How can we win over boxing fans?

[pumpingiron]

I'm not talking about people who love Boxing and MMA, I'm talking about the boxing fans that say things like "UFC is just a bunch of brawlers" or "there's no talent or skill in MMA". Do these people not understand that Jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and Muay Thai are very technical and can take years and decades to master? Are they under the impression that MMA is more brutal than
boxing because it allows elbows and knees? Are they jealous that MMA is exploding while boxing is in decline? Or is some other reason at play?

I love boxing and MMA both, but it drives me up a wall that so many boxing fans have a negative opinion of MMA because they know almost nothing about it.

[ItalianStallion]

who cares...if u like it watch it..sum people r just to ignorant to accept sumtin new or even betta...if u like it watch it...dont take it to heart what these guys say...their r plenty of people who do like it so just talk to them about it

[TheManWhoCan]

I think there are a number of reasons. One being that boxing has been around for hundreds of years. It has truly been developed by it's practitioners into a fine art. The UFC and MMA is so young, that for the most part, you don't get too many masters of any individual art, thus it turns into a slug fest or a "lay and pray" match. The typical boxing in MMA is lead with your face and and throw haymakers, but in boxing itself, it shows how skillful one can get with hands, especially when fighters like Floyd Mayweather Jr. exemplify the "hit and don't get hit" gameplan.

That said, a lot of the bashing comes from ignorance, no doubt. I love MMA, and I love training in it, but it hasn't been developed into a sweet science yet. You don't see the kind of abilities that top tier boxers have anywhere else in the world. Their timing, technique, speed, power, defensive skills etc. are unmatched, and a good boxing match is unrivaled in it's drama and action.

[pumpingiron]

Originally Posted by TheManWhoCan

I think there are a number of reasons. One being that boxing has been around for hundreds of years. It has truly been developed by it's practitioners into a fine art. The UFC and MMA is so young, that for the most part, you don't get too many masters of any individual art, thus it turns into a slug fest or a "lay and pray" match. The typical boxing in MMA is lead with your face and and throw haymakers, but in boxing itself, it shows how skillful one can get with hands, especially when fighters like Floyd Mayweather Jr. exemplify the "hit and don't get hit" gameplan.

That said, a lot of the bashing comes from ignorance, no doubt. I love MMA, and I love training in it, but it hasn't been developed into a sweet science yet. You don't see the kind of abilities that top tier boxers have anywhere else in the world. Their timing, technique, speed, power, defensive skills etc. are unmatched, and a good boxing match is unrivaled in it's drama and action.

I agree that most MMA has not reached the "sweet science" of boxing where elite fighters have a complete set of skills. This will change, however, as more MMA fighters come onto the scene who have been training specifically for MMA all their lives. I would watch for this in the next few years.

I fact, I believe that Fedor is the prime example of this kind of fighter, and I think we'll be looking back 10 or 15 years from now seeing how far ahead of his time he was. He combines world class boxing, kickboxing, takedowns/throws, and submission grappling. Not only that, but he easily transitions between any of these skills to exploit the weaknesses of his opponents. The reason Fedor was able to accomplish this was because he trained at an elite level in Judo and Combat Sambo, which allowed him to learn all aspects of MMA for several decades. As more fighters like this appear in the next 5-10 years, perhaps we'll begin to see more boxing fans and other holdouts begin to appreciate MMA.

[TheManWhoCan]

Originally Posted by pumpingiron

I agree that most MMA has not reached the "sweet science" of boxing where elite fighters have a complete set of skills. This will change, however, as more MMA fighters come onto the scene who have been training specifically for MMA all their lives. I would watch for this in the next few years.

I fact, I believe that Fedor is the prime example of this kind of fighter, and I think we'll be looking back 10 or 15 years from now seeing how far ahead of his time he was. He combines world class boxing, kickboxing, takedowns/throws, and submission grappling. Not only that, but he easily transitions between any of these skills to exploit the weaknesses of his opponents. The reason Fedor was able to accomplish this was because he trained at an elite level in Judo and Combat Sambo, which allowed him to learn all aspects of MMA for several decades. As more fighters like this appear in the next 5-10 years, perhaps we'll begin to see more boxing fans and other holdouts begin to appreciate MMA.

Fedor is a pretty good example, that guy is a machine. But his boxing is not world class. If you look at world class boxers, then look at Fedor, there is a huge difference. Again, Floyd Mayweather, Migel Cotto, Wladimir Klitschko, Barerra, Ali, Fraizer, these guys are still years, decades, ahead of guys in MMA.

The reason I believe this is because MMA to me, tends to mash arts together instead of really blending them. So you lose a lot of effectiveness and economy of motion when cross training. I think Fedor is one of the few guys who takes his skills, and blends them all together so he remains effective in any situation. I think guys who can do that are going to carry the sport, but it's so rare right now.