How to knock out Wanderlei Silva (or other straight-on brawlers)

by Mike

UFC 92 was a sad event for Wandy's fans, but Quinton "Rampage" Jackson's knockout of Silva was nothing short of awesome, especially when you see it as a supreme use of tactics.

A bit of history: the first two fights between Rampage and Wanderlei (Pride 28 and Pride: Final Conflict 2003) ended poorly for Jackon, with him getting brutally KOd in both. The main difference in Jackson's strategy seemed to be: don't try to fight on your terms, instead play into his strengths.

The first thought, of course is, "why in Christ's name would you want to play into Silva's strengths? That's asking for a knuckle sandwhich and a nap in the middle of the cage!"

Check this, though: when's the best time to punch someone? When they're punching. Timing single strikes can be difficult though, so counter into their combinations.

Why into?

If there's ever a time for them to be sloppy, this is it. It's easy for even normally-technical fighters to become sloppy: they tend to let their hands come loose, their mouths open and their chins up. They're also likely to be off balance and are mentally or physically set into their combo so they can't change course in the middle and defend, or even notice that you're standing there, returning blows. If there's ever a time for you to hit someone, this is it.

Countering into combos is a very difficult thing to do, no doubt. It requires highly developed timing, distance, observation and confidence in your defense. A good chin is also necessary in case you miss some of your calculations.

What's a smart way to develop this skill without getting clobbered round after round? Like most other skills, it's really a 4 step process.

• Mitt drills. Like most other skills, mitt drills are the place to get the basics down. Pick a pattern where your partner is attacking and build in places for you to counter.
  
  
• Partner drills. Same as above, but with your sparring gear. This is an excellent drill for all involved - the uke gets to work on tightening up on their game as well as seeing where potential holes in their technique are. After a few rounds with different partners, countering into combos doesn't seem quite so scary anymore. Helpful hint: work with combos of 5 or more techniques at first, counter between the 4th and 5th. Then work your way down until you're confident getting them between "jab" and "cross" (or for local-circuit MMA guys: between "left wild-ass hook" and "right wild-ass hook").
  
  
• Assaut a teme: Like any other new skill you're working on, have one person work a specific combo into your sparring. When they throw that combo, counter into it. This will get you in the habit of seeing combinations coming while still giving your partners the ability to defend themselves.
  
  
• Sparring. This is where it gets fun (and scary again). First priority: observe their timing and tendencies. Second: making them regret attacking you.

You'll know you've developed this skill when your sparring partners refuse to attack you anymore. They might come in for one or two long-range attacks and then back out, afraid of getting caught when they're weakest. Next up are mastering the skills of cutting off the ring and engaging the timid.

Heart-breaking .gif from Fight Report.