Issue 095

December 2012

PART TWO

Start your journey to becoming an MMA icon by fighting like one

Following on from our Tito fight guide a few months ago, we present even more ways you can retool your repertoire to match that of Tito Ortiz.

GROUND ‘N’ POUND

Heavy strikes from inside his opponent’s guard and half guard have been Tito’s trademarks for his entire career. Make sure to try his special over-the-top elbow, forearm pointed back towards your chest, in order to recreate the real thing as closely as possible.

IN THE GYM

Here’s a partner drill for Tito-style ground ‘n’ pound. Take one end of the floor bag each then body punch from low posture and come up to drop big elbows. Set the clock for two, three, four and then five-minute rounds and attempt to outwork each other with volume of strikes and power.

In Action 

Tito’s trademark ground ‘n’ pound can be witnessed in all of his successful appearances. See the first round of Tito’s UFC 59 bout with Forrest Griffin to see his attack at its vicious best.

UNDERHOOKS

Getting underhooks is vital for properly controlling your opponent in the clinch, and it’s something Tito does well. Ortiz-level cardio will help you battle right to the end to achieve dominant position.

IN THE GYM

Here’s a partner drill for establishing underhooks. Clinch up in an over-under, or 50:50 and fight for the underhooks. Try to body lock by dropping down to capture the hips. Level change from the legs and be active in attempting to get double unders. Set the clock for five-minute rounds to develop the clinch stamina necessary to dominate the underhooks.

In Action 

Look back to the classic bout from UFC 30 in 2001 where Tito knocked out Evan Tanner with a huge slam from the body lock.

WALL TAKEDOWNS

Tito is famous for his takedowns especially using them against the cage. Tito often uses the left hook to set up a leg tackle against the fence.

IN THE GYM

Take turns scrambling up from a double. Try to finish with the ankle pick when they post their shin against the wall.

In Action 

Tito attempted this transition against Rashad Evans in their rematch at UFC 133. Rashad did scramble up in the end, but this is a perfect answer to a scramble after a double-leg.

GUILLOTINE CHOKE

Tito only has one guillotine choke victory on his record, but it happened to save his UFC career. His years of submission wrestling experience helped Tito lock up a tight guillotine choke that Ryan Bader had little chance of escaping at UFC 132 last year.

IN THE GYM

Practice pulling guard after catching the guillotine from quarter position. Remember, if it’s an arm-in guillotine to hip out to the side to make a blood choke on the artery. 

In Action 

Tito took out Ryan Bader with the guillotine choke at 1:56 of round one at UFC 132 in 2011 for his first win in five years.