MMA training vs boxing is an interesting argument between people who usually differ in the view of someone punching each other more than the others.
MMA, or mixed martial arts, and boxing are vastly skillful, relatively enthralling, and require endurance. MMA is labeled as not only more risky but also more physically demanding than boxing.
In this article, we will cover the main differences between these two popular methods of fighting, drawn between training intensity, techniques like injuries, conditioning, and financial returns.
Understand Boxing
Boxing is the oldest and most serious combat sport all around the world. It is a sport of fighting between men with only punches.
The main goal of this sports event is that your opponent never receives any punch from you, while you continue to be punched by yourself, which uses hand movements and head movements.
Different Techniques of Boxing Use:
- Punching techniques are jab, hook, uppercut, and cross.
- Defensive maneuvers like blocking and slipping bobbing and weaving.
- Footwork for balance and movement actions.
Boxing is strictly limited to punching with fists which makes it a highly technical and tactical sport. Effective boxes require high hand speed, agility, and defensive skills to be a success.
Training in boxing
Boxing training is usually undertaken for improvement in striking skills, speed, endurance, and somehow defense. Some common routines include:
- Shadow-boxing for moving about and technique practice.
- Heavy bag training develops power and endurance.
- Speed bag work for skills of hand-eye coordination.
- Pad works with trainers toward accuracy, and speed.
- Sparring for actual fight situations.
It would not be very accurate to say that it is less intense than in MMA. However, injuries would not really be that common during injury and sparring in boxing.
Understand MMA
MMA is a savage kind of combat sport, which entails a mixture of several fighting styles. The major difference between MMA and boxing is that boxers only learn and use punches.
MMA fighters, however, involve several other techniques in their fight, some of which include kicks, elbows, knees, grappling, and submissions. This makes MMA the most diverse and complex sport.
Techniques Used in MMA
MMA uses several martial arts:
- Boxing for punches and footwork
- Kickboxing/Muay Thai for kicks, knees, and elbows
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) for ground control and submissions
- Wrestling for takedowns and control
- Judo for throws and sweeps
All that would comprise an MMA fighter’s portfolio of fighting requires striking, grappling, and ground fighting.
MMA Training
Training for MMA spares no exercises in diversification but is much more strenuous and physically demanding compared to boxing. Since a fighter must be well-rounded in several disciplines, training includes:
- Striking drills (boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai).
- Grappling drills (BJJ, wrestling, judo).
- Strength and conditioning workouts
- Ground control and submission drills.
- Sparring sessions in various fighting styles.
Compared to boxing, injuries sustained by an MMA athlete during training are much higher due to the variety of techniques being employed, hence exposing the fighters to both external and internal types of injuries: cuts, bruises, broken bones, joint injuries, and more.
Boxing Training Compared to MMA Training
Training Intensity
MMA is tougher than boxing because it requires the ability to perform many forms. A boxer trains primarily in striking and defense while an MMA fighter must master striking, grappling, and ground fighting.
Injury Risk
Boxing: Commonly sustained injuries include concussions and broken noses, but these occur more during an actual fight than a training session. Sparring injuries are rare.
MMA: Fighters risk injury even while training due to including wrestling, grappling, and submissions in their training sessions.
Fitness Requirement
It is very demanding for boxers to achieve an optimum fitness level because fights last long. A professional boxing title fight varies from 10-12 rounds, while an MMA title fight is limited to 5 rounds, but MMA fighters require more full-body endurance and flexibility due to the different styles of fighting they must be trained in.
Techniques and Skills Required
- Boxers: Only required to practice punches, footwork, and defensive movements.
- MMA Fighters: Train in different arts including striking, grappling, and submission, making the MMA training a lot harder and time-consuming.
The Contrasting Financial Benefits of Boxing and MMA
Perhaps one of the most shocking perceptions of these two sports would be the pay differences in fighters. Even when both sports are highly popular, boxers fairly earn more than mixed martial artists.
Why Do Boxers Get Paid More?
Boxing has existed for a more considerable and longer time with a distinct preset fan base.
- Generate more income with an increasing pay-per-view sale than event tickets.
- Make fantastic contracts with boxing promotions (like Top Rank and Matchroom Boxing) for the fighter.
- Often, promotional contracts and revenue-sharing models lower the payouts that most MMA fighters, especially those who fight under UFC, receive.
For example, a top boxing superstar like Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez earned multi-hundreds of millions just from fights, while even top MMA superstars like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor earn relatively low unless they come to boxing.
Which Sport is More Difficult?
Although both sports need dedication and require great levels of skill, MMA is always perceived to be harder because it demands various other techniques, increased injury risks, and harsher training requirements.
On the other hand, boxing needs extreme endurance and discipline because fights take long.
Ultimately, it boils down to preference and skill. For those who are more inclined to acquire a single skill set (punching), boxing fits the bill.
Candidates who want to learn a bit of everything would choose MMA because they want to become proficient in various fighting techniques: punching, kicking, and submission.
No matter which sport you choose, both require immense physical and mental toughness, making them among the most demanding combat sports in the world.