Are MMA Fighters Good Boxers?
MMA fighters are well-rounded athletes and most of them rely on their hands to do damage and finish fights. Thus, it’s reasonable to assume that some of them are really good boxers, but is this true?
Overall, cage fighters are good at using various elements of boxing in MMA to do damage or set up other attacks. However, they are not as skillful as “real” boxers if you focus solely on pure boxing training and competition. As you have probably seen, most MMA fighters would lose in a real boxing match against an average boxer.
That being said, let’s take a closer look at boxing in MMA, why so many cage fighters are switching to boxing, and why they lose most of the time.
Are MMA Fighters Good at Boxing?
MMA fighters know how to utilize boxing techniques for the purpose of cage fighting. But the skills they have are not good enough for them to win boxing matches against skilled boxers. Or in other words, the level of boxing skills required for MMA is much lower and is conceptually different than in pro boxing.
MMA fighters have a solid understanding of boxing footwork, head movement, angles, and of course, punching combinations. Of course, some fighters who rely more on their hands are better than others who are focusing on other aspects of the game. In the end, it is all based on the fighting style. And the ones who primarily rely on boxing certainly have the required level of talent to be good boxers.
Overall, it’s very easy to get the wrong perception that some MMA fighters are exceptional boxers. For example, a boxing-based fighter who manages to keep the match on the feet would outclass the grappler with ease. The difference in skill level would be huge but this does not make them great boxers. Just remember how a boxing-based Conor McGregor dismantled wrestling-based Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205. This made us believe that McGregor could switch to pro boxing and enjoy similar success.
The reality is a bit different. In recent years, we have seen plenty of MMA fighters switching to boxing and losing. In fact, the majority of them got outclassed and knocked out, which left many combat sports fans searching for the answer, why? Why are some MMA fighters such good boxers in MMA and then get outclassed against an amateur boxer?
How Important is Boxing in MMA?
Boxing is an integral part of modern cage fighting. Each athlete, regardless of their base, must have at least basic boxing skills. MMA matches and rounds begin in the standup and punches remain the fastest and most effective way to hurt a person standing in front. Even if you are the most skilled wrestler in the world, you would have to work on improving your boxing game.
One of the most popular boxing techniques is the jab and cross. A lot of fighters utilize jab as a versatile tool to keep their distance, set up attacks, or protect their range while the cross often does the most damage. The other key technique is footwork which allows you to position yourself well to create openings to attack or counterattack. Footwork goes well with head movement and fighters who are proficient in these two areas usually have exceptional defense. It is very hard to hit these fighters or land anything clean on them.
But bear in mind that each boxing technique has to be customized to fit the concept of cage fighting. For example, you can’t stand in a wide boxing stance and put a lot of weight on the lead leg as this makes you prone to vicious leg kicks. You also have to worry about other strikes such as elbows and knees in the clinch, kicks to the body, leg, and head, and adapt.
Stylistically, boxing goes well with wrestling. In fact, many experts agree that the combination of a good wrestling base and boxing techniques is the best combo one can have for MMA. Do you agree?
Why do MMA Fighters lose Against Boxers?
The main reason is the significant difference in skill level. MMA is the most complex combat sport and boxing is one of its many elements. Each fighter must know how to strike using all limbs, wrestle, and fight on the ground utilizing positioning, chokes, and joint locks.
In order to prepare and cover all scenarios, MMA fighters must be experts in multiple martial arts. Each week of training includes Thai boxing, BJJ, wrestling, and boxing classes. And when you take into consideration that grappling is a big part of the sport, you get why MMA fighters are not good boxers. They simply do not spend as much time training how to box as pro boxers.
Next, boxing skills utilized in cage fighting are a bit different. Fighters do not learn how to solely rely on boxing skills, but rather how to mix those with other skills like takedowns, kicks, elbows, and knees. Each boxing technique has to be adapted to cooperate with other aspects of the game. As a result, the boxing technique and habits they develop are good for the cage, but not for the ring.
Once they switch over to boxing, cage fighters have to sacrifice many of their weapons. And the boxing skills they are left out with are simply not advanced enough. They all have a hard time making a transition and applying an effective strategy.
Ben Askren, for instance, managed to make up for the lack of boxing with top-level wrestling skills. But once he switched to pro-boxing, he got demolished by Jake Paul.
Why are MMA Fighters Switching to Boxing?
The main reason why so many top-level UFC champions are campaigning for a high-profile boxing match is the money. If you focus solely on the upper-level class of fighters, each boxer is earning dozens of millions per match while their colleagues from the UFC often compete for less than a million (without bonuses). The difference in payment is huge.
With just a single boxing match, UFC champions can secure the future of their grandchildren. And this is the main reason why they switch the octagon for a ring.
For example, Conor McGregor earned around $100 million for his match against Mayweather. Far more than he ever did in the UFC. In some way, the Irishman triggered a trend of UFC fighters switching to boxing and chasing big paychecks. The other examples are Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley who both made millions in their fights against the popular YouTuber, Jake Paul.
In modern times, a lot of fighters who win the UFC title start campaigning for a high-profile boxing bout. The recent examples are Kamaru Usman who wanted to face Canelo Alvarez. The next one is Francis Ngannou who is aiming at Deontay Wilder. And even Stipe Miocic used to advocate for a fight against Fury.
Can MMA Fighters Succeed in Boxing At All?
Despite not being good boxers, MMA fighters can enjoy solid success in boxing if they approach the sport the right way. In the end, high-level UFC champions are legitimate fighters. They have the required talent, and discipline, know how to perform under big lights, and take damage. The only thing they need is a unique talent for striking, time, and a methodical approach.
In an ideal scenario, MMA fighters would transition to boxing in their early or mid-20s. They would have a talent for striking and a background in conceptually similar sports such as kickboxing or amateur boxing. Despite being UFC champions, for instance, they would have to dedicate a few years of training just to prepare for a boxing match. And, they would step into the ring against someone equal to their skill level and experience. This approach is the only one that can give them results in the long run.
Winning the UFC title and stepping into the ring against the boxing champion is never going to work. It’s almost impossible for a fighter to win this battle.
Final Thoughts
Boxing and MMA are two different sports. It would be naive to expect a boxing champion to switch over to MMA and beat the UFC champ and vice versa. These two sports differ in just about every aspect and each athlete who makes a transition, regardless of how successful they are, must spend years training before they can make a debut against a similarly experienced opponent.
