Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) technique- The Basics
After watching many Mixed Martial Arts(MMA) fights and training with top level fighters I came up with the most important aspects I believe someone needs to master in order to be able to succeed in mixed martial arts fighting.
I will write some of the fundamentals I believe are essential from a grappler point of view since my expertise is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/Wrestling.
The fundamentals:
Setting up to take the fight to the ground-
You need to have good boxing or kickboxing skills, you don’t have to be great but you have to be able to strike to set up your takedowns. I recommend a wrestler/BJJ to learn boxing first and then try to learn kickboxing. For a grappler boxing feels relatively easier to learn than kickboxing.
The best way to set up your takedowns is to make your opponent to cover his face from jabs or crosses or to make him move forward trying to hit you. The goal is to make him worry enough about your striking/boxing that he is not 100% focused on defending your takedown attempts.
The lack of striking skills will make a striker opponent more confident, he knows that you can’t strike so he will train to defend your takedowns and try to knock you out on your feet.
Example:
Drill shooting your double or single legs from Jab or Jab cross combinations. That way you have a set up to do your takedowns.
Takedown Basics:
Double Leg- Train your double leg and most important of all learn how to finish without using much strength, your finishes have to be sharp and once you get in you have to finish every single time. My favorite finish is to the spin rotation, I don’t like to pick up my opponent because it takes to much energy to finish and in later rounds it will be very hard to finish by picking your opponent up.
Single Leg - Train switching from your double to single. Sometimes your opponent sprawls and the only thing left is the single leg, you have to be able to quickly switch and finish the single. My favorite is the finish rotation or switch to double leg.
Body Lock – Train at least two body lock takedowns and be very good at pummeling. Every time your opponent defends your takedown you will be in pummeling situation. Either try to put him against the cage and work your way into a body lock takedown or you can always try to change to a single or double.
Training: Start with 3/3 minutes rounds and move up to 3/5 minutes rounds
Striking Rounds - Go live with partner at 50% /80% striking strength (avoid injuries at all costs), train your reflexes and lose the fear of getting hit. The worst mistake you can make is to either close your eyes or to turn your face while getting hit. At first you don’t have to go very hard, increase the striking strength as you go. The goal is to be relaxed and to strike your opponent without putting too much effort into it. Your shoulders have to be relaxed, and you have to learn how to move around while not getting hit. Also focus your punches on speed rather than strength.
Striking W/ Takedowns - Go live with striking 50% /80% and Takedown 100%. I recommend at first to use 16ounces boxing gloves, there is no grip and it will harder to take your opponent down. After you feel confident with your boxing and takedowns you can change to gorilla gloves. They will give you good grip and it will make it easier to finish the takedowns.
Important Drills:
Start against the cage or wall pad and try to take you opponent down. I run 2 minutes drills like that switching partners and you can do as many as you like. The goal is to simulate a situation where you are trying to take your opponent down against the cage.
Key Points
Learn how to stay in good position and avoid burning yourself out by using all of your strength in a bad position. By drilling this you will learn to conserve energy and only use your power to finish the takedown in the right situation.
I totally agree with you
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/Wrestling is just a part of a total package for a good MMA fighter.