There is no one-size-fits-all approach that works for everyone in mixed martial arts. Everyone’s body is unique, so knowing which techniques are most effective for you is essential.
For example, it wouldn’t make much sense for a tall fighter to imitate the fighting style of short fighters since that requires them not to use their body to its full potential. Taller fighters typically have longer arms, making techniques designed to be used from outside distance more effective.
It wouldn’t make sense for such fighters to throw their natural advantages away by trying to emulate the fighting style of shorter fighters, who typically prefer to fight at close range. A taller fighter fighting like a shorter guy is like buying a Ferrari and only using it for grocery shopping.
Adapting Your MMA Training To Suit Your Body Type
Let’s explore some of the most common body types in mixed martial arts and discuss some of the techniques that favor them:
1) The Tall, Lanky Fighter
Some would say this is the best body type for mixed martial arts, and there’s a lot of truth to it. A long time ago, most people thought stockier body types were the most effective for fighting, but that myth has been debunked thanks to how dominant tall, skinny fighters have been since mixed martial arts was developed.
Let’s start with Royce Gracie, who shocked the world during the early days of the Ultimate Fighting Championship by winning three of the first four tournaments. Some of his opponents, like Kimo Leopoldo, were as much as 100 pounds bigger than he was since weight classes hadn’t been introduced yet. Other champions like Jon Jones, Anderson Silva, and Reinier de Ridder have highlighted how advantageous being rangy can be inside the cage.
Some of the advantages of being a taller fighter include:
- Reach Advantage: Tall fighters can stay at a safe distance while chipping away at their opponents with long-range techniques like jabs, front kicks, and push kicks. Using your length makes your opponent fight through your reach to get close enough to land their strikes.
- More Leverage When Performing Takedowns And Submissions: It’s simple physics; having longer limbs gives you more leverage, which makes it easier for longer fighters to pull off submissions and takedowns. Jon Jones isn’t the most decorated wrestler to compete in mixed martial arts, but most of his opponents can’t stop his takedowns because of how long his limbs are and the leverage being tall gives him. Even decorated wrestlers like Daniel Cormier struggled to defend against his takedowns.
Tailor-Made Techniques
Some of the techniques that often work best for longer fighters include:
- Striking: Take the time to master as many techniques as possible that can be executed from outside range, like jabs, crosses, push kicks, oblique kicks, and front kicks. Mastering these techniques will make it challenging for opponents to get close to you without taking severe damage. Taller fighters should prioritize sticking and moving so opponents battle their long limbs constantly.
- Grappling: Focus on techniques like the triangle, anaconda, and D’arce chokes since your long limbs will make it easier to secure them. You should also spend lots of time mastering the guard since your long legs make it easier to lock up submissions from there.
- Clinch: The Muay Thai clinch is tailor-made for taller fighters since their long limbs make it easier to target the head. Knee strikes, in general, work best for taller fighters.
2) The Short, Stocky Fighter
Stocky fighters like Anatoly Malykhin, the first MMA fighter to simultaneously hold titles in three of a major promotion’s divisions, have also enjoyed much success inside the cage. While they don’t have the advantages that long limbs bring, their lower center of gravity and natural power are excellent advantages in MMA.
Some of the advantages of being a shorter, stockier mixed martial artist include:
- Power: Shorter fighters tend to be more explosive than taller ones, which often translates to more power behind their strikes.
- Perfect Body Type For Close-Range Battles: Shorter fighters tend to have an easier time fighting inside the pocket, while taller fighters have a more challenging time generating power from close range because their long limbs don’t have enough space to move freely.
- Easier Takedowns And Takedown Defense: Shorter fighters have a low center of gravity, making it harder to take them down or knock them off their balance. Their shorter frame also allows them to go lower when they shoot in for takedowns, which makes it harder to defend against.
Tailor-Made Techniques
Some of the techniques shorter fighters should master to capitalize on their body type include:
- Striking: Shorter fighters should prioritize techniques like hooks and uppercuts that are more effective at close range since that’s where their body type gives them an advantage.
- Grappling: Shorter fighters often excel at wrestling, especially when shooting for takedowns.
- Defensive Techniques: it’s essential to master techniques like slipping since you’ll have to evade some of your opponent’s strikes before you get close enough to land anything substantial.
3) The Balance Build
The balanced body type is somewhere between the short, stocky frame and the tall, rangy build. While these body types don’t have the extreme advantages the other body types have, they get the best of both worlds.
Some of the strengths of having a balanced body type include:
- Versatility: Having a balanced body type means you can master things short and tall fighters excel at. You can pick opponents apart from range or fight at phone booth distance.
- Adaptability: Balanced body types excel in more aspects of MMA than tall or short fighters, allowing you to adapt your game plan based on your opponent’s strengths. You can fight inside when matched up against taller fighters and fight at outside range against shorter opponents.
Tailor-Made Techniques
Some of the techniques that work best for MMA fighters with balanced builds include:
- Striking: Balanced body types can fight at either close or long range, so you should master the techniques you need for both.
- Grappling: The balanced body type allows you to develop a well-rounded ground game since your limbs are long enough for most submissions. Some of the best grapplers in mixed martial arts history, like Khabib Nurmagomedov, have balanced builds.
Make The Most Of What You Have
Having a particular body type doesn’t prevent you from excelling in MMA. Limitations only develop when you fail to optimize your training to suit what you’re naturally gifted with. Embrace your natural strengths, develop the optimal fighting style for your body type, and work on your weaknesses to become a well-rounded fighter.
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