If you were Barao, how would you have dealt with Dilla's footwork?

TJ's lateral movement was too insane..Even when Barao was trying to cut the cage, TJ would step to the side and lunge forward and literally be behind him and then counter.


The lateral movement wasn't the only problem, but also the distance TJ used on Barao. It was just out of reach for Barao's kicks, but just enough for TJ to rush forward with a combo (kind of similar to Horiguchi karate style if any of you watch him.) and get out of dodge.


The speed, distance, timing, and footwork...I mean, how do you deal with it? Even Andre was pleading with Barao to not trade punches, but go for the take down instead.

Probably a question for Jack Slack.

 

Leg kicks.

 

Do what Shogun did to Machida in their first fight. Hack at his legs when he's going backwards.

 

Yeah especially in a 5 rnd fight, but even in a 3 rounder I like the idea of nothing but leg kicks and body shots in the first round at least. That immobilizes the opponent and drops their guard, could even get a finish like that. Riddum too- add in some take downs.

 

Id have asked him nicely to stop moving so much

 

I would be throwing nonstop flying knees until the big one landed and put him out cold. No doubt about it.

 

born again

 

If it was only that easy?

TJ had good amount of distance, even with the few leg kicks Barao threw, TJ was swiping it away with his right hand, or caught it and went for a partial take down.

Kind of like what Frankie Edgar does to people who kicks him (catch the leg, and land the take down.)

Not to mention, TJ would just slip all of Barao's spinning back kicks. Not to be rude when asking this, but have you ever sparred in muaythai/kickboxing? It is extremely difficult to kick someone as they're coming forward punching you in the face, or if you're chasing someone and trying to throw a leg kick.

 

fundamental kickboxing techniques.

 

lol I thought I was posting the silly posts.... but you topped me, and you are being serious lol

 

Except it's really nothing like that, since TJ didn't land a single takedown. Also, don't try to make "Dilla" happen, for fuck's sake.

 

Mix in more leg kicks and shot a take down every so often.

Even if he knew the TD would be unsuccesful it keeps the oppponent guessing and helps with every thing else.
Duvk under takedowns when TJ was coming in would be the best idea, but faked punches into a shot would also mix things up enough.


That period in the second when he was throwing teeps was his most succesful portion of the fight and for some reason he stopped using it after a brief period of succes. I don't know why.



Basically he needed TJ to fell uncomfortable and TJ looked at home all night.

 

Be ultra aggressive

 

Barao would have to add to his game to beat TJ, like how Shogun made changes for Machida- right now he doesn't have the game for it. He needs to learn to stalk TJ, cut the ring off better and trust in his power. He tore up TJ's face with what he did land.

 

He only starting throwing a few leg kicks after he was tired.

Had he started from the beginning with leg kicks, I think he could've been more successful with them.

 

TJ kept dodging those spinning back kicks by moving left...I would have aimed that kick another foot or two to the right. I've done this in Taekwondo a few times. Still, thats only one kick.

TJ looked like a God last night, there were no obvious flaws.

 

take him down, easy way to stop his footwork

 

Let me guess, you've never sparred in any striking art before. I have. I've landed a lot of knees on my training partners. They don't like it but I never throw with 100% power. I do have big knees so it's probably a little easier for me to land those shots than most people but I know what works for me.

 

Watch Ernesto Hoost.

Watch Machida vs Shogun I.

 

Leg kicks, lead hooks, stepping feints.