A lesson in “high-percentage” martial arts – Niko Price vs. James Vick @ UFC Fight Night 161!

If you have a minute and forty-four seconds to spare, check out this fight from UFC Fight Night 161 last Saturday. Not only is it a quick and entertaining fight, but it’s a great lesson for those among you who are interested in taking up martial arts. It’s important for you to train what I’d call high-percentage martial arts – that is, moves and strategies that have a high chance of working, and that put your opponent at a high risk of danger.

Sure, that sounds like one of those principles that should go without saying. However, martial arts culture is just as susceptible to trends and fads as any other culture. Moves that look flashy (especially if done for fun by professionals) look incredibly entertaining. However, they’re often low-percentage when you’re talking about self-defense against an equally skilled or strong opponent. Case in point here.

Price’s striking looked solid and high-percentage from the get-go. It was clear that he had done his Muay Thai homework when he set up an early, crisp leg kick that disrupted Vick’s balance. Soon after, Vick went down after being forced to evade a well-timed overhand right hand from Price. Price wasn’t in full control afterward, however, as Vick made enough space to stand back up. From here, the tables turned as Vick reversed a Price takedown attempt and got on top. And as you’ll see, here’s where Vick himself put a high-percentage strategy to work, using his long reach to rain down punches that may have put away a lesser fighter. But legs are longer than arms, and Vick’s demise was sealed when he didn’t prepare for a well-timed axe-kick from Price’s open guard!

Fight-fans often take up martial arts after watching highlights involving spinning hook kicks, question-mark kicks, breakdance-esque berimbolos in jiu-jitsu, or other fancy stuff (all of which is very low-percentage without years of training and refinement). Unfortunately, the very reason they take up martial arts is also the reason they quit soon afterward! Fancy stuff will really hurt your game if you aren’t developing high-percentage principles. Whether you strike, grapple, or do both, NJ United MMA will help you develop solid, rounded, “high-percentage” martial arts that are applicable to the ring, the cage, the mat, or the street.

Come train at NJ United Mixed Martial Arts and take advantage of our 7-day free trial offer! Whether you’re an aspiring competitor or casual student, you will benefit from training in our friendly, professional, and ego-free environment. Call us at 973-638-1570 to schedule your first class, and visit us on the web at http://www.njunitedmma.com/ for more info.