The Martial Arts That Create the Best Base for MMA

MMA

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a dynamic sport that fuses various combat disciplines into one seamless competition. Fighters today are expected to be well-rounded, mastering multiple martial arts to succeed inside the cage. However, certain martial arts provide a stronger foundation or "base" for transitioning into MMA. These styles not only teach fighters the essential techniques but also instill the physical and mental attributes needed to thrive in the octagon. In this post, we’ll break down which martial arts create the best base for MMA and why.

1. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been a cornerstone of MMA since its inception. Thanks to pioneers like Royce Gracie, BJJ demonstrated early on how effective ground control, submission holds, and positional dominance could neutralize even larger opponents.

Why BJJ is a great base:

• Ground Game Mastery: BJJ teaches fighters to dominate on the ground, which is a critical aspect of MMA. Understanding positions like guard, mount, and back control can lead to submissions or dominant ground-and-pound.

• Submissions: The ability to submit opponents using chokes, armbars, and leg locks is an indispensable skill in MMA. Fighters with a BJJ base are often a constant threat on the ground.

• Defense: BJJ is also focused on defense, allowing fighters to escape bad positions and avoid getting submitted.

2. Wrestling

Wrestling is perhaps the most dominant base in modern MMA. Collegiate and Olympic-level wrestlers have found enormous success in the sport, largely due to their unparalleled control of where the fight takes place.

Why Wrestling is a great base:

• Takedowns & Takedown Defense: Wrestlers are experts at taking opponents to the mat and keeping them there. Just as importantly, they know how to defend against takedowns, forcing their opponents to strike if they prefer not to go to the ground.

• Grit & Conditioning: Wrestling demands incredible cardio and mental toughness. Wrestlers are accustomed to the grueling grind of grappling exchanges, making them hard to break in the octagon.

• Top Control: Wrestlers excel in keeping top position once they take someone down, and this opens up the potential for ground-and-pound or advancing to submission holds.

3. Muay Thai

Known as "The Art of Eight Limbs," Muay Thai offers one of the most well-rounded striking systems for MMA. It involves using punches, kicks, elbows, and knees to create an aggressive and effective stand-up game.

Why Muay Thai is a great base:

• Versatile Striking: The use of all four limbs gives Muay Thai practitioners a diverse arsenal of attacks. Fighters can switch between punches, kicks, and devastating elbows and knees.

• Clinching: Muay Thai’s clinch work is exceptional for controlling opponents while standing. The ability to land damaging knee strikes and elbows in close quarters can be a game-changer in the cage.

• Leg Kicks: Muay Thai fighters excel at chopping down their opponents with leg kicks, which can significantly diminish an opponent’s mobility over the course of a fight.

4. Boxing

While MMA is more than just striking, boxing provides a solid foundation for footwork, head movement, and precise hand combinations. Many of MMA’s most feared knockout artists have a boxing base.

Why Boxing is a great base:

• Punching Accuracy & Power: Boxing hones a fighter’s ability to land crisp, powerful punches. Knockouts are common when a fighter with boxing expertise connects cleanly.

• Defense: Good boxers know how to avoid strikes using head movement, blocks, and footwork, making them harder to hit on the feet.

• Footwork: Movement is crucial in MMA, and boxing footwork allows fighters to control the range and dictate when and where exchanges happen.

5. Kickboxing

Kickboxing combines elements of traditional boxing and kicking techniques, making it another popular striking base for MMA fighters. It’s a fantastic discipline for those who want to incorporate more varied strikes into their stand-up game.

Why Kickboxing is a great base:

• Range Control: Kickboxers are adept at managing distance, using their kicks to keep opponents at bay and set up devastating strikes.

• Combination Striking: Kickboxing encourages fluid combinations of punches and kicks, making fighters unpredictable and dangerous.

• Speed & Agility: Kickboxers often possess lightning-fast reactions and can seamlessly switch between defense and offense.

6. Judo

While not as common as wrestling, judo is another grappling art that has produced successful MMA fighters. The focus on throws and trips makes judo practitioners dangerous in the clinch.

Why Judo is a great base:

• Throws & Takedowns: Judo specialists excel at launching opponents through the air with powerful throws. This gives them the ability to control where the fight takes place.

• Takedown Defense: Like wrestlers, judokas are hard to take down, and their proficiency in the clinch can lead to them dictating the action.

• Ground Control: Judo includes a strong emphasis on pinning and controlling opponents once they hit the mat, similar to wrestling.

7. Karate

Karate has made a resurgence in MMA in recent years, thanks to fighters like Lyoto Machida and Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson. Its unique stance and striking angles give it a surprising advantage in the octagon.

Why Karate is a great base:

• Unorthodox Striking: Karate practitioners use unexpected angles and movements, which can throw off opponents used to more traditional striking styles.

• Speed & Timing: Karate fighters often rely on blitzing in and out of range with quick strikes, which can overwhelm less mobile opponents.

• Kicks: Karate emphasizes a variety of kicks, particularly to the body and head, which can end fights or accumulate damage over time.

MMA Bases

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer when it comes to the best martial arts base for MMA. Every fighter brings their own strengths to the table, and success often comes from blending these different disciplines. However, wrestling, BJJ, Muay Thai, and boxing remain some of the most dominant and essential bases for MMA. The key is to evolve and continually sharpen skills in every area, ensuring that no fighter is left vulnerable in any phase of the fight.