Why do fighters make sounds when they punch?
Making noise is ubiquitous across boxing, kickboxing, and other martial arts. It is really all about breathing, which directly impacts form, power, and keeping your whole body engaged. There are many different breath modes that can be incorporated into the timing of a punch or kick.
Shouting forces us to exhale. This strong exhale remove air from our diaphragms and brings more power and speed to attacks. Yelling also forces a subsequent inhale, which brings oxygen into our bodies. In tournaments, a powerful yell helps judges recognize when a strike is landed.
Today we're going to answer the question why do fighters. Make noises when they punch and basically
The general rule of thumb is that boxers should exhale through the nose sharply every time they throw a punch. This sudden release of oxygen invites an influx of air immediately once the punch is retracted, feeding nutrients and oxygen back into the muscles.
So, Why Do Boxers Spit Out Water? Boxers prefer to spit water out instead of drinking it to clean the blood and torn lips while keeping their dry mouth moist to a certain extent. Also, swallowing a volume of water during a match decreases their performance and may leads to vomiting and cramping.
They warm up the jaw before they get in the ring. Loosening up the jaw will decrease the chance of injury to your jaw and even help you take punches better. It's surprising to see that not many fighters do this!
In Japanese martial arts a Kiai (Japanese: 気合, /ˈkiːaɪ/) is a short shout uttered when performing an attacking move. Traditional Japanese dojo generally uses single syllables beginning with a vowel.
They actually serve a specific purpose when striking. The Muay Thai scream, grunt, or shout is known as an 'energy shout' or 'kiai' in Japanese martial arts. Muay Thai fighters make these sounds to 'stiffen' the body at impact, increasing the impact force of the strike.
Smelling salts are often used on athletes (particularly boxers) who have been dazed or knocked unconscious to restore consciousness and mental alertness. Smelling salts are now banned in most boxing competitions.
Contact sports such as boxing and American football have been linked to brain conditions such as CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) due to the repeated blows athletes take to the head. As Paul describes, some symptoms of CTE are memory loss, forgetfulness and slurred speech.
Why do fighters make weird noises?
Why Do Fighters Make Crazy Noises? | Breathing for Punching & Kicking
4. “UNNGH” Sound. The “UNNGH” sound came from the abdomen (core) and it is used when a boxer wants to punch by front body muscles by tilting forward. This sound adds more power to speed combinations and to digging punches (e.g hooks and uppercuts to body).

The hug in boxing is called a clinch. It's a strategic move where you trap your opponent's arms under yours, stopping the action and causing a break.
Because boxers use gum shields to protect their teeth and the inside of the mouth from cuts, it's important to learn how to breathe through the nose. Breathing through the mouth is not ideal, especially in the fast and frenetic pace of fighting.
Boxers run long distance because it is an essential part of boxing training. It helps build cardiovascular endurance and corrects any muscular asymmetry and imbalance that may develop due to boxing. Running also helps improve flexibility and prevent injuries.
They actually serve a specific purpose when striking. The Muay Thai scream, grunt, or shout is known as an 'energy shout' or 'kiai' in Japanese martial arts. Muay Thai fighters make these sounds to 'stiffen' the body at impact, increasing the impact force of the strike.
Contact sports such as boxing and American football have been linked to brain conditions such as CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) due to the repeated blows athletes take to the head. As Paul describes, some symptoms of CTE are memory loss, forgetfulness and slurred speech.
Smelling salts are often used on athletes (particularly boxers) who have been dazed or knocked unconscious to restore consciousness and mental alertness. Smelling salts are now banned in most boxing competitions.
Boxers put their hands in rice to toughen them and develop strength in the muscles and tendons of the hands, wrist, and forearms. Boxing is demanding on the hands. Taking good care of them and preparing them properly for combat can differentiate between losing or getting these hands raised in victory.