Cage fighting, often associated with MMA, uses a combination of various fighting techniques from different combat sports. While cage fighting is most commonly linked to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), other sports also incorporate similar techniques for success. In this article, we will explore the sports that use cage fighting techniques and how they help athletes dominate their opponents.

1. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
MMA is the sport most closely associated with cage fighting techniques. The primary objective in MMA is to defeat your opponent using a combination of strikes, takedowns, grappling, and submissions—all within a cage. MMA fighters train in multiple disciplines, including boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, Muay Thai, and kickboxing, to develop a well-rounded skill set.
In MMA, cage fighting techniques such as takedowns, clinch control, ground and pound, and submission holds are frequently used to gain an advantage. The cage itself provides a platform for wrestlers to execute takedowns more effectively, while fighters can use the cage walls to their advantage for better positioning and escapes.
2. Wrestling
Wrestling—whether freestyle, Greco-Roman, or even amateur wrestling—relies heavily on techniques that are used in cage fighting. Wrestlers are known for their ability to control their opponents and dictate the pace of the fight, both on the feet and on the ground. Key wrestling techniques like takedowns throws, and pins are often adapted for MMA cage fighting.
While wrestling doesn’t always take place in a cage, many techniques used in wrestling are effective inside the cage. A well-timed double-leg takedown or a suplex can dominate an opponent, and the wrestler’s ability to maintain top control is crucial for a fighter to succeed in MMA.
3. Boxing
Boxing is another sport that influences cage fighting techniques, particularly in the striking department. While boxing takes place in a ring, many of its techniques—such as jab, cross, uppercut, and hook punches—are essential for MMA fighters inside the cage. In addition, head movement, footwork, and defensive techniques in boxing are directly applicable in cage fighting to avoid strikes from opponents.
One aspect where boxing differs from cage fighting is the clinch, where fighters engage in close-range striking. In MMA, the clinch is used to set up knees, elbows, and takedowns. Boxers in MMA often use their skills in close-range exchanges to gain control over their opponents in the cage.
4. Muay Thai
Muay Thai, also known as the “art of eight limbs,” uses a wide range of strikes, including punches, kicks, knees, and elbows. These techniques are crucial for cage fighting, where fighters use the cage walls to limit an opponent’s movement and execute brutal strikes. The clinch position is especially important in Muay Thai, as it allows fighters to land devastating knees and elbows while controlling their opponent’s posture.
In MMA, Muay Thai techniques are often used to wear down opponents, whether by breaking their defense with powerful strikes or controlling them in the clinch. The integration of Muay Thai into cage fighting techniques allows for effective damage dealing and distance control.
5. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a martial art that focuses on submissions, grappling, and controlling the opponent on the ground. Cage fighting heavily incorporates BJJ techniques to keep the fight on the ground or to escape bad positions. Fighters often use BJJ to submit their opponents or to improve their position while avoiding getting hit.
Techniques like armbars, triangles, rear-naked chokes, and guillotine chokes are all commonly seen in cage fighting. In addition, BJJ’s focus on sweeps, guard passes, and scrambles is essential for creating transitions and securing dominant positions inside the cage.
6. Kickboxing
Kickboxing blends boxing with various types of kicks and knee strikes. It shares many similarities with Muay Thai, but kickboxing fighters tend to focus more on the striking aspect, particularly with fast and powerful kicks to the legs, body, and head. These kicks can be used to set up punches or as part of a fighter’s overall striking arsenal in a cage fight.
Inside the cage, kickboxing techniques such as leg kicks, head kicks, and body kicks are crucial to keep the opponent at range and set up more powerful strikes. The added space of the cage can also be used to corner an opponent and deliver strikes with limited escape routes.
7. Judo
Judo emphasizes throws and takedowns, and many of its techniques can be adapted for cage fighting. In MMA, fighters often use Judo techniques like the hip toss, sacrifice throw, and body lock to control their opponents and gain a dominant position. The cage can be used to trap an opponent against the wall, making some Judo techniques easier to execute.
In addition to throws, Judo also provides valuable insight into balance and control, which are key elements in cage fighting. The ability to manipulate your opponent’s balance and use the cage as a tool for positioning is essential for MMA success.
Conclusion
Many sports have a strong influence on cage fighting techniques, with each one contributing its own set of strategies and tools for success. From the takedowns and grappling of wrestling and Judo to the striking power of boxing, Muay Thai, and kickboxing, athletes from these disciplines bring invaluable skills to the cage. By combining these techniques, MMA fighters can create a versatile and effective fighting style that allows them to control their opponents and win inside the cage. Whether it’s for takedowns, submissions, or striking, the techniques learned from these sports continue to shape the art of cage fighting in modern MMA.