[RFM]

This is my first thread and really it's not so much I want to say anything but rather ask a few question to some of the more hardcore MMA fans. After watching BJ effectively use the jab do you think you will see more fighters incorporate it into their game plan? The jab too me is one of the most overlooked punches and seems to be a lost art in MMA. Any great boxer will tell you the importance of the jab. BJ was really able to keep Sherk at bay by effectively landing that jab (that eventually always leads to significant damage and eventually followed by bigger shots as we saw in the fight). The insane thing was the percentage rate that he landed it at, I don't recall the percentage but it was way over 50% landing rate. One way a fighter can keep a faster opponent or stronger puncher at a distance is by having an effective jab. If you think about most the fighters that gave Mike Tyson (or any heavy handed fighter that looks only to use his power) a hell of a time, was guys with good boxing skills (that used the jab constantly). Some of the greatest fighters in boxing are those that used this as their main weapon.
After watching the Pulver vs Faber fight I was wondering if you think Pulver would have had a better chance if he would have used the jab as much as BJ used it against sherk? Obviously different fighters (not saying out come would be different) and what not but it was plain to see that Pulver could not match the speed of Faber (Sherk is a much faster fighter then BJ as well with his hands). Faber was throwing that over hand right at will (a similar punch that sherk was trying to land on BJ but kept eating jabs for it) and Pulver had no answer for it. Just wondering what you guys think about the effect of the jab and what fighters have you noticed that use it effectively? Do you think more fighters should use it in their approach? To me a fighter with a good jab will always have a great game plan against heavy hitters (those tyson like fighters) who come in with those wide hooks.

[that one dude]

firstly, paragraphs. secondly, yes, jabs can be very effective, so long as a fighter isn't relying on them.

[JGonzo13]

Originally Posted by that one dude

firstly, paragraphs. secondly, yes, jabs can be very effective, so long as a fighter isn't relying on them.

You really shouldn't be giving writing advice.

[Yanoush]

Agreed

With the small gloves they go from becoming just the tactical tool they are in boxing to something you can fuck your opponents face up with bad.

[RFM]

Originally Posted by Yanoush

Agreed

With the small gloves they go from becoming just the tactical tool they are in boxing to something you can fuck your opponents face up with bad.

I agree 100%. It seems when someone lands a great jab with "MMA" gloves that it could hurt an opponent and give a great window to land that crowd pleasing punch.

[mikey5time]

Why throw jabs when Haymakers will do?

[RFM]

Originally Posted by mikey5time

Why throw jabs when Haymakers will do?

Because as the fighters get better and their striking more technical, the haymaker becomes less effective. In reality the haymaker becomes a more dangerous punch to throw for the person throwing it when he is fighting a very technical well rounded striker. I do realize that the haymakers please the crowd though!

[LethalSassonic]

It's a lot easier to do damage with MMA gloves than boxing gloves. So people don't look to finish fights with dozens of jabs, rather land one big shot to turn the fight in their favor. I still agree the jab is underused though, it can be so helpful.

[InternetHero]

Originally Posted by LethalSassonic

It's a lot easier to do damage with MMA gloves than boxing gloves. So people don't look to finish fights with dozens of jabs, rather land one big shot to turn the fight in their favor. I still agree the jab is underused though, it can be so helpful.

The jab can be absolutely dominating and it is a low-risk, fast shot to throw.

It's remarkable that it is not used with more precision currently in MMA. I think it is a combination of the kind of physical gifts some of the strikers have in MMA and what they train.

[Pure Evil]

agreed the jab is one of the most impt but under-utilized aspects of mma. a lot of fighters just focus on using it to start a punching combo or set up a shoot but most dont repeatedly throw the jab to slowly damage their opponent. Tim sylvia comes to mind as a fighter with a good jab...nick diaz uses it quite a bit too, but ur right, BJ damaged sherk quite a bit with his.