Top Striking Styles Used in MMA
Top Striking Styles Used in MMA
Blog Article
Top Striking Styles Used in MMA
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has evolved from style-versus-style matchups to a fully integrated sport where fighters train across disciplines. However, striking remains one of the core pillars of MMA, along with grappling and cage control. Effective strikers can dictate the pace of the fight, control distance, and deliver knockouts that can end fights in seconds. Here are the top striking styles used in MMA, each bringing unique advantages and techniques to the cage.
Boxing
Overview:
Slot deposit 5000 tanpa potongan Boxing is one of the most fundamental and widely used striking styles in MMA. It focuses on hand strikes such as jabs, crosses, hooks, and uppercuts, along with head movement, footwork, and defensive skills.
Key Techniques:
Jab and cross combinations
Slipping punches
Shoulder rolls
Footwork for positioning and angles
Counter-striking
Advantages in MMA:
Precision and timing in punching
Excellent head movement and defense
Sharp counters and efficient hand combinations
Great cardio and rhythm for pacing
Notable MMA Fighters:
Dustin Poirier
Nate Diaz
Conor McGregor
Max Holloway
Muay Thai
Overview:
Known as "The Art of Eight Limbs," Muay Thai is a striking art from Thailand that uses punches, kicks, elbows, and knees. It also incorporates clinch fighting, which is valuable in close-range exchanges.
Key Techniques:
Leg kicks and body kicks
Knees from the clinch
Elbow strikes
Clinch control and sweeps
High guard defense
Advantages in MMA:
Devastating low kicks to limit movement
Strong clinch game with knee and elbow attacks
Versatility with all limbs as weapons
Powerful and damaging striking output
Notable MMA Fighters:
Edson Barboza
Jose Aldo
Joanna Jędrzejczyk
Valentina Shevchenko
Kickboxing
Overview:
Kickboxing blends punches and kicks in a fluid, aggressive manner. It emphasizes combinations, volume striking, and movement, making it a strong base for MMA fighters.
Key Techniques:
Punch-kick combinations
Roundhouse and spinning kicks
Fast-paced combinations
Distance management
Use of angles and counters
Advantages in MMA:
High output and aggression
Unpredictable striking patterns
Well-rounded offensive skills
Adaptability across styles
Notable MMA Fighters:
Israel Adesanya
Alistair Overeem
Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson
Donald Cerrone
Karate
Overview:
Karate in MMA often brings an unorthodox striking style that focuses on speed, precision, and movement. Many modern MMA fighters adapt traditional karate to blend explosiveness with evasiveness.
Key Techniques:
Blitz attacks
Side kicks and spinning back kicks
Quick in-and-out movement
Wide stance for mobility
Distance striking
Advantages in MMA:
Unique angles and rhythm
Excellent movement and footwork
Effective at point striking and creating space
Surprises opponents with timing and speed
Notable MMA Fighters:
Lyoto Machida
Stephen Thompson
Gunnar Nelson
Michael “Venom” Page (Bellator)
Taekwondo
Overview:
Originating from Korea, Taekwondo is known for its acrobatic kicks, speed, and emphasis on head-level kicks. In MMA, it's often integrated with other striking systems for maximum effectiveness.
Key Techniques:
Spinning hook kicks
Jumping kicks and axe kicks
Fast roundhouse and side kicks
Switching stances
Speed over power
Advantages in MMA:
Flashy and unexpected techniques
Superior flexibility and kicking speed
Ability to strike from unusual angles
Excellent for scoring points or knockouts
Notable MMA Fighters:
Anthony Pettis
Yair Rodriguez
Anderson Silva (heavily influenced by TKD)
Benson Henderson
Dutch Kickboxing
Overview:
A variation of traditional kickboxing that incorporates Muay Thai elements with high-volume combinations. Dutch kickboxing emphasizes aggressive pressure, low kicks, and body-head combinations.
Key Techniques:
Leg kicks followed by punches
Punch combinations ending in kicks
Inside low kicks
Constant forward pressure
Defensive shell
Advantages in MMA:
Pressure fighting style wears down opponents
Brutal low kicks to disrupt base
Relentless striking pace
Easy integration with other striking arts
Notable MMA Fighters:
Alistair Overeem
Gegard Mousasi
Bas Rutten
Melvin Manhoef
Sanda (Sanshou)
Overview:
Sanda is a Chinese striking style that mixes kickboxing with wrestling-style takedowns. It is not only about punches and kicks, but also includes throws and sweeps that are perfect for MMA.
Key Techniques:
Punch and kick combos
Takedowns from clinch
Catch kicks and counter with throws
Side kicks and roundhouse kicks
Offensive sweeps
Advantages in MMA:
Striking with integrated grappling
Strong clinch game with throws
Diverse kicking angles
Effective against strikers and grapplers
Notable MMA Fighters:
Cung Le
Muslim Salikhov
Zhang Weili
Zabit Magomedsharipov
Capoeira
Overview:
Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines dance, acrobatics, and striking. Although rare in MMA, certain movements and kicks are occasionally incorporated for unpredictability.
Key Techniques:
Spinning kicks
Cartwheel kicks
Grounded evasions
Ginga (base footwork)
Rolling and flipping transitions
Advantages in MMA:
Confusing rhythm and timing
Flashy and hard-to-predict attacks
Creative angles
Mental edge through uniqueness
Notable MMA Fighters:
Anderson Silva (used Capoeira-influenced kicks)
Michel Pereira
Marcus Aurelio
Savate
Overview:
Savate is a French kickboxing style that uses both the hands and feet. Known for its elegance, footwork, and stylish high kicks, Savate has influenced various MMA techniques.
Key Techniques:
Toe kicks
Angled footwork
Fast, snapping kicks
Punch-kick combos
Side and hook kicks
Advantages in MMA:
Fast kicks with precision
Strategic use of angles
Clean integration with boxing
Unique foot strikes
Notable MMA Influences: While not widely practiced in MMA today, elements of Savate appear in fighters who blend boxing and agile foot-kicking styles.
Jeet Kune Do (JKD)
Overview:
Developed by Bruce Lee, Jeet Kune Do is not a fixed style but a philosophy that emphasizes efficiency, directness, and adaptability. While few train in pure JKD, its principles guide many fighters.
Key Techniques:
Interception strikes
Straight lead punches
Fluid transitions
Efficiency over tradition
Simplicity and directness
Advantages in MMA:
Encourages hybrid training
Focuses on adaptability
Emphasis on “using no way as way”
Mental edge and philosophy of fighting
Notable MMA Influences:
Bruce Lee (influence, not competitor)
Anderson Silva (philosophical influence)
Jon Jones (elements of intercepting strikes)
Final Thoughts
Modern MMA fighters are hybrids. Rarely do you see a competitor using just one striking style; instead, most train in multiple systems to create a fluid, effective approach that suits their strengths. While some specialize in boxing or Muay Thai, others blend Karate, Taekwondo, or Sanda to develop a unique and dangerous arsenal.
In the evolution of MMA, striking styles continue to adapt and combine with wrestling and jiu-jitsu. But in every fight, the impact of a well-timed punch, a crisp low kick, or a flying knee reminds us why striking is both an art and a science.