To get to the clinch...

[SamuraiGuy]

This could be kinda long so I'll break it into two parts, backstory/reasons, and question:
I realize this is the boxing forum, but I'm posting it in here anyway, below is the reason.

Backstory:
Hey I have a MMA type fight in the near future, and am looking on advice on how to get to the clinch from the more experienced boxers.

I realize this is the boxing forum, but I just want to bypass all the shitty replies from the MMA forum and think the quality will be a bit better here.

The format of the fight will be almost UFC rules, with various rules taken out, (I'm fighting a Krav Maga practicioner (former teacher haha) so it wont be pure MMA, but that is the style).

With that said, basically I can beat this guy if I put him on the ground, I would say he has the striking advantage, but in the clinch, or on the ground I have the advantage. Therefore, I'm looking to get to the clinch as fast as possible, while taking as little damage as possible.

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Question:

How to get to the clinch. We are both Orthodox.

Do I circle to his left hand side (staying away from the power side), and just close in for the clinch. (probably throw a double jab, right cross combo, when I try to close the distance).

Bumrush him with my hands in front of the face (defensive) to get the clinch.

Or throw a straight forward flurry of punches to get to the clinch.

Or any other ways you can think of that would be advantageous to me... I'm not so much afraid of his legs/knees in the striking range so much as the hands.

[7r14ngL3Ch0k3]

I think you should work EXTRA hard on your striking(Boxing and Muay Thai) so that you have the option of knocking him out or wearing him down with strikes if you want. Then, the clinch is inevitable and a postition that you can control and win from. But to get the clinch as fast as possible, my advise would be to just throw jabs and rights and keep your face guarded. You might(if you want) hit him with some low legs kicks and then start your punches(not wild), and then grab him!

[Shard]

Typically i do my best to stay out of a clinch. But to get to a clinch type position, its pretty easy to just blast your way through. In other words just combo your way into a clinch, thats usually how it goes.

[twtguy]

Originally Posted by Shard

In other words just combo your way into a clinch, thats usually how it goes.

They're right.

Another option I would go with would be to try and work on parries/cuffs as much as posible. I've been in a situation similar where I thought it would be best to take a striker to the ground. I waited for a jab, parried it, shot to his outside, wrapped my arms around him, slowly positioned myself to his back (with my head pressed close to the middle of his back so he can't elbow me), stuck my lead foot RIGHT behind his and forced him to fall backwards where I had immediate side control. I've worked this drill many times and used it many times, and rarely has it ever failed. Come to think of it...I'm pretty sure that I got that drill from Royce Gracies Ultimate Fighting Techniques. Hope I helped. Well, actually, I hoped Royce helped.

[gregimotis]

I've trained the clinch entry this way and it's worked fairly well for me (as a Thai boxer):




Throw you're lead hand out like a jab. Keep your other hand ON YOUR FACE and charge forward until you get ahold of the neck. Then shoot your other hand and grab with it.

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Things that make this work better:

If you have the skills, throw straight knee just as soon as your first hand touches the neck and again as soon as your second hand gets there. The quicker you get that first knee in, the quicker he is going to have to get defensive.

Try to shoot as he comes forward, or just after he punches (follow it in).

Put your chin down and get your face behind that covering glove. Give him your forehead to hit as you charge.

Commit - just like a wrestlers shoot, you have to drive until you get there.


Things that make this work less well:

Like anything else, you have to time it right, set it up with a kick or jab, or wait until after he's finished a flurry. If you just charge forward without proper lead up, he is liable to back up or circle out and hit you all the way.

Shoot one hand at a time, if you don't cover, you are going to eat some leather.

practice (of course )

[SamuraiGuy]

By "near future" I meant possibly this upcoming week ,or the week after, I'm still waiting for him to contact me.

Thats why im asking for any tactics... Cant spend enough time with the boxing coach to really develop anything that quickly. (although I will be spending any available time with him).

Thanks for the some of the tips....

[Richard Kerr]

Is Samurai Guy and Boredspare a couple or are they just good freinds?

[7r14ngL3Ch0k3]

Both........