Don't be this Guy at MMA Class or at the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Club

Former Martial Artist

When working MMA boxing his chin is lifted sky high. His back is completely vertical and upright, without a hint of a fighter's crouch. His feet are so wide they are on either side of the room. He is in a stance that never had much to do with fighting, and his rear hand is down at his belt. If still unsure, he can be identified by the way his face is constantly smooshed to the side - due to your lead hook. Sometimes these guys even want to wear their black belts into the MMA class - their black belt that they purchased by attending class for two years, paying dues, and memorizing a series of movements that don't even loosely mimic fighting. Often these guys are lost causes in the MMA class. If he empties his cup, he will come along and do fine. But so long as he drops his rear hand to his hip to set up a punch, keep slapping him with that lead hook. Typically they get better at MMA striking in stages - the hand will first drop all the way to his hip, then it will drop to his belly, then his chest, then a little below his chin. I have yet to convince one of these guys to quit switching their stances, though. Somehow the martial arts adage "if you switch your leads it really messes up your opponents mind" is like crack rock to these guys, and even as they realize the concept is ruining their MMA boxing game they must continue to utilize it.