Fight Fundamentals
MMA is "fluid." There are no pauses between kicking, wrestling, and submission fighting. It all happens in three distinct phases.
The Striking Phase
Every fight starts on the feet. This phase is about distance management, damage, and setting up takedowns.
Boxing
The art of punching. Focuses on head movement, footwork, and angles.
Muay Thai
The "Art of 8 Limbs." Utilizes punches, kicks, knees, and elbows.
Kickboxing
Focuses on fluid combinations of hand strikes and leg kicks.
Karate / TKD
Distance fighting. Used for blitz attacks and unpredictable kicking angles.
The Clinch Phase
The bridge between striking and grappling. This is close-quarters combat where fighters battle for position against the cage or in open space.
Thai Clinch
Controlling the head (plum) to land knees and elbows to the face.
Dirty Boxing
Holding a wrist or neck tie to land short hooks and uppercuts.
Cage Control
Pressing an opponent against the fence to drain their energy and limit movement.
Takedowns
Using body locks, trips, and throws to drag the fight to the floor.
The Ground Phase
Once the fight hits the mat, it becomes a chess match of leverage and gravity. The goal is to advance position, inflict damage, or force a submission.
Wrestling
The art of control. Keeping an opponent down and punishing them.
Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
Using "Guard" to fight off your back, or hunting for chokes and joint locks.
Ground & Pound
Striking a downed opponent to force them to give up a submission or TKO.
Scrambling
The chaotic transition period where fighters race to get back to their feet.
How the Fight Ends
Knockout: Unconscious.
Tech KO: Referee stops it because the fighter is not defending themselves.
A fighter taps out (physically or verbally) due to a choke (strangle) or joint lock (pain).
Time runs out. 3 Judges add up their scorecards. Can be Unanimous, Split, or Majority.