What’s the difference between Boxing & MMA?

If you’re reading this page then clearly you are interested in learning the difference between the 2 combat sports of MMA (mixed martial arts) and boxing.

Especially for those new to combat sports, it might become confusing where the separation lies between a boxing match and an MMA fight. This article will guide you through the key differences in a very simple way.

What is boxing?

Boxing is a very old form of combat. In fact, it has been around ever since the first human learnt to throw a punch at another human being. The earliest recorded instance of boxing being a sport dates back to ancient Egypt, when it was one of the competitions in the Olympic Games in the year 3000 BC.

Boxing is by itself, a distinct combat sport. This will be important to remember when we later define what MMA is. The only parts of your body which you are allowed to hit your opponent with are your fists.

Boxing involves 2 competitors, who wear padded gloves over their fists. In its most simple form, the aim of the game is to hit and not get hit. 2 boxers enter a ring and will throw punches at each other for a predetermined amount of time. A winner can either be chosen within the time limit; if one of the competitors is unable to continue or they are disqualified. Or, a winner can be decided after the time limit has expired, if the judges scoring the fight believe one fighter was more dominant. 

Examples of major stars in boxing include; former multiple weight champion Floyd Mayweather jr, former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali & former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson

What is MMA?

So then, what is MMA? It stands for mixed martial arts. As the name suggests, it is a sport that involves a mixture of different martial arts. That means that in a fight, competitors are allowed to use fighting moves from any major combat sport like; Boxing, Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Sambo, Kickboxing, Muay Thai and more. It is supposed to make the sport the purest form of fighting.

As an accepted sport, it is very new. Organised competitions for MMA only began in the 20th century. An MMA league was created in 1980, in Pennsylvania, however, it was later banned in 1983.

It wasn’t until 1993, when the UFC held its first MMA event, that mixed martial arts really took off.

Similarly to a boxing fight, an MMA bout takes place between 2 competitors, who fight for a predetermined amount  of time.They wear padded gloves and the fight takes place in a cage (whereas a boxing fight takes place in a ring). 

A winner can be picked within the time limit through a knockout, a submission, or a disqualification. A winner can also be picked after the time limit runs out, if the judges scoring the fight decide one fighter was more dominant than the other.

Examples of MMA fighter stars include; former multiple weight world champion Conor McGregor, former bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey & light heavyweight champion Jon Jones

What are the key differences?

In boxing, fighters may only use their fists to attack their opponent. In MMA, you are allowed to use your; fists, elbows, shoulders, knees, legs, feet.

Boxing fights only allow boxing techniques to be used. MMA allows various different martial arts techniques to be used.

There is also a difference in glove padding. Boxing gloves are usually a minimum of 8 oz and go up to 14 oz. MMA gloves have much less padding, usually at 4 oz.

In boxing you can either lose by being knocked out, disqualified, or by the judges’ decision. In MMA, all the former ways of losing apply, except you can also be submitted.

In professional boxing title fights, there are mandatory contenders where the champion MUST fight a fighter who has earnt the mandatory contender spot. In the major MMA promotions, contenders usually earn a title shot after beating their division’s top talent, however, this isn’t mandatory. Sometimes, a fighter can leapfrog the division’s top talent for a title shot if they have a substantial fanbase.