How UFC Fighters Use Judo, BJJ, Muay Thai, and Boxing in the Cage
Mixed Martial Arts has exploded in popularity, and the UFC is at the heart of it. Fans love the action because fighters don’t just rely on one style. They combine techniques from multiple martial arts to succeed inside the cage. Four of the most important disciplines are Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), Muay Thai, and Boxing.
At Be Like Water, we teach each of these martial arts. Whether your goal is fitness, self-defense, or competition, here’s how UFC fighters use these styles in real fights:
Judo: Throws and Takedown Control
Judo is all about leverage, balance, and powerful throws. In the UFC, fighters use judo techniques to take their opponents to the ground and gain control.
Example: Ronda Rousey used hip throws and trips to dominate her opponents.
In the cage: Judo allows fighters to clinch, off-balance opponents, and land in dominant ground positions.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ): Submissions and Ground Game
BJJ is one of the most important martial arts in MMA because it focuses on submissions, escapes, and positional control on the ground.
Example: Charles Oliveira built his career on BJJ mastery.
In the cage: Even from their back, fighters can set up armbars, triangle chokes, and sweeps to turn the fight around.
Muay Thai: Striking with All Eight Limbs
Known as “The Art of Eight Limbs,” Muay Thai uses punches, kicks, elbows, and knees. It’s one of the most devastating striking systems in MMA.
Example: Anderson Silva’s highlight reel is full of Muay Thai knees and elbows.
In the cage: Muay Thai gives fighters the ability to dominate in the clinch, land powerful short strikes, and use kicks to control distance.
Boxing: Hands, Footwork, and Head Movement
Boxing is the foundation of striking in MMA. Fighters with great boxing can set the pace of a fight and finish with knockouts.
Example: Conor McGregor used crisp boxing timing and accuracy to win multiple titles.
In the cage: Boxing isn’t just about punches. It’s about defense, angles, and footwork to stay one step ahead.
Putting It All Together
The most successful UFC fighters aren’t one-dimensional. They blend Judo, BJJ, Muay Thai, and Boxing into a complete MMA game. At Be Like Water, we give our students the same opportunity by offering all of these programs under one roof.
With our Unlimited Membership, you don’t have to choose just one martial art. You can train in all of them. This allows you to build a complete skill set, improve faster, and enjoy variety in your training.
Our classes help you train like a pro while improving your fitness, self-defense, and mental toughness.
Train Like a UFC Fighter in Fulshear, TX
Ready to see how these martial arts work together? Join us at Be Like Water Martial Arts for classes in Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, and Kickboxing/HIIT.
With our Unlimited Membership, you can train in every martial art we offer, all for one membership. Come try a class and experience why students across Fulshear, Katy, and Richmond are choosing Be Like Water for martial arts training!