Fighters Only

Issue 075

May 2011

Want to emulate the slick, ruthless style of the Fighters Only World Mixed Martial Arts Awards 2010 ‘Fighter of the Year’? Read on...

Ground ‘n’ pound

Although Aldo is more often talked about for his crowd-pleasing style of Muay Thai, the Nova União fighter has a superb ground game, applying the same precision and aggression to ground ‘n’ pound that he does to striking when standing. Rather than being pulled into to a protracted ground battle and losing momentum, when Aldo puts people down he maintains just enough distance to strike without being drawn in.

In the Gym

Work the ground bag without attempting to pin. Instead, imagine the bottom man trying to scramble up and throw your punches to block the oncoming tackle. Start with side control or side ride, and move around as if controlling a turtled-up opponent, throwing heavy Aldo-style hooks (see below) while keeping your legs out of any potential trouble.

In Action

After dropping eventual The Ultimate Fighter 13 winner Jonathan Brookins at WEC 36 in 2008, Aldo was able to follow up with a

flurry on the floor without being clinched. When Aldo dropped Urijah Faber last year, the former champion was forced to abandon any efforts to tackle Aldo and had to fall back to his guard.

Elbows from half guard

If he does get tangled up, these are the first-ever UFC featherweight champ’s weapon of choice.

In the Gym

Elbows are too dangerous for live sparring, so work from the half guard and try to dominate your partner’s under hook, keeping your posture and looking for the angles to drop the elbow.

In Action

Aldo TKO’d Alexandre Franca Noguiera with elbows from half guard at WEC 36 after ‘Pequeno’s hand became trapped under Aldo’s leg.

Right Kick

Aldo’s powerful right kick, often to a low point of his opponent’s lead leg, features pivotally in all of his bouts.

In the Gym

Have your pad man hold a kick shield on his lead leg. Beginning from well out of range, step in and land the rear roundhouse with complete rotation, pivoting completely on your left foot and lifting your right shoulder as your right hip twists through. Don’t hold back: the goal is to land all your bodyweight.

In Action

During his comprehensive demolition of Urijah Faber at WEC 48, Aldo took ‘The California Kid’ off his feet with the force and timing of his leg kicks.

Swarms of hooks

Aldo throws wide, wild-looking and overwhelming left and right hook combinations when he backs his opponents up to the fence. Although he may appear momentarily open to counters, Aldo invariably steps back out of range if and when the counter comes. Then he throws in his trademark kicks.

In the Gym

Use the heavy bag to develop power. Start with two hooks, left then right. Progress to combinations of four, six, eight, ten and upwards until you can no longer maintain power and intensity. Then step back and throw the kick or knee in true José Aldo style.