BoxRec

A little background, I was into the martial arts from the time that I saw BILLY JACK & ENTER THE DRAGON as a 13-year-old kid back in the mid-'70s. And, like many kids who loved Bruce Lee & all the Kung Fu movies ( & the old TV show ) I begged & pleaded with my parents to allow me to train in Karate. Which led to me studying Isshin-Ryu, Tae Kwon Do & Judo for several years. Which coincided with my boxing hardcore fandom which began in 1976 when I was 14.
Eventually, I grew bored with martial arts though as my interest in boxing increased. I was no longer content to just be a fan & I wanted to become a fighter. So, I began boxing in 1978.
I still maintained my interest in the martial arts though & began crosstraining when I switched gyms to a hybrid boxing/kickboxing gym & eventually became a black belt in American kickboxing & Kajukenbo Kempo in the midst of my pro boxing career.
So, it was with great interest when I heard from a long time friend of mine who I'd trained with about a competition that he'd been contacted about in 1993 called The War of the Worlds. My friend, Kevin Rosier, a pro boxer & kickboxer signed on & the competition eventually morphed into Ultimate Fighting Championship 1 held in November of that year. Like everyone else watching on PPV that night I wasn't sure what to expect but I immediately fell in love with what would at first be called No Holds Barred fighting but eventually became modern MMA.
Now, 25 years later I'm just as much of a rabid fan of MMA as I am of boxing. Well, almost. There's a loyal side of me that keeps it real by keeping my love for combat sports at 55% boxing to 45% MMA. But, honestly, it's about as equal as it can get. Some folks don't understand how I can be such a hardcore fan of both sports but I don't find it difficult at all. My DVR is my best friend. While I'm watching boxing or MMA live I'm recording the other to watch immediately afterward. And that's usually about two or three Saturday nights out of each month. Luckily I have a great fiancee who used to work as a PT/medical tech for the UFC, so she watches it all with me.

So, what about the rest of you? I'm interested to hear whether there are other fans as hardcore into both sports as I am. Or not. Of course, here, I'm probably much more likely to find folks who are hardcore boxing fans but just casual MMA/UFC fans. Which is cool too. And, of course, there are still plenty of folks who consider MMA the enemy but that attitude has died down a great deal the past few years. Now it's far more likely to find that the hardcore fans of either sport are at least mildly interested in the other. Thankfully, gone are the days when it was strictly an "either or" thing.

When James Toney was announced to face Couture, I started to watch MMA regularly. One period of time I was watching it a lot. However, about a year ago the interest began to fade badly and now I'm almost not interested in MMA.

i am not interested in mma and do not follow it

I can't get into it.

I only watch it when I'm channel surfing and there's nothing else.

I love MMA, at it's best it's incredible, the top contents are usually fought with incredible intensity.

jamesmcdonnell wrote: ↑21 May 2018, 14:52 I love MMA, at it's best it's incredible, the top contents are usually fought with incredible intensity.

I only watch Bellator but I'm increasingly impressed by the standard of the fights. The other night was a 3 hour show including 3 or 4 prelimary bouts, and the standard all in all was pretty good. Bellator have definitely got better in the three years or whatever I've been watching it

I like how in MMA usualy best fighting the best. Decent undercards and unpredictable fights are big advance over sport of boxing. Still, i dont like MMA.

I can totally relate to your early love of Bruce Lee movies and passion for boxing and martial arts. I only dabbled in Karate and Tae Kwon Do but I started Judo at seven and did it on and off until adulthood. I took more of a scholarly interest rather than participating, Films like "Enter the Dragon" fuelled my imagination and I made it my mission to learn what martial arts were associated with which countries. I used to wish I could know which fighting art would prevail in all sorts of match-ups (all unarmed though - no Kendo or anything like that).

It was almost as if MMA/UFC was designed especially for me, but sadly I have to confess that it doesn't do it for me now. I have seen some great MMA fights and fascinating matches between two fighters with massive reputations and I've loved every second of it, but then I've watched very boring encounters where both fighters hug and grapple taking turns to kick each others shins and I find myself thinking even a dull boxing contest would be a bless-ed relief.

I have no doubt you could reel off 50 MMA fights from the past that would have me on the edge of my seat but as for watching a bout without knowing in advance whether or not it's a visual treat ... not for me I'm afraid.

I've never watched an MMA contest.
Maybe I will sometime.

candyslim wrote: ↑21 May 2018, 15:29 I can totally relate to your early love of Bruce Lee movies and passion for boxing and martial arts. I only dabbled in Karate and Tae Kwon Do but I started Judo at seven and did it on and off until adulthood. I took more of a scholarly interest rather than participating, Films like "Enter the Dragon" fuelled my imagination and I made it my mission to learn what martial arts were associated with which countries. I used to wish I could know which fighting art would prevail in all sorts of match-ups (all unarmed though - no Kendo or anything like that).

It was almost as if MMA/UFC was designed especially for me, but sadly I have to confess that it doesn't do it for me now. I have seen some great MMA fights and fascinating matches between two fighters with massive reputations and I've loved every second of it, but then I've watched very boring encounters where both fighters hug and grapple taking turns to kick each others shins and I find myself thinking even a dull boxing contest would be a bless-ed relief.

I have no doubt you could reel off 50 MMA fights from the past that would have me on the edge of my seat but as for watching a bout without knowing in advance whether or not it's a visual treat ... not for me I'm afraid.

There's plenty of dull high profile boxing matches, Mayweather v Pacman anyone? Would you call that an edifying spectacle?

I used to during the time of Pride Fighting. After Pride dissolved, I stop being interested. Pride was the best!

jamesmcdonnell wrote: ↑21 May 2018, 17:13

candyslim wrote: ↑21 May 2018, 15:29 I can totally relate to your early love of Bruce Lee movies and passion for boxing and martial arts. I only dabbled in Karate and Tae Kwon Do but I started Judo at seven and did it on and off until adulthood. I took more of a scholarly interest rather than participating, Films like "Enter the Dragon" fuelled my imagination and I made it my mission to learn what martial arts were associated with which countries. I used to wish I could know which fighting art would prevail in all sorts of match-ups (all unarmed though - no Kendo or anything like that).

It was almost as if MMA/UFC was designed especially for me, but sadly I have to confess that it doesn't do it for me now. I have seen some great MMA fights and fascinating matches between two fighters with massive reputations and I've loved every second of it, but then I've watched very boring encounters where both fighters hug and grapple taking turns to kick each others shins and I find myself thinking even a dull boxing contest would be a bless-ed relief.

I have no doubt you could reel off 50 MMA fights from the past that would have me on the edge of my seat but as for watching a bout without knowing in advance whether or not it's a visual treat ... not for me I'm afraid.

There's plenty of dull high profile boxing matches, Mayweather v Pacman anyone? Would you call that an edifying spectacle?

I wouldn't deny it but when I watch a boxing match I'm expecting to be entertained, and sometimes I'm disappointed

I've not seen a great deal of MMA but I've found myself watching and thinking that if they would just quit the rolling around on the floor getting nowhere, stop the repetetive shin kicking, and actually hit each other with fists then things might liven up a little.

That's just me. Many people love it and fair play to them.

Bruce Lee and martial arts were also my first love and as a youngster trained in Wado Ryu, Freestyle, Tang Soo Do, kickboxing and Muay Thai before finding boxing aged 16, I only take a passing interest in other combat sports these days and wouldn't go out of my way to watch MMA (although I do respect what they do) because I'm just too invested in boxing.

candyslim wrote: ↑22 May 2018, 03:36

jamesmcdonnell wrote: ↑21 May 2018, 17:13

candyslim wrote: ↑21 May 2018, 15:29 I can totally relate to your early love of Bruce Lee movies and passion for boxing and martial arts. I only dabbled in Karate and Tae Kwon Do but I started Judo at seven and did it on and off until adulthood. I took more of a scholarly interest rather than participating, Films like "Enter the Dragon" fuelled my imagination and I made it my mission to learn what martial arts were associated with which countries. I used to wish I could know which fighting art would prevail in all sorts of match-ups (all unarmed though - no Kendo or anything like that).

It was almost as if MMA/UFC was designed especially for me, but sadly I have to confess that it doesn't do it for me now. I have seen some great MMA fights and fascinating matches between two fighters with massive reputations and I've loved every second of it, but then I've watched very boring encounters where both fighters hug and grapple taking turns to kick each others shins and I find myself thinking even a dull boxing contest would be a bless-ed relief.

I have no doubt you could reel off 50 MMA fights from the past that would have me on the edge of my seat but as for watching a bout without knowing in advance whether or not it's a visual treat ... not for me I'm afraid.

There's plenty of dull high profile boxing matches, Mayweather v Pacman anyone? Would you call that an edifying spectacle?

I wouldn't deny it but when I watch a boxing match I'm expecting to be entertained, and sometimes I'm disappointed

I've not seen a great deal of MMA but I've found myself watching and thinking that if they would just quit the rolling around on the floor getting nowhere, stop the repetetive shin kicking, and actually hit each other with fists then things might liven up a little.

That's just me. Many people love it and fair play to them.

youve not watched much mma. striking and wrestling are the main base of mma these days.

Was as big of a boxing fan as any... then started watching MMA about 10 years ago. Got tired of the large gaps between quality boxing matches. Tuning in for the typical Saturday boxing show with two irrelevant undercard boxing matches and a main event with the #3 vs #6 fighter in a sport with 17 divisions doesn't really excite me.

I still say it.. nothing beats a truly massive boxing event, but they are few and far between. The typical UFC card is far superior to the typical televised "major" boxing event and is also far less predictable.

I love MMA< but...it's a completely different animal than boxing.

I can’t get into MMA. I don’t like when they grapple on the floor for ages. Boxing is the only combat sport for me.

The boxing, only...................

candyslim wrote: ↑22 May 2018, 03:36

jamesmcdonnell wrote: ↑21 May 2018, 17:13

candyslim wrote: ↑21 May 2018, 15:29 I can totally relate to your early love of Bruce Lee movies and passion for boxing and martial arts. I only dabbled in Karate and Tae Kwon Do but I started Judo at seven and did it on and off until adulthood. I took more of a scholarly interest rather than participating, Films like "Enter the Dragon" fuelled my imagination and I made it my mission to learn what martial arts were associated with which countries. I used to wish I could know which fighting art would prevail in all sorts of match-ups (all unarmed though - no Kendo or anything like that).

It was almost as if MMA/UFC was designed especially for me, but sadly I have to confess that it doesn't do it for me now. I have seen some great MMA fights and fascinating matches between two fighters with massive reputations and I've loved every second of it, but then I've watched very boring encounters where both fighters hug and grapple taking turns to kick each others shins and I find myself thinking even a dull boxing contest would be a bless-ed relief.

I have no doubt you could reel off 50 MMA fights from the past that would have me on the edge of my seat but as for watching a bout without knowing in advance whether or not it's a visual treat ... not for me I'm afraid.

There's plenty of dull high profile boxing matches, Mayweather v Pacman anyone? Would you call that an edifying spectacle?

I wouldn't deny it but when I watch a boxing match I'm expecting to be entertained, and sometimes I'm disappointed

I've not seen a great deal of MMA but I've found myself watching and thinking that if they would just quit the rolling around on the floor getting nowhere, stop the repetetive shin kicking, and actually hit each other with fists then things might liven up a little.

That's just me. Many people love it and fair play to them.

I'm somewhat surprised that after years of newaza that you don't have a bit more appreciation for the ground game. But, like you said, to each their own, my friend.
Myself, right from the beginning I've been fascinated with the position & submission game. Especially when it involves high level Jiu jitsu players/grapplers. I can appreciate someone like a Khabib or a Brian Ortega just as much as I can the best strikers in MMA or the best punchers in boxing.

oogiebe wrote: ↑22 May 2018, 10:16 I love MMA< but...it's a completely different animal than boxing.

It is, of course. But, how so in your own experience?
Do you find that your excitement level for the big fights in one or the other is different somehow?
As much as I love boxing I find that it provides us with the truly big fights less often than MMA specifically the UFC does. But on the plus side, that gap between the two sports has closed somewhat over the past couple of years. The powers that be, I think, have begun to go out of their way to make the fights that fans want to see. And, I think that the UFC has been a positive influence on boxing in that way.

sweetviolenturge wrote: ↑22 May 2018, 13:06

oogiebe wrote: ↑22 May 2018, 10:16 I love MMA< but...it's a completely different animal than boxing.

It is, of course. But, how so in your own experience?
Do you find that your excitement level for the big fights in one or the other is different somehow?
As much as I love boxing I find that it provides us with the truly big fights less often than MMA specifically the UFC does. But on the plus side, that gap between the two sports has closed somewhat over the past couple of years. The powers that be, I think, have begun to go out of their way to make the fights that fans want to see. And, I think that the UFC has been a positive influence on boxing in that way.

The entire makeup of the sport is different. Long reigns of champs don't really exist, it seems more fight to fight than boxing. In that regard, the 'order' of things changes card to card, bout to bout. Of course the obvious is that MMA is Full Body Fighting.

oogiebe wrote: ↑22 May 2018, 13:08

sweetviolenturge wrote: ↑22 May 2018, 13:06

oogiebe wrote: ↑22 May 2018, 10:16 I love MMA< but...it's a completely different animal than boxing.

It is, of course. But, how so in your own experience?
Do you find that your excitement level for the big fights in one or the other is different somehow?
As much as I love boxing I find that it provides us with the truly big fights less often than MMA specifically the UFC does. But on the plus side, that gap between the two sports has closed somewhat over the past couple of years. The powers that be, I think, have begun to go out of their way to make the fights that fans want to see. And, I think that the UFC has been a positive influence on boxing in that way.

The entire makeup of the sport is different. Long reigns of champs don't really exist, it seems more fight to fight than boxing. In that regard, the 'order' of things changes card to card, bout to bout. Of course the obvious is that MMA is Full Body Fighting.

That's partly what I love; because the skillset is so diverse even the dominant champs get figured out by someone who comes with a new gameplan, and sometimes the old stagers pull of improbable wins because of the depth of their skillset.

jamesmcdonnell wrote: ↑22 May 2018, 17:03

oogiebe wrote: ↑22 May 2018, 13:08

sweetviolenturge wrote: ↑22 May 2018, 13:06

It is, of course. But, how so in your own experience?
Do you find that your excitement level for the big fights in one or the other is different somehow?
As much as I love boxing I find that it provides us with the truly big fights less often than MMA specifically the UFC does. But on the plus side, that gap between the two sports has closed somewhat over the past couple of years. The powers that be, I think, have begun to go out of their way to make the fights that fans want to see. And, I think that the UFC has been a positive influence on boxing in that way.

The entire makeup of the sport is different. Long reigns of champs don't really exist, it seems more fight to fight than boxing. In that regard, the 'order' of things changes card to card, bout to bout. Of course the obvious is that MMA is Full Body Fighting.

That's partly what I love; because the skillset is so diverse even the dominant champs get figured out by someone who comes with a new gameplan, and sometimes the old stagers pull of improbable wins because of the depth of their skillset.

Thanks for sharing your own view. Very interesting. I'll take your perspective and see if I'm more interested in the future.

I do follow the UFC witch is the main organisation of MMA sport. I do not follow Bellator and other company. I do like the fact the best guys gets in the top league (UFC) and then fight each other a lot. A defeat is not a problem in that sport so there is no drama queen. I do agree since Conor the UFC lost a bit of his reason with most fighter begging for money fight instead of fighting who they have to. But it still a cool sport that I would rate slightly under boxing.