Fighters Only

Issue 066

September 2010

MMA fighters come in all shapes and sizes, and at some point you’re likely to encounter a fighter shorter than yourself. A strategy based around your height and reach advantage can win you fights – integrate these moves into your game and you’ll see the benefits straight away

Exploiting your reach

Making the most of your reach advantage against a shorter opponent is not as easy as it may seem. Once your opponent gets inside your range, your longer arms can become a hindrance. Working behind the jab is a reasonable tactic, but once your opponent times your punches it can become the bridge they need to close the distance. Forcing your opponent to make the first move, you can avoid giving them the opportunity to close you down. The front kick is the longest weapon in your arsenal, and with proper counter timing you can fend off the shorter man’s attacks.

1 Pete is keeping the distance open, waiting for Andy to initiate the attack. When Andy tries to close the distance with a big right hand, Pete keeps him away with his lead leg.

2 This time Andy is trying to get behind his jab. Pete counters with a front kick from the back leg, jamming the hip to prevent Andy stepping any further forward.

Plum Clinch

Fighting for underhooks with a shorter opponent is very difficult and less efficient than using collar ties. Anderson Silva, who almost always towers over his middleweight opponents, is a master of using the double collar tie, known in Muay Thai as the plum clinch. Check out his fights against Rich Franklin and his fight against Dan Henderson to see how he countered underhooks with collar ties.

1 Pete has Andy in the plum clinch. Pete’s elbows are squeezed tightly together and his hands are levering down on the crown of Andy’s head. If Pete’s elbows are loose, Andy will clear the tie-ups and get in on his underhooks.

2 When using plum clinch Pete stays up on his toes, forcing Andy to carry his weight on his neck. Pete skips out to the side and back in with side knees to the ribs.

3 Pete skips back, pulling his legs away from any attempt Andy may make to grab them.

4 Pete knees straight up the centre, right onto Andy’s chin.

5 Once you’ve landed a knee to the chin, it’s the perfect time to work a snap down. Pete snaps on the collar, bringing Andy’s head down low.

6 Keeping one hand in place on the back of the head, Pete feeds his other arm under the chin, gripping up his forearm to secure a headlock and windpipe crush.

The Guard

Longer legs and torso can be hugely advantageous when playing the guard in an MMA fight. Take a look at Anderson Silva’s fight against Travis Lutter – Lutter was unable to land his punches as Anderson elevated his hips and kept his head away. Lightweight Terry Etim is another fighter with very long legs and body. When Terry wants to reset the action to standing (so he can go back to using his superior Thai boxing) he uses his long legs and long arms to wrap up the opponent and totally stymie all their offense.

1 If your opponent manages to posture up, use your hips to keep your opponent away in your closed guard.

2 Here we see Pete using a body triangle around the waist and a mata leao grip headlock to keep Andy postured down.

Countering the body lock

The body lock is a major danger for the taller fighter – you must learn to keep your base and counter aggressively and quickly. Watch fighters such as Nate Diaz for an example of how well throws can work from this position.

1 Andy has a body lock around Pete’s waist.

2 Pete does a mule kick, sweeping Andy’s inner thigh up off the mat. Note that Pete is not trying to throw Andy with the uchimata, as he will land with the body lock still in place and be in a good position to reverse as he lands. Pete is only trying to upset Andy's balance so Andy cannot lift him, and transfer his weight to one leg to set up his throw.