A Warrior’s Discipline: How Edson Barboza beat Anthony Pettis at UFC 197

It was once said that the great George Benton knew 48 different ways to counter the jab. If you’re keen to split horsehairs and count various permutations of the same techniques, the true number of jab counters in Benton’s arsenal is likely even bigger. But despite the depth of Benton’s bag of tricks–and it was one of the deepest in the history of boxing–there was one counter that Benton, and just about every out-fighter and counter puncher that either preceded or followed him, preferred.

The jab, of course.

The jab is quick and direct, and it helps set up any number of other strikes and combinations. It makes sense, then, to counter the jab with another punch just like it.

Count Edson Barboza among the fighters following in those legendary footsteps. At UFC 197, Barboza put on a striking clinic against former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, beating “Showtime” in exactly the kind of fight most fans and analysts thought favored him. Pettis had room to work and time to think, the very things missing in so many of the matchups that had given him trouble in the past. And yet he could do nothing to turn the tide or take the control away from Edson Barboza. And it all started with the jab.

The groundwork was laid in the first few seconds of the bout. Anthony Pettis came forward behind a jab, and Barboza responded with a jab of his own.

GIF

1. Pettis moves in from long range . . .

2. . . . and flicks a jab at Barboza.

3. Barboza immediately replies with his own jab.

4. The jab halts Pettis’ momentum, causing him to whiff on the follow-up right, and allowing Barboza to land an inside leg kick.

5. Barboza slides backward to shore up the distance . . .

6. . . . and sends a stiff jab Pettis’ way to keep him from following up.

7. Pettis is forced to take a step back as Barboza circles away from the fence.

Simple, direct, and quick. Barboza met nearly every one of Pettis’ jabs just like this. Sometimes he slipped and jabbed, sometimes he caught and jabbed, sometimes he got hit and jabbed. Sometimes he connected and sometimes he didn’t, but was always ready with the counter jab.

In addition to threatening Pettis, this tactic allowed Barboza to collect valuable data. Simply looking at the opponent, you see, can be an extremely unreliable way to judge the distance between yourself in him. If his arms are a little longer than you realized, or he uses deceptive footwork, or leans back or forward as he comes in, you can find yourself being hit even when you think you’re safe, and unable to reply. The counter jab is a straightforward solution to this perplexing issue. It imbued him with a nuanced sense of range. HAfter catching Pettis’ jab and returning with his own so frequently, his eyes and body became perfectly synchronized; he knew when Pettis could touch him, and when he could be touched back. Now Barboza could begin finding some more potent counters.

GIF

1. Anthony circles while Edson controls the center of the Octagon.

2. Barboza steps forward with a feint . . .

3. . . . and Pettis bites, lunging in with a counter right that glances off Barboza’s glove.

4. Barboza responds with the trusty jab counter, sticking his left hand in Pettis’ chest.

5. Now an uppercut to the body . . .

6. . . . followed by a left hook that whips over Pettis’ shoulder and smashes into his ear before he can get away.

This sequence took place only two minutes into the first round, but already there is a gulf developing between Barboza and Pettis. Already it is apparent which fighter understands the range–or is at least determined to do so–and which does not. As Barboza feints to draw an opening, he is close enough to hit with a lunging cross. But as soon as Pettis flings himself into the punch, Barboza has already taken a small step back to evade. Because Pettis hasn’t …

continue reading in source www.bloodyelbow.com