James Thompson Glass Jaw or Bad Defense?

standup29 · 03-20-2008, 11:50 AM

What do you guys think, do you think James Thompson has a glass jaw or really bad defense? I have watched most of his fights since he got into Pride and all of his Ko's have been some pretty solid shots. It makes me wonder if it he really can't take a punch or would most HW's go down to the shots he takes? What do you think?

ciggle · 03-20-2008, 11:55 AM

a mixture of both

sanojela · 03-20-2008, 11:56 AM

his jaw is def. suspect but you have to add in some more factors...

yes his defense is lowsy. alot of fighters do a great job of rolling with the punches. he lacks head movement causing him to absorb more shock

he is extremely slow

earlier in his career was willing to trade and, i've always wanted to discuss this, i feel he has the weakest punch respective to his size. the guy is all arms no lower body. very weak for a massive guy

my favorite fight with him getting KO'ed is the Fujita fight. he should have kept the clinch and threw more big knees

Brandino · 03-20-2008, 12:01 PM

He has a glass defense

He's just not a very good fighter and he's suspect to KO's to taller fighters because he sticks his chin out big time.

If Frye was 3 inches taller and actually in shape then he would of Flash KO'd him also.

JT needs to train boxing 3 years solid in order for him to avoid losing...

standup29 · 03-20-2008, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanojela

his jaw is def. suspect but you have to add in some more factors...

yes his defense is lowsy. alot of fighters do a great job of rolling with the punches. he lacks head movement causing him to absorb more shock

he is extremely slow

earlier in his career was willing to trade and, i've always wanted to discuss this, i feel he has the weakest punch respective to his size. the guy is all arms no lower body. very weak for a massive guy

my favorite fight with him getting KO'ed is the Fujita fight. he should have kept the clinch and threw more big knees

He has even commented on that. He said he is still learning to punch properly, that for his size he doesn't punch as hard as he should. I think he needs to focus more on technique and drop a few pounds. He has no foot movement(I don't either) so he needs to work on that. I have also noticed he drops his hands a lot when he punches. He leaves his jaw exposed way too much. I would love to see him work on that aswell.

I like the guy and want to see him get back on the winning track. He needs to quit running at his opponent too. That is just dumb and doesn't work at the elite level.

standup29 · 03-20-2008, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandino

He has a glass defense

He's just not a very good fighter and he's suspect to KO's to taller fighters because he sticks his chin out big time.

If Frye was 3 inches taller and actually in shape then he would of Flash KO'd him also.

JT needs to train boxing 3 years solid in order for him to avoid losing...

Yup, pure technique is all he needs to work. Stop doing so much weight training, focus on functional training. work on his balance and strengthen that neck, if he's gonna be flat footed he better at least be able to absorb the shot.

System · 03-20-2008, 12:08 PM

A little from column A, a little from column B

Shabnam · 03-20-2008, 12:11 PM

Yeah, both. His match with Fujita (i think) in Pride was hillarious! That's the longest i've ever seen anyone out on their feet.

I do like JT though! Love his fights.

MMAftfw · 03-20-2008, 12:12 PM

Combination of the both his defense isn't that good but i think regardless he has a weak chin and improved defence would only make it take longer to knock him out. Though the boxing training and working on head movement could really help him slip and avoid the full force of a lot of punchs that would have knocked him out.

sanojela · 03-20-2008, 12:16 PM

i like watching him fight too. i know it's gonna be exciting and unfortantely at his expense. i feel really bad for the guy when he gets KO'ed. he is training with extreme couture so hopefully he can avoid the stand up game for a while with solid greco roman and work on his speed, foot work, punching power. i agree he needs to lose some bulk and jump rope everyday. jumping rope is imo the best work out for my ability to maintain gas while staying active on my feet. i tried in sparring to stalk i.e. crocop but i def. take some big shots with this approach. staying active and head movement fits my style.