First bout

[bWsWwrestler]

Okay I finally just had my first MMA match at my local gym. Ive been doing BJJ for 2 years and decided that i just wanted to try a full mma match just to see how my standup was and I got killed by a non mma practitioner. I faced a 6 foot 165 pound guy and im 5"9 128 pounds. What would be your advice against an opponet like this. I had trouble with his long reach so what should i do? Im going to start a full mma class next year but what are some things I could focus on now without classes? Just because I had so much fun and im not going to be able to wait another year to do it again. Any advice?

Thanks

[Jujujason]

Maybe try fighting someone closer to your own weight for one??? I don't know, just a thought.

[bWsWwrestler]

Well since I'm not in a MMA league its hard to find opponents the only other opponent is even heavier than that guy. So just what are some strategies people in UFC use if they are up against someone who has a large reach advantage?

[Marksmarkou]

To be honest, there is not much you can do untill you learn some good striking. I would recommend you go to a Thai, kickboxing or full contact karate school straight away so when you go to this MMA class you will be better prepared.

[cakegirl]

In reality, there aren't really any applicable strategies for you to borrow from fighters in the UFC because there aren't such significant weight/size differences due to the weight classes there. So when you see guys with a reach advantage over their opponents, it's more like a couple of inches. So if you want something to study, you could get the old old UFCs and study those, or you can get your hands on some more recent one-off fights, like Royce v Akebono. Probably that's available on youtube.

When your grappling is really good, it's quite often relatively easy to overcome an average striker. I know at my school, we have a couple of purples and browns with no striking experience who can go into an MMA class and completely avoid being hit by most of the guys just by using their grappling skills (to get in close, and to keep moving once on the ground). But unless you're grappling at that level, you're not going to be able to hold your own in MMA without you practicing standup. And even if you are a high level grappler, if you come up against a goodMMA fighter or striker, you're still going to end up in trouble.

I'd advise you to find training partners and practice, practice, practice. I'd also advise you to go to a muay thai class, or even better, an MMA class. If that's not available, get your friends to spar you, using open hand slaps instead of punches, but work up to having them commit 100% to their attacks, so you can practice doing takedowns on a committed opponent in order to get them into your preferred zone.

[frode]

I would echo the sentiments for you to learn better striking. I've seen a few JJ guys completely lose their game when they start getting hit. Therefore, I think it's important for you to spar in Muay Thai if possible...if nothing else, it will teach you the timing and ebb/flow of striking, as well as prepare you for getting hit.

[Tim McFatridge]

Also look at boxing gyms. I only say this because a good boxing coach is invaluable to a fighter. Boxing will give you the striking skills you need as well as the foot work and head movement you will need to evade your opponents strikes. I do not care how good of a grappler you are unless you know how to parry, slip, cover, duck and bob and weave you are going to eat a lot of leather as you try to close distance on a good striker.

I have been training in the grappling arts for 14 years now and when I wanted to improve my shoot in... or work on closing the distance I went to a boxing gym and trained with some really good amature boxers as well as a couple of pro boxers. I cannot tell you how much that improved my shoot in and my ability to close the distance.

Just my two cents guys... but definately get some boxing or muay that training.

[Tant01]

That's the stuff...

Also look at boxing gyms. I only say this because a good boxing coach is invaluable to a fighter. Boxing will give you the striking skills you need as well as the foot work and head movement you will need to evade your opponents strikes. I do not care how good of a grappler you are unless you know how to parry, slip, cover, duck and bob and weave you are going to eat a lot of leather as you try to close distance on a good striker.

I have been training in the grappling arts for 14 years now and when I wanted to improve my shoot in... or work on closing the distance I went to a boxing gym and trained with some really good amature boxers as well as a couple of pro boxers. I cannot tell you how much that improved my shoot in and my ability to close the distance.

Just my two cents guys... but definately get some boxing or muay that training.

For what it's worth... that "two cents" is worth more than GOLD!

Nothing like putting together a good combination! Awesome advise!