Boxing vs MMA footwork (shoes vs no shoes)

[All_Is_Connected]

It feels so different in MMA mindset with no shoes vs boxing mindset WITH shoes. Even physically it is so different wearing those comfy awesome robot boxing shoes and training on hard floor without shoes.
I think thats the biggest difference and why some boxers seem to have awesomely beautiful and sharp technique. They dont think about their feet as much like MMA guy is. watch this.



That boxing dude seemed better in boxing shoes and Rockhold didnt wear anything.

 

[PivotPunch]

I did TKD with no shoes and boxing with shoes and I don't think it matters. obviously it does a bit but more in the way that every athlete tries to get every advnatage he can get even if it is small.
YOu either have footwrok or you don't the number of boxing fights that would have went different if one guys didn't have shoes are probably something you can count on one hand.

Rockholt has worse footwork because he is an MMA fighter not a boxer and there are even quite a few MMW fighters with better boxing and he's sparring a decently talented pro boxer

 

[Pugilistic]

Floyd Mayweather without shoes would have better footwork than both those guys with or without shoes. I did styles without shoes and box with shoes but I don't think it matters. Wrestlers also wear shoes and they can apply their footwork fine in MMA fights.

 

[MadSquabbles500]

What is the difference? Can you describe please?

 

[Sano]

Boxing shoes definitely helps a lot. You can have relatively weak feet, but with the support of good shoes it's much easier to both push off and stick to the ground.

 

[Myninjay]

 

[MadSquabbles500]

Boxing shoes definitely helps a lot. You can have relatively weak feet, but with the support of good shoes it's much easier to both push off and stick to the ground.

So the traction really makes a difference? If you had less traction, does it force you body to use different muscles?

Does this matter in all sports including ball ones?

I sometimes like to dribble around the soccer ball in my small small NYC living room. I notice a difference when I do with or without socks. The socks make the floor more slippery, and I obviously cannot move as fast. Without, I can move much quicker. But I am not sure if this is just me, and my floors are unusually slippery.

 

[Brando]

Is that Nick's "You're Welcome" appearance? I laughed out loud at his comments about Rockhold going barefoot.

 

[Darwinambrosius]

So the traction really makes a difference? If you had less traction, does it force you body to use different muscles?

Does this matter in all sports including ball ones?

I sometimes like to dribble around the soccer ball in my small small NYC living room. I notice a difference when I do with or without socks. The socks make the floor more slippery, and I obviously cannot move as fast. Without, I can move much quicker. But I am not sure if this is just me, and my floors are unusually slippery.

Wrestling without shoes is different than with them. They don't make up for skill deficiency or anything, but the traction is nice.

 

[DoctorTaco]

The traction is nice, but the difference in footwork is because of kicks, knees, and takedowns.

 

[Pugilistic]

I think in the given video the disparity in skill is a bit too big to say shoes are what made the difference. As far as shoes go, it would more accurate to assess the claim if you got the same guys and switched (Put shoes on Rockhold and shoes off Andrew Tabiti) and then a separate sessions of both guys wearing shoes and not wearing shoes for more data. Until then, I don't buy it. I'm sure the support and traction shoes give are nice, but it doesn't automatically give you nice pretty footwork if you don't have the kill. I've seen nice pretty footwork from high level MMA guys and kickboxers without shoes as well. From my personal experience of sparring with boxing rules shoeless, and kickboxing sparring (sometimes with takedowns), there didn't seem to be much difference.

But I don't buy the "it's kicks and takedowns" argument either that makes boxing so much different from MMA or kick boxing. I think there's a misconception of what footwork is, which it all really is using your feet to get where you want, and good footwork entails you get there without compromising your balance and position. Plenty of high level muay thai fighters transition to professional boxing pretty well, despite their experience in dealing with kicks and fighting bare-foot. What they have trouble with is the different level of talent in the much more global sport of boxing, which is the real difference between boxing and other combat sports.