Power vs technique

UFC 243 happened over the weekend, and on the fight-card was a bout where the main competition was betweentechnique and power. It was a very interesting match-up. Watching two people compete against each other that have opposing approaches is always a good watch.

One of the fighters was a powerhouse – if he landed a punch, that would be it. The natural power and athleticism of this fellow is very impressive. His opponent was an athlete as well (as everyone in the UFC is) but did not have the explosiveness or pure force of his opponent. At the start of the fight, the advantage was in the hands of the power-based fighter. However, as the fight continued, the momentum started shifting, slowly turning the favour of the fight toward his opponent. The technique-based fighter weathered the storm and then started getting takedowns. The first takedown was good but his opponent just got right back to his feet. This happened a few times; a successful takedown, followed by the opponent getting back to his feet. As the fight went on, you could see frustration on the face of the fighter that had been taken down and it took longer and longer to get back to his feet. Then after 10 successful takedowns from 10 attempts, the opponent did not get back up and got put to sleep with a submission.

I enjoyed watching this fight because I am not blessed with large amounts of power or explosiveness and seeing someone use technique to beat someone with the natural advantage was a thing of beauty. It also got me thinking, they guy with all the natural power would be able to beat 95% of fighters on the planet with his natural gifts. The UFC, however, contains the top 5% of the sport globally. This means you need to bring more than a big punch and some speed. When watching the fight, it was interesting seeing him get visibly frustrated with the takedowns. In training, I am sure not many people could take him down and if they did, he would most likely power out and get back to his feet. Now this does not mean that he does not have technique, because he does, I’m more saying that his technique does not have to be as sharp as someone less athletic. Everyone has some advantage and when you blessed with power then you use that a lot for offence and defence. Think of it like the 100kg guy at training vs the 70kg guy. The 100kg guy can get away with more just because he is bigger and stronger. Then assuming technique and ability are the same, the 100kg guy is winning due to size and strength. When this guy in the fight got taken again and again, his power wasn’t working, and he did not have a plan B. His power has always worked for him, so it seemedlike he did not have an answer when it was not there anymore.

As an athlete, if you have always been stronger and faster than others (regardless of sport) then you are used to being able to beat people. Does this make you hungry or complacent? If things have always come easy to you, there will be a point when you struggle, and it will be a surprise to you – how you deal with that will determine your success. Compare that to a person who has always been good but not great; competitive, but not the champion. Their entire life has been that battle to get the win. They got enough success to keep them going but would always struggle to get the wins. When things get tough, these people are used to the grind and will more often than not keep going. Someone who has more natural gifts has not had as many opportunities to grind, and will be more likely than the other person, to stop when struggle really sets in. This can give the less gifted athletes their shot at the top, once they are there,they will stay there as they are used to the grind.

There are also those athletes that win from day one and they keep that success going, often becoming one of the greats. Then there are the guys who are the silver medallist. This is not a matter what sport they do. Being second means there isalways that one person that beats them. For the rest of us that struggle, it is nice to see someone with less physical gifts beat someone with more gifts using technique and mental aptitude. Because, let’s face it, when you beat a better athlete at any sport, if feels good. It did make me smile seeing this guy in the UFC win through stubbornness and technique while wearing the other guy down – he had a process and he just kept at it until he got the win. 

Gareth Lewis

Head MMA Instructor