How important is pure boxing training to a student of MMA?

[GJJismydrug]

I enjoy training in "pure" boxing (boxing gym, boxing shoes, sparring under amateur boxing rules) but I feel that beyond learning the proper mechanics of throwing individual punches and bettering my footwork and timing, training boxing does not help me too much in an mma scenario (which is the whole reason I train, I do not have the chops to be a boxer).

My stand up game is very similar to the recent Jon Jones (I enjoy a large reach advantage over almost everyone in my weight category): keep the fight at kicking range and use single punches sparingly. With that being said should I drop boxing all together and focus on more Muay Thai and punching for mma?

Thanks

 

[fightingrabbit]

Boxing and wrestling are the cornerstone skills of fighting.

Fedor once mentioned that's all you really need to be a good fighter. But that's just my opinion, and his.

 

[GJJismydrug]

Thanks for the quick reply. Fedor's opinion carries alot of weight and is definitely worth taking into account when considering a balanced training regiment.

 

[cms9690]

I think it depends on your opponent. Some guys will keep the fight up and others will want to take it down. I would say pure boxing is a great base because it helps you train your footwork, distancing, timing, etc; but you should try to be as well rounded in the four fighting ranges as possible.

 

[GJJismydrug]

Thanks for the reply but could you clarify your version of the four fighting ranges? I can only think of three: standing, clinch, and ground.

 

[cms9690]

I think a good example of this is Joe Rogan. Rogan was a badass TKD champion, not just in his division but pound for pound; he was great. Rogan then tried kickboxing and said once how he was just destroyed, going home with headaches almost every night. He experienced similar results with Jiu Jitsu when he first started it (but he stuck it out and now has his black belt).

 

[cms9690]

Thanks for the reply but could you clarify your version of the four fighting ranges? I can only think of three: standing, clinch, and ground.

You're almost there, standing has two ranges: Outside and inside. Inside is considered boxing strikes + MT elbows and knees. Outside is considered long distance kicks and jabs (if the person has a long enough reach and utilizes it).

 

[sourdiesel209]

Thanks for the reply but could you clarify your version of the four fighting ranges? I can only think of three: standing, clinch, and ground.

off the top of my head.. Kicking range, jab/straights range, hook range, knee/elbow/clinching range

I think that for mma you need to be competent in the 4 main disciplines.. Muay thai, bjj, boxing and wrestling.. And add some judo in there.. Altho its pretty hard since its alot of stuff

 

[KounterPunch]

Well , how much do u think training pure BJJ is for MMA ?
Boxing is slightly more imp than even that ......considering all fights start standing.

IMO (worthless as it is , in this case) boxing + wrestling + knowledge of submissions offence and defense is all that's needed for MMA.
Anything else is gravy.

 

[cms9690]

off the top of my head.. Kicking range, jab/straights range, hook range, knee/elbow/clinching range

I think that for mma you need to be competent in the 4 main disciplines.. Muay thai, bjj, boxing and wrestling.. And add some judo in there.. Altho its pretty hard since its alot of stuff

Wut.

 

[fightingrabbit]

When have you ever seen an MMA fight where the guys don't punch at each other?

Seeing as how punches are a majority of the strikes thrown in a fight, i'm blown away that more fighters don't train in it extensively. It's just the opposite of logical. Now, i don't know alot of pro MMA fighters, or any for that matter. But from the looks of it, i think it's a pretty safe assumption.

 

[Sinister]

A lot of them feel that Muay Thai is sufficient. Until they fight someone who can box and defend their kicks.

 

[GJJismydrug]

A lot of them feel that Muay Thai is sufficient. Until they fight someone who can box and defend their kicks.

Thanks to everyone for their replies so far. Sinister: could you name me some strikers with great boxing and kick defense who use their skills to turn their matches into boxing matches? I would like to review some tape. Edit* just remembered Varner vs Barboza

 

[Sinister]

Thanks to everyone for their replies so far. Sinister: could you name me some strikers with great boxing and kick defense who use their skills to turn their matches into boxing matches? I would like to review some tape.

Any fighter who doesn't kick much relies primarily on Boxing, not that they're awesome boxers, just that they prefer to use their hands. I'm sure you've heard of a few of these guys, like BJ Penn, Jens Pulver, Marcus Davis, Mike Brown...there's been a few.

 

[sourdiesel209]

Id say its best to focus on both, like giorgio petrosyan.. Either muay thai or boxing alone will get countered by the more rounded fighter

Nak muays who box also (theres alot of those) are the best example..jomthong chuwattana and pornsaneh are 2 really good with both hands and kicks/knees/elbows and the clinch

Wish we could see that high level clinching in mma, but I think its banned in thailand or sumthing

 

[KounterPunch]

^ you're all over the place , huh ?

 

[sourdiesel209]

^ you're all over the place , huh ?

lol probably because im too high right now

smoking after training is the shit

 

[Nuclearlandmine]

Training in pure boxing helps. Just like how training in pure kickboxing helps, or pure BJJ helps.

 

[zuffa zack**]

I enjoy training in "pure" boxing (boxing gym, boxing shoes, sparring under amateur boxing rules) but I feel that beyond learning the proper mechanics of throwing individual punches and bettering my footwork and timing, training boxing does not help me too much in an mma scenario (which is the whole reason I train, I do not have the chops to be a boxer).

A real martial artist will train an art and find what works for him and apply to his MMA game.

 

[StopDucking]

Thanks to everyone for their replies so far. Sinister: could you name me some strikers with great boxing and kick defense who use their skills to turn their matches into boxing matches? I would like to review some tape. Edit* just remembered Varner vs Barboza

Anderson Silva is a good boxer who knows how to deal with kicks. Jose Aldo is a good nak muay who knows how to box. None of them got world class striking though.