Tactics More UFC Fighters Should Use
Over quarantine, I have become more of a fan of the UFC. In my time watching, I have seen a variety of moves being used both inside and outside of the octagon. Inside there is a diverse allotment of mixed martial arts that are used to pulverize your opponent. Outside of the octagon, there is a lot of trash talking and mind-games that get played to strike fear into them . I have taken note of these moves and couldn’t help but feel like I could add some insight into the fight world that could help gain an edge of opponents. Here is a list of some examples that fighters could use in an attempt to gain an advantage over there opponents:
Grab Some Ass: As I watch a variety of UFC fights, I notice there are times in which a fighter is pinned against a wall or fence in such a way that they aren’t able to use their arms. They generally attempt to squirm out as their arms hang somewhat aimlessly behind their opponent who lays all of their weight against them. I’ve seen a number of fighters focus more or using legs, shoulders, and their head to evade their opponents when in these positions. I can’t help but feel like getting a nice grip of their opponents cheeks would fair well in moments like this. Your opponent likely isn't used to have his booty grabbed in the middle of a fight to the death and would likely squirm a bit, giving you enough time to get out.
Using the referee as a shield when you need a quick escape: There’s a handful of times a fighter manages to evade what looks like his reckoning. The fighter will generally be gassed out as he just used most of his strength/power to escape from his opponent. In times like these you need to use the only other object in the ring to your advantage, the referee. Using the referee to regain composure after these situations would be a genius tactic that I have yet to see a fighter smart enough to use.
Getting your coaches to give some good tips to your opponent then slip in critical bad ones: In the current state of the UFC, without any fans, coaches can easily be heard by fighters. Not only does this mean that a fighter can hear his own corner coaching him, but his opponents. Coaches should use this to advantage and talk shit about their own fighter and say things like:
“Damn you’re wide open for upper cuts”
“It’d be a real shame if he went for a spinning backfist”
… I’m out of fighting terms I know, but you get the point. The opposing fighter will pick up on this and take it as advice, which you can use to predict what’s coming.
Complimenting Your Opponent Before Fights: Lots of fighters talk tons of shit before fights. Complimenting your opponent on their skill, strength, personal life, or physical stature would likely throw them off. Also, I can’t help but feel like complimenting your opponent would cause him to be a lot more hesitant to beat you to a pulp because he’d know how nice of a guy you are.
Ratchet Walk-Out Songs: Every fighter gets to pick songs to walk out to the octagon. Most fighters pick out something to get them amped up. Other fighters will pick songs from their home country (perhaps reminds them about who they’re fighting for). I think fighters consistently expect their opponents to have something about being a badass or killing their opponents and are generally unfazed by it. My idea is to walk out to songs like Pink Dollaz’s “I’m Tasty” or Cardi B’s “WAP”. Songs like these will more than likely mess up your opponents frame of mind as he is
- Not taking you as seriously as before.
- Thinking about some WAP
Seems like fighters are missing out on a perfect opportunity to gain an edge on their opponents while gaining a fanbase of people who like memes.
Tattooing Targets on Body Parts that can take damage: Fighters seem to have a shitload of really bad tattoos, so what’s another 3–4? The strategy is pretty self-explanatory. Give your opponent a target to aim at that won’t effect you all that much. Targets are a pretty bullet-proof plan if you ask me.
I’m not saying that these tactics are guaranteed to help a fighter win, but if I were to try my hand at fighting Jon Jones with these in hand, I could definitely at least go the distance. I’m more than willing to do whatever it takes to win and I’d hope that more UFC fighters are in that same sort of headspace. If any UFC fighter wants to get some coaching from me for a greater creative edge, all I ask is that you pay me in beating the shit out of my friends who can be very mean to me at times.
Songs played while writing:
Soulection Radio (Episode 469)
