Ufc or boxing? which is better?

Question

which is more popular? why? which is harder to train and learn?

Answer 1

UFC is not a style.

technically a boxer could enter the ufc or any other mma league and compete.

he would do extremely poorly as the moment he got taken to the ground he would be in deep ****.  

logic would dictate that on average because boxers only train in one range with one highly specialized (but effective) skillset, that they would be better "hand specialists" than someoen who trains in multiple skillsets because they devote more time- sure you can find exceptions, but I"m talking on average.

as far as what is harder to train, well that is entirely subjective- if you are talking a pro or even amateur level you are still spending the same amount of time training, you aren't spending less if you are serious- just whether you train for mma or boxing you go through different specific focus with that block of training time.  so niether is easier or harder- once you reach the serious amateur or pro level you have people training extremely hard.

the hobbyist (most of our) level it completely varies with how much free time you have and your dedication.  to the hobbyist it might be harder because the hobbyist doesn't have all the time in the world to learn a greater range of techniques and skillsets- but everyone's time is different so if you compare the two you can't really compare based on a subjective example of people with different schedules, dedication and life demands.- if you have two mewling brats and a shrew waiting for you and work long hours at work you won't be able to put in as much time as that millionare playboy who travels teh world learning every martial art he can and studying criminology to help him in some 8year old adolescent crime-fighting fantasy.

as far as popularity I think that recently UFC has overtaken boxing and this is for a number of reasons but the biggest indicator is that the ufc has been able to put asses in seats more than top boxing matches.  whether this lasts who knows? Personally I think it will because people are disgusted with boxing and boxing is in a "lethargy" right now that it just doesnt' seem as popular. while by contrast the UFC and mma in general has a number of well-known personas that are very marketable and "fan favorites".

however, given that fact, to raise another zombie dead horse on this subject is that boxers still make more money- so someone serious about "which path do I take" for the immediate future would be well advised to seek a career in boxing rather than mma if they want the million dollar house and 4 or five trophy wives who will eventually accuse him of beating and raping her and steal half his money.

Answer 2

UFC is much harder since there are many factors going on than what's expected in boxing. Boxing is only strikes, MMA is strikes with grappling. It is a lot harder to train and legs tend to use a lot of energy

To be honest, I'd watch a boxing match (when its good) anytime over UFC. Dont get me wrong, I love UFC, but for some reason, boxing is very sophisticated in rules and has pretty much a lot of strategy just by being a sport with only hands in use (besides, its cool too). But don't worry, MMA will get there over the years, it will get better as time goes by, not that there is something wrong with it, but lets just say that MMA is in its early stages like boxing was back in the 20s, just gotta let time go by.  

Answer 3

Which is better, basketball or NFL?

UFC= promotion that handles mma fights.

Boxing= sport.

You are comparing an  entire sport to a single promotion.

Answer 4

ive done both my whole life, and UFC is much harder to train for, but it is much more interesting and action packed. there is so much more you have to be ready for instead of just a punch. you have to be ready for a shoot, kick, punch, throw, or take down. also all of the ground moves and counters and everything.

Answer 5

Don't think UFC. Think MMA. Boxing is great for a lot of things, but MMA incorporates a lot more if you do it right.

There tends to be a lot of c**p and overwhelmed ego in both sports, but it is probably worse in the UFC. If you can get above all that, mixed martial arts are incredible to work at and are important in many people's lives. Boxing is a sport. UFC has turned MMA into a sport. Regular mixed martial arts can be a way of life. Good luck.

Answer 6

The question oshould be which is better MMA of boxing.  And there is no answer its a preference.  Like some people prefer football but some like baseball better.  Some people like soccer or basketball.

I personally like boxing more then MMA but I also watch MMA.  they are both combat sports and are very similar.

Answer 7

UFC is has more due to the different stlyes of MA

Answer 8

I like MMA fighting myself - I've boxed for a few years and currently train in JKD, Muay Thai, and am just beginning to do some grappling.  I also have a black belt in TKD.

MMA is way tougher than boxing as far as training, too - I've done 7 rounds of boxing with plenty of energy left over and I've been ready to pass out after 4 rounds of kickboxing/mma type fighting...this is because the conditioning is different - your breathing changes more with MMA, you have to be more explosive with your whole body, you have to grab, pull, push, and generally struggle more with MMA than boxing.  Also the mental game is tougher in MMA - you've got to be ready for kicks, punches, knees, elbows, throws, shots/takedowns, standing chokes, etc. In boxing you have to be ready for lots and lots of punches...so it's a more limited range of attack and defense.

Which is more popular?  UFC / MMA is more popular right now.  For about 15 years boxing has been sliding off in popularity, pay per view buys, and fight attendance.  And for about 10 years MMA has been growing (in America). About 4 years ago The Ultimate Fighter caused MMA to explode in popularity - it hasn't been the same since.  Top MMA fighters have multi-million dollar contracts, sponsorship deals, etc. and boxers and fighters of other types (sanshou, boxing, kickboxing, etc.) are moving into the MMA game to get a little bit of the $.

I think boxing is a great sport, but I really like the challenge, training style, and variety of MMA.  

Side note - don't trust anyone who says they study or fight "UFC".  It's not a style, it's an organization...that's like someone saying "I play NBA" instead of "I play basketball".  It's nonsense and sounds less than true...