http://www.sherdog.net/forums Jab, right hook, left cross... is it really that hard? Talk about it here. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:44:32 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.cdn.sherdog.net/forums/images/darkinferno/misc/rss.jpg http://www.sherdog.net/forums http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/i-know-late-but-can-anyone-explain-how-why-lyoto-won-dec-1100108/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:54:56 GMT meant to post this waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay earlier; but im doing it now, based on what you saw in the fight is there any LEGIT reason you feel the decision went to machida. Alot of talk was given to what rua did right and solving the puzzle; but based on what you saw, how did lyoto win the fight..what did he do that made an impression on you if at all. meant to post this waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay earlier; but im doing it now, based on what you saw in the fight is there any LEGIT reason you feel the decision went to machida. Alot of talk was given to what rua did right and solving the puzzle; but based on what you saw, how did lyoto win the fight..what did he do that made an impression on you if at all. ]]> Standup Technique devante http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/i-know-late-but-can-anyone-explain-how-why-lyoto-won-dec-1100108/ http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/story-about-attitude-1099914/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:05:19 GMT Bored at work again so i figure i'll write another gym story. This story takes place about a year 1/2 back in my old gym which was a combination MMA/Kickboxing/Boxing gym.

One in a million is what coach called him. He was maybe 6 foot 3, his physique was reminiscent of an olympic sprinter, strong and explosive yet lean and agile, though a little on the lanky side. If i were to compare his physical appearance to an animal, he'd be a thoroughbred racehorse. Good looking guy, he clearly had some African blood and he was part Samoan if i recall correctly, not that it's important. Damien was his name, at least for this story. This dude was a physical specimen;.

Damien had loads of talent, he was a purple belt in jiu jitsu, but he had the skill of a brown/black belt, on top of that he's an accomplished grappler, winning several awards in gi and nogi. To my surprise coach said he had been coming to the gym for months, goes to show where i've been lately haha. He took to boxing and kickboxing almost naturally. He picked up techniques at lightning speeds and grasped concepts with ease. He punched hard and his kicks were quick, he had good eyes and a killer instinct, definitely the makings of a world beater.

The months passed and Damien won several kickboxing fights, then MMA, which he utterly dominated, he even dominated the fights he was supposed to lose, it was awe inspiring. He had all the right attributes and skills to excel at MMA except for one flaw, his personality. Now i'm not sure if he had some sort of mental condition, but this guy was the definition of hot and cold. One minute he's your friend and you're the greatest training partner in the world, the next minute he's making a scene and jumping down your throat threatening you for whatever little training goof or inconsistency, or sometimes for nothing....it really is a trip training with him.

I remember one time he was holding pads for me, we were working round kicks. I don't mean to toot my own horn (i do), but i'm known to be a pretty heavy kicker. So i go at the pads and everything seems fine for a while and then things turned ugly fast. Damien throws the pads on the ground and shouts "what the fuck man?!!" i go "what?". Apparently i was kicking the pads too hard and i need to work on "technique over power". He was telling me that i always hit too hard and if i ever sparred with him and pulled some "shit" like that he'd "knock me the fuck out". It was a little embarrassing because everyone stopped to watch the spectacle which made me look like the bad guy....I had a feeling he didn't like me from the beginning, but i partnered with him anyway because he was so good. At the same time I also had a feeling
that he really liked training with me.

Not sure what he was on about, because first of all, i've been kicking since i was a kid so my technique was fine, second of all, he didn't know how to hold pads, he kept getting pushed back or tapped in the face by the pads, i'm wary about offering him unsolicited advice on that because he clearly didn't see me as his equal. Third of all, if anyone was uncontrolled when sparring, it was him 100%. All this contradiction perplexed me. See what happens when you miss out on learning to hold pads because coach is always there holding them for you?

This man was definition of drama king to an extreme level, he roughs up everyone in training and we just shrug it off, but he cries and complains when someone goes even a tiny bit hard on him. I remember him yelling and borderline threatening a guy for accidentally digging a knee into his nuts during the weekend Judo class. He then proceeded to throw the guy all over the place to the point where his foot hit a low ceiling fan that injures it badly. I just watched in amazement, he asked if he was ok, but i could tell he didn't really care about hurting the guy, and the instructor wasn't around.

Now my coach is an older Japanese guy who has fought in pro boxing, Muay thai and MMA in its infancy, he has trained good K-1 fighters and was one of the key players in the birth of Japanese MMA and pancrase. If you wanted to make it big in MMA or Kickboxing overseas, this was the guy you needed to go to. He's seen it all so nothing really impresses him, except for Damien at the time. Coach is a very friendly diplomatic guy that doesn't like trouble. The only bad thing is that he tends to turn a blind eye to the personal relationships between his students, he'd rather just teach what he knows and not get involved, but soon he'll have to.

Coach takes a couple days off and has his golden boy lead the beginner-intermediate boxing classes, bad idea. I bring my friend (who is japanese and dresses a little umm..urban) to try out the class on that particular day. He meets Damien and there's is an instant dislike here because they both have strong personalities. He comes from a Kyokushin karate background and does some techniques differently, Damien unnecessarily ridicules him for it. Damien tells him, as if he's speaking for the whole gym, "We don't like taking you karate guys here because you guys do shit wrong, don't you ever wonder why Muay Thai fighters beat the shit out of you karate, TKD guys or whatever you are??". I thought to myself, "wtf it's a beginners class, are you TRYING to make us lose business?". My friend didn't take that too well.

Things go downhill from there, it just gets nastier and Damien starts making personal comments about his "bad attitude" and how he's a wannabe gangster etc etc. Luckily my friend shrugged it off like an adult and we finished the class and went on our way. He never came back a second time, i felt bad for bringing him there, he just came on the wrong day....

Like i said, coach is as nice a guy as you'll ever meet, but one day Damien pushed him over the edge. It was sparring day, coach went out for a bit to get some ramen or something. Damien was sparring this guy, an iraq war veteran, Jimmy i think his name was, he was pretty good, with a few MMA matches. Looked like a normal sparring session until Jimmy hit Damien a nice one. Things escalated and Damien ended up breaking the poor guy's rib (we found out later) with a punch and knocking him out cold with a right hook. He hit him so hard his mouthpiece flew out across the room. Coach comes back at exactly this moment and he is taken aback by the display.

So here's Damien standing over his fallen sparring partner, gloating. We were all frozen with shock. Coach asked Damien what happened and he just shrugs and walks away. The guy leaves the gym in an ambulance, coach is really mad, but keeps his composure and usual diplomatic nature. He talks to Damien and tells him to leave the gym until he tones it down. Damien isn't remorseful, he fires back at coach like it wasn't his fault and gives him alot of shit for telling him to leave the gym. He eventually leaves all angry and stuff, we don't see him for a while. That's the thing i liked about my former coach, no matter how good you are, coach don't put up with bullshit, well, provided he sees it happening.

A couple weeks pass and i watch the news, it says that a man was beaten badly by a group of thugs. They showed the picture of the victim and to my astonishment it was Damien. I troll around the neighborhood and ask about what happened and apparently he was running his mouth off at some guy who later called his friends to come and beat him with bats. His legs were fractured and he had severe head injuries. I was shocked and felt sorry of course, he wasn't that bad of a guy, sometimes he was even genuinely nice, he was just overly aggressive, competitive, hyper-egotistical, arrogant, and possibly bipolar.

What a waste of talent. He was real good, but his attitude kept him from having good training partners and eventually left him without a coach and in the hospital. Didn't see him after that.

The crazy thing is, shortly after that coach got an offer for him to fight in Japan for the DEEP organization. lol. ]]> Standup Technique Ron Powell Jr http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/story-about-attitude-1099914/ http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/hard-shots-no-headgear-1099902/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:46:56 GMT Hey guys,

I just started training Muay Thai four weeks ago under an instructor who has fought at Lumpinee and has a Pro MMA record of 3-0, all by TKO. Needless to say I love the classes and his instruction is amazing. I'm 5'10, 154 lbs, and I just started doing the power routine on the SP forum to help stay at a solid 155. My question has to do with sparring.

Yesterday we were sparring with no head gear. Coach says it develops bad habits and I've heard this from two other fighters I know, so no worries there. I got matched up with a 200 lber, who has a fight in two weeks. I throw relatively light punches, and focus mainly on my form. The drill was to throw a 4 shot combo of any punches you wish, while your partner blocks, and vice versa. The 200 lber told me I wasn't throwing hard enough, and he started throwing pretty hard shots, harder than I've ever been hit in the last twelve classes I've attended. Not hard enough to knock me out, but when I'd try to block the body shots, he'd be quick and hit my forehead and temples hard, with my head snapping back sometimes. I had a decent throbbing in my head after practice. Is this going to make me a better fighter or is this training reckless and detrimental? I'm thinking next class I'm just going to give it back to him as hard, and accept the consequences. I can't lie, part of the reason I didn't give it back to him as hard is because he could wreck me and I didn't want him to go any harder, but I'm thinking I have to get over the fear of getting laid out in order to become a better fighter.

Thoughts? ]]> Standup Technique Justinv400 http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/hard-shots-no-headgear-1099902/ http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/stop-hit-kick-1099765/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:03:07 GMT Anyone ever tried to stop kick your opponent attack? Similar to the Jeet Kune Do stop hit theory. For example, I sparred with a guy last night and he roundhouse kick me. I push kicked the thigh of his kicking leg with my front leg before he can land the kick on me. It worked pretty good for me. Anyone ever tried it? Anyone ever tried to stop kick your opponent attack? Similar to the Jeet Kune Do stop hit theory. For example, I sparred with a guy last night and he roundhouse kick me. I push kicked the thigh of his kicking leg with my front leg before he can land the kick on me.

It worked pretty good for me. Anyone ever tried it? ]]> Standup Technique keeshen1 http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/stop-hit-kick-1099765/ http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/what-reaction-punches-work-you-1099753/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:49:56 GMT I'm curious to see what reaction punches work good for you guys.

Here are some that works for me:

I'm not too fond of blocking a straight right, but when I do, a left hook to counter works good for me.

Weave under a hook, straight right of your own is a popular one.

Blocking a hook to the body, and uppercut of your own from the same side is another popular reaction punch, but I'm still working with this one.

I found after slipping a jab to the right side, a right hook to the body almost never works. The distance is just too far unless I can get way inside, which is rare.

Does anyone have anything for after blocking the jab with your right hand? I can usually get a good straight right in after slipping in, but if I block it the distance just seems too far for a right hand, and a counter jab usually just gets blocked. ]]> Standup Technique RuDOWN4It http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/what-reaction-punches-work-you-1099753/ http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/mma-fighters-have-best-physical-skillset-1099638/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:05:30 GMT we always discuss mma fighters tech, mental skills; an we all know who we rate the best in various weightclasses, pound for pound, etc.

well in this thread i wanted to discuss or have us list fighters who have the best physical skillsets; i.e. handspeed power explosiveness mobility body control chin durability etc.

scott smith-punching power; the dude has legit, outside of mma, punching power, he literally crushes guys known for being able to absorb shots. He is a 2nd/3rd tier mw; but has 1st tier power.

jose aldo-explosiveness/power= i am not enamored by his striking as some; but i feel his phys abilities would allow him to be successful (to a certain degree outside of mma). He hits people they fall down and they can't eff def or counter cus of the explosiveness of his strikes.

takanori gomi-power/durability-has been able to cleanly ko a myriad of tough well skilled and proven opp; also has show great ability to absorb huge amounts of damage to the head and body w/out slowing

vitor belfort-handspeed/explosiveness; his skills aren't top notch, but his handspeed and explosiveness is good enough to compete outside of mma...

andrei arvlovski-handspeed, footspeed, explosiveness; as a heavyweight he is particularly impressive, as a man that big who has comparable speed to some welters better than most middles and a majority of lhw.

gsp-athleticism-combination of agility body control handspeed footspeed explosiveness; might not have power or durability to compete outside of mma, but has all the other phys skills

urijah faber-same as gsp

anyone else ]]> Standup Technique devante http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/mma-fighters-have-best-physical-skillset-1099638/ http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/defending-leg-body-kicks-1099548/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:14:08 GMT I have my first amateur MMA bout coming up. I need some advice on how to handle my first opponent. I train in BJJ and boxing (done BJJ for about 3 1/2 years, getting ready to test for my purple belt soon). I trained both seperately for awhile before joining an actual MMA school. My opponent coming up is primary a striker, muay thai I think. I know he also wrestled in high school. He's 2-0, so pretty new to fighting as well.

I'm a lot more comfortable with my BJJ than my striking. Not that I think my boxing is bad, but what I'm worried about and what my question is about is how to defend the leg kicks. I'm comfotable dirty boxing in the clinch and getting out of it, and have enough faith that I can box if I can't get it to the ground, but from a boxer's perspective in MMA, what should I do about the leg kicks? It's really my only concern.

The advice I've gotten thus far from coaches and training partners is that I have a couple inches of reach on him (I'm 6'2'' fighting at 170) and should jab when he goes for the leg kicks. I feel like that this strategy leaves a lot to chance since we aren't sure just how much of a reach I have on him, and obviously legs are longer than arms. And what would I do if I didn't have a significant reach?

I've been watching a lot of video on BJ Penn and Minotauro since they fight primarily BJJ and boxing, but still wanted some additional advice.

Thanks for all those that help ]]> Standup Technique ecrec08 http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/defending-leg-body-kicks-1099548/ http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/advice-transitioning-muay-thai-boxing-1099498/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:17:12 GMT I've been doing Muay Thai for a little over a year now and I love it but I also want to add pure boxing to my training regimen. I feel it is necessary to have fast and powerful hands. What are the some tips you would give for making the transition? Specifically a list of do's and don'ts. The only exposure I've had to boxing is that our MT trainer will focus on hands every now and then but nothing else other than that. ]]> Standup Technique Apokalips http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/advice-transitioning-muay-thai-boxing-1099498/ http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/muay-thai-gyms-1099279/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:31:44 GMT hello all. i recently have fallen in love with muay thai. i've done close to a year of mma training in a small town in georgia but i have recently moved to florida. i hope to go pro and become a trainer one day. so my question is, does anyone know of any muay thai gyms in northeast florida? i've found one bjj and muay thai gym so far and i plan on checking it out soon. any help will be greatly appreciated, i have checked the directory. ]]> Standup Technique Team Supremacy http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/muay-thai-gyms-1099279/ http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/forest-griffin-vs-tito-ortiz-striking-1099248/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:37:55 GMT Who do you guys think have the best striking? Who do you guys think have the best striking? ]]> Standup Technique Frode Falch http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/forest-griffin-vs-tito-ortiz-striking-1099248/ http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/grand-opening-grant-brothers-mma-boxing-1099194/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:06:29 GMT Image: http://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr315/nmss08/GrantBros-DanHenderson-GrandOpen-5x.jpg ]]> Standup Technique GrantbrotherMMA http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/grand-opening-grant-brothers-mma-boxing-1099194/ http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/sanshou-events-1099091/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:22:44 GMT Anybody know of a Sanshou Kickboxing event happening within the next few months in the Ohio/surrounding states area? I am looking to do another Sanshou fight to polish off my ring rust. Anybody know of a Sanshou Kickboxing event happening within the next few months in the Ohio/surrounding states area?

I am looking to do another Sanshou fight to polish off my ring rust. ]]> Standup Technique fightscience19 http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/sanshou-events-1099091/ http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/best-discipline-self-defense-1099028/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:28:41 GMT I know this may not be the correct forum, but I wasn't sure where to post!

If you had virtually no training experience and were looking to prepare for a stint in prison, which art would you study?

I'm leaning more towards the "hand-to-hand combat systems", or "reality based systems" (i.e., Krav Maga, Jeet Kune Do, etc) as opposed to the "sport arts" (i.e., Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, etc.). Any suggestions? ]]> Standup Technique ClearTwoClose http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/best-discipline-self-defense-1099028/ http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/training-doms-1099022/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:09:59 GMT Long story short: I was out with an injury plus a sickness which meant I couldn't train for 2 weeks. So anyway, this monday I just worked out plus went to a MT class on tuesday and today I should go to another MT class but a couple of my muscle are really sore and I don't know if I should go or not. ]]> Standup Technique http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/training-doms-1099022/ http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/mt-mma-gym-mt-mt-gym-1098989/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:14:20 GMT I'm assuming learning MT from a MT gym would give better stand up then learning MT from a MMA gym...even though fighting mma?

Views, thoughts and experiences please. ]]> Standup Technique vincent80 http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f11/mt-mma-gym-mt-mt-gym-1098989/