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What exactly is a "puncher's chance"?

warriorscomeout said:
Modern journos can't write for shit and like Sherdoggers make up definitions (see the first page for a ton of rubbish on this).
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Relax tough guy. You don't get to decide on what it means. The term has been used for decades. Of course anyone throwing punches has a punchers chance when taken literally, but the unspoken historical usage is to refer to an underdog as if it is the only chance to beat a more skilled opponent.

You are also a sherdogger making up a definition....and a tough guy who would have a puncher's chance in a real fight.
 
warriorscomeout said:
OH Jesus, completely wrong.
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I think you're wrong. Urban Dictionary:


2. Puncher's Chance
A term used in MMA (mixed martial arts) meaning that a puncher always has a chance to win the fight by landing even one punch.
Ross is a boxer so he always has a puncher's chance.
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http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Puncher%27s%20Chance

If you're not seen as a puncher no one is going to say you have a puncher's chance.

Leites did not have a puncher's chance against Anderson
 
The term "puncher's chance" is reserved for fighters who are severely outmatched by their opponent, but still have enough power to ko them at any given moment. A good example would be Nelson vs Velasquez. Velasquez would be superior in boxing, kicking, pace, control, and overall grappling, the only chance Nelson would have is if landed his trademark overhand right.
 
J10Abu said:
The term "puncher's chance" is reserved for fighters who are severely outmatched by their opponent, but still have enough power to ko them at any given moment. A good example would be Nelson vs Velasquez. Velasquez would be superior in boxing, kicking, pace, control, and overall grappling, the only chance Nelson would have is if landed his trademark overhand right.
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Great example of proper use.

I am still not a fan of the term being used in MMA, outside of some exceptions like the one you pointed out, the obvious reason being there are many ways to finish a MMA fight. Even in this case, it isn't ridiculous to think Nelson had a chance to submit Cain, right?

The term came from boxing and should stay there.
 
Punchers chance to me has always meant that the only way one fighter can win is by KO'ing the other fighter. (And to KO a fighter you usually need KO power, those 2 almost go hand in hand)

This is the case because there is no way that that fighter could decision or sub their opponent because they are simply better everywhere.
 
Well, my main point was that not all puncher's chances are created equal.
 
Griffin has zero power, his "puncher's chance" is non-existant.

Dan Hardy didn't even have a puncher's chance against GSP, he doesn't have much power either.
 
autolycus said:
Puncher's chance should be reserved for fighters with power. IT wouldn't apply to Griffin vs A. Silva, for example. It is when one fighter is better everywhere but the opponent has the power to put anyone's lights out. That's just my take. when I think puncher's chance I think Lawler vs GSP.

As for your question, my vote is Kos. Alves doesn't' have the power in his hands.
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Pretty much. 'Puncher's chance' refers to a boxing match where one man is out of their league technically and is an underdog but hits hard enough to win in spite of this. The term is takn from boxing, so I guess it doesn't work perfectly for MMA where strikes are so much more varied. Still, the basic idea is the same so I think TS is overthinking this.

My 'puncher's chance' would be Hendricks vs GSP. Hendricks can win, but IMO only by landing a big shot, not via wrestling or outworking GSP over 5 rounds.
 
"Puncher's chance" is an expression used when a fighter (usually one with knockout power) is facing a vastly superior fighter. The inferior fighter on paper doesn't have a chance to win when it comes down to skills, so the most he can hope for is banking on his "puncher's chance" and knocking the better fighter out.
 
I have a question about this theory.

Can a fighter with a punchers chance still win a decision based on his punching?
 
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