The Complete Guide to UFC Fighters & Fighting Styles

Here's what nobody tells you about betting strikers: everyone does it, and everyone loses money doing it. Knockouts are sexy. Highlight reels trend on Twitter. So casual bettors throw money at "the guy with the big punch" and wonder why their bankroll evaporates faster than their confidence. The truth? Within striking itself, there are three completely different games being played: boxing, kickboxing, and Muay Thai. Each one beats certain styles and loses to others in predictable ways. Understanding which is which transforms you from someone chasing knockout hype to someone who actually knows why one striker destroys another before the cage door even closes.

The Three Core Striking Styles

Boxing: Precision, Volume, Footwork

Boxing in MMA is deceptively simple. Just hands, no kicks. But calling it "simple" is like calling a chess grandmaster's opening "just moving pieces." Boxers win through footwork, head movement, combination punching, and tempo control that makes their opponents miss until they're too tired to care.

Hand strikes only, emphasis on head movement (making opponents miss), footwork that creates angles and generates power, combination punching (one-two-three patterns that overwhelm defense), and distance management that keeps you at perfect striking range.

The three types of boxers you'll see (and how the market prices them completely wrong):

1. Volume Punchers (Max Holloway, Justin Gaethje early career): These guys throw 6-8 punches per exchange like they're getting paid per shot. They land 40-60 significant strikes per 15 minutes. They win through sheer output and accumulation, drowning opponents in volume. The catch? They often fade in later rounds because throwing 200 punches in 15 minutes is exhausting. Market prices them correctly because the output is visible and measurable.
2. Power Punchers (Francis Ngannou, Derrick Lewis): These guys throw maybe 20-30 strikes per 15 minutes, but each one is thrown with "I'm ending this right now" intent. One punch can end the fight at any moment, which sounds great until you realize knockout probability is way lower than highlight reels suggest. They preserve energy for late-round finishes. Market systematically underprices them because casual bettors see power and assume knockouts happen way more than they actually do.
3. Defensive Specialists (Tyron Woodley historically): These guys emphasize head movement and evasion over offense. They counterstrike rather than lead. Fewer total strikes but higher accuracy. Conservative point-fighting that wins decisions without taking damage. Market chronically underprices them because they don't finish fights, so casual bettors assume they "can't win." Meanwhile, they're winning unanimous decisions while everyone's wondering where the knockout went.

Strengths in UFC: Hand combinations are brutally effective at close range. Footwork is energy-efficient (doesn't tire you like kicking does). Natural advantage against other strikers because boxing mechanics reward hand speed. Works surprisingly well in the clinch, which most people don't realize.

Weaknesses in UFC: Vulnerable to kicks (boxers get caught with low leg kicks they never see coming). Wrestling completely neutralizes boxing (pure boxers struggle hard against takedowns). Kicks to body and head land clean on boxers unfamiliar with defending them. Limited options when pressed against the cage.

Betting implications: Volume punchers are often correctly priced because everyone sees the output. Power punchers are underpriced because knockout probability is lower than hype suggests. Defensive specialists are the most underpriced because they don't finish fights, but they win decisions all day.

Shurzy Tip: If you're betting a power puncher because "he could knock anyone out," congratulations. You're gambling, not betting. Knockout probability is like 15-20%, not the 40% you think it is.

Read more: UFC Betting Explained: Striking Styles (Muay Thai, Boxing, Kickboxing)

Kickboxing: Power, Range, Leg Attacks

Kickboxing is boxing plus kicks, which sounds obvious but completely changes everything. Suddenly you're not just worrying about hands. You're defending legs, body, and head from kicks while trying to close distance. The emphasis shifts to leg kicks, distance management through push kicks, and range control that keeps opponents exactly where you want them.

What you're actually watching: Punches plus kicks (shocking, right?), emphasis on leg kicks that accumulate damage invisibly, teeps (push kicks) that create distance without full commitment, and range control that keeps opponents at optimal striking distance where your weapons work and theirs don't.

The three types of kickboxers (and why the market misprices all of them):

1. Leg Kick Specialists (Justin Gaethje now, Anthony Pettis historically): These guys target the opponent's legs relentlessly. The damage accumulates slowly. Movement deteriorates gradually. By Round 3, the opponent's footwork is compromised, takedown defense drops, and they're basically fighting on one leg. They switch stance to kick from different angles, creating scoring plus damage simultaneously. Judges love this. Casual bettors think "it's just leg kicks" and completely miss the strategic devastation happening.
2. Distance Fighters (Israel Adesanya, Valentina Shevchenko): These fighters use teeps to control range like a puppet master. Strike from distance, retreat before counters land, use kicks for both offense and defense. This style frustrates aggressive opponents who can't close distance, but it also leads to decisions rather than finishes because maintaining range is safer than engaging for the kill.
3. High-Volume Kickers (Joanna Jędrzejczyk): Mix kicks and punches at high tempo. Land kicks from various heights (low, body, head). Create chaos through sheer output rather than power. Win by accumulation, not devastation. Markets struggle to price this because volume isn't as sexy as power.

Strengths in UFC: Leg kicks are both scoring and damaging (judges reward them, opponents suffer from them, win-win). Extended range because kicks reach farther than punches (physics). Versatility through multiple attack angles. Control momentum by keeping aggressive opponents at distance without fully engaging.

Weaknesses in UFC: Kicks have setup time, which wrestlers exploit by shooting during the kick. Overcommitted kicks create balance issues that elite grapplers love. Leg damage is cumulative but doesn't end fights quickly (decisions, not knockouts). Kicking leaves your stance open to wrestling because checked kicks limit your volume.

Betting implications: Leg kick specialists are chronically underpriced because their damage is subtle and cumulative. Casual observers see "just leg kicks" while the opponent's entire game deteriorates. Markets don't fully price the late-round advantage that 30+ leg kicks creates. By Round 3, the opponent can barely move, but the odds don't reflect this.

Example: Fighter A (leg kick specialist) versus Fighter B (striker with mediocre leg defense). By Round 3, A has landed 30+ leg kicks. B's movement is compromised. B's takedown defense actually gets worse because footwork is shot. A controls the fight late. Over 2.5 rounds and Method of Victory: Decision are both value because A dominates through accumulation, not devastation.

Shurzy Tip: If you see a leg kick specialist facing someone with questionable leg defense, bet Over rounds and Decision. The damage is invisible to casual bettors but judges see it clear as day.

Read more: Grappling Styles (BJJ, Wrestling, Judo, Sambo)

Muay Thai: "Art of Eight Limbs" – Clinch, Elbows, Knees

Muay Thai is called the "art of eight limbs" because you're weaponizing everything: punches, kicks, elbows, and knees. The emphasis is on clinch work, tight range striking, and devastating close-range attacks that boxing and kickboxing simply don't have. If boxing is chess and kickboxing is checkers, Muay Thai is playing both games simultaneously while also wrestling.

What you're actually watching: Punches, kicks, elbows, knees (all of them). Heavy emphasis on clinch work where you control the opponent's posture and land knees/elbows from inside their reach. Tight range striking that happens at distances where boxers and kickboxers feel uncomfortable.

The three types of Muay Thai fighters (and why judges love them but casual bettors don't):

1. Clinch Fighters (Jose Aldo, Dominick Cruz historically): Control distance by moving inside opponent's reach. Land knees and elbows from clinch. Reset positions constantly to maintain control. Frustrate distance fighters who can't maintain their optimal range. This style is extremely effective but undervalued because clinch work looks "boring" to casual fans who want knockouts.
2. Elbow Specialists (Joanna Jędrzejczyk): Heavy emphasis on elbow strikes, especially in clinch. Elbows are harder to time and defend than punches because they come from weird angles. They create significant cuts and accumulated damage that judges see immediately. Elbow usage isn't always obvious on scorecards but judges see cuts and bleeding and reward it heavily.
3. Body Kickers (Rodrigo Nascimento): Target body extensively (ribs, liver, solar plexus). Body damage slows opponents dramatically, affects their cardio, makes them tired. Setup for head strikes (hurt body first, then go upstairs when they drop their hands). This is a slow strategic game that wins rounds but doesn't create early finishes that casual bettors expect.

Strengths in UFC: Clinch dominance creates control points that judges reward heavily (they see you controlling the position). Elbows are devastating and underrated defensively (harder to see coming than punches). Body damage limits cardio (effects compound over entire fight). Range versatility means you can strike effectively from any distance (clinch, mid-range, or distance).

Weaknesses in UFC: Clinch wrestling can backfire (opponent might reverse position or throw you). Elbows require precise positioning (not as immediately available as punches). Body damage is slow accumulation (doesn't produce quick finishes). Elite wrestlers neutralize clinch completely (they control the clinch better than you, which defeats the entire strategy).

Betting implications: Muay Thai fighters are often undervalued in striking matchups because judges reward their clinch control and elbows more than the market prices. However, they're systematically overvalued against wrestlers because clinch control doesn't matter if the wrestler is actually in control, not you.

Example: Fighter A (Muay Thai clinch specialist) versus Fighter B (volume striker without clinch skills). A controls distances, lands clinch knees, accumulates damage through elbows. Market might price them evenly if both are "strikers," but A's clinch dominance gives them a massive scoring advantage. Method of Victory: Decision favors A. Over rounds favors A (clinch fighters slow fights down, go decisions).

Shurzy Tip: Muay Thai clinch fighters are the most systematically underpriced strikers in UFC betting. Judges love clinch control. Casual bettors think it's boring and bet against it. That gap between what judges reward and what casual bettors value is where your money lives.

Read more: Hybrid Styles (MMA-Integrated Systems)

How These Styles Collide: Matchup Breakdowns

Boxing vs. Kickboxing

• What happens: Pure distance battle. Boxer wants hands. Kickboxer wants range via kicks. It's that simple and that complicated.
• Critical factor: Does the boxer close distance fast enough to neutralize kicks, or does the kickboxer maintain range and accumulate leg kick damage over time?
• Typical outcome: If boxer wins, they close fast and overwhelm with hand combinations in tight. If kickboxer wins, they maintain distance and leg kicks damage the boxer's movement until footwork is compromised.
• Betting angle: Over 1.5 rounds if boxer is favored (likely closes distance early for fast finish). Over 2.5 if kickboxer is favored (keeps fight at range, goes distance through accumulation, not devastation).

Read more: Best Strikers in UFC History

Muay Thai vs. Boxing

• What happens: Range control battle. Muay Thai fighter wants clinch. Boxer wants distance and footwork. It's a game of inches.
• Critical factor: Can the boxer control distance without getting clinched? Can the Muay Thai fighter secure and maintain clinch position?
• Typical outcome: If Muay Thai wins, they get clinch and land knees/elbows for control points. If boxer wins, they stay at punching range and avoid clinch entirely through superior footwork.
• Betting angle: Method of Victory decisions favor Muay Thai (clinch control scores but doesn't finish). Over rounds favors Muay Thai (clinch slows fights, goes later rounds, judges reward control).

Muay Thai vs. Kickboxing

• What happens: Both want range and kicks, but Muay Thai emphasizes clinch while kickboxing emphasizes distance. Technical chess match.
• Critical factor: Who controls the clinch exchanges? Who maintains optimal distance for their weapons?
• Typical outcome: Relatively balanced (both skilled strikers), likely decision. High-level technical fight that goes the distance.
• Betting angle: Over rounds favored (both elites, neither finishes easily). Significant strikes over average (high output from both). Decision method most likely (probably 70%+ probability).

Read more: How Styles Clash in UFC Fights

Striking Against Wrestling: Where Edges Vanish

This is where all striking technical mastery matters exactly zero. A striker's beautiful footwork, precision hands, and highlight-reel kicks become completely irrelevant if they're being taken down every 90 seconds.

Key metrics for strikers versus wrestlers:

• Takedown Defense (TDD): What percentage of takedown attempts does the striker successfully defend? This is the only number that matters.
• Scramble ability: Once down, can they get back up quickly or are they stuck on their back?
• Defensive BJJ: If on their back, can they prevent damage or escape submission attempts?

Typical outcomes: Striker with 60% TDD versus elite wrestler means the wrestler likely wins 2 of 3 rounds (takes them down, controls, wins the round automatically). Striker with 80%+ TDD versus wrestler means the fight stays standing more often, and the striker's technical advantage actually matters.

Betting implications: Markets systematically underprice wrestlers against strikers with mediocre TDD. A striker who "looks elite" in highlight reels but has 65% TDD is priced like they'll keep the fight standing. In reality, they'll be on their back regularly, and all their striking becomes irrelevant.

Example: Striker with 70% TDD versus elite wrestler with 85% takedown accuracy. Striker is priced -150 (favorite) because casual money loves strikers. But the wrestler takes them down 1-2 times per round, controls 5 minutes per round, and likely wins 2 rounds minimum. Wrestler at +130 is absolutely massive value that the market completely misses because everyone's betting the knockout that never comes.

Shurzy Tip: If a striker has less than 75% takedown defense and they're facing an elite wrestler, bet the wrestler every single time. The market underprices wrestling so consistently it's basically free money if you're patient.

Read more: Style Matchups That Create Betting Value

Weight Class Striking Variations

Heavyweight striking

Power over technique always. One punch ends everything. Markets systematically overprice Over rounds because the true finish rate is way higher than casual bettors expect. Everyone thinks heavyweight "wars" go the distance. Reality: they finish early approximately 65% of the time.

Lightweight striking

Technique over power. More decisions because skill matters more than physical attributes. Markets are more efficient here because it's the most watched division with the most sharp money. Look for specific stylistic edges rather than general patterns.

Featherweight striking

Volume and speed dominate everything. High-output fighters (Max Holloway) are chronically underpriced because they don't finish with highlight KOs. But they win decisions decisively through sheer accumulation. Casual bettors want knockouts. Judges reward volume. That gap is value.

Conclusion

The biggest edge in striking? Markets overprice strikers generally because knockouts are sexy and trend on social media. They underprice defensive strikers who win boring decisions. They underprice clinch specialists who control fights without finishing. And they catastrophically underprice wrestlers against strikers with mediocre takedown defense.

That's where the money lives. Not in betting knockouts. In betting the technical realities that determine who actually wins when the cage door closes.

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