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Pressure as a Principle at UFC 291
The Principles Of Pressure Fighting And Forcing Mistakes
William
July 27th, 2023
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Pressure and Poor Definitions
Pressure is a big word that is poorly defined in combat sports. A quick search will tell you that pressure is “continuous physical force exerted on or against an object by something in contact with it”. Continuous contact implies a single direction of movement and is limited, if not outright incorrect, for defining pressure in combat sports.
In grappling pressure is often used synonymously with weight. On the feet pressure is generally ascribed to people moving towards their opponent like the definition above. While grapplers can pressure into their one another to weigh on them and strikers can encroach on who they stand opposite from neither of those broad definitions properly explains what pressure is.
When learning new techniques or exploring new tactics there are three helpful questions you can use to clarify your thinking and expedite your learning. Those questions are:
What is it?
How do I do it?
How do I know it’s working?
We’re going to examine pressure through those three lenses to understand it broadly before talking about how it will impact one of the most exciting upcoming rematches in MMA today.
Pressuring Problems
Let’s start with the bad and describe what pressure is not. What is improper and ineffective pressure?
The overly simplified definitions of pressure above equate it to advancing at all costs. That is bad pressure. Overactivity, forced forward motion, and a general insistence on attacking at all times leaves you more open to counters on the feet and reversals on the floor.
One of the most iconic examples of bad pressure came when Ronda Rousey lost to Holly Holm.
Rousey walks forward with her chin in the air. Rousey’s hands are slapping the space between them while Holm slides away. Holm hand checks, punches, and pushes Rousey off of her to keep space before side kicking Rousey square in the face. Rousey charges and Holm ducks as Rousey literally falls forward. | Ronda Rousey vs Holly Holm  |
Bad pressure does not discriminate and it happens on the floor just like the feet. A few weeks ago we saw the flyweight title change hands even after several instances of overactivity from Alexandre Pantoja.
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