Mixed Martial Arts is an array of combative techniques involving many different styles, techniques and forms – all of which come from a multitude of Countries. Boxing is just that…boxing. – ShaneO

Since the popularity of the UFC has risen it has always been compared to the lucrative and historic sport of boxing. As time has passed many boxers have given their opinion on the UFC and MMA. Some of them have praised it and others have laughed at it, but the fact remained people still compared the two sports. Thus begs the question which is better MMA or boxing. This once unanswered question now has a chance of being answered as newly signed, 3 division boxing champion of the world James “Lights Out” Toney takes on UFC hall of famer and MMA veteran Randy “The Natural” Couture this Saturday night at UFC 118 in Boston.

The main criticism boxers have is that MMA fighters don’t understand the sweet science that is boxing and have horrible stances and can’t throw a punch or hit hard like they can. This is easy for them to criticize because they have spent their lives perfecting their art and are able to devote all their time to just boxing. Here is the first difference between MMA and Boxing, besides the obvious rule differences, is that MMA consists of many disciplines which all require attention. Therefore the time per discipline ratio is lowered to be well rounded. You have to train your ground game and your wrestling and clinch games along with the stand-up disciplines or your weakness will be exposed in the cage.

Along with training other disciplines, you also have to adapt conventional stand-up disciplines like boxing or kickboxing to be able to transition from the feet to the ground or to prevent yourself from going to the ground. Such as a lower wider stance to help defend takedowns or not bobbing and weaving too low or else you can eat a kick or a knee. Among the factors is the smaller glove size, many think that less glove equals more knockouts, but that’s not necessarily true. Boxers use 14 or 16 oz. gloves mainly to prevent damage to the hands to allow for more punches to be thrown. Boxers with 4 oz. gloves would actually have to reduce how hard they throw punches or risk breaking their hands. So until more boxers fight MMA we don’t have a clear picture.

The fact of the matter is MMA and boxing are different sports one much more complicated than the other and with any MMA fight there’s always a punchers chance of getting the knockout so maybe a boxer will have a greater punchers chance but it is inconclusive. So what’s better? There isn’t a clear answer and maybe there won’t be, people will always have their opinions and may never agree. Will Couture vs. Toney provide some answers? It might, only time will tell, so be sure to catch the fight and comment what your thoughts were during and after the fight.

ShaneO from CageCraze.com had this to add:

” Anyone who knows me knows that I use to be an avid boxing fan. I still appreciate the techniques of boxing, and understand the importance of boxing skills inside the cage. But let’s get to the bare bones of the subject.

When it comes to boxing vs. MMA, boxing falls under the “mixed” portion of the sport. Boxing is only one variable of the sport. As I stated before, it is a valuable and major component in the stand-up portion of the game. However, it is not the only factor in stand-up. We also have Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do, and kickboxing etcetera. Not to mention a couple other factors in stand up that could take the fight to the ground, such as, Judo, wrestling and the above mentioned Tae Kwon Do (just to name a few). For example: when in a boxing match if your opponent slips a jab, he may do a few things such as, throw a counter punch, circle and reset, or step out and reset his fighting stance. In a Mixed Martial Arts match the variables are significantly increased. In a MMA match while slipping a jab your opponent may also shoot in to use wrestling techniques such as single, or double leg takedown, or even Judo throws such as Osoto Gari, which is a outer reaping throw (just to name a few.)

In my conclusion I will add this: Mixed Martial Arts is an array of combative techniques involving many different styles, techniques and forms – all of which come from a multitude of Countries. Boxing is just that…boxing.”

Let us know your opinions

Regardless of the outcome of UFC 118,  James Toney vs Randy Couture, the long lived Boxing vs MMA saga is sure to continue.  We want to hear what you have to say, so please leave us a comment below and “let us know your opinions.”