else clothing.