Mixed Martial Arts

Uppercuts are severely underutilized in MMA, meaning a fighter who has a sharp set of stand-up skills including the technique can do some significant damage. In the following video, coach/competitor Osmar DeLima teaches a Muay Thai variation of the uppercut where the tweaks are minor but the blow is just as effective… The post Muay Thai Uppercut appeared first on MMATraining.com.

Dec. 30, 2011; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UFC fighter Alistair Overeem during a heavyweight bout at UFC 141 at the MGM Grand Garden event center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports The UFC announced on Wednesday that they have scheduled a blockbuster bout for this coming August’s event UFC on Fox Sports 1. The blockbuster fight will feature two big UFC heavyweight fighters Alistair Overeem and Travis Browne. The coming August bout will be a huge fight for both fighters especially for Alistair Overeem. Overeem’s last bout in the UFC was against UFC heavyweight contender Antonio “Big Foot” Silva at UFC 156 in which he was knocked out 25 seconds into the 3rd round. As for Travis Browne he is coming off a huge win against Gabriel Gonzaga at The Ultimate Fighter Season 17 finale. Overeem will be heading into the bout hoping to re-bound and get back on a winning ways after his shocking loss to Antonio Silva. And for Browne he is looking to make a impact by by defeating Alistair Overeem and putting the UFC heavyweight division on notice.

Though it’s impossible to say having his hands wrapped properly has assisted UFC middleweight Brad Tavares on his three-fight run in the Octagon, it definitely hasn’t hurt. Or, more to the point, it definitely hasn’t LET him get hurt as having your mitts taken care of the right way can help avoid all sorts of hand injuries. In the following video, Tavares breaks down how to wrap your hands the right way and then shows off his handywork with help from kickboxing legend Ray Sefo… The post Brad Tavares: How to Wrap Your Hands appeared first on MMATraining.com.

It’s time to don a dark belt, as the following technique is not necessarily master level but also something above basic BJJ too. In the clip, the Gator Roll Choke is taught, giving viewers a new way to tap an adversary out… The post Gator Roll Choke appeared first on MMATraining.com.

There’s nothing more necessary to a solid stand-up attack, at least where boxing is concerned, than the ol’ jab-hook combination. Thanks to the following clip from Strikeforce veteran Yancy Medeiros, viewers can either polish their punching skills with some insight on the tried and true combo or learn how to throw it effectively… The post Jab-Hook Combo appeared first on MMATraining.com.

Having a good Guillotine Choke in your back pocket is important when it comes to success on any front involving submission-grappling. The technique is not only effective when used offensively but will also make opponents think twice before attempting a takedown. In the following video, the basic Guillotine Choke is taught… The post Guillotine Choke appeared first on MMATraining.com.

Dec 29, 2012; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Junior Dos Santos leaves the ring after being defeated by Cain Velasquez during UFC 155 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports Former UFC Heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos vs. K-1 World Grand Prix champion Mark Hunt. This fight has been over a year in the making. After obstacles such as travel issues and misunderstandings between bosses, the match between these world champions will finally happen at UFC 160 and not only are both men looking to score a vicious knockout, but also, they are hoping to move one more step closer to No. 1 contender status. Although dos Santos is coming off of a loss in his rematch against current title holder Cain Velasquez, the fighter known to fans as “Cigano,” has the hands to send anyone to the canvas, including Hunt. Other than the lone KO loss to Melvin Manhoef on his record, the “Super Samoan” had gone up against the best strikers in MMA, and managed to make it out of the fight due to his solid chin. Hunt has also shown improvement in his ground game since his loss to Sean McCorkle, but dos Santos has grappling skills that could send anyone to the canvas. If the former UFC champion wants to get the quick win, he should take Hunt down in the opening frames of the fight. Dos Santos faces the same challenge as several former champions when they returned to action after losing their title. In his last fight against Velasquez, he had said he was facing some personal problems – something we all face. Obstacles, no matter how big or small, physical or emotional, can sometimes sneak up on his and keep us from our full potential.  The loss aside, Cigano seems more focused on getting his fighting career on track. Even if he loses the match to Hunt, the former champion For dos Santos, winning this fight means he is one step closer to getting back his UFC title, but for Hunt there seems to be more at stake for him in this fight. The Super Samoan came into the UFC with a 5-7 record. After his loss to McCorkle, some have speculated that his career, at least in the UFC, was over. Even I had my doubts that Hunt would return to the octagon. But then came the KO over Chris Tuchscherer and then decision victory over Ben Rothwell at UFC 144. Hunt quickly added Chieck Kongo and Stefan Struve to his list of wins. The victory over Struve earned Hunt his first “Knockout of the Night” bonus. Hunt, who had made a name for himself competing in Japan, was gaining success in the UFC, which has been difficult for some fighters who have come from Japanese organizations like Pride, Dream and Hero’s. Even if he loses to dos Santos, Hunt has gained enough of a winning streak and fan following to warrant him another fight in the octagon. Putting the future aside, I’ll just come out and say it. For fans of the stand up game – myself included – this fight will be a treat. Both dos Santos and Hunt are known for their powerful hands and, between the two of them,  have a who’s who of names that have fallen after tasting their fists. I’ll also come forward and say that I do not care who comes out the winner. I am a fan of both fighters and I will be happy no matter who gets their hands raised. Who do you think will emerge victorious in this clash of strikers? Answer with a comment below or send a tweet to @alstover

Hong Kong filmmaker Tsui Hark is producing a new 3D installment in his iconic Zu Warriors series, to be directed by Yuen Woo-ping. Bona Film Group is financing the $35m fantasy martial arts film, titled Zu Warriors: Dawn Of Darkness, which is expected to start shooting in late July/early August in Beijing. The film will use the same high-end stereoscopic 3D technology that Tsui used in his acclaimed 2011 hit Flying Swords Of Dragon Gate and his upcoming Detective Dee prequel. It is likely there will also be an IMAX version of the film. The Tsui Hark-directed Zu Warriors From The Magic Mountain (1983) was the first Chinese movie to make extensive use of visual effects, with Tsui importing Hollywood technicians to work on the film. He directed The Legend Of Zu in 2001, based on the same martial arts mythology, starring a young Zhang Ziyi. The films are set in a fantastical world of gods and demons where the forces of good and evil battle each other with superhuman powers. Yuen Woo Ping has directed films such as True Legend and Iron Monkey and recently worked as action director on Keanu Reeves’ Man Of Tai Chi. Meanwhile, Tsui is planning to direct 3D action adventure Tracks In The Snowy Forest, backed by Bona Film Group, from November 2013. source: screendaily

UFC lightweight Ross Pearson has only been tapped out once in the Octagon despite having taken to the infamous eight-sided cage ten times. Though he may prefer to strike when it comes to his respective rumbles, Pearson’s ability to defend submissions has been key to his success. In the following video, “Real Deal” offers up insight on one of the techniques he knows to employ to fend off an adversary’s attempt at scoring an Arm-Triangle Choke… The post Ross Pearson: Arm-Triangle Choke Defense appeared first on MMATraining.com.