What are everyone's opinions about the differences between boxing (even Thai boxing and other striking arts) and MMA? What are your opinions in both the technical aspects as well as the differences in the performance of the individual athletes of the various approaches. Just curious to hear what everyone has to say.

A very good question

Well many MMA fighters cross train in different arts to round out their game. You'll find that BBJ specialists will train with boxing and MT trainers to round out their striking and vice versa. In my opinion there isnt much of a difference between the striking as the fundamental techniques people learn tend to be the same and then they find their own rhythm within that dicipline.

I tend to disagree on the differences

The guard changes, it has to, those gloves dont offer much in the way of protection so head movement becomes a much bigger factor

Its harder to box on the inside as you are more likely to get drawn into a clinch which is why you tend to see more boxers opting for the out-side.

The stance changes, Boxers can be very heavy on their legs and the angle that the lead leg is at leaves them very vulnerable to low leg strikes. also the legs tend to be positioned further back which changes the balance of the fighter and allows them to avoid take downs easier.

Muay Thai striking changes also, body kicks (highest scoring technique in muay thai) arent used as much due to the chance of them being caught and subseqently taken down.

But I think NRNS is correct about a person finding their own rhythm, taking from different arts to find out what works for them.

I can see in the long term people training in one MMA gym, which covers the lot instead of cross training over different styles in different places.

Boxers have a bit more latitude as far as commitment of their strikes and upper-body movement in general compared to MMA folk. Over-commit strikes or bob-and-weave too low, and you are setting up take-down and knee counters for the MMA guy.

@ shills11 - the guard does change and tends to be more of a traditional MT guard which helps defend against high kicks and make parrying strikes easier off the forearms/elbows. As for every other point they are true and valid

I've noticed one slight detail which may not be as important.

MMA people tend to throw hooks with their fists angled vertically rather than horizontally. Maybe it's the gloves? Maybe it feels better due to thin gloves? or maybe because it feels a bit better?

No idea.

-Taison out

@ Taison - to be honest the gloves dont offer much in the realm of protection when throwing full power shots so it may be just a matter of technical preference to prolong the fighters career.

Agreed

Also as in Muay thai that fist position allows for natural progression to the elbow strike, maybe its for better elbowing dynamics also?

Yes it could well be. I find with the MT guard it also helps shorter fighters to get close to taller fighters a lot easier as they can parry many of the strikes as they try to close the distance. From the closed guard the clinch can then be obtained and short elbows and knees may follow if the fight isnt taken into guard on the ground.

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Taison - to be honest the gloves dont offer much in the realm of protection when throwing full power shots

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In comparison to what? Gloves offer quite a bit of protection vs bare knuckle bone to bone striking, so I am confused as to what you mean by this.