Martial arts punches generally involve much less force than those in boxing. A study of 12 karate black belts showed so-called reverse punches delivered an average force of 325 pounds, with the strongest measuring 412 pounds. Short-range power punches averaged 178 pounds. Another study found martial artists needed 687 pounds of force to break a concrete slab 1.5 inches thick. One early researcher estimated karate strikes could reach 1,500 pounds, but that figure was an outlier. Do boxers usually punch harder than MMA fighters?
Boxers are 10 – 35% better in punching. If you’re comparing punches on a heavy bag, boxers and MMA will be about the same with a small but clear edge for boxers.
You make a great point but MMA fighters do pad work and sometimes use the heavybag. Conor looked okay on the heavybag and uses a lot of karate in his fights.
It’s interesting, MMA gloves dramatically alter how fighters punch. Boxing gloves give far more surface area and allow punchers to be less accurate. I hit a bag way harder in boxing gloves than I do in MMA ones or bare knuckle.
Usually? Yes. That's what boxers do. Always? No. Guys like Vovchanchyn, Fedor and Henderson hit about as hard as anybody at their weight. An unusual punch that I've never seen in boxing is the Russian casting punch, a tremendously hard punch that not only destroys whatever it touches but also the fists of the puncher.
Boxers are much bigger punchers. Comparing the power of Woodley to say Beterbiev would likely show a massive difference. Boxing has more depth than MMA due to having more competitors.
I agree that boxers punch harder but MMA has more depth and skill, the top 15 MMA fighters comprise of more quality combat sportsman than the top 15 boxers, the top 5 boxes can match the top 5 MMA fighters but boxing has more depth historically and loads of legends through the years, that the UFC cannot compete with.
I think MMA has more versatility, kicks, takedowns, wrestling etc But there are far more pro boxers than MMA fighters, hence more competition in boxing.
I think thats a financial thing. UFC can afford to put together big cards with strong undercards, because they underpay fighters. Boxing undercards don't feature such quality fighters because those quality fighters would rather fight on other cards where they can make more money
While most boxers have better technique obviously with punchers being the only striking skill they use and practice but what you said about boxers having more power is not true at all. Where did you get that info?
Just my opinion. I understand its subjective. I personally have never seen a UFC heavyweight with the power of a Tyson or Lewis. Frankly, i would make it illegal for prime Tyson or Lewis to wear 4 oz gloves.
