Issue 142
June 2016
The timings and techniques you need to ensure you can successfully handle a lefty inside the cage
The awkward style of a southpaw can be tough to deal with during heavy striking exchanges. If you’re not clued up on how to fight against a left-handed opponent during your training camp, your time in the cage could be brutal. Here’s how to make sure you never get broken in a war with a southpaw.
As anyone who’s ever laced up a pair of gloves knows, southpaws are more difficult to fight because they do everything backwards. Xtreme Couture boxing coach and former padman to Jon Jones, Jamie Huey, says their switched stance gives them an advantage when they come up against inexperienced fighters in more used to facing orthodox fighters.
“Most guys don’t spar southpaw fighters regularly in the gym, so when it comes to a real fight they don’t see the left hand coming,” he says. “The style isn’t only more difficult to train for because of timings and technique. That repetition of training with a southpaw is more difficult to find.”
Huey explains the reversed stance allows them to be more effective because they’re able to reach certain knockout sweet spots: “If a southpaw finishes a combination with a hook, not only do they come around on the back side where they can hit the temple, chin or behind the ear, it also resets them back to the correct angle again.
“Southpaws are in position after they strike whereas an orthodox fighter has two choices: step out or step around. If they step around it gives the southpaw another eighth of a second to throw another two punches. But if the orthodox fighter steps out they have to work their way back in to counter something they’ve just got hit by and that just resets the process.”
It’s a tricky proposition, but not an insurmountable one if you can grasp a few key concepts.
Footwork
“Foot position is the most important aspect of facing a southpaw from an orthodox stance,” says Huey. “It’s imperative your left foot is on the outside of their lead foot. That creates the angle for you to throw shots and it puts them at an angle were they can’t counter or lead. Plus, a fighter in that position can’t shoot for a takedown on their lead leg. Their hips are pointing away from their target. Your lead leg on the outside your hips and pointed towards the opponent gives you the opportunity to throw a punch and go for a takedown.”
Left hook
“The most effective strike against a southpaw would be a left hook. It lets you drift out of range and the movement puts you at an angle to fire more shots. Throwing a left hook and leading with the right hand is important, but your accuracy and timing needs to be good.”
Straight right hand
“A lead right hand and a jab is very effective. I’m a big fan of the jab against southpaws from the orthodox stance. But against southpaws there’s a little bit more of an opportunity to lead with your right hand because of their body position. It’s especially effective to throw the straight right as a counter for their jab.”
Faints
“You have to keep people guessing, which means a lot of faints and flinching. The only way to break good timing is to sell something that’s not real. When they believe that it is, then you can counter off their reaction, so that’s the best time to throw a strike. It’s the same way Juan Manuel Marquez beat Manny Pacquiao – a lot of stepping in, stepping out, stepping over. When your opponent starts to get comfortable with the faints and flinching that’s when you step in and deliver the real shots and you will catch the guy.”
SPOILING THE SOUTHPAW
Five Octagon encounters where the lefty got outboxed
Michael Bisping vs. Anderson Silva
‘The Count’ outstruck the former pound-for-pound great with busy boxing. Bisping stayed on the outside and stuck his jab in Silva’s face to set up his straight right, which was effective throughout. Although Bisping was dropped with a flying knee, he recovered and landed enough punches to take a decision.
Stephen Thompson vs. Johny Hendricks
‘Wonderboy’ destroyed the former welterweight champion with a barrage of strikes. After throwing the right high-kick he followed up with a straight right hand that put Hendricks on wobbly legs. That’s all the opportunity he needed needed to go in for the finish and take him out in the first stanza.
Shogun Rua vs. Lyoto Machida 2
Shogun became the UFC champion with a spectacular knockout of the elusive Brazilian. As Machida came in to attack, Shogun blasted him with a perfectly-timed right hand to the temple, which sent ‘The Dragon’ crashing to the canvas to receive the finishing blows.
Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson 2
The 125lb champ proved why he’s one of the best fighters in the world. Dodson is perhaps the hardest puncher in the division but ‘Mighty Mouse’ put his most dangerous opponent down with cocktail of creative strikes and stance switches. His straight right hand landed throughout the fight.
Carlos Condit vs. Nick Diaz
‘The Natural Born Killer’ is a master of throwing combinations in volume. His ability to stay clear of danger while peppering the Stockton southpaw won him the interim 170lb belt. Although he’s the type of fighter to go for the finish, he fought smart to earn a decision.
SWITCHED STANCE CHAMPS
There are currently four southpaw champions in the UFC: Conor McGregor (featherweight), Rafael Dos Anjos (lightweight), Robbie Lawler (welterweight) and Luke Rockhold (middleweight).
