The Facts Boxing vs. MMA
Mixed martial arts is a sport which has been seeing an ever expanding fan base over the past decade. The sport really started to take off after a UFC-centered reality TV show which exposed the sport to the public. The UFC is the official MMA league which produces and promotes the matches; all of the professional MMA fighters are in the league, giving the UFC a lock on the sport. Many people worry that the attention paid to MMA comes at the expense of boxing, but the two sports are different enough that there shouldn’t be any cause for alarm – there is no reason to follow one sport and not the other, since MMA is not intended to replace boxing.
However, boxing has been declining in popularity in the US for some time now. Of course, the sweet science is at no risk of extinction – there is a core of loyal fans that will always support the sport. Despite the repeated predictions of boxing’s demise, the sport isn’t going anywhere. However, some long time boxing fans feel that MMA is nothing but a cheap, sensationalized knock off of their favorite sport.
However, many of those boxing fans have taken to MMA as well. After all, MMA does incorporate some boxing, and it is an individual fighting competition. MMA of course includes many other disciplines, such as wrestling, jiu-jitsu, judo, grappling, kick boxing, Muay Thai and many other distinct styles of fighting. The combined aptitudes in all of these disciplines make MMA fighting much different from boxing.
MMA fans likewise often enjoy boxing. The boxing seen in MMA matches leave a lot to be desired when compared to the expert footwork, advanced techniques and finesse which is on display in a boxing match. Since MMA fighters don’t tend to specialize in any one style (and even if so, this style is rarely boxing), the fighting styles of the two sports are worlds apart.
However, with smaller gloves that serve merely as knuckle guards, there are many more knockouts and fights can seem more exciting in that fashion. It depends on what you are looking for, a finer display of skill and technique or a potentially more explosive display. People can like both and turn to each for separate reasons.
It’s definitely possible to be a fan of MMA and boxing at the same time. Fans enjoy each sport for different reasons. You’re not letting down boxing by taking in a MMA event; and the UFC won’t feel betrayed if you watch a boxing match. It’s not as if you hear people saying that they can’t watch soccer since they like to watch baseball. The sports may share a few similarities, but they are at their very core different sports which should not be taken to be in competition with each other for your attention.
For both boxing and MMA to truly be appreciated, people have to come to the realization that they are separate from one another and that both can be enjoyed for any number of reasons. Of course you don’t have to like both, any fan is free to appreciate whatever sport appeals to them. The point is that there is no reason that you cannot like each sport for what it is.
