Common Combat Sports Myths That Need to Die

Combat sports such as boxing and MMA are gaining massive popularity, with many people joining the sports and fans waiting for their favorite players’ fights.

For a long time, every combat sports discipline has been associated with various myths and misconceptions. From a bad public perception of these sports to beginners quitting even before starting or confusion about age or gender, the myths have become as popular as sports.

Combat sports myths create unnecessary barriers, stopping people from enjoying the sports. The truth, however, is that combat sports are suitable for everyone and can be customized accordingly.

In this blog, we will debunk combat sports myths while exploring the truth behind them, which will prepare you to start your own journey.

Myth #1: Combat Sports Are Too Dangerous for Beginners

Is boxing dangerous for beginners? One-word simple answer: No or maybe. Boxing is an advanced sport, so you cannot just enter the training one day and expect to exhibit solid moves. You need time, and lots of practice to master basic beginner moves and then advance to the next level. Following this planned approach will make boxing an extremely beneficial combat sport for you.

But, if you hurry to move to the next step, don’t pay attention to mastering basic moves, or don’t plan your training correctly, combat sports can be dangerous. And it is not because of the rigorous nature of the sports, but your negligence will put you at risk of injury.

Combat sports training should be adequately planned and performed with the right protective gear for beginners and advanced athletes. If you are just starting MMA or boxing training, make sure you get very basic equipment such as durable boxing gloves, headgear, or a mouth guard to protect your delicate body areas and train without any limits.

With a disciplined routine, the right technique with supervision, protective gear, and a planned training routine, you can excel in your combat sports passion without risking your health throughout your journey.

Myth #2: You Must Be Extremely Fit to Start Combat Sports

One of the most common misconceptions about combat sports is that you need a chiseled body with the lowest fat percentage and lean muscle mass to start. Combat sports are wholesome disciplines that touch every important aspect, such as building fitness and strength with good shape.

To start your combat sports journey, you don’t necessarily need to have a gym body. While it might give you an edge in the journey if you have an athletic figure with the right strength, this is not a prerequisite for combat sports. Every combat sports athlete has to spend enough time training every muscle group of the body, which eventually helps them grow in their relevant disciplines. Without good body strength and power, you might not be able to see any growth in your journey.

Many people start doing the basic drills of various combat sports disciplines, such as boxing, MMA, or kickboxing, to lose weight and tone their bodies, which means martial arts is suitable for every fitness level. So, martial arts will get you there whether you are considering joining combat sports to build a career or get stronger and toned. After a few martial arts sessions, you will see a visible difference.

Myth #3: MMA and Boxing Are the Same

MMA vs boxing myths often come down to one point: it’s all the same. Many people don’t even know that MMA and boxing are two very different disciplines of combat sports, each having different rules, training techniques and drills, and a completely distinctive training approach. There is a basic difference between boxing and MMA, and if you want to engage in any of these sports, you need to change your training techniques accordingly.

Boxing is a specialized fist-fighting combat sport that does not involve kicks, takedowns, or elbow or knee use to defeat the opponent. Boxers have to work hard to master their punches; hence, the training is often more about different punching styles. Boxers must also work on footwork and build quick reflexes to master offensive and defensive moves.

MMA, on the other hand, is the combination of several fighting disciplines, such as Muay Thai, Judo, or Jiu-Jitsu. To reach the top, MMA fighters need to work on their striking abilities, kicking power, grappling techniques, and sparring techniques.

Boxing is all about mastering your punching power, whereas for MMA, you need to excel in various disciplines. Both boxing and MMA are high-demanding sports and require specialized skill sets.

Related article: Difference between boxing and MMA

Myth #4: Combat Sports Promote Violence

Combat sports are violent, and put you in a danger of developing serious life-threatening injuries, a common thing we all have heard or seen on TV. If we talk about common myths about combat sports, this one surely tops the list. Many people get intimidated by the vigorous nature of combat sports, associating it with violence.

Unlike popular belief, combat sports are not dangerous or violent. Instead, they teach you to develop strong discipline, respect for each other, and great self-control. Combat sports training teaches you how to protect yourself in dangerous situations. Various disciplines in combat sports teach how to master self-defense and the right mindset to use these techniques effectively. It teaches you how to tackle danger or, in combat sports, your opponent with minimal to no damage.

Engaging in combat sports for self-defense also trains your mind to deal with tough conditions with a better technique and approach, minimizing the risk of violence. Nevertheless, learning self-defense in combat sports also enhances your mental toughness and resilience.

Combat sports are not violent. You practice the techniques in every discipline in a controlled environment with proper supervision and gear.

Myth #5: Combat Sports Are Only for Young Athletes

Young talent is often seen as distant from combat sports because they think they are unsuitable candidates. This is because of the boxing myth that only advanced users or people of a certain age can start training. Combat sports disciplines such as kickboxing, MMA, or boxing are not limited to a certain age. Anyone from any age group can start training.

Combat sports training prepares you to fight in the ring and is also quite effective in building fitness and learning strong self-defense techniques. Research shows that a kickboxing session can significantly improve agility, speed, power, body strength, and flexibility. Hence, no matter your age, you can pick any combat sports discipline and start training to improve your overall health.

But one thing to remember is that combat sports are intense and challenging. So, you need to modify your training according to your fitness level and age. Children can practice martial arts kicks and strikes more effectively than older adults. So, you need to choose a discipline that is comfortable yet challenging enough for you. And don’t forget to gear up properly, again, no matter your age.

Myth #6: Only Men Train in Combat Sports

The most bizarre MMA myth is that only men should be or can engage in vigorous training, and women should not join the sports. Many people also believe that girls and women should not be practicing sports as every discipline is brutal and violent, and the delicate feminine nature of women will not be able to take the load of the training. One thing we can say for sure is that this myth is false and utterly wrong, like all the above myths.

In fact, due to their increased popularity, many women and young girls have started boxing and MMA. Women are now also seen in the ring, taking down their opponents with perfect technique and strategy.

Teaching girls martial arts boosts their confidence while giving them a sense of empowerment. Women can also learn very effective self-defense techniques that empower them with basic skills to protect themselves anywhere.

The combat sports discipline is also quite beneficial to improve overall health and fitness in women. With the proper gear and the right combat sports guide, women can successfully own the game, making their bodies stronger and healthier while learning basic skills to take down any opponent standing in front of them.

Combat Sports Safety Tips for Beginners

Combat sports are challenging, so you must take care of some things to protect yourself. With combat sports safety tips, you can train without getting hurt and with maximum effectiveness. Some of these tips are listed below:

Gear Up Properly
For combat sports disciplines such as boxing or MMA, an exhaustive list of equipment is issued by boxing regulatory bodies. It is mandatory for boxers to wear proper training gear such as headgear, mouth guard to protect the head and face. Other boxing and MMA essential gear include groin guard, and chest guard, and without layering with them, you should never enter the ring. Using hand wraps and inner gloves inside your training gloves also adds extra protection to your hands.
Learn Proper Technique
Technique holds massive importance in MMA and boxing. If your footwork is not perfect or your punching technique is not up to the mark, you will be exposing yourself to injuries. In boxing and MMA, every little movement and detail in your body matters. Spend sufficient time learning a technique, and once you have mastered it, move to the next step.
Progress Gradually
Entering the combat sports career means you need a solid, disciplined routine with no rush to progress to the next step. To get good at boxing, you need to spend at least 1-2 years in training consistently and properly. Master the fundamentals first, then move to advanced techniques, including combination drills for footwork techniques.

Conclusion

Combat sports myths often take over an athlete’s strong mindset, discouraging them from exploring their passion. The fear of getting severely hurt or believing that you only need strong power to fight are some myths that confuse people; hence, they are most likely to quit.

Uncovering these myths will help you start your journey with confidence and a strong mindset. Every combat sports discipline demands strong mental resilience, and you only need this to take the first step.

Get the right combat sports gear, and start your training with confidence and discipline. Focus on refining your skills and leave all these myths behind to enjoy the sports.