Yes, the superman punch is legal in MMA because it's a striking technique, but it's risky due to being easily anticipated and leaving the fighter vulnerable, making it less common in professional fights compared to its use in martial arts like Muay Thai or Sanda. Fighters use it to add power by faking a kick, but it sacrifices balance and creates an opening for counters, as seen in its rare, high-risk application by fighters like Georges St-Pierre.
Superman punches are allowed in boxing as long as they are performed in a proper way and targeted above the belt. The technique adds extra power to the punch, but is not commonly used by world-class boxers because it is easy to anticipate.
Illegal actions
No Punching the Back of the Head or Spine – These are considered illegal blows (also known as “rabbit punches”). No Hitting After the Bell – Fighters must stop punching when the round ends. No Holding and Hitting – Punching while grabbing or clinching an opponent is illegal.
Pretty close, but Hulk takes this with a smash... Superman casually punches much harder, and no, scaling doesn't apply here. When has Hulk ever damaged reality with his punch or generated enough energy in his fist to destroy multiverses, because Superman has done both.
While subjective, Earnie Shavers is widely considered the hardest puncher ever, with peers like Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes confirming his exceptional power, though names like Deontay Wilder, George Foreman, Mike Tyson, and Julian Jackson are also legendary for their devastating knockouts, with some modern data on Francis Ngannou's punch power noted. Shavers' 92% knockout rate and testimonies highlight his unparalleled force, but others excel in different aspects, like Wilder's right hand or Jackson's pound-for-pound impact.
The Black Beast 🦍 and Poatan🗿 both have 100 power in UFC 5!
This action mirrors the flying pose of the fictional superhero, Superman, which is how the technique gets its name. The punch is effective because it's unexpected and swift, making it a popular choice for Muay Thai fighters who want to outsmart and overpower their opponents with a sudden and strong hit.
Hammer fists are prohibited in boxing due to safety rules. They're also mechanically inferior, real power requires full-body engagement, not just arm strength.
Headbutts
Although head butts are permitted in Lethwei, one of the most deadly MMA, they are not permitted in a UFC match. This is one of the most controversial illegal UFC maneuvers. Headbutts used to be completely acceptable in the UFC. They are not now.
In boxing, the numbers 1 through 6 represent the six fundamental punches, a system coaches use for quick commands: 1 (Jab), 2 (Cross/Rear Straight), 3 (Lead Hook), 4 (Rear Hook), 5 (Lead Uppercut), and 6 (Rear Uppercut), with odd numbers being lead hand and even numbers being rear hand, forming the basis for combinations like the classic "1-2".
Francis Ngannou punches harder than Alex Pereira. Ngannou officially holds the record for the most powerful punch ever recorded, with a force of 129,161 units measured by a UFC Performance Institute device in 2017. This blow has been compared to the impact of a speeding car.
Throat punches are generally considered illegal in sanctioned MMA competitions. The reason for this stems from the safety protocols in place to protect fighters during bouts. In a MMA gym setting, punch techniques are practiced under specific guidelines to ensure that all participants can learn and spar safely.
blood pressure. This then causes the body to go into a horizontal position in order to counteract the dramatic change in blood pressure, causing the victim to collapse.
Scientific Estimates of Tyson's Punching Power: 1,800 to 2,200 pounds of force (PSI) – Some studies and estimates suggest Tyson could generate over 1,800 pounds of force, nearly the same as a small car crash at 30 mph. Francis Ngannou (UFC) – 1,294 pounds of force (official record).
Muhammad Ali said Earnie Shavers hit the hardest, famously quiping, "Earnie hit me so hard, it shook my kinfolk back in Africa," comparing Shavers' power favorably to George Foreman and Joe Frazier, despite Shavers being a long-shot contender.
The boxer most famously known for a 100% knockout ratio is Edwin Valero, a Venezuelan former world champion who retired undefeated (27-0) with all wins by KO, though Artur Beterbiev also maintained a 100% KO rate for a significant part of his career until his recent loss to Bivol, which slightly lowered his percentage but solidified his status as a devastating puncher.
While it's subjective, Mike Tyson, Sonny Liston, and Roberto Durán are consistently cited as the most feared boxers ever due to their terrifying presences, overwhelming power, and mental intimidation, with Tyson's legendary aura, Liston's sheer physical menace, and Durán's savage, "Hands of Stone" aggression making opponents feel beaten before the first bell, according to The Fight City and BOXRAW. Other names frequently mentioned include Jack Dempsey, George Foreman, and Marvin Hagler.
Julio César Chávez had an incredible 89-0-1 record before his first loss in 1994, the longest unbeaten streak in boxing history at that point. A streak that may never be matched.
Characters like Maxwell Lord, Lex Luthor, and Alfred Pennyworth have found ways to defeat Superman through cunning and strategy. Even powerful beings like Godzilla, Brainiac, Darkseid, and Wonder Woman have proven capable of besting Superman in battle. There are few characters in DC as powerful as Superman.
Superman DID lift Mjolnir in an epic Marvel/DC crossover event. However, it turned out that Odin, while watching, allowed it temporarily in the moment. When Superman tried to lift it after the battle, he couldn't anymore. So, basically, they way they wrote it, Superman is not worthy.
Both seem to have unlimited strength, Superman from the Sun, Hulk from anger, so it's not quite so clear cut. Hulk has held up a 150 billion ton mountain, Superman has moved a planet, but they are usually portrayed as much weaker than this.