Top 4 Striking Disciplines Used in MMA
Boxing: This aspect of fighting plays a primary role in the vast majority of MMA fighters skillsets. In the stand up portion of the MMA world boxing punches account for the majority of landed strikes, significant strikes, knockdowns, and knockouts. Defensive techniques commonly taught to people learning how to box such as slips, head movement, and stance are all effective tools used in almost every MMA fight that has ever taken place. Footwork and combinations are also extremely valuable aspects of both boxing and mixed martial arts. Fighters known for using skillful boxing to win fights include people like Max Holloway, Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, Glover Texeira, and B.J. Penn.
Kickboxing: Kickboxing has a vast number of different individual rulesets including, but not limited to: Full Contact, Semi Contact/Points Fighting, International/Freestyle Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Dutch Rules, Oriental Rules, Lethwei, Sanda, and Shootboxing. The first documented use of kicking and punching in sports combat is from Ancient Greece and Ancient India. However, the term kickboxing originated in Japan, back in the 1960’s. Historically, it is possible to consider kickboxing the first hybrid martial art formed from the combination of elements of traditional styles of martial arts. Glory Kickboxing is widely considered as the premiere league in the sport and many former Glory competitors have transitioned into successful MMA careers including UFC Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. Other fighters who’ve commonly used kickboxing to find success in MMA include Bas Rutten, Alistair Overeem, and Mirko Cro Cop.
2b. Muay Thai: This discipline of striking originated in Thailand and is commonly used in MMA fights to obtain a striking advantage. The style is widely known as the “the art of 8 limbs’, which is a reference to the use of legs, knees, elbows, and fists. The versatility of Muay Thai has made it a valuable tool for MMA fighters to have within their toolbox. Techniques in the discipline cover long, medium, and short range attacks using everything from clinch holds to kicks. Different governing bodies and organizations have rules that limit the use of Muay Thai, for example the use of elbows were famously banned in Pride. Notable fighters who commonly have used Muay Thai to obtain victories in MMA include former UFC women’s straw weight champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk, Edson Barboza, Anderson Silva, José Aldo, and Cris Cyborg.
Karate: This discipline especially kyokushin and other full contact styles, has proven to be an effective tool that can be a hard puzzle to solve for the opponents facing a karate style fighter. Karate has done a phenomenal job at attracting young people to combat sports and is commonly the first discipline that many MMA fighters learn. Without karate there wouldn’t be nearly as much talent in MMA as there is today. Notable MMA fighters who’ve used karate to obtain success in MMA include Lyoto Machida, Chuck Liddell, and George St-Pierre.
Taekwondo: Multiple accomplished MMA fighters have an extensive background in this discipline. Anderson Silva, a 5th dan black belt has given a lot of credit to Taekwondo for the success he’s found in his kicking game, which the discipline highly focuses on. Anthony Pettis is a 3rd dan black belt as well as an instructor who has also used taekwondo to find success in MMA. This martial art was developed during the 1940’s and 1950’s by a a variety of Korean martial artists. Other notable fighters who use Taekwondo to achieve success in MMA include Benson Henderson, Yair Rodriguez, and Valentina Shevchenko.
