This class was groundwork so we started in the clinch on our knees working the takedown to get our partner on their back. I really like this drill as it reminds you of the need to a positive spine and to look into the centre of their skull. Something I finally saw a pro MMA fighter do this morning. Michael Bisping in his control of Brian Stann at UFC 152 using this concept repeatedly in the standing clinch in his fight. At times Stann was grimacing and trying to work his head out of the way of Bisping’s 3rd controlling limb. In the same match it was great to see Bisping working the double leg takedown successfully. His level changes and explosion were very impressive thus resulting in solid control of his opponent’s base. On at least two occasions his managed to pick Stann up and slam him from the double leg set up. A great performance from Bisping who additionally survived a very wobbly moment at the end of round one and came back strong. Here is a link to fight highlights:
http://mmajunkie.com/news/30765/ufc-152-michael-bisping-vs-brian-stann-full-fight-video-highlights.mma
The drill then evolved to takedown but continue grappling with light striking and no submissions.
Side control focus:
Chest spin pass to other side when the opponent looks to turn in on their side to escape. Pull the shoulder and press the head down so that they look at their belly, maintain pressure through your chest and spin to opposite side for side control.
If, in defending, they get the knee in, you can switch to inverted side control. Grab and lift the tricep as you sit your hips through into his armpit. Hips off the floor and weight through his rib cage.
If they chose to defend badly by extending an arm then you can go the head and arm triangle (shoulder and bicep suppression I think). This is my kryptonite. Matt with whom I was training tonight was very patient no matter how poor I was in applying this technique. I found that simply do not have the proprioception to feel it. In the link from sparring tonight below, there was an opportunity for me to grab this technique but failed too. I know that I need to look for and practise well under pressure.
Sparring with Seb and Simon.
Seb ‘selected’ me to spar with on the ground with strikes. I tried my hardest to keep moving and defend and on occasion attack but Seb has such a formidable top game that it is most difficult to maintain constant movement and intelligent defence. Seb was far too complimentary at the call of time but I appreciate his kind words in saying that he enjoys sparring with me.
Then I free formed with Simon. The link is below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9iTIZPWaf7M
This morning I also watched the Jones V Belfort fight. If the head and arm triangle is my nemesis the Jones is all fighters’ nemesis. He is clearly very talented and hard to work out and thus beat. A most enjoyable fight.
Here is the link to Jones V Belfort highlights:
http://mmajunkie.com/news/30763/ufc-152-jon-jones-vs-vitor-belfort-full-fight-video-highlights.mma
Sunday, 23 September 2012
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
Week 54: Circular movement
As Angel is in preparation for his first fight, all of our training is geared to getting him best sorted for his fight. So tonight was about movement on the feet.
Boxing: Milzy got us started with boxing rounds. Felt good to only focus on one range from a defensive point of view. That boxing lark is a piece of cake…
Kicking: We moved into kicking only and straight away the range becomes greater for obvious reasons. I tried to work the concept from last week of using the round kick to put the body in what the opponent should perceive a s a weak position then launch attacks from there.
Movement away using feet no hands: The point is Lee is showing us why moving back in straight lines is rubbish for so many reasons. When you are not allowed to defend with your hands the feet certainly work much, much harder. Apart from the clear advantages of moving to the closed side of the opponent’s stance, the learning tonight starkly reminded me about not having lazy movement in training. I guess I need to assume that I do not have my hands up protecting the range and that my first defensive movement comes from the feet not closing the arms to protect the head and torso. Obviously having rice paper instead of skin on the soles of my feet this presents some issues; every time we do stand up in class I come away with ripped toes and blistered feet. Perhaps I need to stop being a pedicurist’s nightmare and grow a pair?
Head movement = flat feet so go for the level change: At this point Lee made reference to the fact that if an opponent is moving lots, his head is still on his shoulders and if the head is bobbing and weaving continually then the feet will generally be more planted. Something to be aware of and begin attacking with this in mind too.
Low hands v walking down striker: Initially I thought this was a bonkers idea; to circle away from someone walking you down with quite wild punches and your hands are down. My mind flashed back to Prince Naseem in his glory days throwing punches from his knees. Actually having the hands down offers tremendous freedom and opportunity to attack at the end of their attack.
The following link show Michael Page who fights with great confidence in what appears to be a very dangerous to his health way:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m1j7gAE5Ic
On a side note rant, it bothers me greatly that the biggest MMA group in this country is being promoted to a lad audience. UCMMA (formerly Cage Rage) is all a bit too East End for my liking. Has a sleazy feel to it. Stop promoting your fights as if they are in nightclub and develop some class. Anyway, MP, whose Dad I used to train with in the mid-90s has quite incredible movement coupled with self-belief and obvious talent. I believe he has recently signed with Bellator so hope to see him in action stateside soon. It is quite rare to see a fighter use these tactics, is this because he is being creative or silly?
You decide:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0sgfp9KKUo&feature=related
Action starts at 6.50
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4awSmJfuhbU&feature=relmfu
Fun and games here start at 3.00
Long step double leg shoot rounds v sprawl: This was tough as we were asked to use a long deep step to cover the distance for the double leg takedown without dropping the front knee down. First key point is changing the level; keep the spine positive, eyes on the opponent and explode.
Assessing opponents stance and tactic: By the end of the lesson my feet were a bloody, in both senses of the word, mess. I sat out whilst Lee took the troops through this drill. Too many fighters at the lower level come out fighting in a chaotic and blitzing manner. Conversely the seasoned pro will stalk, wait and observe when the fight starts. This is what the learning was on. Assess what he is doing. Yes it is a fight but it is not a street fight or a brawl. It is OK to work a strategy and to use your mind as opposed to your face.
Boxing: Milzy got us started with boxing rounds. Felt good to only focus on one range from a defensive point of view. That boxing lark is a piece of cake…
Kicking: We moved into kicking only and straight away the range becomes greater for obvious reasons. I tried to work the concept from last week of using the round kick to put the body in what the opponent should perceive a s a weak position then launch attacks from there.
Movement away using feet no hands: The point is Lee is showing us why moving back in straight lines is rubbish for so many reasons. When you are not allowed to defend with your hands the feet certainly work much, much harder. Apart from the clear advantages of moving to the closed side of the opponent’s stance, the learning tonight starkly reminded me about not having lazy movement in training. I guess I need to assume that I do not have my hands up protecting the range and that my first defensive movement comes from the feet not closing the arms to protect the head and torso. Obviously having rice paper instead of skin on the soles of my feet this presents some issues; every time we do stand up in class I come away with ripped toes and blistered feet. Perhaps I need to stop being a pedicurist’s nightmare and grow a pair?
Head movement = flat feet so go for the level change: At this point Lee made reference to the fact that if an opponent is moving lots, his head is still on his shoulders and if the head is bobbing and weaving continually then the feet will generally be more planted. Something to be aware of and begin attacking with this in mind too.
Low hands v walking down striker: Initially I thought this was a bonkers idea; to circle away from someone walking you down with quite wild punches and your hands are down. My mind flashed back to Prince Naseem in his glory days throwing punches from his knees. Actually having the hands down offers tremendous freedom and opportunity to attack at the end of their attack.
The following link show Michael Page who fights with great confidence in what appears to be a very dangerous to his health way:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m1j7gAE5Ic
On a side note rant, it bothers me greatly that the biggest MMA group in this country is being promoted to a lad audience. UCMMA (formerly Cage Rage) is all a bit too East End for my liking. Has a sleazy feel to it. Stop promoting your fights as if they are in nightclub and develop some class. Anyway, MP, whose Dad I used to train with in the mid-90s has quite incredible movement coupled with self-belief and obvious talent. I believe he has recently signed with Bellator so hope to see him in action stateside soon. It is quite rare to see a fighter use these tactics, is this because he is being creative or silly?
You decide:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0sgfp9KKUo&feature=related
Action starts at 6.50
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4awSmJfuhbU&feature=relmfu
Fun and games here start at 3.00
Long step double leg shoot rounds v sprawl: This was tough as we were asked to use a long deep step to cover the distance for the double leg takedown without dropping the front knee down. First key point is changing the level; keep the spine positive, eyes on the opponent and explode.
Assessing opponents stance and tactic: By the end of the lesson my feet were a bloody, in both senses of the word, mess. I sat out whilst Lee took the troops through this drill. Too many fighters at the lower level come out fighting in a chaotic and blitzing manner. Conversely the seasoned pro will stalk, wait and observe when the fight starts. This is what the learning was on. Assess what he is doing. Yes it is a fight but it is not a street fight or a brawl. It is OK to work a strategy and to use your mind as opposed to your face.
Saturday, 8 September 2012
Week 53: Back strikes
Warmed up with a nice no grip clinching drill. For 3 weeks running we have done something similar and for 3 weeks my neck, 3 days after training is still tighter than a Jock’s wallet. This is due to using the head as another controlling limb. I am still amazed at how little this is utilised in the MMA I watch on TV.
This moved into clinching from the knees with the aim of getting your partner’s shoulders to the matt. I made some decent success in the first few rounds then I met Shoib (sp?) who managed to bundle me on my back at will. I tried having a low and alive base. I know size should not matter but he is considerably bigger than me and thus more successful. Perhaps I need to work under his base and be more creative in attack.
Several of us helped to put Angel through his paces in prep for his first amateur MMA scarp in a few weeks. The final minute of the 15 can be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2mpZG1Yv24&feature=g-upl
The main part of the lesson focussed on attacking after you have put yourself in a vulnerable position. The round kick was our primary attack with which we had to land in front and across our centre; the side and back is now exposed for an attack from you partner.
We looked at the following attacking options from the landed round kick:
Outward strike (turn the lead foot to begin the motion, follow with the hips and then the arm)
Back elbow (shift weight from the rear to front foot as you thrust the elbow strike to the face)
Back kick (lean the head away, pick the knee up right up to the collar bone and extend out with the strike)
Spinning back strike (as it says on the tin)
Heads punches and purposely playing Sugar Ray. Lee told us of the final fight between Sugar Ray and Hagler and this strategy was employed, very successfully, several times throughout the fight. I am still too far from being good at the basics to consider this but it has planted a little seed…
Free form with Simon: Ended the session with some stand up sparring. Need to let the hands go. When I watch everyone else spar the hands attack freely. I seem incapable of a multi pinch and multi hand combo. Too defensive and cognitive. Time to be more fluid and accepting.
This moved into clinching from the knees with the aim of getting your partner’s shoulders to the matt. I made some decent success in the first few rounds then I met Shoib (sp?) who managed to bundle me on my back at will. I tried having a low and alive base. I know size should not matter but he is considerably bigger than me and thus more successful. Perhaps I need to work under his base and be more creative in attack.
Several of us helped to put Angel through his paces in prep for his first amateur MMA scarp in a few weeks. The final minute of the 15 can be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2mpZG1Yv24&feature=g-upl
The main part of the lesson focussed on attacking after you have put yourself in a vulnerable position. The round kick was our primary attack with which we had to land in front and across our centre; the side and back is now exposed for an attack from you partner.
We looked at the following attacking options from the landed round kick:
Outward strike (turn the lead foot to begin the motion, follow with the hips and then the arm)
Back elbow (shift weight from the rear to front foot as you thrust the elbow strike to the face)
Back kick (lean the head away, pick the knee up right up to the collar bone and extend out with the strike)
Spinning back strike (as it says on the tin)
Heads punches and purposely playing Sugar Ray. Lee told us of the final fight between Sugar Ray and Hagler and this strategy was employed, very successfully, several times throughout the fight. I am still too far from being good at the basics to consider this but it has planted a little seed…
Free form with Simon: Ended the session with some stand up sparring. Need to let the hands go. When I watch everyone else spar the hands attack freely. I seem incapable of a multi pinch and multi hand combo. Too defensive and cognitive. Time to be more fluid and accepting.
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