So im starting to get into the UFC and from what i've seen, most fighters don't use the jab. An example of this was just in the Jones - Machida 1st round. One would expect Jones to use his jab against the smaller fighter, yet he rarely, if ever, did. Why is this?
With regards to Jones/Machida, Machida is arguably the best counter striker in MMA and leagues of Jones in terms of striking skill and experience. IMO Jones wasn't jabbing him because he didn't want to give him any openings. On the whole, I do agree that it's a woefully underused technique in MMA striking.
Cuz many of them would rather just take the fight to the ground or brawl like they're fighting in the street. Bj Penn-dos santos and lately GSP are the one i've seen used the jab effectively. GSP used it well in his fight with koscheck, bj did it too against diego and sean sherk. Silva would do use it every now and then.
You should watch some Junior Dos Santos fights. He trains with the Brazillian amateur boxing team, and is a great example of a fighter who utilises his jab as a primary weapon. One of the best MMA (heavyweight) fights which I've seen that demonstrates the importance of the jab was Dos Santos v Carwin. Dos Santos absolutely schooled Carwin behind a jab and short left hook everytime Carwin swung his right haymaker or occasionally pawed a jab.
because American's arent known for their to level kickboxing/MT, most of these guys also train in low level gyms when it comes to striking. Notice how most of these guys move in the same manner? now watch M1 fighters those Eastern European ones (the good strikers anyway) mostly go to Holland to polish up their striking.
When you jab it leaves you open to takedowns or it makes it easier to take you down which isnt that hot in this sport but then there is JDS with the sickest sprawl, dont think he has ever been taken down successfully and BJ who has a good TDD but isnt to bothered to be taken down as he has a good BJJ background
No debate really, TD's, kicks and a square on stance make utilising a jab redundant unless you have great handspeed ala Andy, BJ or Aldo
This is something that has been driving me nuts for years. There have been so many fights in mma where one could defeat the other so easy with the use of the jab. MMA still has fighters throwing a rear uppercut from a range where a jab would barely land. The jab will become a weapon once someone high profile gets completely disrupted and battered by another fighter. That's the only way things get introduced in mma. BJJ and wrestling made their impact early. Kickboxing got respect a little later, but most of this respect has gone to leg kicks and knees.
Watch Alex Emelianenko in his boxing debut. It begins at around 3:20. Alex is fighting another guy making his pro debut. It looks as though Alex is pretty unfamiliar fighting at this range. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SHZUr95pY4[/ame]
Because they don't know how to. MMA's current failing especially the UFC has been the lack of quality striking and guys from striking disciplines. Im not sure that will ever change.
It's really sad because MMA gyms teach the stuff just fine. But ****** see, ****** do. Once someone starts doing MMA styled sparring they just throw out the boxing and thai training. It also has to do with the relatively low profile of dutch muay thai in MMA at the moment. I feel the bigger boxing base of the dutch is more conducive to MMA. Just my 2 cents though, doubt it's even worth that much.
