The misconcepcion of those people who continously compare boxing and UFC.

[SugarShane_24]

For a while, there are a lot of articles sprouting on the web that continously compare the wonderful sport of boxing with UFC. This article is not created in any way to discredit or disrespect UFC, but merely clear up any misconcepcion that people in general have between these two which as any knowledgeable sports fan will tell you, "should not be compared."

A casual sports fan might ask, why not?

Simple, boxing is a sport and UFC is a premiere league that represents the actual sport, MMA. It is like saying the NBA (The premiere basketball league) is much better than volleyball (an entire sport). Although both are "ballgames", they are essentially different and should not be compared to one another. Boxing and UFC both features action, knockouts and brutality but are completely different entities.

In the first place, people should've just said, which is better, boxing or MMA.

For discussions sake, let's pick up on a recent article which states a few reasons why UFC is better than boxing and then we will pick up on what the actual facts are when you look at the entire sport of MMA plus let's put give boxing some defense.

1. UFC has only one champion per division. Of course, Why would they complicate their situation. Looking at boxing, it is like saying WBC has only one champion per division. WBO has only one world champion. When you look at a bigger picture, MMA has a lot of champions too. UFC, the now defunked Pride has their own champions, Elite XC has their champions, so does WEC, which is like a minor league compared to UFC. Seems like they also have their version of boxing's intercontinental or international champions. And we are not yet talking about league's which also employ MMA rules but are usually more of the kickboxing type like K1 and Strike Force. There are also less popular one's like URCC from the Philippines. So much for that argument. At least, every once in a we get to see a unification fight in boxing. Now when will Lesnar and Fedor unify their titles?

2. Boxing has too many weight class. Well, I would concede that if the discussion was about smaller weight classes which has only an interval of three pounds or so. But nevertheless, smaller guys get the opportunity they deserve. In UFC, you start at lightweights who weight 150 plus or so. That's already jr. middleweight in boxing. And what about those guys who weigh only 130? 115? Look for a job elsewhere? Here's another interesting fact when you look from a broader point of view. Different leagues, different weight limits. In boxing, the weight limit is standard regardless of which organization you look into: WBC, WBA, IBF, WBo et al. Forget the catch weights, we are talking about the standard measure here. If you weigh 147 or less but not under 141.1, you are a legitimate welterweight. What's the lightheavyweight limit in UFC? 205. How about in ELite? In Pride? And you thought boxing is a mess.

3. UFC is much more organized and well managed. Of course it is. It is was stated several times over, it is a single entity. with one guy who is mostly in charge (Dana White). In boxing, we have Jose Sulaiman who is in charge with WBC, Gilberto Mendoza Jr. for WBA. Nobody is in charge with the entire sport of boxing, I don't see anyone in MMA either.

Let's end this with the last and most interesting part.

4. Royce Gracie was part of the list on why UFC is better than boxing. They delve on the reason that he is a pioneer, shaped the sport on what it is today. Sure, and I admire Gracie too. I even look at him as a historical figure on MMA. On the other hand, everyone knows the name Ali and Tyson, we aren't even talking about the pioneers of the sport of modern boxing. Guys like John Sullivan and the bare knuckle days. Bob Fitzimmons who is another legend and pioneer. And when you think about it, the actual pioneers of the sport fought even before Jesus Christ was born. How's that for history.


There you go. Remember, the sport is MMA, not UFC.

[Polymath]

Dude, write it in your diary.

[codeman99998]

Dude, write it in your diary.:happy

[AJAX]

I just don't know why people can't enjoy both. It's not that hard to do.

[Thom]

I just don't know why people can't enjoy both. It's not that hard to do.


Agreed. It's also not that hard for people who aren't fans of either sport to follow one without constantly spouting ridiculous, uninformed bullshit about the other.

[superfly98]

For a while, there are a lot of articles sprouting on the web that continously compare the wonderful sport of boxing with UFC. This article is not created in any way to discredit or disrespect UFC, but merely clear up any misconcepcion that people in general have between these two which as any knowledgeable sports fan will tell you, "should not be compared."

A casual sports fan might ask, why not?

Simple, boxing is a sport and UFC is a premiere league that represents the actual sport, MMA. It is like saying the NBA (The premiere basketball league) is much better than volleyball (an entire sport). Although both are "ballgames", they are essentially different and should not be compared to one another. Boxing and UFC both features action, knockouts and brutality but are completely different entities.

In the first place, people should've just said, which is better, boxing or MMA.

For discussions sake, let's pick up on a recent article which states a few reasons why UFC is better than boxing and then we will pick up on what the actual facts are when you look at the entire sport of MMA plus let's put give boxing some defense.

1. UFC has only one champion per division. Of course, Why would they complicate their situation. Looking at boxing, it is like saying WBC has only one champion per division. WBO has only one world champion. When you look at a bigger picture, MMA has a lot of champions too. UFC, the now defunked Pride has their own champions, Elite XC has their champions, so does WEC, which is like a minor league compared to UFC. Seems like they also have their version of boxing's intercontinental or international champions. And we are not yet talking about league's which also employ MMA rules but are usually more of the kickboxing type like K1 and Strike Force. There are also less popular one's like URCC from the Philippines. So much for that argument. At least, every once in a we get to see a unification fight in boxing. Now when will Lesnar and Fedor unify their titles?

2. Boxing has too many weight class. Well, I would concede that if the discussion was about smaller weight classes which has only an interval of three pounds or so. But nevertheless, smaller guys get the opportunity they deserve. In UFC, you start at lightweights who weight 150 plus or so. That's already jr. middleweight in boxing. And what about those guys who weigh only 130? 115? Look for a job elsewhere? Here's another interesting fact when you look from a broader point of view. Different leagues, different weight limits. In boxing, the weight limit is standard regardless of which organization you look into: WBC, WBA, IBF, WBo et al. Forget the catch weights, we are talking about the standard measure here. If you weigh 147 or less but not under 141.1, you are a legitimate welterweight. What's the lightheavyweight limit in UFC? 205. How about in ELite? In Pride? And you thought boxing is a mess.

3. UFC is much more organized and well managed. Of course it is. It is was stated several times over, it is a single entity. with one guy who is mostly in charge (Dana White). In boxing, we have Jose Sulaiman who is in charge with WBC, Gilberto Mendoza Jr. for WBA. Nobody is in charge with the entire sport of boxing, I don't see anyone in MMA either.

Let's end this with the last and most interesting part.

4. Royce Gracie was part of the list on why UFC is better than boxing. They delve on the reason that he is a pioneer, shaped the sport on what it is today. Sure, and I admire Gracie too. I even look at him as a historical figure on MMA. On the other hand, everyone knows the name Ali and Tyson, we aren't even talking about the pioneers of the sport of modern boxing. Guys like John Sullivan and the bare knuckle days. Bob Fitzimmons who is another legend and pioneer. And when you think about it, the actual pioneers of the sport fought even before Jesus Christ was born. How's that for history.


There you go. Remember, the sport is MMA, not UFC.

Good post. Alot of the points you mentioned I never considered. Very informative :good

[James23]

There are much lighter weight classes in MMA. Feather weight, Bantam weight, and Flyweight, but are not in the UFC. The UFC is simply the top teir organization of MMA. As for the smaller fighters, their top tier organization is the WEC where fighters like Mike Brown (145), Urijah Faber (145), and Miguel Torres (135) can make their name and mark on the sport.

[Dave_j1985]

For a while, there are a lot of articles sprouting on the web that continously compare the wonderful sport of boxing with UFC. This article is not created in any way to discredit or disrespect UFC, but merely clear up any misconcepcion that people in general have between these two which as any knowledgeable sports fan will tell you, "should not be compared."

A casual sports fan might ask, why not?

Simple, boxing is a sport and UFC is a premiere league that represents the actual sport, MMA. It is like saying the NBA (The premiere basketball league) is much better than volleyball (an entire sport). Although both are "ballgames", they are essentially different and should not be compared to one another. Boxing and UFC both features action, knockouts and brutality but are completely different entities.

In the first place, people should've just said, which is better, boxing or MMA.

For discussions sake, let's pick up on a recent article which states a few reasons why UFC is better than boxing and then we will pick up on what the actual facts are when you look at the entire sport of MMA plus let's put give boxing some defense.

1. UFC has only one champion per division. Of course, Why would they complicate their situation. Looking at boxing, it is like saying WBC has only one champion per division. WBO has only one world champion. When you look at a bigger picture, MMA has a lot of champions too. UFC, the now defunked Pride has their own champions, Elite XC has their champions, so does WEC, which is like a minor league compared to UFC. Seems like they also have their version of boxing's intercontinental or international champions. And we are not yet talking about league's which also employ MMA rules but are usually more of the kickboxing type like K1 and Strike Force. There are also less popular one's like URCC from the Philippines. So much for that argument. At least, every once in a we get to see a unification fight in boxing. Now when will Lesnar and Fedor unify their titles?

2. Boxing has too many weight class. Well, I would concede that if the discussion was about smaller weight classes which has only an interval of three pounds or so. But nevertheless, smaller guys get the opportunity they deserve. In UFC, you start at lightweights who weight 150 plus or so. That's already jr. middleweight in boxing. And what about those guys who weigh only 130? 115? Look for a job elsewhere? Here's another interesting fact when you look from a broader point of view. Different leagues, different weight limits. In boxing, the weight limit is standard regardless of which organization you look into: WBC, WBA, IBF, WBo et al. Forget the catch weights, we are talking about the standard measure here. If you weigh 147 or less but not under 141.1, you are a legitimate welterweight. What's the lightheavyweight limit in UFC? 205. How about in ELite? In Pride? And you thought boxing is a mess.

3. UFC is much more organized and well managed. Of course it is. It is was stated several times over, it is a single entity. with one guy who is mostly in charge (Dana White). In boxing, we have Jose Sulaiman who is in charge with WBC, Gilberto Mendoza Jr. for WBA. Nobody is in charge with the entire sport of boxing, I don't see anyone in MMA either.

Let's end this with the last and most interesting part.

4. Royce Gracie was part of the list on why UFC is better than boxing. They delve on the reason that he is a pioneer, shaped the sport on what it is today. Sure, and I admire Gracie too. I even look at him as a historical figure on MMA. On the other hand, everyone knows the name Ali and Tyson, we aren't even talking about the pioneers of the sport of modern boxing. Guys like John Sullivan and the bare knuckle days. Bob Fitzimmons who is another legend and pioneer. And when you think about it, the actual pioneers of the sport fought even before Jesus Christ was born. How's that for history.


There you go. Remember, the sport is MMA, not UFC.

A few points about this post.

1. We know UFC is not representative of all MMA.

2. Yes each MMA organisation has their 'world champion' but most people consider the UFC champion the world champion for good reason, look at the list of champions, BJ Penn, GSP, Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida, Brock Lesnar. The only argument you can make here is the heavyweight title, the rest are legit world champs and I can name them of the top of my head, unlike boxing.

3. The WEC has world class lighter weight divisions and are owned by Zuffa so no, it isn't a case of go get another job.

4. Yes, UFC is more organised than boxing. Although we have been seeing some great match ups in boxing over the last couple of years. Can we put this down to competition with UFC?

5. Yes Royce Gracie opened up alot of people's eyes when it came down to fighting. No, he isn't as well known as Ali or Tyson, who showed great skill and were great champions but were not pioneers in any way.

6. Your historical comparison is hilarious, queensberry rules have been around for acouple of hundred years, NHB fighting has been around for thousands with wrestling coming from the ancient greeks and BJJ having roots with Japanese samurai.

[boxsensei]

A few points about this post.

1. We know UFC is not representative of all MMA.

2. Yes each MMA organisation has their 'world champion' but most people consider the UFC champion the world champion for good reason, look at the list of champions, BJ Penn, GSP, Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida, Brock Lesnar. The only argument you can make here is the heavyweight title, the rest are legit world champs and I can name them of the top of my head, unlike boxing.

3. The WEC has world class lighter weight divisions and are owned by Zuffa so no, it isn't a case of go get another job.

4. Yes, UFC is more organised than boxing. Although we have been seeing some great match ups in boxing over the last couple of years. Can we put this down to competition with UFC?

5. Yes Royce Gracie opened up alot of people's eyes when it came down to fighting. No, he isn't as well known as Ali or Tyson, who showed great skill and were great champions but were not pioneers in any way.

6. Your historical comparison is hilarious, queensberry rules have been around for acouple of hundred years, NHB fighting has been around for thousands with wrestling coming from the ancient greeks and BJJ having roots with Japanese samurai.

Didn't he just get done explaining that u can't try and compare a company, to a whole sport?

[Dave_j1985]

3. UFC is much more organized and well managed. Of course it is. It is was stated several times over, it is a single entity. with one guy who is mostly in charge (Dana White). In boxing, we have Jose Sulaiman who is in charge with WBC, Gilberto Mendoza Jr. for WBA. Nobody is in charge with the entire sport of boxing, I don't see anyone in MMA either.

He was refering to UFC (not MMA in general) in particular in relation to the organisation compared to boxing, I didn't make that comparison he did.

[achillesthegreat]

Good post.

Any true fight fan would like both boxing and MMA.

[codeman99998]

Good post.

Any true fight fan would like both boxing and MMA.

And point karate and TKD and ADCC and Judo and...

No, you can be a fan of one and not the other. Or like one significantly more than the other to the point that it doesn't matter. I am tired of people pretending that you are not a true fight fan if you don't like both boxing and MMA. Some people don't like one, or like one way way less than the other. It is to be expected, it doesn't make anyone wrong.

[Addie]

I just don't think MMA is as entertaining. 'Nuff said.

[Dave_j1985]

It's personal preference obviously, it's like saying if you like rugby you have to love gridion because they both have a ball and tackling. I'm a MMA, BJJ fan and probaly casual boxing fan.

[AJAX]

Some people are under the impression that you can only like 1 and have to hate the other as if your on team boxing or team MMA. I was a boxing fan since I was a kid watching Tyson in the mid 80's but when I seen the first UFC back in 93 I was hooked.As a boxing fan how could you not want to know who is the best fighter in the world is??? not just the best boxer.

[jimmie]

1. UFC has only one champion per division. Of course, Why would they complicate their situation. Looking at boxing, it is like saying WBC has only one champion per division. WBO has only one world champion. When you look at a bigger picture, MMA has a lot of champions too. UFC, the now defunked Pride has their own champions, Elite XC has their champions, so does WEC, which is like a minor league compared to UFC.
Pride and Elite XC like you mentioned are defunct so there Championships mean nothing why would you even bring them up ? Also lets remember the UFC unified the Pride Welterweight and Middleweight Championships give them credit on that. WEC is not a minor league maybe in the Lightweight divison yes but does the UFC have a Featherweight or Bantamweight divison ? I dont recall seeing one.
Seems like they also have their version of boxing's intercontinental or international champions.
How so ? The UFC has 5 Champions exactly 1 per weight class who the fuck is the international Champion.
And we are not yet talking about league's which also employ MMA rules but are usually more of the kickboxing type like K1 and Strike Force.
K-1 is a Kickboxing promotion foremost and runs a few MMA shows and Strikeforce is MMA it hasnt been a Kickboxing league in years.
There are also less popular one's like URCC from the Philippines. So much for that argument. At least, every once in a we get to see a unification fight in boxing. Now when will Lesnar and Fedor unify their titles?
Theres only been a demand for that fight for 1 week considering Lesnar wasnt really considered the undisputed UFC Champion until the other week when he avenged the Mir loss. Fedor has an obligation to fight next week so wait until hes done. Please dont try and compare this to boxing where the 2 top guys all but refuse to face each other dozens of times yearly.

2. Boxing has too many weight class. Well, I would concede that if the discussion was about smaller weight classes which has only an interval of three pounds or so. But nevertheless, smaller guys get the opportunity they deserve. In UFC, you start at lightweights who weight 150 plus or so.
155 pounds man get your facts right.
That's already jr. middleweight in boxing. And what about those guys who weigh only 130?
There is a WEC Bantamweight divison for 135 pounders and these guys get TV time on the biggest show for that divison. WEC is working on 125 pounders which are out there in other companys mainly Japanese companys.
115? Look for a job elsewhere? Here's another interesting fact when you look from a broader point of view. Different leagues, different weight limits. In boxing, the weight limit is standard regardless of which organization you look into: WBC, WBA, IBF, WBo et al. Forget the catch weights, we are talking about the standard measure here. If you weigh 147 or less but not under 141.1, you are a legitimate welterweight. What's the lightheavyweight limit in UFC? 205. How about in ELite? In Pride? And you thought boxing is a mess.
WTF are you talking about ? Pride hasnt ran a show in nearly 3 years and Elite XC hasnt in almost a year and never will agian shut up about them. In the Light Heavyweight divison you way 205 ok maybe a few pounds less ive never seen a guy come in at 186 and fight a man at 205 in the modern day UFC.

3. UFC is much more organized and well managed. Of course it is. It is was stated several times over, it is a single entity. with one guy who is mostly in charge (Dana White). In boxing, we have Jose Sulaiman who is in charge with WBC, Gilberto Mendoza Jr. for WBA. Nobody is in charge with the entire sport of boxing, I don't see anyone in MMA either.
Affliction has been managed well, so has Dream and Strikeforce and WEC. Sorry the MMA bosses dont fuck up like the guys who make you pay to keep your titles. Ok you have one guy in charge for the WBC and so on well answer me this how come those are always fucking things up stripping Champions for not fighting a 12-7 opponet or ranking dead fighters or rigging fights and not Dana White ?
Let's end this with the last and most interesting part.

4. Royce Gracie was part of the list on why UFC is better than boxing. They delve on the reason that he is a pioneer, shaped the sport on what it is today. Sure, and I admire Gracie too. I even look at him as a historical figure on MMA. On the other hand, everyone knows the name Ali and Tyson, we aren't even talking about the pioneers of the sport of modern boxing. Guys like John Sullivan and the bare knuckle days. Bob Fitzimmons who is another legend and pioneer. And when you think about it, the actual pioneers of the sport fought even before Jesus Christ was born. How's that for history.
Wow you finally proved boxing is the best because it was better 100 years ago. Bro it aint 1905 anymore.

There you go. Remember, the sport is MMA, not UFC.[/quote]

[thejokerswild]

I love this topic, It is comparing apples to oranges but fascinating discussion nevertheless. Good post with good points aswell mate thx for sharing.

The UFC for the most part, is trying to own MMA, it is a corporate entity that is aggressively monopolising MMA from a business level, that fact isn't really disputed. People can pretend the UFC is not(becoming) MMA but then they would also say NFL isnt "football".

Acquiring the competition is not a good thing for the sport in my opinion.
People argue that the UFC is organizing world class divisions, which is true for now but what they are also doing is dictating and uniforming the sport under thier own corporate control and interests. True- MMA is a professional sport, but should remain a sport in its purity. The UFC is making a Brand out of MMA and it's fighters are the product. This completely limits the fighters freedoms to obtain true world class status because it can be argued the UFC can define thier own champions much in the way WWE does, the fighters freedoms as an independant self serving commodity is endangered while they are casual employee to a company and it's corporate strategy.

I'm sure plenty of you guys can mention the times Dana White has limited a fighters freedom, such as brand recognition, freedom of speech, quality of opposition etc. This is all for the purpose of maintaining a healthy company, possibly the only company. In boxing the fighters team and management interests are the most important interest because of the nature of the mans fight to the top is more important and appealing than a companys dividands at the end of the day.

The the greatest fighter of all has little desire to do business with and contribute to the UFC, he knows better than most American followers the periles of serving a dictatorship. I like that a layperson can follow the UFC and can know who the champion is with ease but not at the expense of aqcuiring sovereign control.

2. Not much to say on "too many weightclasses" other than get in the ring and find out what its like to punch above your weight. :good It sort of makes the boxing more dynamic, a couple kilos is a big factor in boxing due to the longevity of a fight, I'm not sure about MMA though.

Let's end this with the last and most interesting part.

4. As for Royce Grace, good on him and Mixed Martial Arts. He put dignity and a new perspective on skill in the Ultimate fighter arena thus contributing to it being made viable for the mainstream audience(and people who are humane!). Boxing has it's pioneers too for it's own reasons, obviously many more due to it's timeline. I'm not sure of the logic comparing these though. MMA is only a baby and boxing is an evolutionary dinosaur.

[8count]

Some guys still don't get it, TS was not trying to state that boxing was better. Just trying to defend the sport a bit from some the undue comparison.

My take on the nonsense comparison is this:

2 people agree to fight, they talk about rules, venue, format, weight, and limits. Boxers prefer to limit combat to punches and hitting from the waist up. MUay Thai adds kicks, knees and elbows and generally relies on strikes. Tae-Kwon Do limits the strikes with kicks.
UFC had the idea to match style against style and placed down some limits. It has evolved and the separate martial arts involved has become blurred. No longer are there masters like Royce who used BJJ to its fullest against all types of opponents. Now we have fighters who are basically the similar to each other: good strikers who are good wrestlers but master of none. I still enjoy it as much as muay thai but I just miss the concept of "my Kung Fu is better than your Jiu-jitsu"

[Dave_j1985]

I love this topic, It is comparing apples to oranges but fascinating discussion nevertheless. Good post with good points aswell mate thx for sharing.

The UFC for the most part, is trying to own MMA, it is a corporate entity that is aggressively monopolising MMA from a business level, that fact isn't really disputed. People can pretend the UFC is not(becoming) MMA but then they would also say NFL isnt "football".

Acquiring the competition is not a good thing for the sport in my opinion.
People argue that the UFC is organizing world class divisions, which is true for now but what they are also doing is dictating and uniforming the sport under thier own corporate control and interests. True- MMA is a professional sport, but should remain a sport in its purity. The UFC is making a Brand out of MMA and it's fighters are the product. This completely limits the fighters freedoms to obtain true world class status because it can be argued the UFC can define thier own champions much in the way WWE does, the fighters freedoms as an independant self serving commodity is endangered while they are casual employee to a company and it's corporate strategy.

I'm sure plenty of you guys can mention the times Dana White has limited a fighters freedom, such as brand recognition, freedom of speech, quality of opposition etc. This is all for the purpose of maintaining a healthy company, possibly the only company. In boxing the fighters team and management interests are the most important interest because of the nature of the mans fight to the top is more important and appealing than a companys dividands at the end of the day.

The the greatest fighter of all has little desire to do business with and contribute to the UFC, he knows better than most American followers the periles of serving a dictatorship. I like that a layperson can follow the UFC and can know who the champion is with ease but not at the expense of aqcuiring sovereign control.

2. Not much to say on "too many weightclasses" other than get in the ring and find out what its like to punch above your weight. :good It sort of makes the boxing more dynamic, a couple kilos is a big factor in boxing due to the longevity of a fight, I'm not sure about MMA though.

Let's end this with the last and most interesting part.

4. As for Royce Grace, good on him and Mixed Martial Arts. He put dignity and a new perspective on skill in the Ultimate fighter arena thus contributing to it being made viable for the mainstream audience(and people who are humane!). Boxing has it's pioneers too for it's own reasons, obviously many more due to it's timeline. I'm not sure of the logic comparing these though. MMA is only a baby and boxing is an evolutionary dinosaur.

Good post!:good

[borj]

i enoy both.. although i enjoy boxing more because there are more fighters i enjoy watching in boxing. in MMA, i enjoy GSP, Penn, Couture. i don't know much about fedor but i enjoy seeing him in youtube

anyway, good points. i still believe that MMA will be subject to the same dirty politics that boxing has, it will eventually come.

[Dave_j1985]

i enoy both.. although i enjoy boxing more because there are more fighters i enjoy watching in boxing. in MMA, i enjoy GSP, Penn, Couture. i don't know much about fedor but i enjoy seeing him in youtube

anyway, good points. i still believe that MMA will be subject to the same dirty politics that boxing has, it will eventually come.

I hear it's already pretty bad in Japan...

[Dantes]

Some people are under the impression that you can only like 1 and have to hate the other as if your on team boxing or team MMA. I was a boxing fan since I was a kid watching Tyson in the mid 80's but when I seen the first UFC back in 93 I was hooked.As a boxing fan how could you not want to know who is the best fighter in the world is??? not just the best boxer.

True. It's silly. You can like/and support what you want. I enjoy most combat sports (martial arts). Even stuff like Mhuy Thai, even though I'm not an avid follower- it's exciting as fuck to watch.