MMA fighters “can’t hit”??

[Legends456]

Maybe it’s just me, but it doesn’t make sense how Mayweather and others have spoken disparagingly of MMA fighters’ punching ability.

I’ve seen the argument that MMA fighters can’t hurt Mayweather or other boxers because they can’t hit hard.

What doesn’t make sense to me is that GGG and Deontay Wilder and even the great Mike Tyson sort of came out of non-boxing backgrounds (GGG a street fighter, Wilder a truck driver and bouncer, Iron Mike a street fighter / prison fighter), and those three had “built-in” power and improved their skills as they learned the basics of boxing. But it was that “natural” punching power that got the attention of the trainers and coaches in the first place.

I propose that there is such a thing as having naturally occurring, good punching power and punch resistance, which can be honed and improved upon with good boxing coaching and experience.

It is not necessarily some sort of “secret knowledge” that only boxers have, and all non boxers are weaklings. If that was the case, GGG, Wilder, and Iron Mike would likely have not gotten into the sport of boxing to begin with.

[Roadblock]

Its not a blanket statement, its a generality that MMA guys in general cant punch as hard as boxers, the reason is while MMA guys are training legs and wrestling etc , that time is taken up by boxers doing nothing but learning how to punch with the most force they can, its also stance, MMA guy are more squared up and don't get the leverage boxers get.

[TMLT87]

They can "hit" if we are taking into account their other striking tools but they dont punch as hard on average because they arent spending as much time perfecting the mechanics of how to generate maximum power in every punch. If you slow down an MMA fight and pay attention to their feet etc most make lots of mistakes, back foot up in the air when they throw the right hand etc etc. But since they're punching with 4oz gloves on and no recovery time if someone gets dropped, they dont need as much power to be able to hurt someone.

[deathofaclown]

Yeah it’s probably more to do with the fact their training is based around being a Jack of all trades. So they don’t spend as much time purely punching

Even if a boxer hasn’t got perfect technique and skills, but naturally a decent puncher, then strictly training in boxing for long periods of time is still going to enhance their ability to generate more power.

So i don’t think it’s anything to do with them not having power. Paulie said Conor McGregor had decent power but nothing he hasn’t felt before, basically same as what Floyd said. Maybe if McGregor had been training in strictly boxing since 14 until adulthood, he might’ve developed his naturally decent power even more.

But then it also brings into question how well many UFC guys can take a punch. McGregor used to touch decent fighters there and cause damage. I understand they’re smaller gloves, but I’ve worn both 4oz gloves and 8oz gloves, and obviously there’s a difference but it’s not going to turn a huge puncher at 4oz to a “decent” puncher at 8oz, the difference in the gloves isn’t drastic enough for that. Just like if you put an average puncher at 8oz and put them in 4oz gloves, they’re not going to be suddenly sparking people with single shots with ease.

So there’s a case that someone like McGregor who was considered a big puncher in UFC but being rated average in power by boxers could be to do with their ability to take punches.

[TMLT87]

But then it also brings into question how well many UFC guys can take a punch. McGregor used to touch decent fighters there and cause damage. I understand they’re smaller gloves, but I’ve worn both 4oz gloves and 8oz gloves, and obviously there’s a difference but it’s not going to turn a huge puncher at 4oz to a “decent” puncher at 8oz, the difference in the gloves isn’t drastic enough for that. Just like if you put an average puncher at 8oz and put them in 4oz gloves, they’re not going to be suddenly sparking people with single shots with ease.

So there’s a case that someone like McGregor who was considered a big puncher in UFC but being rated average in power by boxers could be to do with their ability to take punches.

Boxing weeds out chins a lot more. Pure striking competition, only two targets to hit, harder punchers on average and higher volume of strikes on average. If you're a really good grappler in MMA you can avoid a lot of striking damage so your chin wont get exposed or be a career ender like it would in boxing.

To be fair I think its also accentuated by the lack of counts after knockdowns. Shots you might have recovered from if given a count become fight enders in MMA. Probably easier to land a clean fight ending shot in general because theres so many things going on at once and the gloves are so small they basically go right through the guard.

[elfag]

Their training is different. Look how Siliva threw arm punches.

They have to worry about takedowns, kicks and other things. They also have small gloves to not protect the hands.


Basically they have years of habits that cause them to not punch as hard as boxers and its hard to undo the habits in one fight under different rules and different gloves.

[bballchump11]

Most of their technique isn't designed to punch as hard as boxers. Mcgregor punches hard for MMA, but he generates his leverage all from just shoulders and accuracy.

He can't pivot and generate power from his legs like a Mike Tyson can.

Then there's a big difference between being able to use that power over 12 rounds vs a moving target accurately.

[Tails]

"Can't hit" is not the best way to describe the difference in punching power.

Trained MMA fighters are going to hit considerably harder and more accurately than untrained individuals which is what most people are.

It's just that a trained boxer who takes the time to develop and is able to reach a certain level of skill is going to hit noticeably harder and more accurate than an MMA the majority of times.

It's more that people don't realize how quick, hard, and accurate most boxers punch until they see a live comparison of someone else next to them.

[Silence]

Closest thing to boxer is Conor in MMA history. His technique, stance (especially after Floyd bout), and unpredictabilty make him special. There are some other mediocre boxers too.

But, in overall MMA is shıt in terms of boxing. Their overall striking ain't great too but better than their boxing clearly.

[lopetego]

The circus match of Floyd-Connor was useful to prove MMA guys punch like featherfisted fairies compared to boxers

McGregor was considered the most elite, dangerous puncher in MMA at the time, while Floyd was well known as featherfisted in his division

but in the actual fight, the positions were reversed

McGregor was the pillowfisted one, unable to hurt Floyd at all, while Floyd ¨fists of fluff¨ Mayweather got his first stoppage in over a decade

Floyd couldn't even stop a shot to **** Berto in his last outing, but was able to crack Connor's previously unKO'd chin

laughable