If a good quality boxer who utilized an Andre Ward type jab to the body in boxing were to transfer to mma. Do you think he could use this style if he used his right hand to thai style block his right side of his face against the kicks.
I think body punching is under utilized in MMA. However, I think most guys would prefer a longer ranged body kick or kness to the midsection when on the clinch.
Dos Santos rode this strategy all the way to a world championship. The body jab (or straight) is how dos Santos sets up all his knockouts.
double jab to the body, right hand upstairs is a deadly combo for power punchers in boxing (like dave lemiuex for instance). Not sure about once you throw legs into the mix.
It's dangerous becàuse you can get countered over the top but it's a good tool. I use it when sparring and it helps set up the jab upstairs and the right hand. You gotta be quick though and can't use it too much.
It's much safer to front kick the stomach. Many Muay Thai fighters treat it as a jab, when I was shown it the instructor called it the 'push kick'. Crouch down to jab and you could eat a knee or a kick to the head, game over. It's hard to grab a front kick without taking the brunt of it. If I knew the opponent was going to try to catch it, I'd push kick his gut EVERY time.
I obviously considred knees with this strategy. If you are properly angeled and don't have t-rex arms this strategy would work fine then. you cant possibly be kneed during an andre ward type jab to the body. especially if u utilize it while slipping off a jab
As long as you're unpredictable while doing it, it should be pretty effective at setting up all sorts of followup strikes/takedowns...I'd imagine if an opponent correctly anticipates your body shots, you'll be in a world of hurt, but then again that's pretty much true for most things.
I find that it can be effective with guys who are standing up really tall (if I was a wrestler it would be the same time I could for shoots). if you turn your body with the jab and keep your right up you are decently safe (also step out as you jab..making it less likely to get hit with a strike of any kind). Of course still risks to it...like anything.
worse not worst. and actually my comment was serious....if you drop and throw the jab while stepping to your left it isn't that unsafe.