Kickboxing vs. MMA — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on December 13, 2023
Kickboxing focuses on stand-up striking techniques; MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) combines striking, grappling, and ground fighting. Both are combat sports.
Difference Between Kickboxing and MMA
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Kickboxing and MMA Focus: Kickboxing emphasizes stand-up fighting, primarily using punches and kicks. MMA, on the other hand, blends various martial arts disciplines, including kickboxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and more, making it a more comprehensive combat sport.
Kickboxing and MMA Rules: Kickboxing has specific rules concerning the types of strikes allowed, with grappling generally prohibited. In MMA, fighters can strike, grapple, and execute submissions, offering a more versatile set of techniques.
Kickboxing and MMA Equipment: Kickboxing typically requires fighters to wear boxing gloves and occasionally shin guards, depending on the specific ruleset. MMA fighters wear smaller, open-fingered gloves and employ no shin guards, enhancing their grappling capabilities.
Kickboxing and MMA Training: While kickboxing schools focus on punching, kicking, kneeing, and sometimes elbowing techniques, MMA gyms teach these plus takedowns, ground control, and submission techniques, catering to the multifaceted nature of the sport.
Kickboxing and MMA Competitions: Kickboxing matches keep fighters on their feet, aiming to out-strike opponents. MMA bouts can occur standing or on the ground, with victories achievable by knockout, submission, or decision based on a wider variety of techniques.
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Comparison Chart
Focus
Stand-up striking techniques
Combination of striking, grappling, and ground fighting
Rules
Primarily punches and kicks; grappling mostly prohibited
Allows strikes, takedowns, ground control, and submissions
Equipment
Boxing gloves, sometimes shin guards
Open-fingered gloves, no shin guards
Training
Punching, kicking, kneeing, elbowing
Multi-disciplinary including kickboxing, wrestling, jiu-jitsu
Competitions
Fighters remain standing
Can involve both stand-up and ground fighting
Compare with Definitions
Kickboxing
Often practiced for self-defense, general fitness, or sport.
She took up kickboxing for its cardiovascular benefits.
MMA
Requires versatility as fights can be won by strikes or submissions.
Her MMA debut saw her winning by submission.
Kickboxing
A stand-up combat sport focusing on punching and kicking.
He trained in kickboxing to improve his striking.
MMA
Encompasses disciplines like kickboxing, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu.
MMA training introduced him to both striking and grappling.
Kickboxing
Competitions are typically held in rings or cages.
The kickboxing championship drew a huge crowd.
MMA
Became popular worldwide with organizations like the UFC.
The MMA event by UFC was sold out.
Kickboxing
Incorporates punches, kicks, knees, and sometimes elbows.
Mastery in kickboxing requires proficiency in diverse strikes.
MMA
A comprehensive combat sport combining various martial arts.
MMA fighters need a diverse skill set to succeed.
Kickboxing
Involves techniques derived from karate mixed with boxing.
Kickboxing offered her a blend of traditional and modern fighting styles.
MMA
Allows fighters to engage both in stand-up and on the ground.
His MMA strategy involved taking the fight to the ground.
Kickboxing
A martial art in which competitors wear boxing gloves and throw punches as in boxing and kick with their bare feet as in karate.
Kickboxing
(martial arts) A hybrid martial art derived from Muay Thai, karate and especially boxing during the 1960s to 1970s; more generally, any stand-up combat sport that combines kicks and punches.
The Japanese kickboxing gym, recently opened in the Thai capital, had been a great success (Black Belt Magazine, March 1973, p. 13)
Common Curiosities
Which is older, kickboxing or MMA?
Kickboxing has older roots, while MMA became prominent more recently, especially in the late 20th century.
Can kickboxing be a part of MMA training?
Yes, kickboxing is often incorporated into MMA training for its striking techniques.
Are knockouts more common in kickboxing or MMA?
Both sports can have knockouts, but the versatility of MMA allows for more submission victories too.
Are there weight classes in both kickboxing and MMA?
Yes, both sports typically categorize fighters by weight to ensure fairness.
Which sport has a broader set of techniques, kickboxing or MMA?
MMA, as it merges various martial arts disciplines.
Which requires more endurance, kickboxing or MMA?
Both demand high endurance, but MMA might edge out due to its multifaceted nature.
Can an MMA fighter transition to kickboxing?
Yes, though they'd focus solely on striking techniques in kickboxing.
Can a kickboxer become an MMA champion?
Certainly, if they diversify their skills, especially in grappling and ground fighting.
Can an MMA match be won without any kickboxing techniques?
Yes, a fighter could rely on grappling and submissions without using striking.
Are the gloves different in kickboxing and MMA?
Yes, kickboxing uses larger boxing gloves while MMA uses smaller, open-fingered gloves.
Is kickboxing a good foundation for MMA?
Yes, it provides a solid base in striking which can be complemented by other disciplines in MMA.
Do kickboxing and MMA have the same origin?
No, kickboxing has roots in karate and boxing, while MMA emerged as a blend of various martial arts.
Is cage fighting synonymous with MMA?
While MMA fights often occur in cages, not all cage fights are MMA. The term refers more to the venue than the sport.
Are elbows allowed in both kickboxing and MMA?
It depends on the kickboxing ruleset, but elbows are generally allowed in MMA.
Which is more popular globally, kickboxing or MMA?
Both are popular, but MMA has seen a significant surge in global popularity in recent decades.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
