Why do many UFC fighters fight so rarely compared to boxers?

[Dana's Moonface]

If I'm correct, GSP and Jones have had less than 30 fights. Silva at his advanced age and activity had under 50. Granted they likely step up In competition much quicker than boxers, but less than 30 fights? Lol

Ffs Floyd and manny have nearly as many title fights as these guys had fights

 

[Johnny Ganza Movimento]

Training for mma is way tougher on the body imo. You will get injured more, so you wont be able to fight as much.
Also, way less record padding makes it harder to have as many fights.

 

[djacobox372]

There are lots of MMA club fighters with 50+ fights on their record, it's just the good fighters don't spend much time fighting in small shows.

Top boxers typically have 20 or more fights in their first couple years in the sport... most of them against cans. That pads out their records.

 

[Iron Nick]

Less damage on the brain, but more damage on any other part of the body

 

[oldschoolmmafan]

There are lots of MMA club fighters with 50+ fights on their record, it's just the good fighters don't spend much time fighting in small shows.

Top boxers typically have 20 or more fights in their first couple years in the sport... most of them against cans. That pads out their records.

So a can fighting cans, What is your point?

 

[Ogata]

Boxing is not hard on the human body in terms of getting twisted and compressed from grappling and dealing with a close ranged form of kickboxing like Muay Thai which you are prone to injuries.

Very seldom you see an MVP or a Cruz who rely on footwork as oppose to toughness. Still Cruz has been injured whole alot.

Another factor is defense. In boxing, you can learn defense enough to a point that you may lose a decision but avoid horrific head trauma. In boxing the top level trainers are NOT a bunch of bros who say shit like "Show me some fucking heart bro!!!"

With top level boxing trainers, if you are getting dinged in sparring, they pull you out of the sparring and have you go back in to the mirror to work on your form. Boxing is a science and not a fucking tough man competition. A trainer values their fighters safety not so much because of compassion but because its bad if their cash cow gets hurt. So the culture revolves around longevity and health.

 

[Boxingfan998]

My guess is boxers have many fights where they don't take as much damage and boxing refs end fights much quicker. In MMA we all know what can happen. Knee to the face, head pounded in canvas, Mario Yamazaki, etc. Not exactly good for longevity.

 

[Post 2 Decision]

Boxing is the most manipulated sport in the world, right up there with horse racing

 

[Fraz]

Boxers have faster recovery times due to better nutrition, genetics etc

 

[accolyte1022]

My guess is boxers have many fights where they don't take as much damage and boxing refs end fights much quicker. In MMA we all know what can happen. Knee to the face, head pounded in canvas, Mario Yamazaki, etc. Not exactly good for longevity.

 

[HI SCOTT NEWMAN]

A lot of up and coming boxers have like 10 fights in 1 year, they fight often when they are coming up and do pad their records a lot. A long time ago when I was not such a boring old fart I used to go boxing gym and most of those guys who are coming up fight 10 times per year.. but once they become a name and going somewhere it will reduce hugely the number of their fights.

Injuries is a big factor, although I do know most of them always had injuries but they always still fought and didn't care. I doubt they could get away with it in UFC because they give them all these medical tests and exams to fight in UFC, they are so cautious. But in those boxing up and comers they ain't getting none of those medical exams.. they just fight and a lot on Native American ranges

 

[777]

There are lots of MMA club fighters with 50+ fights on their record, it's just the good fighters don't spend much time fighting in small shows.

Top boxers typically have 20 or more fights in their first couple years in the sport... most of them against cans. That pads out their records.

you call it record padding. I call it perfecting ones craft

 

[Dbreiden83080]

Depends. Jones has 28 fights, but if NOT for all the time out he could have close to 40..
GSP retired pretty young with 28 fights.. Khabib also retired pretty young with 29..

 

[Rod Farva]

These are only theories:

At the amateur level, possibly the availability of fights.

at the pro level, medical suspensions?

 

[JosephTessaro]

If I'm correct, GSP and Jones have had less than 30 fights. Silva at his advanced age and activity had under 50. Granted they likely step up In competition much quicker than boxers, but less than 30 fights? Lol

Ffs Floyd and manny have nearly as many title fights as these guys had fights

Because in boxing they only punch?

 

[TheChance]

They don't get their records padded against cab drivers and drywallers like boxers do in the beginning of their careers.

 

[Slapchoppin]

Boxers often have to pick up a ton of wins against lesser competition before higher ranked guys will be willing to fight them

Fury didn't get a world title fight until he was 25-0 Wilder didn't get a world title fight until he was 33-0

so you better fight a lot if you want a title shot before you're past it

 

[CoffeeAndBeer]

If I'm correct, GSP and Jones have had less than 30 fights. Silva at his advanced age and activity had under 50. Granted they likely step up In competition much quicker than boxers, but less than 30 fights? Lol

Ffs Floyd and manny have nearly as many title fights as these guys had fights

Why does NFL have 16 games per season, and the NBA 82 games, and MLB 162 games?

 

[mkt]

A lot of up and coming boxers have like 10 fights in 1 year, they fight often when they are coming up and do pad their records a lot.

Yep. Mayweather Jr. fought 12 times between 2007 and 2015. Elite boxers aren't much different than elite MMA guys. But younger fighters and journeymen fight more. For one thing, they're not tied to an org like the UFC or Bellator. This itself limits how often you can fight. Boxers can fight on all kinds of different cards, and fight very often if they choose. Think Travis Fulton and Dan Severn's later years as they built nice records with tons of fights in the MMA minor leagues.

 

[Dr. Rose]

A lot of up and coming boxers have like 10 fights in 1 year, they fight often when they are coming up and do pad their records a lot. A long time ago when I was not such a boring old fart I used to go boxing gym and most of those guys who are coming up fight 10 times per year.. but once they become a name and going somewhere it will reduce hugely the number of their fights.

Injuries is a big factor, although I do know most of them always had injuries but they always still fought and didn't care. I doubt they could get away with it in UFC because they give them all these medical tests and exams to fight in UFC, they are so cautious. But in those boxing up and comers they ain't getting none of those medical exams.. they just fight and a lot on Native American ranges

Padding has a lot to do with it. In the past, it was what you did, period. Joe Louis fought 7 times in less than a year after losing to Max Schmeling before fighting “Cinderella Man” James J Braddock for the title. 4 of those fights where in a 8-9 week period of time. John L. Sullivan had a 75 rd. bareknuckle fight.

Different sport (and different time in these cases).