Even historically speaking, MMA predates boxing by quite a bit of time. MMA fighting took birth during the Greek era, sometime around 648 BCE. In fact, MMA was one of the competitive sports played during the ancient Olympic games, a tradition of combat sports that sportstv continues to celebrate and cover with in-depth analysis and updates. While boxing as a sport only came into proper existence sometime around the 16th century. So, in some ways, the recent popularity of MMA fighting sports is also a resurgence of what combat sports once looked like.
Thus, the recent boom in the popularity of MMA is no coincidence. In fact, according to several combat sports enthusiasts and experts, it has been long overdue. One can easily find evidence for the growth spurt of MMA these days through blogs, social media, television, streaming platforms, and more. In this article, we will take a look at some of the main reasons why MMA is better than boxing.
But before we jump in, students reading this should also remember to keep their academics in check. The world of combat sports can be fun to dip into, but doing so can also take up quite a bit of time. Thus, students interested in learning more about these sports should also learn to prioritize their time for play and play accordingly.
Luckily, today’s students can also use a variety of services to help them with some of their extra work. For example, a high-quality student-based platform like Studyfy offers an essay service, research service, paper writing service, and a lot more. Students can use their services at affordable prices to keep up with their academics and still enjoy their favorite sports.
In no particular order, here are 9 reasons why MMA is better than boxing.
1) More Fighting Freedom & Lesser Rules or Restrictions
Right from the get-go, MMA is a sport that not only allows but also encourages competitive matchups among fighters of different styles. This means that one can easily catch a match between a Capoeira champion and a Muay Thai champion.
In boxing, this simply wouldn’t be possible. Furthermore, this diversification of fighting styles in MMA is only possible because of its more flexible and easy-going fighting rules. This liberal approach also enables a total mix of traditional and modern fighting forms.
2) Higher Frequencies of Events & Fights
Because of how broad and widespread MMA has become throughout the world, one can find several fights happening at any given time. Franchises such as the UFC, the Ultimate Fighter, and more have reached the levels at which they can organize fights almost weekly. Because of the hype, heaps of new fighters train and register themselves to fight every day. This has further given birth to having competitions at every level, from amateur to professional.
3) The UFC – Enough Said!
Gone are the days when boxing matches and boxers were the biggest things in the combat or fighting world. The UFC, or the Ultimate Fighting Championship, established in 1993, is now the largest PPV (Pay Per View) provider in the world.
Today, they’ve easily got some of the biggest and meanest names on their rosters. And some of the UFC’s biggest names, like Conor McGregor, Brock Lesnar, Jonny ‘Bones’ Jones, and a lot more, have been integral in spreading the popularity of the competition and the sport.
4) Higher Overall Athletic Levels Can Be Found
It’s widely known in the combat world that MMA fighters do better as boxers than boxers do as MMA fighters. Today, the UFC easily has some of the most athletic players on deck. Also, because boxing matches are not as frequent, most fighters don’t end up training at the highest levels throughout the year.
Most boxers only tend to train after their matches have been set. On the other hand, the higher frequency of matches in MMA ensures that fighters are also training, fit, and ready to throw down.
5) One Can Witness More Diverse Fighting Styles & Contentions
The range and diversity of fighting styles one can find in MMA are truly endless. When it comes to MMA, one can find wrestlers, kickboxers, judo artists, Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighters, and a lot more.
And the best part is these multi-skilled fighters can then compete against each other. This means that a karate fighter can compete with a kung fu or even a taekwondo specialist. The truth is that MMA is so diverse that it even accommodates traditional boxing as a legitimate fighting style within the sport.
6) MMA Involves Learning More Skills Than Boxing
MMA matches can be decided or won in several more ways than a boxing match can. For example, one can win through submission moves like choke holds which is an illegal move in boxing. Furthermore, boxing doesn’t involve much of the use of one’s lower body other than balancing and maintaining one’s stance.
In MMA, the lower body can be used in a variety of ways, like kicking, locking, grappling, holding, and more. Thus, MMA fighters receive more all-around training than boxers.
7) More Weight Divisions & Fighting Levels
Because of its high popularity and the sheer volume of fighters from around the world, MMA simply cannot sustain a basic competitive model or structure. The sport needed more provisions for fighters who came from different weight divisions, fighting styles, and competitive levels.
The UFC has almost single-handedly contributed to these aspects in a big way. And today, because of even its mere presence, there are new fight labels, franchises, and championship battles popping up everywhere.
8) MMA Fighters Are Now More Popular (Than Boxers) Throughout the World
MMA, or the UFC in particular, is not only able to turn its fighters into megastars or celebrities but is also able to pay its fighters well. The combination of fame and money earned through the spilling of blood in a somewhat regular way is enough to grab the world’s attention.
Conor McGregor – the self-proclaimed “face of the fight game,” has more than forty million followers on Instagram alone. Even some of the biggest Hollywood stars and worldwide musicians don’t have as much of a following.
9) More Realistic, Engaging, & Fun to Watch
To begin with, boxers wear thick gloves designed to minimize the overall damage inflicted on one’s opponent. MMA, on the other hand, requires its fighters to compete with far thinner or smaller gloves.
Most MMA matches also take place in a cage instead of a ring which gives a more brutal look to the brawl that ensues. Today’s audiences also spend a lot of money and turn out in huge numbers to support their favorite MMA fighters. Overall, the MMA scene is buzzing like never before.
The Bottom Line
To many fighters and viewers, MMA offers a more fast-paced and thrilling approach to the fight game. One that involves all the best elements of a good fighting sport, including well-timed rounds, fierce warriors, and vocal audiences. And the digital world has only aggravated the overall sources to learn, grow, and have fun within the world of MMA. This, along with a proper restructuring from the ground up, is what has been missing from the world of boxing for a time.