Are Boxing and Wrestling a Good Combo? | Explained
In this page we will talk about the Boxing and Wrestling combo benefits, as well as successful MMA fighters who have used these exact skills on their way to success.
Table of Contents
Is Boxing and Wrestling a Good Combo?
Boxing and Wrestling has been proven over time to be a very successful combination in Mixed Martial Arts. Boxing provides the necessary skills to engage in a stand up battle at different distances. Wrestling provides the skills to have success in clinches and on the ground.
Having the skills to be prepared wherever the fight goes provides a giant peace of mind.
Early Days of the UFC
In the early days of the UFC, the UFC was all about 'Which Martial Art is the Best'.
Wrestlers would come in only knowing wrestling, and Boxers would come in only knowing Boxing.
What would happen is their weaknesses would immediately be taken advantage of, as Boxers would easily get taken down and ground and pounded.
One of the best examples of this is Royce Gracie. Gracie was much skinnier than everyone he fought against, but due to his BJJ skills, he was able to tap out everyone that he fought.
Part of this was due to how skilled he was on the ground, and the other part was due to his opponents' never having trained on the ground extensively before.
As the sport of Mixed Martial Arts evolved, fighters started becoming more well-rounded, and would go out of their way to train different martial arts.
What is Boxing?
Boxing is a striking sport where two opponents are only able to use closed fists while striking one another.
It is one of the oldest sports in history, and is essentially fist to fist combat.
What is Wrestling?
Wrestling is a grappling based sport where two opponents can use take downs & throws in order to place their opponent on the mat and secure a pin. A pin is when a wrestler is able to hold the other one on their back, while both of their shoulders are touching the mat for two consecutive seconds.
MMA Fighters With a Boxing and Wrestling Base
There have been many fighters in the history of MMA that have become World Champions in different MMA organizations, while mainly using a Boxing and Wrestling base.
Daniel Cormier
Cormier became a UFC Double Champion as well as a Strike Force Heavyweight Grand Prix Champion.
Dan Henderson
Henderson became the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion as well as a Pride Welterweight Grand Prix Champion, and challenged for the UFC championship two times.
Frankie Edgar
Edgar became the UFC Lightweight champion and has also competed in the Featherweight and Bantamweight division.
Urijah Faber
Faber won the WEC Featherweight championship and is known as one of the true pioneers of bringing the lighter weight classes to the spotlight. he would also fight for the UFC championship.
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