Questions tagged [mixed-martial-arts]

Mixed martial arts permits both striking and grappling techniques, drawing from boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiujitsu, muay thai, and several other styles. The term mixed martial arts was coined in 1995 to describe the fighting style emerging from the Ultimate Fighting Championship competitions.

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Heel Hook Head Kick in Karate or Taekwondo

Whats the name of this Kick in Karate or Taekwondo? Chris Leben called this the "Heel Hook Head Kick". However, he does it with the right outside of the heel foot, instead of the inside. ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
99 views

How can I calm my nerves for my first professional fight?

Hey everyone I like to introduce myself my name is Rouzbeh Karimkhani, I've been doing Mixed Martial Arts training for nearly 13 years. I love all aspects of Mixed Martial Arts maybe not so much ...
Rouzbeh Karimkhani's user avatar
-1 votes
2 answers
132 views

How do I get back into being an MMA Journalist?

First off I like to say I am an hardcore MMA fan. My name is Rouzbeh Karimkhani, I used to be a reporter for Mixed Martial Arts In Canada. I did this 15 years ago only as a passion. I would like to ...
Rouzbeh Karimkhani's user avatar
12 votes
4 answers
4k views

How to Deal with Unprofessional Sparring Partners

What is the best way to deal with unteams like sparring partners? I'm an intermediate Muay Thai in class. Everytime, beginners and intermediate pair up with a certain 'advanced' fighter in class for ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
84 views

Moving Backwards, Cross Punch and move Right Leg

My Muay Thai coach showed a technique where we move backwards Punch with right hand, cross punch, and step back with same side right leg. If I'm trying to evade a flurry of punches/kicks, I ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
107 views

Gym Dojo Etiquette, Pairing people up

I am at a Muay Thai Gym. Before class, coach pairs up everyone into partner groups for drills and pad work. Sometimes there are odd number of people, so some people are in a 3 group (which is totally ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
2k views

Muay Thai: Is Numbing of Shin Nerves Healthy?

Is numbing of the nerves generally healthy for a person? What are the long term of effects of doing this? I only do light sparring, but my legs are little bit desensitized. See contents below: https://...
mattsmith5's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
137 views

What does it mean to win a fight?

There are a lot of websites out there that tell you how to "win a fight," but they never actually define it. Is it incapacitating an opponent, escaping an opponent, killing an opponent, ...
Brad1209's user avatar
7 votes
3 answers
7k views

Karate doesn't provide defense against wrestlers and MMA fighters. Or does it?

Let's say it out loud: karate doesn't provide defense against wrestlers and MMA fighters. Or does it? I heard the old-school karate (Okinawan karate) includes grappling and such, but I never saw any ...
Sergey Zolotarev's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
139 views

Muay Thai Combos, going from Punches to Kicks

I am working on distancing between Punches and kicks. These are common punch-kick Muay Thai combos below. When going punch from to kicks, since I'm in closer range to land punches, when starting the ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
166 views

Muay Thai Roundhouse, step out at 45 degrees and preventing feet injury

They always talk about stepping foot out at 45 degree angle to get ahead rotation on Muay Thai roundhouse kick. Is it okay, to step out with more rotation than that, 60,75, or 90 degrees? I have good ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
114 views

Conditioning one's fist for striking

One of the fascinating aspects about martial arts, at least to me, is that there's so many different dimensions to it. Of course there is technique, cardio and fight IQ, but what I find less ...
Arash Howaida's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
126 views

Punch and Parry at the Same time

Is it good form/technique to punch and parry at the same time? Sometimes in Orthodox stance, I throw a left jab, and my opponent throws a jab simultaneously, I want to parry with my right hand. It ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
93 views

Why Didn't MMA Evolve In Brazil The Way It Did In America?

I remember reading in a Black Belt magazine a number of years ago an interesting in hindsight comment by Royce Gracie. He said that because his family had been holding NHB fights for so many years ...
Rageforthemachine 's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
92 views

Boxing: Short Range Jab

When doing a close range jab, someone mentioned to keep your elbow more horizontal as it allows you to bend your elbow further back. Is it proper to do a short range jab like this? I usually keep it ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
731 views

Punching with knuckles first correctly

It seems like when I punch and need to punch with knuckles first, I have to angle down, otherwise, it hits the bottom of fingers first and not the knuckles, when practicing against heavy bag. Check ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
444 views

Muay Thai Kick Block: Feet Toes Up or Down

What is the proper good bad comparison for Muay Thai Leg block? There are two camps of thought in Thailand, feet toes up and toes down. I believe feet toes up - make its more resilient to leg blocks,...
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0 votes
1 answer
412 views

Karate Side Kick in Muay Thai

What are the consequences if I did this jumping side kick in Muay thai? Would it work, or would a professional Muay Thai opponent do a big counter from that? See this link from Jeff Chan channel. ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
177 views

Does Left Cross Punch exist for Orthodox stance fighters?

Being an orthodox stance fighter, there is a "right cross" that counteracts an opponent left jab. Does a "left cross" also exist for orthodox fighters? It would seem to counteract ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Does saying "ooh-wee" in Muay Thai Sparring make mouth susceptible to damage?

Why do people say "ooh-wee," "oh-way", or "ay" when sparring in Muay Thai? I know what it means, however it keeps the mouth slightly open, and should be Closed for single ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
202 views

Muay Thai Roundhouse kick, what angle to bring out knee and leg

When doing a roundhouse kick, is there a rule for what angle the knee should come out at ? My coach says to bring the knee over at straight vertical angle 0 deg, and rotate the leg over while you ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
166 views

Muay Thai Roundhouse Kick: Using Kick Shields vs Thai Pads, different technique?

It feels like doing Muay Thai roundhouse kicks on Kickshields and Heavy Bags is different than doing on Muay Thai Pads. Kickshields and Heavy Bags are vertical perpendicular against the body. Muay ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
26 views

Fighting stance in Boxing and MMA, requires hunch and curved back position [duplicate]

This might be a slightly odd question. Does boxing, Muay thai, and MMA build bad posture eventually? I noticed after long periods of time, training 2 hours a day, 4-5 times a week, the back is not ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
98 views

Street Fight Stance, which ways to rotate hands and fingers

In a street fight without gloves, which way should the hands be turned? Fingers pointing towards you or fingers pointing outwards? I just noticed if the fingers point inwards, they can jab/poke eye ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
6k views

Muay Thai shin conditioning stick name

What is the proper name of the shin conditioning sticks used in Muay Thai? I am trying to find a stick for this very purpose to harden the legs. I searched for "shin condition stick" on ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
69 views

What usually happens when sambo fighters fight each other?

What we see with MMA wrestlers of similar ability, vis-a-vis the UFC, is that their wrestling tends to cancel-out each other out. This was the default behavior seen in: Covington vs Usman (1 & 2) ...
Arash Howaida's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
72 views

Is it common for MMA fighters to fight with fractures?

I read this article recently and was surprised to hear that an MMA fighter was medically cleared to fight even though they had a fractured toe. I understand Khabib is a beast but isn't there usually a ...
FrontEnd's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
514 views

Muay Thai Front Teep Kick: When to use heel or balls of foot

In Muay Thai front teep kick, a person can use 1) balls of feet 2) heel or 3) entire feet to kick. I typically use balls of feet as taught in class, and seems to be most widely used. Just curious in, ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
127 views

Muay Thai: Bounce Step not used?

In Muay Thai, is the bounce step utilized a lot? I have never seen it taught in my classes, and widely taught more in boxing. Is there a reason for not seeing it in Muay Thai? Strangely enough, I see ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
219 views

MMA: Fighting Opponent who uses Karate stance

I am training in MMA stance with Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu. What happens if I face opponent using a Karate stance? Should I go for double leg takedown or leg roundhouse kick? What are some options? How ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
175 views

Karate Stance fighters in MMA

Who are some prevalent UFC/MMA fighters that spar with an actual Karate stance, not just a little bit. Only one I can think of is Stephen Thompson. Resources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=...
mattsmith5's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
223 views

Muay Thai Boxing: Sparring against Opposite Gender Manner/Etiquette

I am doing Muay Thai Sparring. As a man, what is the proper etiquette of sparring against women? Lets keep this question professional and polite to both genders. I want to be generally respectful and ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
235 views

What to do in Double Leg Takedown while in Mid Air?

I see many resources on how to prevent a Double Leg takedown from even occurring initially, including Sprawl technique, or knee to head etc. However, how do I defend against a double leg takedown ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
146 views

Going from MMA back to Traditional Martial Arts

Currently I go to an MMA gym (Muay Thai with BJJ). After a couple years, I always ponder about going to a traditional school. Just curious what are the benefits of going to a traditional martial arts ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
436 views

How to Tie Martial Arts Headgear for Boxing, Muay Thai, etc

Does anyone have Step by Step instructions on how to tie boxing head gear? Enclosed below are two pieces. Can someone post 4-5 picture instructions on how to tie and lace properly? When it came out of ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
3k views

Why don't MMA fighters wear Double Mouth Guards on both top side and bottom side?

Why do most MMA and Muay Thai fighters not wear Double Mouth Guards on both teeth, both top side and bottom side? They say having a mouthguard on top side with mouth clenched, will prevent damage on ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
189 views

What is the Boxing Hover/Wave Hand Technique called?

What is the official terminology for boxing jab hover called? See video below. This is where the boxer hovers/waves his hand in a circle to confuse opponent, in attempts to jab punch. I tried google ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
106 views

Questions on street fight tactics in reference to UFC tactics

I noticed some differences between UFC and street fights in terms of tactics after watching some recordings of UFC matches, and I wonder why such differences exist (since those two were kind of ...
user avatar
0 votes
3 answers
76 views

Boxing bag capable of withstanding being outside 24/7

I am looking for a boxing bag to practice ground 'n pound, and ground game in general outside (small apartment). I was thinking about a leather one, but I heard that leather might crack in the cold. ...
Alex Ironside's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
68 views

Boxing Jab at Short Distance

Just curious how people deal with punching a heavy bag. My trainer recommended I not only work on long distance jabs, but ones at short or medium distance. Typically at long distance I have fist ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
58 views

Punching Left Hooks: While Securing the Face or Body at the same time

Is there a way to Punch Left Hook properly, while securing and defending the Head/neck or body area? When doing a basic jab or straight-cross, the head is protected from the arms in front, and ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
125 views

Punching: Differences in Light Sparring and Real Fights with boxing gloves

I am trying to differentiate the techniques between light sparring and real match fights, both with boxing gloves. During light boxing sparring, how does one do a very quick punch without hurting ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
189 views

Boxing: Different ways to Block Cover Up, Wrists pointed towards you or to the Side

I see there are different ways to cover up/block in boxing. One strategy is wrist pointing towards you, another method is wrist pointing to the sides. Both ways allow athlete vision in pictures below. ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
54 views

Is there a way to use the distance and catch principle with no Gi

Following this video, Is there a way to use the principle with no Gi?
Avi's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
89 views

Is there a counter for Cutting Armbar from Shoulder Crunch

Following this video, Is there a way to release or counter Cutting Armbar from Shoulder Crunch?
Avi's user avatar
  • 1,587
2 votes
1 answer
144 views

Punch Jab: Where to Place Right Hand during block

Recently I started sparring. In boxing, the athlete who jabs is told to keep right hand tucked at right side of face (pictures below). Just curious, why the right hand isn't taught to be more in ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
123 views

Why hasn't there been more crossover from Muay Thai to MMA?

Despite Muai Thai being a staple for striking literature in MMA, there is surprisingly little representation of fighters who used to compete in Muai Thai circuits. A few exceptions would be UFC's ...
Arash Howaida's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
174 views

Why aren't more forms of deception used in MMA

Part of the reason I enjoy watching UFC is it allows us to witness combat sports evolve, which styles/techniques are doing well and what kind of counters tend to be most effective. While a lot has ...
Arash Howaida's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
178 views

Muay Thai Stance Footwork: Slide Step vs March Step

I noticed that the footwork is more Step and Slide in MMA, Western Muay Thai, and Kickboxing. However in Muay Thai Traditional, its more step step and march march (no sliding in Traditional). Rather ...
mattsmith5's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
207 views

MMA: Different Types of Sprawls

Does anyone know all the different basic type of Sprawl variations and when to use each type? Is one of them used for a Single leg takedown and another is double leg takedown in images below? We ...
mattsmith5's user avatar