If you enjoy boxing more than MMA, why?

[TMLT87]

I probably slightly prefer MMA more often than not (depends on what either sport is doing at the time) but theres so many differences big and small that they just scratch different itches really. Both will give you things that you cant get in the other.

Boxing is much more aesthetically pleasing because its literally just land punches and dont get punched, it refines that relatively narrow area and puts a big emphasis on hit and not get hit, head movement, timing, counter punching etc. I would also say that the absolute cream of the crop boxing matches tend to be better than their MMA equivalent. Because of the aforementioned aesthetics, plus the longer total fight time and counts after a knockdown give boxing matches more of an epic attritional vibe. But then at the same time because the rounds are shorter and its only punching, they dont gas out as quickly which means they're able to keep up a relatively high pace and keep things crisp. Volume tends to be higher too partly because of the cardio aspect and I would guess partly because smaller gloves and the threat of a takedown in MMA doesnt generally lend itself to throwing tons of punches.

MMA fights are much more prone to breaking down into messy chaos because theres just so much going on. Not that its necessarily a bad thing, its just a different vibe. Hence there being room for both.

[BodyBagz]

Not a fan of men kicking each other and rolling around on the floor.

[CaneloBlue]

I probably slightly prefer MMA more often than not (depends on what either sport is doing at the time) but theres so many differences big and small that they just scratch different itches really. Both will give you things that you cant get in the other.

Boxing is much more aesthetically pleasing because its literally just land punches and dont get punched, it refines that relatively narrow area and puts a big emphasis on hit and not get hit, head movement, timing, counter punching etc. I would also say that the absolute cream of the crop boxing matches tend to be better than their MMA equivalent. Because of the aforementioned aesthetics, plus the longer total fight time and counts after a knockdown give boxing matches more of an epic attritional vibe. But then at the same time because the rounds are shorter and its only punching, they dont gas out as quickly which means they're able to keep up a relatively high pace and keep things crisp. Volume tends to be higher too partly because of the cardio aspect and I would guess partly because smaller gloves and the threat of a takedown in MMA doesnt generally lend itself to throwing tons of punches.

MMA fights are much more prone to breaking down into messy chaos because theres just so much going on. Not that its necessarily a bad thing, its just a different vibe. Hence there being room for both.

Hey man, great reply. I think you worded it perfectly and in a way I couldn’t really word. Especially with the “aesthetically pleasing”, “messy chaos” parts. As for the cardio aspect, from what I heard and seen, boxers tend to do much more road work than MMA fighters. Not sure how true that is. When I used to train, I would say over half my training was strictly cardio. Again, this is just my opinion. Not sure exactly how many miles the average UFC fighter jogs during camp. But it would also make sense since they have so many other things to cover in camp.

[CaneloBlue]

I love both, but I'm always more entertained by a great boxing fight than a great MMA fight.

For example, take the greatest UFC fights of all time (take your pick) and they still wouldn't top Ali/Frazier, Hearns/Hagler, Ward/Gatti, Naseem/Kelly, Bowe/Holyfield. The list is almost endless of great boxing fights and I don't think it's necessarily because boxing has had more time, but the nature of the sport. There's less opportunities in boxing for prolonged clinches, lulls and basically killing the clock - and even when the clock is being killed, the footwork is more watchable than MMA footwork, especially with supremely gifted boxers like Mayweather and Ali who are entertaining even when they're just moving around the ring - not much so in MMA - the lulls in MMA are brutal.

I do find that I watch a lot more UFC nowadays than boxing, however. A monthly event with the champion facing the contender is something only boxing fans can dream of; especially with the way match-making in boxing is run today. When a major boxing title fight is on, though, I drop everything...if only it was more of a regular thing.

Yeah, I’ll say that. Dana White pretty much has the champions constantly fight top tier competition. And the fan base tends to be much more forgiving too. Imagine a fighter in boxing who loses his 0 to a top tier contender. He would be called a bum, overrated by over half the fan base.

[Earl-Hickey]

I don't mind MMA but I enjoy elite striking the most.

I really don't enjoy grappling at all, MMA is more like a street fight but I just can't get behind rolling around on the floor trying to strangle someone, to me that's not an entertaining fight, there's a reason action fights in movies aren't 5 minutes of people grappling for position on the floor, because it's not entertaining.

Not all MMA fights are about that, obviously but a lot of them are.

[TMLT87]

On the grappling thing, I think its something thats much easier to appreciate doing it than watching it. Looking at it on a purely mechanical level its one of the most interesting, effective and deep things in combat sports imo, but it doesnt translate very well as a spectator sport because its relatively slow paced and a lot of the details are easy to miss.

I feel like MMA becomes kind of redundant if you dont have some appreciation for the grappling part of it though.

As for the cardio aspect, from what I heard and seen, boxers tend to do much more road work than MMA fighters. Not sure how true that is. When I used to train, I would say over half my training was strictly cardio. Again, this is just my opinion. Not sure exactly how many miles the average UFC fighter jogs during came. But it would also make sense since they have so many other things to cover in camp.

Yeah I think boxers typically do more roadwork. Theres only so many hours in a day to train and like you said the MMA guys are having to try and juggle more things. Another thing is boxing is a lot more attritional and drawn out by nature, you generally have to break people down over multiple rounds before they're ready to go.

[CaneloBlue]

On the grappling thing, I think its something thats much easier to appreciate doing it than watching it. Looking at it on a purely mechanical level its one of the most interesting, effective and deep things in combat sports imo, but it doesnt translate very well as a spectator sport because its relatively slow paced and a lot of the details are easy to miss.

I feel like MMA becomes kind of redundant if you dont have some appreciation for the grappling part of it though.



Yeah I think boxers typically do more roadwork. Theres only so many hours in a day to train and like you said the MMA guys are having to try and juggle more things. Another thing is boxing is a lot more attritional and drawn out by nature, you generally have to break people down over multiple rounds before they're ready to go.

You most definitely have to appreciate grappling. I used to think it was amateurish and flat out barbaric. But than I started watching Khabib and realized that it’s an art. The way he wraps around his opponents, maneuvers around their attempted chokes etc…it’s not normal. It’s honestly f’king terrifying. But I can see why a lot of boxing fans are turned off by it. I recommend they watch Khabib highlights. They’ll see it’s not as messy as it may seem at times.

I agree with the attritional part about boxing. But also, remember. In MMA, you have so many ways to take someone out that you’re just not limited to wearing down an opponent. Whether it’s a Masivisal flying knee in the first 5 seconds or a quick take down and kumora choke. Correct me if I’m wrong, but most MMA fights That I’ve seen don’t really bank on going to the scorecards. It’s extremely aggressive and usually aims to end in a tap out. Which isn’t bad at all but definitely different than boxers who simply outbox and go on cruise control. Haney, I’m looking at you.

[tonysoprano]

Men in trunks rolling around on top of each other isn't fighting. Despite what MMA fans try to tell you grappling doesn't work when you can bite or gouge a guy's eyes out.

And in real life if you get a guy down on the floor you don't try to submit him, you try and kick is head in or stomp his brains out.

A lot of MMA fans have never seen or been near a real fight so they think this octagon bull**** is real fighting when it's nothing of the sort. Something UFC cheerleaders like Rogan encourage as well.

[The Big Dunn]

Curious as to why some people enjoy boxing more than MMA. For me, I just grew up with it and it was my hobby alongside my father. Haven’t been able to transition all the way to MMA. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll go to the bar with friends and watch some of the big UFC PPV’s but boxing just has that special place in my heart. Not only that, but I’m always curious to the different outfits the fighters wear, their walkouts, what brand gloves they wear on fight night (Winnings, Cleto’s, No Boxing, No Life) etc…I love it. MMA is amazing and shows just what the human body is capable of as an offensive tool, but boxing won’t ever leave me.

I like college wrestling and boxing. I am not a big MMA fan at all.

I especially hate when guys are rolling around with their legs wrapped around one another.

[Dakuwaqa]

MMA provides solid entertainment from start to finish. Most fights are somewhat entertaining and the majority of fights on the card are only 15 mins long.

Boxing undercards are often dull mismatches.

A good boxing match > a good MMA fight.

Not always but usually.