It’s in the name, mixed martial arts. MMA is a blend of disciplines. However, in the UFC, certain martial arts consistently prove more effective.
For a Western audience, styles like boxing or wrestling are pretty clear, but it gets more ambiguous as we head further East, with fighting styles like Sambo to consider.
This guide covers the predominant martial arts styles in the UFC and their importance in MMA, how they work together, and real examples of niche martial arts in the UFC.
What martial arts are used in the UFC?
No single style guarantees success. Fighters MMA blends boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, and submission grappling. There are numerous sports that embody these styles.
| Boxing | Striking (Fists) |
| Kickboxing | Striking (Fists, Legs, Knees) |
| Muay Thai | Striking (Fists, Legs, Elbows, Knees) |
| Taekwondo | Striking (Fists, Legs) |
| Sambo | Striking and Grappling (All) |
| Karate | Striking |
| Wrestling | Grappling (Control and Position) |
| Brazilian Jiu Jitsu | Grappling (Submissions) |
| Judo | Grappling (Throws and Submissions) |
Most important martial arts for MMA success
Traditional boxing
Pugilism is probably the first combat sport that comes to mind. Every fight begins on the feet, and fists are the safest weapons to use. The jab is the safest strike in fighting, prodding from a distance, causing damage, and measuring range.
Fighters like Ilia Topuria do most of their work with boxing. Topuria finds a home for his power punches by utilizing good boxing footwork and positioning.
Muay Thai
The art of eight limbs is the most common striking style in the UFC. It uses punches, kicks, elbows, and knees. Muay Thai also uses spinning attacks, such as spinning elbows. This style lends itself well to MMA because it teaches fighters to keep their hips square to their opponents, which naturally helps defend against takedowns.
It’s also beneficial for clinch fighting in close with an opponent. A great Muay Thai practitioner in the UFC today is Khalil Rountree Jr.
Wrestling
There are several types of wrestling, but a wrestling base is essential in MMA. Not only does it develop good cardio in fighters, but wrestling also gives fighters the opportunity to control the environment of their fights.
Some of the greatest fighters in MMA history have been wrestlers first and foremost, like Khabib Nurmagomedov. A dominant, smothering wrestler is often a complete counter to any good striker. Khamzat Chimaev is likely the best wrestler in the UFC right now.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
BJJ is the art of submission grappling. It provides some element of control, like wrestling, but offers less focus on takedowns and control. Instead, it offers safety on the ground, especially when a fighter is put on their back.
BJJ is about as essential as it gets for MMA, as it teaches submissions like the rear-naked choke and joint locks, as well as how to escape from submission positions. Great jiu-jitsu practitioners are like wizards on the ground; check out Fabricio Werdum or Demian Maia for reference.
We also can’t count out styles like Sambo, a Russian mixed martial art with techniques spanning the spectrum. Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev are Sambo practitioners, which demonstrates its effectiveness in MMA.
Wrestling, striking, and submission skills all play a role, but success comes from how well they’re combined, not used in isolation.
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