Study Links Lower Voice Pitch to Increased Fighting Experience and Size in MMA Fighters

A recent study involving 475 mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters has found a correlation between lower voice pitch and certain aspects of fighting ability. The research, published in Scientific Reports, suggests that men's voices may convey information about their threat potential, specifically related to fighting experience and physical size.

"data on 475 mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters...lower voice pitch was associated with greater fighting ability in all analyses...men’s voices appear to provide information about differences in men’s threat potential," stated Rob Henderson in a social media post summarizing the findings.

Researchers analyzed 1,312 voice recordings from interviews of 475 male MMA fighters from an elite league. The study, led by Toe Aung and David Puts, investigated whether fundamental frequency (fo), perceived as voice pitch, and formant position (Pf) could predict various measures of fighting prowess.

While initial analyses showed mixed results for direct measures like win percentages, a deeper examination using factor analysis revealed significant associations. Lower voice pitch and formant position were found to negatively predict "Fighting Experience," which encompasses factors like the number of fights and years active, and "Size," relating to height and weight. These vocal characteristics explained between 3% and 8% of the variance in these specific fighting ability dimensions.

The findings suggest that a deeper voice may serve as an "honest cue of formidability" in men, aligning with evolutionary theories of sexual selection where lower male pitch is often associated with social status and perceived physical strength. However, the study also noted that the effect sizes were small, with fundamental frequency explaining only 1-3% of the variance in fighting ability. It clarifies that voice pitch correlated with fighting experience and size, but not directly with "Fighting Success" measures such as win percentage or Elo ratings.