Why Is It Harder To Remain Undefeated In MMA Than Boxing

[MOMENTO MORI]

Most poster ITT are claiming too many disciplines to learn in a relatively short amount of time. This is true but I think the biggest factor in going undefeated is the level
Of control a fighter has in any given fight. The sweet science, as the term denotes is a game where reasonable predictions can be made any given set of circumstances. Mma isnt a refined sport so there are instances that seem like toss ups.

[BWC]

UFC fighters are matched much tougher much earlier on. It's not uncommon for a prospect to be in with a top 10-15 guy in their 5th fight if Dana needs a big hype-up to sell a PPV.

I've competed in both, it's no easier to lose in MMA, the fighter building architecture and system just isn't there..

[twrx]

There are no soft touches no tune up fights to ducking. If youre the champ expect to fight top contenders left n right

[Dark Destroyer]

Like you said more ways to lose. It's definatly a tougher sport to be exceptional unless you are gifted.

[jmrf4435]

Nothing to do with differences between fighting styles. It's the UFC, the UFC forces fighters fight the very best as mandatory, or they have to vacate the belt. boxing hasss so many loopholes because it's not governed by one organization

[KaL-EL]

tougher sport. In Boxing, if you hold another fighter the ref breaks it up and you start over. In UFC, the ref doesnt do that which makes the fighter get tired easily

[bluzi]

In a nutshell , matchmaking.

[FeFist]

A couple of reasons.

1) There are more hard counters. Someone could specialise in a particular discipline that would work poorly against another style. It happens in boxing, but obviously it will be felt more in MMA where there are throws, grappling, ground game, and strikes to consider.

2) Boxing has a higher ceiling so far as mastery is concerned, which results in some fighter standing ahead of the pack. MMA fighters are competent in a lot of different arts, but their mastery of a particular art is reduced due to a lack of focus. You're going to get more fighters on a similar level because it is nearly impossible for a fighter to master every single art they will use.

I also think the preparation plays a role in how things go down. Boxers spar hard which will prepare them for what will happen in the ring. If MMA fighters sparred like how they fought, they wouldn't make it to the ring.

[_original_]

Because they are a jack of all trades but a master of none

I diagree, a lot of MMA fighters are masters at a certain discipline but they have the incredible task of having to learn many fighting styles to compete. It could also be argued that certain guys like Fedor, GSP, Silva, and now Jon Jones have actually mastered the craft of MMA.

[SCEN3RY]

Basically what's been said already. Furthermore and honestly, the sport is kind of designed against the athlete. It's messed up these guys have so little blocking protection while beating on each other in 4oz-6oz gloves; there's nothing cool about all these dudes having cauliflower ears. I understand the gloves are designed with grappling in mind as well - still. I'm not even crazy about the 5 minute rounds. And their knockdown rules - guys aren't given a count to recover, they're either pounced on while hurt or the fight is stopped immediately. Add in all the weapons that can be used against you and losing is almost inevitable.

I don't want to sound too negative while I argue the semantics of combat sports, considering boxing has refined itself so many times and is still plagued with unfortunate incidents, but with so many factors, it's going to be very tough for an mma fighter to stay undefeated after 20 or 30 odd fights. I'd be curious to know, how many professional bouts do athletes average in the sport before being worn out and retire? What is the lifespan, at about what age do guys retire?