Thanks
Lazer MMA -Lazer MMA -
Jack:
TY sir. I am surprised VERY MUCH by your inclusion of Fedor here with his wide and somewhat wild boxing strikes. When did he ever alter that technique exactly?? And PLEASE how do you see the fight of PRIME Fedor and JDS playing out. IMO JDS with his seemingly superior boxing would have the advantage. What would Fedor do??
One would think you'd put Hendo who evolved and worked so hard on his boxing above Fedor. Per your GIF on your last thread which Showed Shogun eating the short straight right when trying for the lead upper cut in the first minute of the fight and your comments on Hendo's superior striking.<br /> <br /> Hi Jack<br /> <br /> Can you supply a few shot opinions sir. TY</blockquote>
I don't really think Hendo's striking is all that good outside of the couple of techniques that he does really well. It's extremely one note - the big right hand set up by the inside low kick. His crazy comeback in recent years has been more to do with the people he is facing thinking too much of themselves and fighting dumb.
Fedor and Shogun, both of whom have shown fantastic left hooks, ran straight at him swinging their right hand over and over again. Circling to Hendo's left, throwing the left hook and kicking Hendo's legs are easy strategies to outpoint him and instead guys keep trying to brawl him. Against Feijao he did a good job cutting off along the cage but in truth Feijao has just never been that good.
Fedor at his best didn't just have every strike in the book, he had some of the best counter striking too. Countering Cro Cop's left straight with a rear hand parry to left hook is just crazy. Also the counter kicks under Cro Cop's own. The counter jabs that he used to mess up Nog and TK. The back step punches. Not to mention the hand traps. The man had so much technical variety and savvy.
I'm not sure what you mean in terms of data - it's hardly something that can be statistically analyzed, but Fedor at his best showed a ton more variety than Hendo. I love Hendo but people get caught up in his comeback being to do with drastic improvement when really he's the same, solid fighter he's always been but is meeting opponents at the right time in their careers.
The hypothetical JDS Fedor match is one I would have great interest in - but I will normally go with the man with more weapons and a willingness to use them. Boxing with JDS for the sake of boxing would be dumb - what I would expect from guys like Alistair and Fedor if they fought smart would be to use the clinch and the threat of takedowns to set up strikes and vice versa.
So basically Fedor is still the Goat in Jack Slack's opinion. I tend to agree.
Gokudamus stole my name - "BJ's inability to adapt much like Nick against Condit and Nate against Benson."
I think their problem is that they have become predictable. And thats the worst thing that can happen to a striker.
But didnt we know how the Diaz bros fight for a long time and still many couldnt stop it. I also rate Nick higher than Nate.
Jack Slack -Lazer MMA -Lazer MMA -
Jack:
TY sir. I am surprised VERY MUCH by your inclusion of Fedor here with his wide and somewhat wild boxing strikes. When did he ever alter that technique exactly?? And PLEASE how do you see the fight of PRIME Fedor and JDS playing out. IMO JDS with his seemingly superior boxing would have the advantage. What would Fedor do??
One would think you'd put Hendo who evolved and worked so hard on his boxing above Fedor. Per your GIF on your last thread which Showed Shogun eating the short straight right when trying for the lead upper cut in the first minute of the fight and your comments on Hendo's superior striking.<br /> <br /> Hi Jack<br /> <br /> Can you supply a few shot opinions sir. TY</blockquote>
I don't really think Hendo's striking is all that good outside of the couple of techniques that he does really well. It's extremely one note - the big right hand set up by the inside low kick. His crazy comeback in recent years has been more to do with the people he is facing thinking too much of themselves and fighting dumb.
Fedor and Shogun, both of whom have shown fantastic left hooks, ran straight at him swinging their right hand over and over again. Circling to Hendo's left, throwing the left hook and kicking Hendo's legs are easy strategies to outpoint him and instead guys keep trying to brawl him. Against Feijao he did a good job cutting off along the cage but in truth Feijao has just never been that good.
Fedor at his best didn't just have every strike in the book, he had some of the best counter striking too. Countering Cro Cop's left straight with a rear hand parry to left hook is just crazy. Also the counter kicks under Cro Cop's own. The counter jabs that he used to mess up Nog and TK. The back step punches. Not to mention the hand traps. The man had so much technical variety and savvy.
I'm not sure what you mean in terms of data - it's hardly something that can be statistically analyzed, but Fedor at his best showed a ton more variety than Hendo. I love Hendo but people get caught up in his comeback being to do with drastic improvement when really he's the same, solid fighter he's always been but is meeting opponents at the right time in their careers.
The hypothetical JDS Fedor match is one I would have great interest in - but I will normally go with the man with more weapons and a willingness to use them. Boxing with JDS for the sake of boxing would be dumb - what I would expect from guys like Alistair and Fedor if they fought smart would be to use the clinch and the threat of takedowns to set up strikes and vice versa.
Jack firstly,when talking about Fedor why are you ignoring "his wide and somewhat wild boxing strikes"? Thus the absence of consistent short straight ones is not taken into account Vs A JDS (a lot of his game BTW is still unknown as his boxing has kept the competition at bay)? You talk about the CC fight, but CC did not have JDS's jab. If Fedor stalked JDS the way he did CC, he would be peppered with jabs IMO. Plus with JDS's footwork Fedor possibly would be unable to force any clinch.
Technical boxing is the biggest factor in terms of the 'evolution' of the sport IMO. JDS has it and Fedor lacks it. Further Fedor failed to show a very consistent solid leg kick (Aldo EG)that he could try to use as an initial weapon Vs the jabs. I see Fedor beat to the punch and maybe unable to clinch here.
Interesting that you refer to Hendo's superior striking in your article but not here. Also It was Hendo's LEFT that Fedor felt that changed the fight (Fedor). Shogun always comes forward (yes the lead uppercut is a blunder).
I always thought Fedor the GOAT but I agree with Hendo, the game evolved and he did not.
Lazer MMA -Jack Slack -Lazer MMA -Lazer MMA -
Jack:
TY sir. I am surprised VERY MUCH by your inclusion of Fedor here with his wide and somewhat wild boxing strikes. When did he ever alter that technique exactly?? And PLEASE how do you see the fight of PRIME Fedor and JDS playing out. IMO JDS with his seemingly superior boxing would have the advantage. What would Fedor do??
One would think you'd put Hendo who evolved and worked so hard on his boxing above Fedor. Per your GIF on your last thread which Showed Shogun eating the short straight right when trying for the lead upper cut in the first minute of the fight and your comments on Hendo's superior striking.<br /> <br /> Hi Jack<br /> <br /> Can you supply a few shot opinions sir. TY</blockquote>
I don't really think Hendo's striking is all that good outside of the couple of techniques that he does really well. It's extremely one note - the big right hand set up by the inside low kick. His crazy comeback in recent years has been more to do with the people he is facing thinking too much of themselves and fighting dumb.
Fedor and Shogun, both of whom have shown fantastic left hooks, ran straight at him swinging their right hand over and over again. Circling to Hendo's left, throwing the left hook and kicking Hendo's legs are easy strategies to outpoint him and instead guys keep trying to brawl him. Against Feijao he did a good job cutting off along the cage but in truth Feijao has just never been that good.
Fedor at his best didn't just have every strike in the book, he had some of the best counter striking too. Countering Cro Cop's left straight with a rear hand parry to left hook is just crazy. Also the counter kicks under Cro Cop's own. The counter jabs that he used to mess up Nog and TK. The back step punches. Not to mention the hand traps. The man had so much technical variety and savvy.
I'm not sure what you mean in terms of data - it's hardly something that can be statistically analyzed, but Fedor at his best showed a ton more variety than Hendo. I love Hendo but people get caught up in his comeback being to do with drastic improvement when really he's the same, solid fighter he's always been but is meeting opponents at the right time in their careers.
The hypothetical JDS Fedor match is one I would have great interest in - but I will normally go with the man with more weapons and a willingness to use them. Boxing with JDS for the sake of boxing would be dumb - what I would expect from guys like Alistair and Fedor if they fought smart would be to use the clinch and the threat of takedowns to set up strikes and vice versa.
Jack firstly,when talking about Fedor why are you ignoring "his wide and somewhat wild boxing strikes"? Thus the absence of consistent short straight ones is not taken into account Vs A JDS (a lot of his game BTW is still unknown as his boxing has kept the competition at bay)? You talk about the CC fight, but CC did not have JDS's jab. If Fedor stalked JDS the way he did CC, he would be peppered with jabs IMO. Plus with JDS's footwork Fedor possibly would be unable to force any clinch.
Technical boxing is the biggest factor in terms of the 'evolution' of the sport IMO. JDS has it and Fedor lacks it. Further Fedor failed to show a very consistent solid leg kick (Aldo EG)that he could try to use as an initial weapon Vs the jabs. I see Fedor beat to the punch and maybe unable to clinch here.
Interesting that you refer to Hendo's superior striking in your article but not here. Also It was Hendo's LEFT that Fedor felt that changed the fight (Fedor). Shogun always comes forward (yes the lead uppercut is a blunder).
I always thought Fedor the GOAT but I agree with Hendo, the game evolved and he did not.
TTT
TTT
Wasa-B -Gokudamus stole my name - "BJ's inability to adapt much like Nick against Condit and Nate against Benson."
I think their problem is that they have become predictable. And thats the worst thing that can happen to a striker.
But didnt we know how the Diaz bros fight for a long time and still many couldnt stop it. I also rate Nick higher than Nate.
A lot of their opponents were simply not good enough to stop them. Others failed to follow their gameplans and got caught up in the exchanges, BJ was picking Nick apart in the first, but then he stopped moving and allowed Nick to corner him and thats all she wrote, Cerrone got emotional and traded punches with Nate early, in the third round he finally started kicking and had success but by then he was already beaten up
Nick is better than Nate i agree but he is also predictable. He will taunt GSP hoping to make him stand still so he can go crazy with punching combinations. How would you prepare GSP if you were his coach? Lots of lateral movement, blast him with takedowns or strikes as you step in, exit out through angles. Nick is amazing at what he does but he is fairly predictable
Now how do you prepare for GSP?
Wasa-B -Gokudamus stole my name - "BJ's inability to adapt much like Nick against Condit and Nate against Benson."
I think their problem is that they have become predictable. And thats the worst thing that can happen to a striker.
But didnt we know how the Diaz bros fight for a long time and still many couldnt stop it. I also rate Nick higher than Nate.
In fairness - KJ Noons did stop it. He hand fought with Nick and circled away and Nick looked terrible. The way Nick beat KJ in the rematch was to switch to orthodox stance. His holes in movement as a southpaw are still there.
I find it hard to rate Nick higher than Nate when Nick has actually fought the cream of the crop in the UFC while Nick has been fed strikers for over half a decade.
Jack, I only saw one of your books available for Kindle ... the advanced boxing book. I could have sworn you said that your elementary striking book is available for Kindle.
BTW, I bought your advanced Boxing book. It's awesome.
Jack Slack -Froggin Bullfish -Jack Slack -mma shill - First let me say, I love your articles and I hope you keep them coming. Since reading your articles, I've realized that I don't have a very good understanding of striking at all in mma. I thought the Diaz bros and BJ Penn were some of the best strikers in mma until you pointed out many of their flaws. Now it seems like every mma fighter is a bad striker that doesn't even understand the basics. I'm wondering who you think are the top five best strikers in mma and why?<br /> <p> I'm always reluctant to name the top strikers in MMA because everyone makes mistakes and errors. That's not just in MMA but in the highest levels of professional boxing and bjj. Nobody achieves perfection.</p> <p> It's impossible to stay disciplined all the time, the greats are the ones who can stay discplined the longest. I consider Manny Pacquiao one of the most technically disciplined boxers of all time - in, moves his head, exits on an angle. But just the other day Marquez was able to catch him getting wild.</p> <p> In truth there is a great deal of underemphasis on angling, handfighting and the actual science of striking in a lot of top level camps even in boxing and kickboxing. Fighting tends to be approached in a combinations and cover up way, with an emphasis on power and conditioning rather than science.</p> <p> </p> <p> I suppose the criteria for best MMA striker from a scientific standpoint would be based in discipline and versatility. Guys who can adapt their style against anyone: like AS, GSP, Fedor when he was fighting. There's very few guys who can adapt their striking style to the opponent.</p> <p> The next tier down would be guys who have a pretty samey striking game in every fight but still execute it flawlessly - like JDS, Aldo etc.</p> <p> Then there's the guys who do the same thing in every fight but have had their flaws exposed already but can beat MOST guys with their A game like Belfort, Penn the Diaz brothers.</p> </blockquote> Jack, can you elaborate on head movement and footwork in mma? Fedor has great striking, doesn't mind staying in the pocket, and has an uncanny ability to be 5x moves ahead of his opponents to find openings to attack, but do you feel he has limited mobility that makes him susceptible to younger and faster competition? Also, and I know Arlovskei has had some rough years as of late, but what is your take on his striking?<br /> <br /> Thanks! <img alt="Phone Post" border="0" src="/images/phone/apple.png" style="vertical-align:middle;" /></blockquote>
I rate Arlovksi as one of the most exciting offensive fighters in the sport - unfortunately he has TERRIBLE defence. He moves his hands towards his opponent's punches and backs straight up which basically just exposes his fairly poor chin on a platter. If his opponents let him work though he has some wonderful combinations.
Fedor is just a case of someone buying into the hype around their own punching power. It happened to Naseem Hamed, Roy Jones, Mike Tyson etc. They believed they could knock guys out so they got really sloppy swinging bombs instead of using the technique that got them their ferocious reputation. From about 2007 Fedor was just jumping on guys and swinging, it's a testament to how much better he was than the rest of the heavyweight division that he beat up Sylvia, Rogers and Arlovski when he was very clearly limiting himself with sloppy form and a lack of strategy.Thanks, Jack. I saw one of your previous posts on defense and couldn't agree more. That said, do you feel the round/time aspect of mma makes defense less important when training? I don't feel you can forget this important premise, but it seems that to the aggressor goes the spoils. If you have time to speak on this, awesome, but if not I would love to hear others' point of view.
Thank!
Lazer MMA -Jack Slack -Lazer MMA -Lazer MMA -
Jack:
TY sir. I am surprised VERY MUCH by your inclusion of Fedor here with his wide and somewhat wild boxing strikes. When did he ever alter that technique exactly?? And PLEASE how do you see the fight of PRIME Fedor and JDS playing out. IMO JDS with his seemingly superior boxing would have the advantage. What would Fedor do??
One would think you'd put Hendo who evolved and worked so hard on his boxing above Fedor. Per your GIF on your last thread which Showed Shogun eating the short straight right when trying for the lead upper cut in the first minute of the fight and your comments on Hendo's superior striking.<br /> <br /> Hi Jack<br /> <br /> Can you supply a few shot opinions sir. TY</blockquote>
I don't really think Hendo's striking is all that good outside of the couple of techniques that he does really well. It's extremely one note - the big right hand set up by the inside low kick. His crazy comeback in recent years has been more to do with the people he is facing thinking too much of themselves and fighting dumb.
Fedor and Shogun, both of whom have shown fantastic left hooks, ran straight at him swinging their right hand over and over again. Circling to Hendo's left, throwing the left hook and kicking Hendo's legs are easy strategies to outpoint him and instead guys keep trying to brawl him. Against Feijao he did a good job cutting off along the cage but in truth Feijao has just never been that good.
Fedor at his best didn't just have every strike in the book, he had some of the best counter striking too. Countering Cro Cop's left straight with a rear hand parry to left hook is just crazy. Also the counter kicks under Cro Cop's own. The counter jabs that he used to mess up Nog and TK. The back step punches. Not to mention the hand traps. The man had so much technical variety and savvy.
I'm not sure what you mean in terms of data - it's hardly something that can be statistically analyzed, but Fedor at his best showed a ton more variety than Hendo. I love Hendo but people get caught up in his comeback being to do with drastic improvement when really he's the same, solid fighter he's always been but is meeting opponents at the right time in their careers.
The hypothetical JDS Fedor match is one I would have great interest in - but I will normally go with the man with more weapons and a willingness to use them. Boxing with JDS for the sake of boxing would be dumb - what I would expect from guys like Alistair and Fedor if they fought smart would be to use the clinch and the threat of takedowns to set up strikes and vice versa.
Jack firstly,when talking about Fedor why are you ignoring "his wide and somewhat wild boxing strikes"? Thus the absence of consistent short straight ones is not taken into account Vs A JDS (a lot of his game BTW is still unknown as his boxing has kept the competition at bay)? You talk about the CC fight, but CC did not have JDS's jab. If Fedor stalked JDS the way he did CC, he would be peppered with jabs IMO. Plus with JDS's footwork Fedor possibly would be unable to force any clinch.
Technical boxing is the biggest factor in terms of the 'evolution' of the sport IMO. JDS has it and Fedor lacks it. Further Fedor failed to show a very consistent solid leg kick (Aldo EG)that he could try to use as an initial weapon Vs the jabs. I see Fedor beat to the punch and maybe unable to clinch here.
Interesting that you refer to Hendo's superior striking in your article but not here. Also It was Hendo's LEFT that Fedor felt that changed the fight (Fedor). Shogun always comes forward (yes the lead uppercut is a blunder).
I always thought Fedor the GOAT but I agree with Hendo, the game evolved and he did not.
Yea I guess that is a concession (your failure to respond).
Calling Fedor a striker "who can adapt his style against anyone" (in your top tier strikers list) and then saying against the superior boxer JDS he should look "to use the clinch" to proceed (JDS size and footwork may preclude even that possibility too) is illogical (to be nice) as no very top striker 'needs a clinch' to out-strike!
Calling Hendo a superior striker in the article and here saying no but also neglecting his left, timing and precision that he developed in short strikes (boxing) in only the last few years seems strange too.
In truth Aldo with his leg kicks and others (top strikers who have the overall game to allow them to use leg kicks as INITIAL weapons consistently without being effectively countered) who are 'first to the strike' are IMO better 'top strikers' than other fighters.
Moreover, the absence to Machida and Rory and many others on that list IMO is not tenable. TY for your response and have a good day.
Lazer read this. Jack has like 4 paragraphs dedicated to the Russian hooks Fedor throws.
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2012/5/31/3053056/fedor-emelianenko-striking-technique-pride 
Guerrero - Jack, I only saw one of your books available for Kindle ... the advanced boxing book. I could have sworn you said that your elementary striking book is available for Kindle.
BTW, I bought your advanced Boxing book. It's awesome.
I didn't know about this book. I know what I'm reading tonight! 
Lazer MMA -Lazer MMA -Jack Slack -Lazer MMA -Lazer MMA -
Jack:
TY sir. I am surprised VERY MUCH by your inclusion of Fedor here with his wide and somewhat wild boxing strikes. When did he ever alter that technique exactly?? And PLEASE how do you see the fight of PRIME Fedor and JDS playing out. IMO JDS with his seemingly superior boxing would have the advantage. What would Fedor do??
One would think you'd put Hendo who evolved and worked so hard on his boxing above Fedor. Per your GIF on your last thread which Showed Shogun eating the short straight right when trying for the lead upper cut in the first minute of the fight and your comments on Hendo's superior striking.<br /> <br /> Hi Jack<br /> <br /> Can you supply a few shot opinions sir. TY</blockquote> <p> </p> <p> I don't really think Hendo's striking is all that good outside of the couple of techniques that he does really well. It's extremely one note - the big right hand set up by the inside low kick. His crazy comeback in recent years has been more to do with the people he is facing thinking too much of themselves and fighting dumb.</p> <p> </p> <p> Fedor and Shogun, both of whom have shown fantastic left hooks, ran straight at him swinging their right hand over and over again. Circling to Hendo's left, throwing the left hook and kicking Hendo's legs are easy strategies to outpoint him and instead guys keep trying to brawl him. Against Feijao he did a good job cutting off along the cage but in truth Feijao has just never been that good.</p> <p> Fedor at his best didn't just have every strike in the book, he had some of the best counter striking too. Countering Cro Cop's left straight with a rear hand parry to left hook is just crazy. Also the counter kicks under Cro Cop's own. The counter jabs that he used to mess up Nog and TK. The back step punches. Not to mention the hand traps. The man had so much technical variety and savvy.</p> <p> I'm not sure what you mean in terms of data - it's hardly something that can be statistically analyzed, but Fedor at his best showed a ton more variety than Hendo. I love Hendo but people get caught up in his comeback being to do with drastic improvement when really he's the same, solid fighter he's always been but is meeting opponents at the right time in their careers.</p> <p> </p> <p> The hypothetical JDS Fedor match is one I would have great interest in - but I will normally go with the man with more weapons and a willingness to use them. Boxing with JDS for the sake of boxing would be dumb - what I would expect from guys like Alistair and Fedor if they fought smart would be to use the clinch and the threat of takedowns to set up strikes and vice versa.</p> </blockquote> <br /> <br /> Jack firstly,when talking about Fedor why are you ignoring "his wide and somewhat wild boxing strikes"? Thus the absence of consistent short straight ones is not taken into account Vs A JDS (a lot of his game BTW is still unknown as his boxing has kept the competition at bay)? You talk about the CC fight, but CC did not have JDS's jab. If Fedor stalked JDS the way he did CC, he would be peppered with jabs IMO. Plus with JDS's footwork Fedor possibly would be unable to force any clinch.<br /> <br /> Technical boxing is the biggest factor in terms of the 'evolution' of the sport IMO. JDS has it and Fedor lacks it. Further Fedor failed to show a very consistent solid leg kick (Aldo EG)that he could try to use as an initial weapon Vs the jabs. I see Fedor beat to the punch and maybe unable to clinch here.<br /> <br /> Interesting that you refer to Hendo's superior striking in your article but not here. Also It was Hendo's LEFT that Fedor felt that changed the fight (Fedor). Shogun always comes forward (yes the lead uppercut is a blunder).<br /> <br /> I always thought Fedor the GOAT but I agree with Hendo, the game evolved and he did not.</blockquote> <br /> <br /> Yea I guess that is a concession (your failure to respond).<br /> <br /> Calling Fedor a striker "who can adapt his style against anyone" (in your top tier strikers list) and then saying against the superior boxer JDS he should look "to use the clinch" to proceed (JDS size and footwork may preclude even that possibility too) is illogical (to be nice) as no very top striker 'needs a clinch' to out-strike!<br /> <br /> Calling Hendo a superior striker in the article and here saying no but also neglecting his left, timing and precision that he developed in short strikes (boxing) in only the last few years seems strange too.<br /> <br /> In truth Aldo with his leg kicks and others (top strikers who have the overall game to allow them to use leg kicks as INITIAL weapons consistently without being effectively countered) who are 'first to the strike' are IMO better 'top strikers' than other fighters.<br /> <br /> Moreover, the absence to Machida and Rory and many others on that list IMO is not tenable. TY for your response and have a good day.<br /> </blockquote>
Sorry man but "no top striker needs to clinch" is indicative of a basic misunderstanding of striking.
I've pretty much covered most of the stuff you aks about in articles and I'm a little busy writing atm to be going through it all again.
I highly recommend checking out the Hendo stuff I wrote in the lead up to his bout with Jones or the Fedor pieces.
OnlyTheStrongSurvive -Lazer read this. Jack has like 4 paragraphs dedicated to the Russian hooks Fedor throws.
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2012/5/31/3053056/fedor-emelianenko-striking-technique-pride
TY bro, very good read (all of it). You must understand that I have immense respect for Fedor and have been a FERVENT supporter of his VS trolls on this Forum (as I have been for any number of fighters).
Moreover, there is a GIF of Fedor throwing a leg kick backing up an opponent slightly and then following up with a right to the body while moving forward to set up the clinch (on the ropes) to a TD which I consider as proof of Fedor as being a complete fighter with skills in all areas of MMA. He evolved the sport IMO; however, per my posts above MMA continued to evolve.
Therefore, TODAY as far as looking at the top strikers ever (notice complete fighter is NOT said), none of this has any baring at all in terms of refuting my posts above. Ty for posting the link to the great article sir again!
Jack Slack -Lazer MMA -Lazer MMA -Jack Slack -Lazer MMA -Lazer MMA -
Jack:
TY sir. I am surprised VERY MUCH by your inclusion of Fedor here with his wide and somewhat wild boxing strikes. When did he ever alter that technique exactly?? And PLEASE how do you see the fight of PRIME Fedor and JDS playing out. IMO JDS with his seemingly superior boxing would have the advantage. What would Fedor do??
One would think you'd put Hendo who evolved and worked so hard on his boxing above Fedor. Per your GIF on your last thread which Showed Shogun eating the short straight right when trying for the lead upper cut in the first minute of the fight and your comments on Hendo's superior striking.<br /> <br /> Hi Jack<br /> <br /> Can you supply a few shot opinions sir. TY</blockquote> <p> </p> <p> I don't really think Hendo's striking is all that good outside of the couple of techniques that he does really well. It's extremely one note - the big right hand set up by the inside low kick. His crazy comeback in recent years has been more to do with the people he is facing thinking too much of themselves and fighting dumb.</p> <p> </p> <p> Fedor and Shogun, both of whom have shown fantastic left hooks, ran straight at him swinging their right hand over and over again. Circling to Hendo's left, throwing the left hook and kicking Hendo's legs are easy strategies to outpoint him and instead guys keep trying to brawl him. Against Feijao he did a good job cutting off along the cage but in truth Feijao has just never been that good.</p> <p> Fedor at his best didn't just have every strike in the book, he had some of the best counter striking too. Countering Cro Cop's left straight with a rear hand parry to left hook is just crazy. Also the counter kicks under Cro Cop's own. The counter jabs that he used to mess up Nog and TK. The back step punches. Not to mention the hand traps. The man had so much technical variety and savvy.</p> <p> I'm not sure what you mean in terms of data - it's hardly something that can be statistically analyzed, but Fedor at his best showed a ton more variety than Hendo. I love Hendo but people get caught up in his comeback being to do with drastic improvement when really he's the same, solid fighter he's always been but is meeting opponents at the right time in their careers.</p> <p> </p> <p> The hypothetical JDS Fedor match is one I would have great interest in - but I will normally go with the man with more weapons and a willingness to use them. Boxing with JDS for the sake of boxing would be dumb - what I would expect from guys like Alistair and Fedor if they fought smart would be to use the clinch and the threat of takedowns to set up strikes and vice versa.</p> </blockquote> <br /> <br /> Jack firstly,when talking about Fedor why are you ignoring "his wide and somewhat wild boxing strikes"? Thus the absence of consistent short straight ones is not taken into account Vs A JDS (a lot of his game BTW is still unknown as his boxing has kept the competition at bay)? You talk about the CC fight, but CC did not have JDS's jab. If Fedor stalked JDS the way he did CC, he would be peppered with jabs IMO. Plus with JDS's footwork Fedor possibly would be unable to force any clinch.<br /> <br /> Technical boxing is the biggest factor in terms of the 'evolution' of the sport IMO. JDS has it and Fedor lacks it. Further Fedor failed to show a very consistent solid leg kick (Aldo EG)that he could try to use as an initial weapon Vs the jabs. I see Fedor beat to the punch and maybe unable to clinch here.<br /> <br /> Interesting that you refer to Hendo's superior striking in your article but not here. Also It was Hendo's LEFT that Fedor felt that changed the fight (Fedor). Shogun always comes forward (yes the lead uppercut is a blunder).<br /> <br /> I always thought Fedor the GOAT but I agree with Hendo, the game evolved and he did not.</blockquote> <br /> <br /> Yea I guess that is a concession (your failure to respond).<br /> <br /> Calling Fedor a striker "who can adapt his style against anyone" (in your top tier strikers list) and then saying against the superior boxer JDS he should look "to use the clinch" to proceed (JDS size and footwork may preclude even that possibility too) is illogical (to be nice) as no very top striker 'needs a clinch' to out-strike!<br /> <br /> Calling Hendo a superior striker in the article and here saying no but also neglecting his left, timing and precision that he developed in short strikes (boxing) in only the last few years seems strange too.<br /> <br /> In truth Aldo with his leg kicks and others (top strikers who have the overall game to allow them to use leg kicks as INITIAL weapons consistently without being effectively countered) who are 'first to the strike' are IMO better 'top strikers' than other fighters.<br /> <br /> Moreover, the absence to Machida and Rory and many others on that list IMO is not tenable. TY for your response and have a good day.<br /> </blockquote>
Sorry man but "no top striker needs to clinch" is indicative of a basic misunderstanding of striking.
I've pretty much covered most of the stuff you aks about in articles and I'm a little busy writing atm to be going through it all again.
I highly recommend checking out the Hendo stuff I wrote in the lead up to his bout with Jones or the Fedor pieces.
Please Jack don't be sorry! If fedor would need a clinch Vs JDS because of JDS's superior boxing than it's JDS that is the superior striker IMO without exception (as stated I tend to doubt he could even get it). We can feel to disagree on this fair enough?
As far as Hendo I just identified a seemingly clear contradiction (even as I pointed in the actual article that Hendo has KO'd a couple of opponents without a first stepping forward into the punch as you said he need too) in your post with the GIF (Hendo Vs shogun rd 1 first minute, Shogun eating short right) calling Hendo a superior striker VS what you've said here (and failed to say).
By all means work on that new article I'm sure I'll read it! TY for your time and have a great day!
Sorry 'it' in first sentence meaning the clinch. Second sentence feel 'free' to disagree.
Gokudamus stole my name -Wasa-B -Gokudamus stole my name - "BJ's inability to adapt much like Nick against Condit and Nate against Benson."
I think their problem is that they have become predictable. And thats the worst thing that can happen to a striker.
But didnt we know how the Diaz bros fight for a long time and still many couldnt stop it. I also rate Nick higher than Nate.
A lot of their opponents were simply not good enough to stop them. Others failed to follow their gameplans and got caught up in the exchanges, BJ was picking Nick apart in the first, but then he stopped moving and allowed Nick to corner him and thats all she wrote, Cerrone got emotional and traded punches with Nate early, in the third round he finally started kicking and had success but by then he was already beaten up
Nick is better than Nate i agree but he is also predictable. He will taunt GSP hoping to make him stand still so he can go crazy with punching combinations. How would you prepare GSP if you were his coach? Lots of lateral movement, blast him with takedowns or strikes as you step in, exit out through angles. Nick is amazing at what he does but he is fairly predictable
Now how do you prepare for GSP?
Thing about GSP/Diaz is that Diaz doesnt have 1 punch KO power and wont be able to stop the td. GSP wont be able to do much to Diaz on the ground either. No one really does. I think we saw the more exciting battle with Benson and Nate.
Hendricks has the better chance for GSP imo though its the punchers chance. Otherwise, GSP may be doing circles round Johnny.
Anyhow, how does Diaz prepare for GSP? It will have to be minor adjustments since he will never develop great tdd and 1 punch KO power. I suppose keep the range but GSP is too fast, too athletic, too good footwork, too good at combos from punching to tds.
Diaz is good off his back but he hasnt really tapped anyone elite from there esp considering guys like Gomi (subprone) and Cyborg were pretty beat up leading up to their taps.
Im not sure what Nick can do different. Perhaps use more footwork?
Jack Slack -Wasa-B -Gokudamus stole my name - "BJ's inability to adapt much like Nick against Condit and Nate against Benson."
I think their problem is that they have become predictable. And thats the worst thing that can happen to a striker.
But didnt we know how the Diaz bros fight for a long time and still many couldnt stop it. I also rate Nick higher than Nate.
In fairness - KJ Noons did stop it. He hand fought with Nick and circled away and Nick looked terrible. The way Nick beat KJ in the rematch was to switch to orthodox stance. His holes in movement as a southpaw are still there.
I find it hard to rate Nick higher than Nate when Nick has actually fought the cream of the crop in the UFC while Nick has been fed strikers for over half a decade.
Good point, Nate may have faced higher comp but Nick has also never been dominated like Nate either. Condit is elite and that was close though yes perhaps a favourable for Nick.