Boxing and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) are two popular combat sports that involve intense physical contact and carry inherent risks. However, boxing is considered more dangerous than MMA due to several factors. In this article, we will explore various aspects that contribute to the higher level of danger in boxing.
1. Head Trauma
One of the primary reasons why boxing is more dangerous than MMA is the increased risk of head trauma. In boxing, fighters primarily use their fists to strike their opponents’ heads, leading to a higher likelihood of concussions, brain injuries, and long-term neurological damage.
Additionally, boxing matches consist of multiple rounds, increasing the cumulative impact on the brain compared to MMA fights, which have shorter rounds and allow for a wider range of striking techniques.
In MMA, fighters have the option to use takedowns, submissions, and various strikes, reducing the repetitive trauma to the head and providing more opportunities for diversification of attacks.
2. Gloves
The gloves used in boxing are another factor that contributes to its higher danger level. While gloves aim to protect the hands, they also increase the force of the punches by distributing the impact over a larger surface area.
In contrast, MMA fighters use smaller gloves that allow for more precise strikes but also reduce the overall force behind the punches. This difference in glove size can result in more devastating blows in boxing, increasing the risk of serious injuries.
3. Knockouts
Knockouts occur more frequently in boxing than in MMA, making it a more dangerous sport. The objective of boxing is to incapacitate the opponent by delivering powerful punches to the head, often leading to knockouts.
MMA, on the other hand, incorporates a wider range of techniques and allows for grappling and submissions, providing fighters with alternative ways to win without relying solely on strikes to the head.
Reducing the frequency of knockouts in MMA helps mitigate the risk of severe head injuries and long-term damage.
4. Referee Intervention
In boxing, the referee’s intervention is limited to stopping the fight when a fighter is unable to defend themselves or is in immediate danger. This can result in delayed stoppages, leading to additional unnecessary strikes and potential injuries.
On the contrary, MMA referees have more freedom to intervene and stop the fight if they believe a fighter is no longer able to continue or is at risk of severe harm. This prompt intervention reduces the likelihood of unnecessary damage and makes MMA relatively safer.
5. Weight Cutting
Weight cutting is a common practice in combat sports where fighters rapidly lose weight before a match to compete in a lower weight class. In boxing, weight cutting is prevalent and can lead to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, increasing the risk of kidney damage, cardiac issues, and diminished cognitive function.
MMA organizations have implemented stricter regulations and weight-class monitoring, making weight cutting less extreme and reducing the associated health risks.
6. Fight Length
Boxing matches are typically longer than MMA fights. Championship boxing matches can last up to 12 rounds, while MMA fights usually consist of three to five rounds. The extended duration of boxing matches exposes fighters to more potential injuries and fatigue, increasing the risk of accidents and mistakes that can lead to severe harm.
MMA’s shorter fight length allows fighters to maintain a higher level of intensity and focus, reducing the likelihood of critical errors caused by exhaustion.
7. Injury Severity
Boxing is known for causing more severe injuries compared to MMA. The repetitive and forceful punches to the head in boxing can result in traumatic brain injuries, detached retinas, broken jaws, and other debilitating injuries.
MMA, with its wider range of techniques, provides fighters with more options to escape dangerous situations, reducing the likelihood of sustaining severe injuries.
8. Training Methods
The training methods employed in boxing and MMA also contribute to the difference in danger levels. In boxing, fighters often focus extensively on developing powerful punches, which increases the risk of head injuries during training sessions.
MMA training incorporates a more diverse range of skills, including grappling, submissions, and striking techniques, allowing fighters to distribute their training efforts across multiple areas and reducing the repetitive impact on the head.
Conclusion
While both boxing and MMA involve inherent risks, boxing is considered more dangerous due to factors such as head trauma, gloves, higher frequency of knockouts, limited referee intervention, weight cutting practices, longer fight durations, more severe injuries, and training methods. Understanding these differences is crucial for athletes, officials, and spectators to make informed decisions about their involvement and support for these combat sports.
Original article, Author：Dsalita，If reprinted, please indicate the source.：https://dsalita.com/mma/why-is-boxing-more-dangerous-than-mma/
