The following are various nicknames applied to different fighting styles.  Although fighters are usually much more versed in one fighting style such as Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wrestling, Judo, etc., the following terms are used to describe how a particular fighter is attempting to accomplish a particular victory.  In addition, some styles are not complete styles; rather, they are merely phases in a fighter's game.

 

SPRAWL-AND-BRAWL

Sprawl-and-brawl is a stand-up fighting tactic that consists of effective stand-up striking, while avoiding ground fighting, typically by using sprawls to defend against takedowns.

 

A sprawl-and-brawler is usually a boxer, kick boxer, Thai boxer and/or full contact karate fighter who has trained in wrestling to avoid takedowns and tries to keep the fight standing.  Usually these fighters will study enough submission wrestling so that in the unfortunate event that they are taken down to the ground, they can tie their opponents up and survive long enough to either get back to standing or until the referee restarts the fight.  This style is deceptively different from regular kickboxing styles, since sprawl-and-brawlers must adapt their techniques to incorporate takedown and ground fighting defense.

 

CLINCH FIGHTING

Clinch fighting is a tactic that consists of using a clinch hold to prevent the opponent from moving away into more distant striking range, while at the same time attempting takedowns and striking the opponent using knees, stomps, elbows, and punches.

 

The clinch is usually utilized by wrestlers that have added in components of the striking game (typically boxing), and Muay Thai fighters.  Often, wrestlers that have added the striking game are partial to strikes from within the clinch (particularly wrestlers who have developed a strong clinch game already).  In the case that an exchange on the feet does not go in their favor, they can bring the fight to the ground quickly as their true expertise lies in wrestling, so they are ultimately less timid about trading blows.  Through the use of Greco-Roman clinching techniques and Muay Thai strikes clinch fighting could be used to devastate ill-prepared opponents.

 

GROUND-AND-POUND

Ground-and-pound is a ground fighting tactic consisting of taking an opponent to the ground using a takedown or throw, obtaining a top position, and then striking the opponent.  Ground and pound is also used as a precursor to attempting submission holds.

 

This style is used by wrestlers or other fighters well-versed in defending submission holds and skilled at takedowns.  They take the fight to the ground, maintain a grappling position, and strike until their opponent submits, is knocked out or is cut so badly that the fight can not continue.  Although not traditionally considered a conventional method of striking, the effectiveness and reliability (as well as recently-developing science) of this style is proven.  Originally, most fighters who relied on striking on the ground were wrestlers, but considering how many fights end up on the ground and how increasingly competitive today's MMA is, strikes on the ground are becoming more essential to a fighter's training.

 

SUBMISSION WRESTLING AND BRAZILIAN JUJITSU

Apart from being a general martial arts term, submission wrestling is also a reference to the ground fighting tactic consisting of taking an opponent to the ground using a takedown or throw, obtaining a dominant position, and then applying a submission hold to defeat the opponent.  Some submission wrestlers are also content to work from the bottom position because they are confident that they can find a way to secure a submission.  They will sometimes fall back into the guard position, dragging the opponent with them.  This is known as "pulling guard."

 

Submissions are an essential part of many disciplines, most notably Catch Wrestling, Judo, Sambo, and Brazilian Jujitsu.  Fighters with a strong background in these sports often use submission wrestling as a tactic to win their fights.

 

LAY-AND-PRAY

"Lay-and-Pray" is a derogatory term for a strategy sometimes used by fighters who can take an opponent down but are not adept at finishing moves such as the strikes of Ground-and-Pound or Submissions to continue offense from the gained position.  They seek to maintain control of positioning and smother any offense by the opponent, yet mount little or no offense themselves, effectively stalling the fight into a stalemate.  Therefore, they are seen as "laying" on the opponent and "praying" for a decision win.  In some MMA organizations, penalties or fines can be imposed for lay-and-pray techniques when the referee determines that the fighter is stalling.

 

Less commonly, the term has been applied to a striking-based fighter who has been taken down and seeks to cause a stalemate in the action by tying up the opponent and "praying" for a stand up by the referee so that they can continue with a striking offense.  This differs from the former definition in that it is a defensive strategy.  This latter technique is more commonly referred to as "Stall-and-Brawl".

 

 

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Mixed Martial Arts Strategy