World
The Sunday Column: “Why can’t MMA fighters use the jab?”
The Sunday Column. Photo via USA Today Sports
Frontkick’s Tobias Lindkvist talks major and minor events from this past week in the Sunday Column.
1. The jab
Why are MMA fighters not using the jab more?
The absolute basics of boxing is using the jab to find your range and set up combinations. Everything is based on the jab. It’s not magic, the jab is just simply the most important punch in boxing.
In MMA however, fighters at the highest international level seem to be completely unaware of the punch. Instead of setting up their combos with a jab, they often throw single punches (read looping power punches with their rear hand) which misses the target by a mile.
Is it a lack of boxing skills among MMA fighters? Can it be that the sweet science doesn’t apply in mixed martial arts? I really don’t know! But what I do know is that as soon as MMA fighters use the jab it works really well.
The UFC commentators, however, seasoned world champions as they are, seem shocked everytime a fighter finds success with the punch.
“He’s using the jab!”
“The fight changed when he started jabbing!”
“He’s boxing is so educated!”
Please, feel free to enlighten me, why are MMA fighters not using the jab more?
2. PFL Africa is a tough pill to swallow for the UFC
The launch of PFL Africa is a big thing for African MMA. Top regional fighters will get a chance to compete in internationally broadcasted fight cards hosted in Africa.
The UFC CEO, Dana White, has been vocal about wanting to take the UFC to Africa and also open a performance institute. The fact that PFL is beating UFC to the punch in regards to hosting MMA events on the continent must be a tough pill to swallow for the world’s leading MMA promotion.
3. Is Artem Vakhitov the next Alex Pereira?
Former kickboxer Artem Vakhitov wants to repeat Alex Pereira’s feat of going from Glory kickboxing to the top of the UFC. The pairing is 1-1 in kickboxing, and now Vakhitov aims to land a UFC contract in order to show he’s the best fighter of the two.
Interestingly enough, Vakhitov’s story is practically identical with the reigning UFC light heavyweight champ. Pereira was signed to the UFC to eventually face former Glory kickboxing champion Israel Adesanya, and their two fights became instant classics.
If the UFC signs Vakhitov, could history repeat itself?
4. The Sunday Column song of the week
The fantastic “After Laughter (Comes Tears)” was released in August 1964 and was the first solo single by Wendy Rene. Easily one of the most beautiful ballads of the 60’s!
The song was also sampled by Wu-Tang Clan in their song “Tearz” on their debut album “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)” in 1993.
