MMA/UFC Questions for Newbies

That_Guy · 31-03-2016 1:12pm

JustShon wrote: »

This might be considered a stupid question but what exactly is an interim title in UFC?

Not a stupid question at all.

It works the same way as boxing/kickboxing etc.

If a champion is injured for a long time and can't defend the belt, in this case the UFC don't want to put the entire division on hold so they'll usually have the two top ranked fighters fight for an interim belt.

Same rules apply to a standard title bout. 5 x 5 minute rounds.

The victor becomes the interim champion who will then wait for the champion to return. This is known as a "unification fight". The winner will be the undisputed champion of that division.

If, the champion can't return or vacates the belt, the holder of the interim belt becomes the undisputed champion by default.

Hope that explains it.

This is a bizarre scenario this time around with the featherweight belt because the champion (McGregor) is actually not inactive. He's just fighting at a different weight class.

Wrongway1985 · 31-03-2016 1:31pm

JustShon wrote: »

This might be considered a stupid question but what exactly is an interim title in UFC?

It's basically a for the time being belt created due to inactivity of the original holder in that weight class. It keeps a clear picture of a divisions structure while the the actual champ heals up or in this case takes a fight in a weight class he is not even ranked in.

While glorified number one contender might be the short time view on it, situations like Renan Barao he defended multiple times interim was ditched and Cruz was stripped they never fought each other in the end.

Recent Interim champs Conor and Werdum took out their opponents to become undisputed champs.

JustShon · 31-03-2016 1:38pm

Thanks for the explanations guys

scudzilla · 31-03-2016 7:08pm

Cardio question

JK has said that he knows Conor's Cardio failed him against Diaz and that theyt would be working on that for the July fight.

That fight is now3 months away, how easy is it to 'fix' the cardio issue in such a short time, and will a fix only give him another 2 rounds??

Swashbuckler · 31-03-2016 7:13pm

scudzilla wrote: »

Cardio question

JK has said that he knows Conor's Cardio failed him against Diaz and that theyt would be working on that for the July fight.

That fight is now3 months away, how easy is it to 'fix' the cardio issue in such a short time, and will a fix only give him another 2 rounds??

You're hardly a newbie!
I'd assume it'll be a mix of cardio and tactics i.e don't load up on all punches, maybe less volume?

scudzilla · 31-03-2016 7:15pm

Swashbuckler wrote: »

You're hardly a newbie!
I'd assume it'll be a mix of cardio and tactics i.e don't load up on all punches, maybe less volume?

I'm no newbie but there's still a lot of stuff i'm unsure of and would rather ask people who know, if i knew everything i'd end up a proper twat on here :pac:

That_Guy · 31-03-2016 7:45pm

scudzilla wrote: »

Cardio question

JK has said that he knows Conor's Cardio failed him against Diaz and that theyt would be working on that for the July fight.

That fight is now3 months away, how easy is it to 'fix' the cardio issue in such a short time, and will a fix only give him another 2 rounds??

Was listening to Peter Carroll on Second Captains earlier and he said that Conor's strength and conditioning coach was talking to him and said it would take at least 5-6 months to adjust to that weight differential.

I'm no expert on the matter at all but you'd have to imagine he's been training at 170 for a fair bit since the last fight.

There was rumours floating about that he had a viral infection which hampered him a bit but I don't buy it.

I think it's going to be more a case of conserving energy this time around rather than go for the kill like he did last time. That energy mixed with adrenaline dumping killed him in that fight.

Whether you can 'fix' cardio issues within the short timeframe remains to be seen though.

darced · 31-03-2016 9:27pm

This post has been deleted.

BOHtox · 31-03-2016 11:07pm

JustShon wrote: »

This might be considered a stupid question but what exactly is an interim title in UFC?

The only stupid question is the one not asked.

That Guy and WrongWay answered it better than I could anyway

Devastator · 01-04-2016 3:27pm

scudzilla wrote: »

That fight is now3 months away, how easy is it to 'fix' the cardio issue in such a short time, and will a fix only give him another 2 rounds??

This isn't really answering your question but its connected to the cardio side of things and I think JK spoke about this recently for preparation for the next fight.

For 189 & 194 McG spent a good part of his training camp in LA before going to Vegas in the last few(2?) weeks. For 196 McG stayed in Dublin for most of the camp, travelled to LA about 3 weeks before and then only moved onto LV about 5/6 days before the fight. I've never been in LA but I'd imagine its a lot easier to breath with the air coming off the Pacific than it is to get a breath in the desert heat of LV. I('m not fit but) noticed feeling short of air when I was in Vegas and I wasn't in the middle of a fight! So I think going to LV a bit earlier, giving more time to adjust to the heat/humidity will help in terms of not gassing just as quickly during a fight.

Swashbuckler · 03-04-2016 12:18am

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this question but i'll go ahead and ask anyway. If you pay for a PPV on the UFC.TV app, should you have access to that PPV on the app forever? I paid for the McG v Diaz card but for some reason when I try to access it on Fightpass its saying I have to pay for it? Or do you only have access for a short period of time after?

themandan6611 · 03-04-2016 1:19am

Swashbuckler wrote: »

Not sure if this is the right place to ask this question but i'll go ahead and ask anyway. If you pay for a PPV on the UFC.TV app, should you have access to that PPV on the app forever? I paid for the McG v Diaz card but for some reason when I try to access it on Fightpass its saying I have to pay for it? Or do you only have access for a short period of time after?

24 hrs

roadrunner16 · 03-04-2016 1:28am

ok maybe a silly question, but why is cheating not penalized more ?, from what I was reading and watching Jon Jones is know for Eye pokes, and I think it was the second fight between Aldo and Mendez where Aldo grabbed the fence to defend a take down,both of these kind of things could drastically effect the outcome of a fight and I know a point deducted could as well but it seems like having a point deducted is a small price to pay for something like that ???

JustShon · 04-04-2016 12:41am

roadrunner16 wrote: »

ok maybe a silly question, but why is cheating not penalized more ?, from what I was reading and watching Jon Jones is know for Eye pokes, and I think it was the second fight between Aldo and Mendez where Aldo grabbed the fence to defend a take down,both of these kind of things could drastically effect the outcome of a fight and I know a point deducted could as well but it seems like having a point deducted is a small price to pay for something like that ???

Out of curiosity, what kind of penalty would you consider appropriate?

I'm not having a go, just wondering what you think would be an appropriate punishment.

TimRiggins · 04-04-2016 6:17am

roadrunner16 wrote: »

ok maybe a silly question, but why is cheating not penalized more ?, from what I was reading and watching Jon Jones is know for Eye pokes, and I think it was the second fight between Aldo and Mendez where Aldo grabbed the fence to defend a take down,both of these kind of things could drastically effect the outcome of a fight and I know a point deducted could as well but it seems like having a point deducted is a small price to pay for something like that ???

Eyepokes are accidental (we think) so taking a point for the first time would be harsh. Its more of a fault with the UFC Gloves more than anything. Grabbing the fence is cheating. The problem is, as you said, taking a point changes the whole fight. It was essentially end a fight in many ways, as the fighter who loses it might already be down a round and has to go gung ho. I'd imagine the referees want to stay out of the headlines for the most part.

JustShon wrote: »

Out of curiosity, what kind of penalty would you consider appropriate?

I'm not having a go, just wondering what you think would be an appropriate punishment.

The problem is within the 10 round scoring system. If the system changed to

10-9 for a close round
10-8 for a one sided round and
10-7 for all but finishing your opponent (basically what a 10-8 is now)

this would mean the refs could take a point and not essentially end the fight.

roadrunner16 · 04-04-2016 3:44pm

JustShon wrote: »

Out of curiosity, what kind of penalty would you consider appropriate?

I'm not having a go, just wondering what you think would be an appropriate punishment.

I wouldn't know to be honest hence why I'm posting in the newbie thread !! :P

I would imagine a particularly harsh penalty would discourage it pretty quickly, maybe a monetary fine??, or for a repeated offence in the case of eye pokes or groin shots maybe being forced to forfeit a round, I mean I know that in a lot cases they are accidental, but does that still dosen't mean they should go unpunished??(genuinely unsure about this)

roadrunner16 · 04-04-2016 3:48pm

TimRiggins wrote: »

Eyepokes are accidental (we think) so taking a point for the first time would be harsh. Its more of a fault with the UFC Gloves more than anything. Grabbing the fence is cheating. The problem is, as you said, taking a point changes the whole fight. It was essentially end a fight in many ways, as the fighter who loses it might already be down a round and has to go gung ho. I'd imagine the referees want to stay out of the headlines for the most part.

The problem is within the 10 round scoring system. If the system changed to

10-9 for a close round
10-8 for a one sided round and
10-7 for all but finishing your opponent (basically what a 10-8 is now)

this would mean the refs could take a point and not essentially end the fight.

Ok I see what you mean that makes sense, when I think of it like that and how 1 point can change a round it actually seems a bit more realistic I guess

thanks for the answers!

04-04-2016 4:35pm

Is there any defined structure of who gets to fight who?

Swashbuckler · 04-04-2016 4:52pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Is there any defined structure of who gets to fight who?

There are two matchmakers in the ufc. Sean Shelby for the lighter weight classes and Joe Silva for the heavier (from welterweight upwards I think). Joe Silva is the guy you'd see coming into the octagon more or less as soon as a fight ends to shake the fighters hands. I'm sure Dana White has an input to the matchmaking and the fighters themselves have an input too. Some fighters like Conor seem to have a lot more input. Other fighters just leave it to the matchmakers.

Easy Rod · 04-04-2016 5:00pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Is there any defined structure of who gets to fight who?

Not really, i think there's two different matchmakers, depending on the weight class, Joe Silva & Sean Shelby so the majority of time it's their personal choices of who fights who. The only real time objectivity comes into play is if the sanctioning board doesn't allow a complete mismatch e.g. CM Punk was never going to fight someone like Cathal Pendred with a 20-4 fight record or something.

Other factors that would come into it, in no particular order, would be money, timing, bad blood, fan requests, Dana orders, winning streaks (Even the most boring fighter will probably get a title shot eventually if they keep winning).

Strikeforce, Bellator & Pride have all run tournaments at one stage or another which certainly falls under the more structured criteria but UFC hasn't in recent years...Unless you count The Ultimate Fighter and even then they've changed it to make it less structured and more to do with good television.

Devastator · 04-04-2016 5:23pm

In terms of punishments for eye pokes, grabbing the fence, etc, I think its time for the refs to be harsh. Onbiously the refs speak to fighters in the locker rooms to confirm the rules. During the fight I think 1st offence = 1st & only warning, if they do it again then its a point taken off.

Yes it may sound harsh, but I guarantee you as soon as a fighter looses a fight because of it will be the last time he makes that mistake again. Eye pokes IMO are very easy to wipe out, simply ban fighters from using open handed pawing(cant think of better term?) of opponents. If they move their hands forward they have to use a closed fist. From the grabbling & submission point of the sport they can't really do much with the gloves that would stop it.

JustShon · 08-04-2016 10:09am

Simple one with a short yes or no answer: Are headbutts allowed in UFC?

I've been trawling through old fights and never see them being used so I'm assuming it's a no but wanted to ask to make sure.

RonanP77 · 08-04-2016 10:12am

JustShon wrote:

Simple one with a short yes or no answer: Are headbutts allowed in UFC?

No.

JustShon · 08-04-2016 10:13am

RonanP77 wrote: »

No.

Cheers

thought so.

Mellor · 08-04-2016 11:21am

Before there was a proper rule set, headbutts weren't specifically illegal. Possibly happened once or twice in the early days. Along with hair pulling and groin strikes.

qrx · 13-04-2016 12:22pm

Genuine question here out of curiosity, not trying to stir. But what martial arts qualifications do you need to be an MMA fighter? What part of it gives it the title of martial art?

qrx · 13-04-2016 1:26pm

ASOT wrote: »

Why would you need a qualification to compete in a sport?

Didn't know that at all, its proablly so they can get decent competitors of the winner is getting a shot at MM. They should just do the season with the current roster.

Right but what im asking is as a mix of martial arts, what martial arts does it take its mix from? What martial arts do the fighters train in? What grade do you need to reach in each of these to compete? How specific is it, for example do you have to use a tae kwon do round house or can you use any technique? do you get different styles and techniques from different martial arts up against each other and how are all the different techniques judged? Is there a particular martial art that stands out better than others?

Axwell · 13-04-2016 1:30pm

qrx wrote: »

Genuine question here out of curiosity, not trying to stir. But what martial arts qualifications do you need to be an MMA fighter? What part of it gives it the title of martial art?

Moved your posts here as they are better suited.

Axwell · 13-04-2016 1:36pm

qrx wrote: »

Right but what im asking is as a mix of martial arts, what martial arts does it take its mix from? What martial arts do the fighters train in? What grade do you need to reach in each of these to compete? How specific is it, for example do you have to use a tae kwon do round house or can you use any technique? do you get different styles and techniques from different martial arts up against each other and how are all the different techniques judged? Is there a particular martial art that stands out better than others?

Its mixed in the sense fighters come from a number of different disciplines. They don't have to come from specific ones to compete or be a specific level. Most will be very competent in one and then be decent in a few others if they came from a specific style or background. Others over the last few years would be true mixed martial artists and train in aspects of them all.

Usually the main styles they would come from are boxing, muay thai, wrestling, jiu jitsu, judo, karate, kick boxing, and taekwondo.

Fighters compete under the same set of rules in the octagon regardless of their background and its judged on specific criteria.

Here is a list of the rules and regulations used in the UFC - http://www.ufc.com/discover/sport/rules-and-regulations

brevity · 13-04-2016 1:40pm

qrx wrote: »

Genuine question here out of curiosity, not trying to stir. But what martial arts qualifications do you need to be an MMA fighter? What part of it gives it the title of martial art?

Not an expert but once you are good enough in a number of disciplines (MT, TKD, Boxing, JuJitsu, Sambo) then you could be considered an MMA fighter.

Generally there seems to be a combination of grappling and stand up fighting.

Mellor · 13-04-2016 2:22pm

qrx wrote: »

Right but what im asking is as a mix of martial arts, what martial arts does it take its mix from? What martial arts do the fighters train in? What grade do you need to reach in each of these to compete? How specific is it, for example do you have to use a tae kwon do round house or can you use any technique? do you get different styles and techniques from different martial arts up against each other and how are all the different techniques judged? Is there a particular martial art that stands out better than others?

Qualifications is the wrong way to look at it. But to answer your question. You can base your MMA on any styles you wish. At the very least, you would want a grappling style and a striking style. But a lot of fighters would take aspects from more than one style.

Using your roundhouse example. You can throw a TKD roundhouse, or you could throw a muay thai roundhouse. Some fighter have both in their arsenal

JustShon · 14-04-2016 8:41am

Was watching one of the UFC free fights up on youtube last night.

The winner was declared "by split decision." What exactly does that mean? I gather that split decision means the judges were somewhat divided on the scoring but how is a winner declared by split decision?

ASOT · 14-04-2016 8:43am

JustShon wrote: »

Was watching one of the UFC free fights up on youtube last night.

The winner was declared "by split decision." What exactly does that mean? I gather that split decision means the judges were somewhat divided on the scoring but how is a winner declared by split decision?

There are three judges, if two choose one fighter and one chooses the other its a split decision. Most of the time it would come down to a close round etc but some of the time it could be that the judges are looking at a compleatly different fight and decide to score one the winner when they shouldn't.

JustShon · 14-04-2016 9:00am

ASOT wrote: »

There are three judges, if two choose one fighter and one chooses the other its a split decision. Most of the time it would come down to a close round etc but some of the time it could be that the judges are looking at a compleatly different fight and decide to score one the winner when they shouldn't.

Thanks for clearing that up, this one was a whole close fight, scoring was something like 29/28, 28/29 then 29/28 (if I heard that correctly, does that make sense?)

I'm guessing that's each judge scoring the fighter out of ten for each round?

ASOT · 14-04-2016 9:28am

JustShon wrote: »

Thanks for clearing that up, this one was a whole close fight, scoring was something like 29/28, 28/29 then 29/28 (if I heard that correctly, does that make sense?)

I'm guessing that's each judge scoring the fighter out of ten for each round?

Yeah its a ten poijt must system. So they score 10-? Depending on who won,damage done etc. There's very few 10-8 rounds IMO there should be more.

Split decisions can also be mad scorsles like 29/28, 29/28 , 27/30 stuff like that is creeping in far to often.

Devastator · 14-04-2016 9:32am

JustShon wrote: »

Thanks for clearing that up, this one was a whole close fight, scoring was something like 29/28, 28/29 then 29/28 (if I heard that correctly, does that make sense?)

I'm guessing that's each judge scoring the fighter out of ten for each round?

Makes perfect sense, thats usually the kind of scores you'll see in split decisions. Yeah its a 10 point must scoring system like boxing.

I mentioned this in another thread but if you're interested in why/how rounds are scored have a listen to Joey Diaz's recent podcast with John Mccarthy. John's the longest serving ref in UFC(Prob MMA?) and gives a very good breakdown into what scores/what doesn't and talks about how to maybe improve judging in the future.

JustShon · 14-04-2016 9:38am

Thanks for the info lads

This was the first time I'd watched a bout go to a decision.

Swashbuckler · 16-04-2016 8:39pm

Just watching fightpass and something occurred to me that I'm surprised I never questioned before. Why do they grease the fighters faces before they enter the octagon?

Carroller · 16-04-2016 8:44pm

Swashbuckler wrote: »

Just watching fightpass and something occurred to me that I'm surprised I never questioned before. Why do they grease the fighters faces before they enter the octagon?

I'm pretty sure it's Vaseline to prevent sweat dripping into the eyes and prevents blood flow.

Could be incorrect but I've always thought that was the reason

Axwell · 16-04-2016 8:46pm

You mean the vaseline before they walk in? To stop fighters getting cuts - helps the gloves glide across their eyebrows and stop friction against the hair on their eyebrows where it would cut easily..same with the skin on their face.

Swashbuckler · 16-04-2016 8:52pm

Axwell wrote: »

You mean the vaseline before they walk in? To stop fighters getting cuts - helps the gloves glide across their eyebrows and stop friction against the hair on their eyebrows where it would cut easily..same with the skin on their face.

Makes sense I guess. I just thought there's two guys going in to beat the hell out of each other why would they care but I guess the last thing they want is for a fight to be stopped coz of a cut.

Axwell · 16-04-2016 8:57pm

They want to punch each other but neither wants to get a cut that could end the fight for them. Also bad cuts tend to never really heal and just build up scar tissue which then means they open very easy when they take a few hits in that weakened area.

eoinred · 12-08-2016 7:27pm

i always thought that the vasaline was for the sweat that drips from their head to keep it out of there eyes

Tazzimus · 13-08-2016 12:04am

eoinred wrote: »

i always thought that the vasaline was for the sweat that drips from their head to keep it out of there eyes

That's what eyebrows are for

MagicIRL · 16-08-2016 3:54pm

In the first episode of embedded we see Conor getting punched in the stomach by Roddy.

Is this proven to improve conditioning? He's not the first fighter I've seen getting hit in the abs (I think it's featured a bit in embedded but is usually a medicine ball?) but it always struck me as odd.

callaway92 · 16-08-2016 10:24pm

MagicIRL wrote: »

In the first episode of embedded we see Conor getting punched in the stomach by Roddy.

Is this proven to improve conditioning? He's not the first fighter I've seen getting hit in the abs (I think it's featured a bit in embedded but is usually a medicine ball?) but it always struck me as odd.

Increasing pain barrier in a sensitive spot.

califano · 17-08-2016 1:01pm

Unless its a 'liver kick' no guarding against a liver kick!

Mellor · 17-08-2016 1:14pm

callaway92 wrote: »

Increasing pain barrier in a sensitive spot.

It's to improve core bracing not pain barrier. The muscles in your core, when braced, act to protect your internal organs. Think of the difference between getting caught off guard with a punch to the stomach or bracing for it beforehand.

When he was being punched Conor was holding a hollow body position. It's not that the punches strengthen his core, but that he keeps a strong core while being punched.

nomadchocolate · 18-10-2016 10:45pm

Totally naive toward Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

In a standard armbar what prevents the victim from rolling toward his opponent? Is it the legs across the chest/neck that pins them down?

hendo11 · 18-10-2016 11:56pm

In a word Yes,

If you curios about the sport go onto youtube look up some basic stuff like armbars,triangles and kimura's,

You might decide to give it a try couldnt reccomend it enough to anybody even thinking of trying it the once you'll be hooked and then your interest in the armbar turns into interest in Berimbolo's,Baroplatas and such.

MMA/UFC Questions for Newbies

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