MMA, according to Elite MMA, refers to mixed martial arts. It is a term used for combat sport where two competitors attempt to achieve dominance over one another by using three general tactics: striking, finishing holds, and control. As a boxer, you may be wondering if boxers punch harder than MMA athletes. Let’s find out!
So, do boxers punch harder than MMA? Well, the first thing we need to define is what does punching harder mean. Boxing experts say that boxers are equal or 10% better than MMA fighters in terms of who has more output capacity.
Boxers and MMA fighters have a similar athletic ability. The main difference comes from boxers having more specialized training in boxing.
As for force output, it is also believed that boxers are about 10%-35% better in technique and muscle memory due to their experience. “If you’re comparing punches on a heavy bag, boxers and MMA will be about the same with a small but clear edge for boxers. Boxers are also far more efficient, which would increase the disparity over a bout’s duration,” Expert boxing says.
Who can cause more damage? Boxers or MMA?
In terms of who can cause more damage, it is also considered that boxers are from 25% to 200% better than MMA fighters. So, why do some boxers punch harder? It all has to do with timing and angles. What makes a punch feel hard has to do more with the exact time you throw it, not so much with force used.
In boxing training, athletes learn how to time their punches, considering their opponents’ attacks and counterattacks. Expert Boxing says that it is not about landing a punch on the opponent’s chin but also about landing the punch while the opponent’s chin is turning into his own punch. This, of course, causes more damage.
In MMA, the fighters tend to avoid punching, and they also evade punches from certain angles a lot because they do not want to get grabbed or kicked. Additionally, since they have to learn many different skills, they don’t have time to learn all possible angles. Boxers can focus only on boxing techniques and therefore study every little detail and aspect of the sport.
There are many boxing angles that MMA fighters don’t use, and of course, don’t train at. This also makes boxer’s punches more powerful, compared to MMA athletes.
Other reasons boxers punch harder than MMA
Another reason why boxers’ punches will be more challenging than MMA is that the latter is a more diverse sport. They learn moves that boxers don’t, such as round kicking, takedown, trip, clinch, and rear-naked choke, to name a few. Boxers usually focus on jabbing and punching.
We are not saying that MMA is an easier sport, it is different, and therefore it has a different focus than just punching. Besides, MMA fighters and boxers train differently. Boxers are only required to punch with their hands, while MMA fighters also incorporate knees, kicks, and more.
Gloves are also different. MMA uses more flexible and smaller gloves. Boxers, on the other hand, need more padding, which makes their gloves heavier and larger. This can also cause boxers’ punches to land harder than MMA punches.
In conclusion, do boxers punch harder than MMA? Yes, but because they train differently, focusing mostly on punching and jabbing, they have larger and heavier gloves. They do not learn other techniques, as MMA fighters do.
However, you will still not want to get punched either by boxers or MMA fighters. Either one of them could easily kick your butt and take you down, so be nice to these guys!
