Thinking about which style is better for you to take up or just interested in the differences between Krav Maga vs MMA?
In a nutshell, the main difference between Krav Maga vs MMA is that Krav Maga has a self defense focus while MMA is focused on competitive combat sports.
This does not mean that MMA is not effective when it comes to self defense.
Nor does it mean that Krav Maga techniques and principles cannot be used in competitive combat sports.
MMA certainly can be great for self defense.
And in one aspect discussed below it can be even better than Krav Maga in certain aspects (mainly live sparring).
In addition to the main difference of self defense focus is discussed below but also other important factors when it come to you choosing between Krav Maga and MMA which include:
- Krav Maga vs MMA for self defense
- Which is better for fitness/weight loss
- Which is more accessible to you
Krav Maga vs MMA for Self Defense
Self-defense is a very broad concept, with several different disciplines claiming superiority.
Many martial arts in the world focus heavily on maintaining tradition and competitive sports.
This can make them less effective for self defense.
MMA however, is a pretty good option when it comes to a combat sport as well as self defense,
MMA involves all forms of combat and is, without doubt, an excellent base for self-defense.
Still, it is important to remember that at the end of the day, MMA is a combat sport too.
Though MMA fighters can defend themselves in many situations, however, when things get serious, and people start using guns and knives, MMA doesn’t have much of an answer.
That’s where martial arts like Krav Maga shine.
Krav Maga is not a sport, it is a very brutal martial art that focuses on both self-defense and offensive combat, both armed and unarmed.
Live Sparring, Rolling, Randori
The sparring aspect of combat sports such as Judo, BJJ and MMA is where, in my opinion, a combat sport like MMA can offer something more for self defense over Krav Maga.
Sparring is a safe and controlled way to practice our techniques against a resisting opponent.
This is more effective than set drills where each one knows exactly what will happen (this is great for perfecting a technique).
But application through sparring is something lacking in systems such as Krav Maga.
This is also because many of the techniques are self defense focused and so cant be used safely in sparring i.e. eye, groin attacks.
Whether stand up sparring or ‘rolling’ or complete MMA sparring this is one area where MMA trumps Krav Maga.
It is also the are where many combat sports such as Judo, BJJ, Muay Thai and Kickboxing outperform many traditional martial arts such as Krav Maga for self defense.
The live sparring sessions allow for realistic application of technique in a combat setting.
And in the case of BJJ and Judo, you can go pretty much 100% in sparring which solidifies techniques into your nervous system so they become automatic in a real combat situation.
When it comes to self-defense, both martial arts are effective.
However, Krav maga does take it a step further since it was developed specifically for self-defense.
In Krav Maga, you learn to use your opponent’s actions against them and use objects you may find in your immediate environment as weapons. Just consider that if the Israeli defense forces use it, it must be very effective.
Now, though Krav Maga is definitely better it doesn’t mean that MMA is not good for self-defense.
MMA fighters have the advantage that they have had a lot more combat experience, from sparring every week.
They may feel more comfortable in a fight, and they certainly possess the skills to seriously injure or even kill an opponent.
The only problem is that when weapons become a factor, MMA doesn’t have much of an answer.
So if you are deciding between Krav Maga vs MMA for self defense. Honestly both are pretty good. However Krav Maga also focuses on weapons which MMA does not at all.
MMA vs Krav Maga for weight loss and fitness
When it comes to martial arts, self defense and competition is definitely not the only focus.
Many train for discipline, physical fitness and weight loss.
For many martial arts practitioners, I think most would agree that overall MMA does burn more calories than Krav Maga.
According to a comparison of calories burned, MMA topped the list of martial arts sessions for burning calories.
| (Calories burned by 180 pound person in an hour) | ||
| MMA | 814 | |
| Kickboxing | 643 | |
| Martial Arts | 652 | |
| Fencing | 429 |
A typical MMA training session or class can focus on many different aspects including striking and grappling, footwork, core strength and of course conditioning.
MMA is noted for being very demanding and physical conditioning is a major part of MMA training.
The sparring aspect also is huge for burning calories also.
Sparring against a resisting/defending opponent is more difficult than drilling set technique patterns for self defense.
Due to the unpredictability of movement you challenge your balance, footwork, mental toughness and your ‘thinking’ in trying to outsmart your partner.
Sparring is also a lot of fun! Don’t let it discourage you from taking up a combat sport such as MMA as in a good gym safety and protection of less experienced is priority.
Krav Maga or MMA for fitness and weight loss? MMA would probably be a better option for fitness and weight loss. Though Krav Maga also can get you into great shape.
Similarities Between MMA & Krav Maga
Though the two styles are very different and with different focuses when it comes to learning and training, there are still quite a few similarities between Krav Maga and MMA.
i) Both Include Stand Up Striking and Ground Fighting
Both styles come from real world combat expereicne whether in the milirtary or fight challenges like the Gracie Challenge to prove superiority of Gracie Jiu Jitsu.
And as such both recognize the need to train ground techniques as in most real world situations in combat the fight does go to the ground.
ii) Both are Hybrid or Mixed Styles
Both MMA and Krav Maga are hybrid/mixed martial arts in that they incorporate techniques and teachings from other styles in their own style.
This was the intention behind the creation of Krav Maga to take the best from different martial arts.
The development of MMA also took the path of combining styles which led to the creation of MMA in the first place.
iii) Both are Considered the ‘Best’ in their respective areas
MMA is widely considered to be the best when it comes to combat sports these days.
While there are still larger paydays in boxing, MMA’s rise in popularity owes to its high level of skill, conditioning and mastery of different arts.
Krav Maga also is considered at the very top when it comes to self defense martial arts.
Coming from real world application in the Israeli Defense Force and also sought after by many disciplined forces around the world, Krav Maga is certainly one of the best for self defense.
Main differences: Krav Maga vs MMA
i) Competition vs Self Defense
Krav Maga is a martial art founded during the second world war by Imi Lichtenfeld in Czechoslovakia.
He had training in both boxing and wrestling, and his father was a defense teacher for the local police at the time. Lichtenfeld combined all he had learned from his father, with his own skills to start the martial art, and taught it to local Jewish people for self-defense.
After the war, the Israeli defense forces developed martial arts and made it a lot more effective for both offensive and defensive combat.
On the other hand, MMA is a combination of several martial arts, however, it is more of a sport than a style of self-defense.
Many people believe that it was founded by Bruce Lee, who gave ideas of combining different martial arts, keeping the techniques that were effective, and discarding the ones that weren’t.
However, MMA developed into a sport and a controlled form of combat with rules.
It was also trained the same way.
ii) Difference in the purpose of both forms of combat.
For instance, an MMA fighter isn’t going to expect to be soccer kicked by multiple people while they are on the ground, because the rules of MMA prohibit it.
However, in the streets, that will definitely happen if you fall down.
Krav Maga was developed as a form of combat for actual battle, without rules, whereas MMA was developed as a sport, for unarmed combat in a controlled situation.
iii) Difference in the intent of both fighting styles.
In MMA, your intention is to fight your opponent until they are knocked out, submitted, or the time of the rounds run out.
Whereas in Krav Maga, the intention is obliteration.
Disabling your opponents swiftly and decisively so that they cannot attack again.
This doesn’t mean that an MMA fighter can’t decisively discourage an untrained opponent in the streets, they can easily knock out or choke out an attacker if they want to.
However, Krav Maga was developed with the intention of killing or injuring your opponent really badly.
It is much more brutal and focuses on striking at vulnerable parts of the body, whereas in MMA, striking such parts is prohibited by the rules.
Which is easier to learn?
Becoming a skilled MMA fighter can take a lot of time, and effort.
Though even a year or so of MMA training can make you effective enough to defend yourself in some situations, Krav Maga is easier and quicker to learn since it focuses only on self-defense, and offensive combat rather than the vast intricacies of MMA as a sport.
Krav Maga was also designed to be learned quickly and regardless of sex, weight or physical ability.
In MMA a very high level of conditioning is required and it can take a long time of training and increasing intensity to peak for a fight.
Krav Maga vs MMA – Wrap Up
So I hope this post can help you make an informed decision about which to choose and learn/train when it comes to either MMA or Krav Maga.
Obviously if competition is your goal and earning a living through fighting then MMA is the obvious choice.
When it comes to self defense, Krav Maga is more designed for real world unpredictable combat with or without weapons and would be the better choice for many.
For weight loss and fitness, MMA wins on this front due to the brutal conditioning and training sessions.
Sparring in MMA (and Judo, BJJ, Muay Thai) also is a huge aspect of training which makes training tougher but also fun and more applicable to real world combat.
In terms of which is easier to learn this depends on the individual also.
But in many ways Krav Maga was indeed designed to be easier and faster to learn while also being very effective.
