The problem I have with MMA

[AlexKid]

Alot more ways to win, alot harder to defend a title vs different genetics with different ENTIRE styles.

This isnt just boxer vs puncher vs tall long range fighter vs short infighter etc like in the single style of boxing, the variables are MASSIVE in the MMA game.

1 minute you are fighting a tall knockout artist the next match a short strong wrestler, and unless you are an elite wrestler and an elite striker (no one is) you have a glaringly obvious weakness to exploit. Everyone's trying to tape up their holes and exploit ther other persons holes, and most of them are vulnerable not because they suck compared to boxing but because they have to learn at least 4 freaking styles, each of which take a life time to master,and they will never catch up with the specialist that do have a massive experience in one area.

Also the dynamic of style vs style etc creates alot of rock paper sissor situations because even though everyone is mixed, their skill levels vary alot in their styles, not because they suck for not being well balanced but because being very specific in your skill set ie 1 dimensional liek a sprawling striker, or a grinding wrestler is still a very clever and viable strategy that many people take

[Ruthless One]

If fighters of various combat styles are forced to fight each other, this inevitably happens. Also, as mentioned the UFC HW division is the weakest division.

[Willy Wanker]

It's because fighters in MMA can't get away with cherry picking. You can't hide behind catchweights or made up divisions either. Champions always had to face who was placed in front of them.

That's what makes the cream of the crop like Fedor, Silva, GSP, Aldo, and Jones look more impressive. They dealt with different styles that their opponents bring and always found a way to win.

[VicariousVice]

I'd look at it as a combination of two main reasons:

1. The best fight the best, you rarely have guys ducking anyone. When the UFC wants their champion or contender to face the best guy they have, they make that fight happen. Boxing, on the other hand, is a bunch of guys ducking eacother usually

2. It's a clash of styles, and styles make fights. This is true in Boxing as well. Boxer beats Brawler, Brawler beats In Fighter, In Fighter beats Boxer. etc.

2b. When you have a Boxer, they can get out kicked, outwrestled, outclinched and taken out with Jiu Jitsu, when you have a good Jiu Jitsu player they can get outwreslted, outkickboxed or outboxed, when you have a good Thaiboxer/Kickboxer they can get taken out with good Jiu Jitsu, good Wrestling or good Boxing.

There are way more stylistic matchups, way more variables than there are in Boxing.

Bottom line: they're two completely different sports.

[led]

I think if your fighters are the cream of the cream you should have more fighters like Jon Jones facing stern challenges and overcoming them.

Saul Alvarez giving up his belt to not face GGG. That's how cream of the cream happens in boxing.

[Ruthless One]

Saul Alvarez giving up his belt to not face GGG. That's how cream of the cream happens in boxing.

Exactly. Canelo really made himself look cowardly. In the UFC, they force you to fight.

[Anthony342]

He was already looking cowardly even before that, making Khan have to weigh in at 155, instead of 160.

[Ruthless One]

He was already looking cowardly even before that, making Khan have to weigh in at 155, instead of 160.

Yeah, that's very true.

[Anthony342]

What's up with that crap, anyway? If someone's the champ at 160, why not just weigh in at 160? Boxing shouldn't allow catchweights that often, unless it's two fighters at different weights meeting for a super fight.

MMA would probably use them in a case like that too. So far, they've done it when one fighter doesn't make weight.