i want to start doing MMA but I want to transfer my boxing and kickboxing into MMA. the main differences i can see are that you can break your hand if you punch. will this make a big difference or are your wrists strong enuff? 2 you cant do a classic boxing cover up how do you do an MMA cover up?

an mma cover-up? there isn't one really, you can do the boxing cover up, but you're just gonna get punched out or taken down (that means you tito!). In terms of your own defense, if you're being outstruck or eating some good combinations in mma, it's time to shoot.

Concerning hand breaking,it will happen in street situations too.The secret is not to go for the big hard shot.Not only will it break your hand but if you miss your off balance and out of position maybe..maybe you accidently hit a wall or object..owch
Better to do lots of shorter stunning shots that keep you in position and balanced and let the accumilation of them all stun your opponent enough to then finish it with whatever..clinch and knee/elbow..slam them down...maybe now a bigger finishing shot..whatever.Also you will be in a better position still to defend from there attemps to takedown,clinch or whatever as you punch.
Thats what iv been shown and works well.Its one way.

One defence against punching is to quickly get in and clinch and tie up.So its covering and going in.Be quick!Go from there.

You're wearing smaller gloves which mean that you don't have to throw quite as hard as you would using heavier gloves to achieve a knock-out. Accuracy is important as well.

As far as covering up goes, people do it all the time. The problem Tito had was that he essentially became a human heavy-bag and stood still to allow Chuck to whale on him.

Defense means, footwork, creating distance shooting and/or clinching up when your opponent is throwing aggressively and you can't create distance.


-John

oo thanks guys. i read somewhere that instead of coverig up with the forearms u cover up with the elbows, but shooting and clincihng is definetly beetter. as for the punching you said no strong punches. does that mean when throing hooks, crosses, uppercuts, and such should i not transfer weight and turn my feet? and not step into my jab? or just no haymakers? also im guessing it is mor important where you hit like aim for the eye, nose, mouth, and chin. and not places like the forehead.

no no, you still throw the power shots, only you have to train to keep that wrist and fist as tight as possible. Try hitting the heavy bag a few times with mma gloves on, you'll notice your wrist hurts, then hit it while keeping everything tight. still hurts a bit, but less so, that's what you need to do (don't keep hitting the heavy bag with mma gloves, a person's body has quite a bit more give than that does).

lol. alright i guess i will do the majority of my training with my boxing gloves but do a little with jus MMA glovs on.

Right...

I didn't mean NO powerful shots. I was just making a point that because the gloves are lighter, there is less shock absorption by the gloves themselves.

Train with smaller gloves if you're going to be fighting with smaller gloves. Just don't kill your partners.


-John

lol. alright.

Also when you do MMA do you keep your hands loose or tight? and can you block jabs in mma with your palms since the gloves are so much smaller?