In this range, it’s helpful to think of MMA striking as Muay Thai Plus, that is, all Muay Thai techniques are allowed (punches, low & high kicks, elbows, knees, neck clinch), along with additional strikes, i.e., foot stomps & hammerfists. Moreover, the much smaller MMA gloves make it easier both to sneak punches between an opponent’s guard and to deliver harder, more damaging strikes. It’s also arguable that pure Muay Thai as typically taught lacks some essential skill sets, like footwork & refined boxing. So while Muay Thai is certainly a component of MMA, essential adjustments and additions are necessary for the MMA arena.

 

                  

 

This range is where pure Muay Thai fighters get owned, as the neck clinch is not sufficient to combat skilled grapplers, i.e., wrestlers & judokas. The reward for takedown artists is ground control from the top, a dominant position from which to strike or seek submissions. Mastery of this physically demanding range doesn’t come easily, as there’s much to know: mid- and deep-range clinching, level changes to single- and double-leg attacks, standing submissions, and a myriad other takedown & control techniques. Moreover, clinch striking, a.k.a. “dirty boxing,” renders this range exceptionally complex.

 

                 

 

Once the fight has hit the mat, the conventional wisdom is that Brazilian Jiujitsu & wrestling reign supreme. Indeed, dominant positions (side control, full mount) & submissions (arm bars, chokes, leg locks) are the grappler’s domain, and a skilled submission artist is always dangerous. Wrestlers in particular are used to the fast-and-furious pace of MMA, and thus adapt readily to the physical conditioning requirements. But MMA doesn’t abide by pure grappling rules: while BJJ players are comfortable working for submissions whether underneath or on top of opponents, they’re not used to striking or being struck with fists, forearms, elbows & knees. As such, Ground-and-Pound (G&P), especially from the gravity-benefiting top position, can easily shut down a pure ground grappler. So ground fighting is about not only positioning & submissions, but also striking from a range unknown to boxing, Muay Thai or virtually any striking sport.

 

                

 

 

Once comfortable with the three ranges, integrated sparring, which allows striking, takedowns & ground fighting, is the next step. It’s easier to practice each one in isolation than to transition from kickboxing immediately to a clinch to a takedown to a submission attempt. But that is the ultimate goal of the MMA fighter: an aggressive, seamless flow from range to range, until his opponent has tapped out or been KO’d. But make no mistake: achieving this level of fighting skill requires a long-term commitment drenched in blood, sweat and tears. Are you ready to commit? ;-)