Boxing
Boxing permits padded-fist punches to legal targets. Kicks, knees, elbows, throws and ground fighting are illegal. Rounds use the 10-Point Must System, with clean punching, effective aggressiveness, ring generalship and defense shaping the score.
Kickboxing
Kickboxing adds kicks and, depending on the rules, knees to boxing techniques. Elbows and prolonged clinching are illegal or heavily restricted in many professional versions. GLORY represents this fast model built around continuous striking.
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is the “art of eight limbs”: fists, elbows, knees and shins or feet are used. The clinch is a technical phase of its own, creating knees, elbows and balance attacks. Exact details vary between traditional and modern event rules.
Mixed martial arts
MMA connects striking with takedowns, throws, ground fighting and submissions. Fighters must manage transitions between distance, clinch and the ground. That separates it most clearly from stand-up-only sports. See MMA rules explained.
Bare-knuckle boxing
Bare knuckle remains boxing at its core: punches are legal, kicks and ground fighting are not. Athletes compete without boxing gloves. BKFC also permits punching in an active clinch and uses two-minute rounds. Exposed knuckles change defense, distance and injury patterns.
Submission grappling and BJJ
Submission grappling focuses on takedowns, positions and holds without strikes. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a central foundation, but points, clothing and legal submissions differ by tournament. ONE uses a single ten-minute grappling round focused on submissions and legitimate attempts.