Strike to the liver... what happened?

Grijswaarde

Grijswaarde

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In the early days of MMA is was fairly common (especially with (southpaw) muay thai fighters going mma) to have a fight ended by liver strike. For example Bas Rutten once PUNCHED Frank Shamrock in the liver and almost ko'd him with it (if pancrase had the current rules he would have).

I've been hit in both my groin and my liver multiple times (i'm not the toughest guy around but i think i stand my ground), and i'm not really sure what hurts the most. Both just shut down your whole system.. it might even be the worst with liver strikes. The pain is unbearable and the body just locks up. No heart or willpower will get you out of that (or so i think/feel).

The most effective and common way to deliver a ko with a liver strike is a spinning backkick. That shit happens ALL THE TIME in modern day MMA. People seem to be hit in the liver a lot, yet i cannot recall a UFC fight that was stopped because of it.

So what happened? Did fighters learn to cope with the pain? Do they defend the liver in some way i've missed? In amature muay thai i still see liver ko's anno 2016, but is almost never happens in MMA anymore. I truly have no idea why.

I guess anyone who ever took a hard liver shot knows what i mean.

bas-rutten-spleen.jpg

Disclaimer: image right is tilted, liver is right obviously.

Edit: SCTwins has the /thread three comments below :)

Edit 2: thank god i was kinda wrong. Now this thread is awesome because of all the liver shots.
 
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Maybe not landing that clean? Better conditioning?
 
Early MMA fighters had no idea how to box, and left themselves open to liver shots. I think they are just more aware of it now, and defend themselves better.

On the other hand, there is also a lot of headhunting in MMA. Guys think they can knock everyone out with those small gloves, so they just swing for the fences. That mentality has kept MMA boxing from really developing as much as it can.
 
Grijswaarde said:
My respect for that compilation in that short amount of time. I guess i forgot and/or missed them :) All legit liver strikes/ko's indeed.
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You're not wrong man. For the sheer amount of UFC fights there certainly has been a low percentage that have ended via liver shots.
 
Nothing will take the wind out of your sails like a shot to the liver. Other than maybe a shot that removes your consciousness.
 
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Sgt Smith said:
Nothing will take the wind out of your sails like a shot to the liver. Other than maybe a shot that removes you consciousness.
Click to expand...

That much is true. This thread made me aware i should watch UFC more sober (hard at 5 am since im from Holland but ok), i'm missing out on all the liver shots apparently :)
 
There is the Thiago Alves kick to Jordan Mein's liver too, that one was brutal! Made him even retire, lol
 
Grijswaarde said:
My respect for that compilation in that short amount of time. I guess i forgot and/or missed them :) All legit liver strikes/ko's indeed.
Click to expand...
How could you forget the AO Brock fight?
 
there's a lot of legal techniques you don't see utilized in mma very often. another one that you don't see, which i've brought up with friends a lot, is that you can actually knee a downed opponent, just not in the head. i'm surprised you don't see more fighters get side control on the ground and start throwing knees to the body.
 
MadVibez said:
How could you forget the AO Brock fight?
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Because i watched it live being completely wasted. Also had the diverculitis (or whatever it is spelled) in mind so didn't think of the liver i guess..

But you are right, this is shamefull :)
 
Grijswaarde said:
That much is true. This thread made me aware i should watch UFC more sober (hard at 5 am since im from Holland but ok), i'm missing out on all the liver shots apparently :)
Click to expand...
Still not as prominent as it should be. Not enough hooks to the body in MMA. Really not enough body shots at all. Kicks too. Not a high percentage shot, but it still should be utilized more.
 
rawknob said:
there's a lot of legal techniques you don't see utilized in mma very often. another one that you don't see, which i've brought up with friends a lot, is that you can actually knee a downed opponent, just not in the head. i'm surprised you don't see more fighters get side control on the ground and start throwing knees to the body.
Click to expand...

I believe it was GSP - Serra 2 that ended like that.. that was brutal indeed.. it's weird no one catched up with that. Agreed.
 
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