When Does Reach Make A Difference?

[Dublin]

Punching down to your opponent is much easier than reaching up.

Mike Tyson disagrees.

 

[One MMA Fan]

At what point does reach make a legit difference? 3 inches? 4?

Obviously it is not just reach but how a fighter uses it but just curious.

Oh man you are back with them freaky questions.

Well man.. the thing is if you know what you are doing you can work around reach to an extent if you are skilled and trained for that specific encounter.

There are also other factors like styles and how quick you can close the gap, and weight classes because 4 inches in the 145/155 division can mean a lot more % wise / overall size then what it does in 205/265.

But since MMA striking general level is mediocre.. medium at best this will make what you said 3/4 inches matter more then they should.

 

[Mr Wings]

Statistically, you don't see any difference in win percentage until 2 inches, according to Fightnomics, and it increases from there.

It's true. They talked about it in Bum Fights volume VI. Apparently it holds true in that style too.

 

[Squall Leonhart]

There have been many studies on this. To cut to the chase, at 4 inches it starts being noticeable a bit, but regardless fighters with less reach tend to win more decisions (probably because of the wrestler body type)

Remember, a 1 inch advantage is negligible (.5 on each arm), a 2 is also pretty negligible. 4 inches more would be 2 inches more in reality

 

[jonathan274]

Doing the New Mexico Hokey Pokey.

Dat jackson winklejohn style then you turn yourself around

 

[thobra]

Any reachadvantage, heightadvantage or weightadvantage helps a lot. Even half inch. 5 inches is a huge advantage. The smaller guy has to work so much more, And be so much more experienced or skilled to have a chance of winning.

 

[DetroitRob]

When the fighter with the reach advantage is the better fighter.

And uses his eye pokes effectively

 

[Ancient Warrior]

Mike Tyson disagrees.

sometimes...

Yup, that's what I meant.

Every single tall person will defeat every single short person in the world.

You guys are a riot.

 

[trayrodriguez]

When you know how to use it to your advantage

 

[Tebowned]

It's an advantage like strength. If all skills are equal and you're taller/ more reach you're likely gonna win.