I'm sorry I strayed boxing

[Money99]

I chose to watch UFC 111 with friends at home instead of heading to the Joe to watch Direll-Abraham live.
I had planned the UFC event well in advance before the option for live boxing was available to me.

Anyway, I was very excited for UFC 111 as I was just starting to get into the sport. I had seen some fights previously and thought it was pretty cool. I love the way the UFC is run and how the best always fight the best.
It also possesses some cool personalities in Rampage, Lesner, Silva, Mir.

However, after last nights card I'm not sure I'm going to buy another UFC event and I'm not really sure if I'm going to work so hard to learn the sport and the fighters.
It's just boring to me.
I don't want that to be misconstrued as to say the sport is boring or that anyone's dumb for liking it. I just realized that I don't really appreciate the various skills or disciplines on display.
During the fights, a few of my friends who are big UFC/MMA fans were loving the GSP fight for how easily he can control an opponent and take them down to the floor at will.
So there's obviously a lot of people who appreciate those kinds of skills.
But I found myself extremely bored by it. It was 25 minutes of one guy laying on top of another.
And with the exception of the Mir-Carwin tilt, they were all like that.

Again, I don't want this to sound like I'm slamming MMA, but I just realized that it's not for me.
PK500 wrote a great post as to why it's not his style and I agree with him.
I love the simplicity of boxing and the ultimate goal. For the most part, in boxing, your goal is to KO someone else or beat them via a series of fists to the head.

In UFC or MMA, that's not the goal by half of the fighters. Most guys look to submit or grind out floor attacks for wins. It's just not appealing to me.

For UFC fans, I hope that UFC111 was an entertaining card for you. I did enjoy the Mir-Carwin bout. But I was hoping that more of the fights would have featured a lot more stand-up and seen some good bombs being thrown.
It's unfair really that I place these kinds of expectations on the sport because it's not boxing and the two shouldn't be compared.
But for my tastes, I prefer the logistics behind the sweet science to mixed-martial arts.

I'm still going to keep an eye on what's happening in the UFC. The Rampage-Evans fight intrigues me.
But I don't believe I'm going to plop down $60 for another PPV event.

However, watching UFC 111, I couldn't help but think of how much I would love boxing to be that well run.
Seeing GSP and an interim heavyweight bout on the same card is incredible and almost never happens in boxing. And yet it happens all the time in the UFC.
Can you imagine purchasing a boxing card where Mayweather or Pacquio fights, but the lead-in bout featured one of the Klitscho brothers?

Boxing can learn a lot from the UFC in that regard.

[SHAKYR]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

I agree with much of what you had written.

[Money99]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

I agree with much of what you had written.

Thanks Poe.
I really hope my post didn't come off as "MMA is stupid! Anyone who likes MMA is dumb!".

That's not my intention at all.
I just realized that for my own personal tastes, I don't think UFC/MMA is going to whet my appetite.

Actually, I think last nights card got me even more interested in boxing. I just wish the morons that run the sport could get on the same page to deliver better overall cards.

[DaveDQ]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

It's interesting how we put the two sports side by side and compare. I suppose it's because MMA has enjoyed a huge amount of popularity in the last 10 or so years. Especially in the US, where boxing has certainly lost its popularity. However, look at other countries and you'll see the two shift in comparison.

What has to happen though is we need to respect them as entirely different sports. For one, you don't condition yourself for MMA as you would boxing (number of rounds). Cardio is huge in boxing. That's not to say it's not important in MMA. I used to wrestle and while you don't see a match last the way a boxing match typically would, you get worn out for sure. Another difference in the two sports is the obvious style limitations. With MMA you more options in approaching a win. With boxing, you have to work within the confines of what the sport is.

Another huge aspect is the role UFC plays in all of this. Not MMA, UFC. Their language used in different broadcasts etc. has sometimes taken shots at boxing, creating this idea that boxing is somewhat limited and inferior because it doesn't offer the variety MMA does. UFC is a business first, not a sport. It houses the sport of MMA, but they are a business first. That's not to say boxing isn't with it's promoters and numerous weight classes.

All of us are always going to have preference. In and out of sports, there will always be, "I prefer this over that." I think though the key is not to campaign your preference over the other in hopes that the other has a negative light shed on it. Nothing good comes from that (Money I'm not saying your post is doing that at all). In the world of opinions though, I suppose it was just inevitable that these two sports would be compared.

[mesk]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

I agree with the OP as well.most of my friends are into MMA and I just cannot figure out why.every mma fight I have seen ends in with either someone getting ko'ed from a lucky punch or they tap out to something as exciting as a armbar or ankle lock.I mean 3\4 of the fights are just one guy laying on top of the other in a half or full guard!but I also would love to see boxing as well goverened as ufc is.

[Phillmattic]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

I guess I'm the only big MMA fan who has grown to like boxing more because of MMA.

It's hard to explain, I've always liked boxing casually, but not enough to really follow it. But since boxing is a huge part of MMA, just as much as wrestling and BJJ is, I began to truly see the complexity behind the sport of boxing, and how much more there is beyond the surface of just two guys in huge padded gloves trading punches. I understand now just how insanely deep it is, and now I can watch a boxing match knowing what to expect and really enjoy it.

The same thing goes for MMA, To truly enjoy it on a deeper level you have to understand that when these guys are against the cage or on the ground, there is so much more going on than what appears on the surface. Just as much strategy and work that is going on in a boxing match.

I do respect the fact that it's not for everybody.

[Money99]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

I agree with the OP as well.most of my friends are into MMA and I just cannot figure out why.every mma fight I have seen ends in with either someone getting ko'ed from a lucky punch or they tap out to something as exciting as a armbar or ankle lock.I mean 3\4 of the fights are just one guy laying on top of the other in a half or full guard!but I also would love to see boxing as well goverened as ufc is.

Absolutely. Dana White is brilliant for controlling the best fighters and keeping things simple.
I think the simplest thing boxing could do is just eliminate half of the weight classes.
That would solve a lot of the ducking that goes on and force more of the top fighters to engage.
Super-middleweight, for example, really shouldn't exist. Imagine how good LHW would be if that were the case? Outstanding.

DaveQ, I understand exactly what you mean. I don't think either could, or should, really be compared. But it's hard considering that both are combat sports where stopping your foe through sheer physical force is the end-game.

I'm just not very well versed in the various disciplines of MMA. And at this point, I'm not that entertained by submissions and ground-and-pound. But maybe the more I watch, the more I'll learn and appreciate them.

At the same time, it does make me appreciate the simplicity of boxing.

[DaveDQ]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

At first I had the opinion that MMA fighters were sort of this jack of all trades master of nothing type fighter that knows a little of everything but really isn't overly skilled in one area. Sometimes I still feel this way.

I was initially turned off by MMA, especially UFC. I don't like how it caters to 20 somethings that merely want to see a quick gruesome knockout. A lot of guys I know that are really into MMA will immediately compare it to boxing and express how they feel boxing is boring and dull. MMA definitely favors the crowd that wants brutality in quick short doses. I think that's where a lot of its appeal is.

I have come to appreciate it though. Like any other competition, it takes skill to be the best, and with the popularity of the sport growing, there are definitely stronger competitors. Some of these guys are pure fighters and they are flat out tough.

[thelwig14]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

I'd suggest watching MMA in Japan before giving up on MMA altogether. The talent isn't as high but it is much more eye pleasing fighting.

[mgoblue]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

Thanks Poe.
I really hope my post didn't come off as "MMA is stupid! Anyone who likes MMA is dumb!".

That's not my intention at all.
I just realized that for my own personal tastes, I don't think UFC/MMA is going to whet my appetite.

Actually, I think last nights card got me even more interested in boxing. I just wish the morons that run the sport could get on the same page to deliver better overall cards.

I feel you, except I'm the opposite. I try and watch some big boxing matches and it just bores me. I don't click with the "sweet science" aspect and don't appreciate all the little things you do.

I'll check out Mayweather/Pacquiao if that ever happens, but I just can't get into boxing.

Nothing wrong with it, just different tastes for different people. Doesn't mean boxing sucks, it's just not something I enjoy...

[Money99]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

I feel you, except I'm the opposite. I try and watch some big boxing matches and it just bores me. I don't click with the "sweet science" aspect and don't appreciate all the little things you do.

I'll check out Mayweather/Pacquiao if that ever happens, but I just can't get into boxing.

Nothing wrong with it, just different tastes for different people. Doesn't mean boxing sucks, it's just not something I enjoy...

And that's exactly how I feel with MMA right now.
I don't hate it or feel the need to bash the sport. It's just not jiving with my tastes.
But many guys on the MMA boards have been giving some tips on to what to watch for or strategies used in most fights. I'll continue to watch some of the free shows on Spike and VS. I'm still interested, but I find the matches that are all on the mat to be unsatisfactory to my tastes.

But I can appreciate what you're saying about boxing too. There are some real snoozers out there that can suck the life out of any fans interest.

[mesk]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

you know I wonder why mma appeals to 20 year olds looking for a quick and gruesome ko.that doesnt happen anymore when i 12-14 and ufc had royce gracie,tank abbott and guys like that then mma was something to watch as those guys gave the fans quick,gruesome ko's.but not anymore i also cant stand to watch the ground and pound,or the 3 mintues of each fight that has one guy just laying on top of his opponent,but thats me it doesnt mean mma universally sucks,it just sucks to me.

[Money99]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

you know I wonder why mma appeals to 20 year olds looking for a quick and gruesome ko.that doesnt happen anymore when i 12-14 and ufc had royce gracie,tank abbott and guys like that then mma was something to watch as those guys gave the fans quick,gruesome ko's.but not anymore i also cant stand to watch the ground and pound,or the 3 mintues of each fight that has one guy just laying on top of his opponent,but thats me it doesnt mean mma universally sucks,it just sucks to me.

Well, if you would have heard the boos during the Fitch and GSP fights it seems that the crowd wanted some swift conclusions as well.

It's why I think bare-knuckle boxing using the old John Sullivan rules would be extremely popular today.
No way that gets sanctioned anywhere but if someone put on a show, where the event took place in a country that did allow it, I think it could be a pretty big PPV.

I can guarantee guys like Tank Abbott would participate.

[allBthere]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

Well, if you would have heard the boos during the Fitch and GSP fights it seems that the crowd wanted some swift conclusions as well.

It's why I think bare-knuckle boxing using the old John Sullivan rules would be extremely popular today.
No way that gets sanctioned anywhere but if someone put on a show, where the event took place in a country that did allow it, I think it could be a pretty big PPV.

I can guarantee guys like Tank Abbott would participate.

I don't remember any boo's in the GSP fight.

Anyway, for me it's never been Boxing VS. MMA - ever. I have always liked both and always will as long as I can see them. I grew up taking martial arts and watching boxing on tv sprinkled with kickboxing.

I just don't see why some people think it has to be one or the other - and starting a couple of years ago I didn't like how mma proponents had to keep saying 'boxing is a dying sport' and boxing enthusiasts showed paranoia and inferiority complex taking every opportunity to bash MMA.

Being able to thoroughly enjoy both has been awesome for me.

[JayBee74]

Re: I'm sorry I strayed boxing

I'm with you Money-I just can't get into MMA-I had a little interest in Kimbo Slice because of his YouTube backyard fights, but he didn't produce. Boxing has so much history that MMA doesn't have.