Using Striking Combinations in Mixed Martial Arts

Striking in Combination

It is no surprise that you can’t just throw a punch randomly and expect to hit a skilled opponent. Of course those one shot knockouts have their place and can be deadly if you catch the opponent by surprise. But realistically you can’t rely on that in every fight.

Combination strikes can be used to strike much more effectively. By stringing together certain punches, and not even necessarily landing all the strikes, you can put yourself in a better position for the next hit and  connect clean. This also allows you to generate more power and be more agile in the ring and be less able to be hit by flowing from strike to strike 

Body Shot Combinations

nobody gets that open of a body shot without setting it up with a combo

Combination punches can really help to open up the body for strikes. This also helps because when striking the body you are in close and vulnerable. In addition to this, by setting up the opponent for the body shots with other punches first you can put the opponent in the worst possible position for him for the strike you are about to throw.

By throwing punches at the opponent’s head or face you can make him have to honor your strikes and block. This is the general idea behind the set up for the body strikes because it takes the opponent’s arms away from his ribs.

By striking in succession you can flow with the strikes to load up and generate more power for the final blow at the end of the combination. This can especially be seen in the overhand right combination in the video below. Not only does it put the opponent in a bad spot to strike himself or avoid a strike but it naturally swings your body into the perfect load up for a powerful body hook.

Multi-Strike Combinations

The body shot combinations shown above consisted of two strike combinations. However using many strikes in combination can serve to really keep the opponent on his heels. Although more practice and know how is also needed to know how to flow to what punch next.  Not every strike has to be a knockout punch either. In MMA even quick, less powerful, strikes can do good damage and with the volume of punches in the combination there is a good chance to get the upper hand on your opponent.

However by striking in fluid combinations like this you can generate a lot of power for your final shot. A quick strike  can stun the opponent long enough to follow up with a power strike for a knockout blow. Depending on how many strikes you decide to throw this can be a very good depiction of the saying, “the best defense is a good offense”. 

Combinations With Kicks

Striking combinations do not always have to exclusively consist of punches. Combinations that include kicks can be tremendously effective as well. Strikes to the face can get the opponents arms to block high as well and leave the opponent’s body open for quick powerful kicks. Also a kick can be used to open up a striking combination to stun the opponent before moving in for close range punches, elbows, or knees. For some examples and explanations of striking combinations including kicks CLICK HERE

Or just watch Anderson Silva perform a quick kick combination of his.

Final Word

My motto for striking combinations is “work smart not hard”. You could try and go out there and brute your way through a striking fight. However if you want to pick the opponent apart and not give him opportunities to strike back using effective striking combinations is key.

There are a lot of combinations out there to learn that are great for specific  fighters because the combinations suit a particular fighter’s style. However there is no substitute for some good old trial and error and practice in the ring. You know your own strengths and weaknesses and what combinations feel right, and with enough practice you could start to develop some combinations of your own.

 

 

 

Unorthodox striking in mixed martial arts

What is Normal?

A superman punch can catch your opponent guessing. hopefully guessing wrong.

Unorthodox really just means straying from the norm. So in mixed martial arts striking what is considered to be an unorthodox strike. For my purposes an unorthodox strike is essentially anything that when you see the first thing that comes to mind is along the lines of, “damn didn’t see that coming.”

Striking is obviously a great way to end a fight is you have the power in your strikes to knockout the opponent. However sometimes a straight forward charge is not the best idea because your opponent is blocking/dodging your strikes or he is countering them because you are so predictable. By mixing up the pot a little bit and adding variety to your striking package you can surprise.and hopefully land strikes on your opponent

The Strikes

Sometimes your regular punch and kick combinations just wont scratch the surface of an opponent. Whether he is too quick or too defensive, throwing ineffective strikes is just a waste of energy. However maybe try mixing up your striking game by implementing some that catch your opponent so off guard that they cant dodge or defend against it.

To name a few unorthodox strikes that are seen more commonly seen (oxymoronic i know) there are things like the spinning back fist/back elbow, The superman punch, the flying knee, spinning kicks, and other moves that involve unpredictability and speed. These strikes are seen pretty often watching professional mixed martial arts and when they are landed it is easy to see a quick unexpected strike’s results on the opponent.

Why Are They So Effective

It is basic knowledge that in a fight you generally want to stay balanced and on your feet to have as much control over yourself as possible. That is why it probably isn’t smart for someone to just throw a tornado kick and expect it to be effective. To effectively strike unpredictably it looks like your out of control but in reality you are in complete control, controlled chaos. Striking like this takes practice and training not just blind luck.

There are really two main advantages given by this kind of striking. First is the fact that a lot of them increase the power of your strike. and type of spinning strike adds a bunch of rotational kinetic energy to the strike making it much more effective. This is especially the case for types of spinning kicks because the length of the leg leads to even greater speeds during rotation.

Secondly there is the element of surprise  You become much less predictable if you start spinning around instead of standing still in front of your opponent. There are ways to make your opponent give himself up for a strike as well. For example, if an opponent is being very defensive a superman punch might be the move that drops his guard for just long enough to get the punch to connect.

You tell me if this kid saw the power of this kick coming

I mean i clearly saw this flying knee coming when it happened i don’t know how this guy didn’t…

Are We Sure?

Unorthodox is a relative term. What might be abnormal for one form of competition might not be all that ridiculous to another. In karate and taekwondo many of strikes thrown probably look unorthodox to most people. However the effectiveness of an unexpected strike remains pretty consistent if it lands on the opponent, because usually you cant block what you didn’t see coming. But practicing and knowing when to throw an unorthodox strike can be a useful weapon in your arsenal.

 

The uppercut in mixed martial arts

The Deadly Uppercut

Kimbo Slice knows how to land the uppercut do you?

In boxing or mixed martial arts the uppercut is a very strong and quick punch that can be thrown. It is a very short range attack and relies on more upward movement of the body rather than rotational. This is a great punch for shorter stockier fighters who seek to come inside the reach of an opponent and then strike him. It is also a lethal strike if used as a well timed counter when your opponent’s chin is open.

There are two variations to this punch, the rear and lead uppercut. As with most other strikes the rear variation is slower and more powerful while the lead is quicker but sacrifices power. Also unlike a hook or a cross there is really no rotational power but instead the force is generated by the quads, core muscles in the back, and shoulder muscles thrusting the striking hand upwards.

This video demonstrates mostly the lead uppercut but CLICK HERE to see how to better utilize the rear uppercut

Knockout Power

That video is a perfect example of what they tell you not to do when throwing an uppercut, drop your blocking arm and wind up slowly, but he go away with it so I have to give that to him. However this video also points towards the knockout power of the uppercut. It is a strike designed to be a quick decider in a fight.

The fact that the uppercut delivers the explosive power of your legs and back is why it carries the knockout power that it does. Also the angle of the strike is a factor in this. The upwards angle is perfect for striking the jaw which is the money zone for knockouts. Also if the opponent is guarding his face a lot because he cant handle your punches you could sneak an uppercut through his guard and catch his jaw.

When Can You Strike

Throwing errant uppercuts is not a very good idea. You need to be in pretty close proximity to the opponent to hit him with one. On the flip side this means your well within his striking range as well, and that is why timing is very important.

Having your opponent up against the cage in a mixed martial arts fight or the ropes in a boxing fight are good times to throw an uppercut. In this position your opponent cannot back away to dodge so you can work a very close quarters striking game and utilize the uppercut. Also as previously mentioned you can, if your lucky, sneak an uppercut through someones guard when they’re unprepared.

Also the uppercut can be used as a counter strike. The link earlier in the post goes into using the rear hook as a counter strike and combo strike. When the opponent strikes he naturally moves closer to you. Or if the opponent tries to duck underneath your strikes he puts his face in an ideal spot to be tagged with an uppercut. The rear uppercut is especially useful in this situation because if executed properly the counter gives you the time you need for the slower more powerful strike; hopefully knocking out your opponent in the process.

Using the Teep Kick in Mixed Martial Arts

This Is Sparta

There is no better example of a well timed teep kick than by King Leonidas in the movie 300.

Although he looked cool doing it, it is of course not a very good technical representation of the strike. The teep kick, or thrust kick is a surprisingly versatile strike to add to your arsenal. It is also a good kick for powerful fighters with shorter stockier legs who aren’t going to be throwing any ridiculous kung fu kicking combos. A teep kick also has variations which make it an offensive as well as a defensive strike.

A more traditional kick involves a lot of hip rotation and rotational speed to generate power. A teep kick however is very different and involves a more of a straight shot style. The power is generated from the quad of the kicking foot as well as thrusting the whole body forward towards the opponent through the hips. This puts the force of the whole body into the kick. There are three main variations of the teep kick as well which are all very similar. Those along with the basics of the teep kick are explained in this video

Lead Teep Kick

A lead teep kick is generally a very defensive strike. It can be executed quickly and with a good amount of power. It is generally used to keep thee opponent away from you when he moves in close. Almost like a jab but in kicking form. This can also be used as a quick body shot to wear down the opponent.

Rear Teep Kick

What a left jab is to a lead teep kick a straight right is to rear teep kick. This strike can generate more power than a lead teep making it a more effective offensive weapon. Staying on the balls of your feet and leaning into the opponent is especially important for this strike. The greter transfer of weight in the rear teep kick is what leads to the increase in power.

This strike can be extremely powerful but is kind of slow and is a pointed strike that could be easily dodged by a quick moving opponent on his toes. Also this strike can be a very powerful body strike if it connects with the right spot on the body. Directly under the ribs in the center of the torse there is a spot called the solar plexus. This is a nerve center that controls breathing and such. If struck with enough force it causes muscle spasms which interrupt breathing temporarily.

Lean Teep Kick

A leaning teep kick is a longer range strike but similar in usage to a lead teep kick.  It is a quick strike which can be performed with either the lead or rear foot, the lead being quicker and the rear being more powerful. The strike is good for keeping an opponent at a good distance from you if he has a long reach or kickboxing skills.

Also because you natrualy lean back durring this kick it takes you out of punching range. This gives the opportunity for a quick counterstrike to the body. However the right technique is needed because if you are not effectively out of the oppoenents punching range the engagement could end bad for you.

Dont Miss

A teep kick is not an all powerful move, it can be blocked and it can be countered. The video below shows examples of counters to the teep kick. An opponent that is prepared for it can lean into you so the kick does not gain as much power and slide off the kick or hold the foot. Imagine an overhand right  following up a failed teep kick attempt that renders you defenseless.

Overhand right punch in MMA

 The Overhand Right Strike

Chuck Liddell on the receiving end of an overhand right

An iconic punch that is seen so often in a mixed martial arts fight is the overhand right. This strike can be delivered with great power and when it lands more often than not it ends in a knockout blow. This punch gets its power from a combination of rotational speed and a downward angle to the striking motion. UFC mixed martial artists like Dan Henderson and Chuck Liddell are known for using this powerful punch with devastating consequences.  

I refer to the strike as an overhand right but is technically a rear arm overhand strike that is described throughout.They achieve maximum power through a swinging motion that looks oddly similar to throwing a baseball when practiced. As with other power punches the power comes from rotation of the orso through core strength. It is also critical to follow through on the punch; stopping a strike and not punching through the opponent leads to much decreased power. The video below is Chuck Liddell demonstrating his overhand right technique.

Proper Time To Strike

The Overhand right is a mid-range strike that give you a little more range than a hook because of the extended arm rather than it being bent at a ninety degree angle at the elbow. Also the long arcing striking motion can be used to essentially punch around an opponent’s guard. This makes it a good strike to throw when your opponent is taking a defensive approach. The powerful less straight forward attack could break the opponent’s defense briefly to allow for different attacks.

Against a quicker opponent this might not be best to lead with this strike. If the opponent sees this not so discreet of quick punch coming he can circle out of its range. However if taking the opponent to the ground is a viable option; you can use your momentum to go from an overhand right to a take down attempt when the opponent circles away from the punch. Also he could dodge it or duck underneath it and put himself in a great position to strike you when your defenseless after a missed striking attempt. Click Here for a video of some simple overhand right counters.

To turn the tides on an opponent trying to counter your overhand attack, use the overhand itself as a counterattack for some thrilling results. When you throw overhand you can use the natural motion of your hips dipping and head turning away to dodge a punch while throwing the overhand right as well. This takes more finesse and confidence in your own striking ability becuase it does put you clearly in striking range of the opponent if executed incorrectly. Trully a high risk high reward option.

Why Choose the Overhand

This punch is truly designed to be a knockout strike to the opponent. The arc of the strike makes it more difficult to block. The strike is aimed for the side of the jaw or the temple area, the classic spot for a knockout punch. For a power striker in a mixed martial arts fight an overhand right is a deadly strike to master.

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Using the hook in mma

The Hook

This fighter is clearly feeling the effects of a well placed hook

Mixed martial artists seek to train and better themselves in all aspects of their fighting game. In today’s mixed martial arts arena it is crucial to be able to strike effectively because if you can’t you, make for an easy target for your opponent. Boxing skills in the ring are crucial to round out one’s skill set and prepare for a fight.

One of boxing’s iconic strikes is the hook. It has been used for years in the boxing ring as a powerful strike that can easily be a knockout punch. On the mixed martial arts stage the hook can be an even more powerful weapon. This mostly comes from the smaller gloves that make any strike much more effective than when wearing the boxing gloves. If landed cleanly on an opponent a powerful hook can easily knock even an iron jawed fighter out.

The Technique

Anyone can throw a flailing hook at somebody but the real power comes from using the correct form while doing it. The majority of the power while throwing a hook does not come from the arms but from the legs and core. For clarification’s sake i will describe a left hook from a right handed stance, or whats referred to as a lead hook.

The arm is bent at ninety degrees at the elbow and positioned parallel to the ground. The arm is effectively locked into this position for the punch. The body is then turned using the core muscles to rotate the torso. In addition the feet are pointed in the direction of the rotation to swing your hips and throw your body into the punch.  This rotation and foot movement allows the momentum and force of your entire body to be transferred upon impact making this punch devastating.

Here is a video demonstrating the proper technique. of course it is from a left handed stance but the fundamentals still apply.

Double Edged Sword

This powerful offensive strike can also easily leave you undefended. If you put everything into one punch and miss, or worse the opponent dodges it, the chances for a counter attack are very high. If you end up off balance your opponent could shoot for a quick takedown. Also if you don’t quickly raise your hands for defense against a counter strike one could land and put you in a very bad position. This means that planning and executing these strikes in a smart fashion is essential.

However a hook can also be used as a great counter strike itself. This comes from the natural movement when you throw the hook. When faced with a straight right or left it gives the opportunity to slide to the side of the striking arm and throw the hook on the opponent. This also places you in a prime position without a blocking arm for the opponent.

Body Shots

Another good use for the hook is for a powerful punch to the body. Again the turning motion of this punch serves to take you out of striking range as well as provide enough power to effect the body. A liver strike can be used to stun an opponent along with a quick follow up strike to the head for a knockout, easier said than done though.

Using Striking In An MMA Fight

Striking in MMA

Perfect example of a Knockout Strike in MMA

In mixed martial arts one of the most effective ways to end a fight is by knockout or TKO and the best, and pretty much only, way to do that is with striking. An effective striking game will change the way an opponent tries to fight you and the strength of your own fighting game. Striking is also extremely versatile in the sport of MMA because of the use of all the limbs, the small gloves, and the presence of the ground game.

The basics of striking in MMA are pretty simple. Many fighters in MMA have backgrounds in grappling anyway and learn the basic boxing and muay thai techniques at first. There are so many ways to use striking in MMA though it can take a lot of practice to get good at it from all angles.

Basic Stand Up Striking

In MMA there are a few basic strikes that are used throughout the different levels of competition. The most basic of which being the jab. A jab in MMA is a lot different from a job in boxing though. IN MMA the jab is more versatile because of the damage it can cause, unlike in boxing due to the heavily padded gloves.  The jab is a great way to kee an opponent at a distance you are comfortable with until you plan to strike. or also a quick and effective counterpunch.

Uppercuts, hooks, and overhand punches can all become deadly weapons every time they’re used in MMA. The minimal padding on the gloves reduces any cushion and allows each punch to be a possible killer. Landing solid strikes on the jaw or head of the opponent cause massive damage and can easily quickly change the tides of a fight.

Body strikes are also used very frequently. In strict boxing body shots are used to slowly wear away at an enemy’s stamina and are used in the same way in MMA fights. however because of the minimally padded gloves and use of knees and kicks the body shot becomes and even more effective stamina destroying machine. And with a strong enough strike to the liver or floating ribs an opponent can be frozen in place.

KIcks and knees are also implemented in MMA fights with devastating results. Nimble fighters can use leg kicks to ruin an opponent’s strong stand up game or quickly land a kick to the head and end the fight in one foul swoop. The knee is another powerful strike that can be used to wear away at an opponent’s body, or if times correctly their hed as well.

Ground and Pound

One aspect that makes the sport of MMA trully great is the ground and pound. When on the ground in a grappling situation one has the option to try and knock the opponent out. An untrained fighter could only be opening himself to further submissions or sweeps when trying to ground and pound. However when used correctly the ground and pound is a great way fro a powerful fighter to dominate a fight on the ground when on top of an opponent. There is nowhere for the opponent to go once you have him on the ground underneath you and eating your fist.