Issue 053
August 2009
Former UFC champion Randy Couture is known for his excellent game plans and strategic mindset. The former wrestler is a well-rounded mixed martial artist, and his best attribute is his ability to control the clinch. To do so takes superior strength and endurance, but if you want to fight like Randy then you must learn how to safely enter and work from the inside position.
Closing the distance
To develop good head movement put on a head guard and have your sparring partners throw punches at you while you slip and attach yourself to them with a good high tie-up. Start slow, have them work only jabs, then only straight rights and lefts. Gradually build up the pace and add in hooks and uppercuts, and later kicks and knees until you’re closing the distance like Couture. Have your sparring partner throw slower, lighter shots so you can get your timing right before you try to do it at full speed.
In the gym
Have your pad man throw the pads out at you, slip and throw short combinations back as you work inside and tie him up. Break and start again.
In action
When master strategist Couture recaptured the heavyweight title from Tim Sylvia he used head movement to great effect to work his way inside. This fight is a great example of how to defeat a bigger, rangier opponent.
Clinch takedowns
Randy’s base is in Greco-Roman wrestling, in which leg takedowns are not allowed. Work hard on your Greco skills, establishing good head position and good underhooks. Work on keeping your opponent pinned up against the cage and turning yourself off the fence.
In the gym
Wrestle, wrestle and then wrestle some more!
In action
Couture has used good clinch takedowns in almost all of his fights. Check out his fights with Liddell, Ortiz, Belfort and Sylvia for examples.
Submissions
Randy is best known for his Gator roll submission, essentially a modified grip on a wrestling front headlock.
In the gym
Build up your squeezing strength with isometric holds on a medicine ball. Put the guillotine or anaconda grip on the ball and squeeze. Start with just a one-minute round, squeezing as hard as you can, then build up your times until you can squeeze up a headlock like the Natural.
In action
Look at Randy’s fight against Mike Van Arsdale. Even though Van Arsdale had such a good base that Randy couldn’t roll him, Couture tightened up his grip until Van Arsdale could no longer resist. That’s the value of developing a crushing grip strength.
