Mixed Martial Arts
(MMA) is rooted in versatility by utilising striking, grappling, and clinch
work in one cohesive fighting style. For the beginner who is just entering the
cage or stepping onto the mats, learning to strike can be overwhelming. You are
not just throwing punches; you are learning rhythm, distance management,
timing, and power. However, the real magic happens when you learn to do simple
and effective striking combinations that build confidence and eventually create
openings to do the more advanced strikes later down the road.
Here is the breakdown
of how to approach striking as a beginner, and importantly, what striking
combination will set you on the path to being able to dominate in stand-up
exchanges.
The Role of Striking
Combos in MMA
In MMA, there is, in
fact, no single punch or kick that will win every fight. But a combination can.
Striking combos, at their essence, are linking movements together in the art of
striking so that you can attack, defend or reposition with seamless
transitions. The magic of a well-trained combination is that you can keep your
opponent guessing and not develop a predictable pattern that would allow your
opponent to counter your move.
Striking combinations
can:
•
Develop muscle memory and timing.
•
Improve coordination between your hands
and feet.
•
Teach you offensive and defensive flow.
•
Help you gain confidence in sparring.
Learning combinations
early will enable you to establish a stable foundation for adding power, head
movement, and advanced setups later.
The Basics - The
Fighting Stance!
Before you begin
throwing any combinations, you need to master your stance and movement:
•
Keep your feet shoulder-width apart and
knees slightly bent.
•
Hands up - protecting the chin and
temples.
•
Chin down and eyes forward, while
relaxing your shoulders.
•
Stay light on your feet, being able to
move in either direction.
Having a strong and
stable base will allow you to create balance when you are offensive and
defensive. This will also allow you to transition easily between punches,
kicks, and slips.
Fundamental Striking
Combos for Novice Practitioners
The following are five fundamental striking connections that every novice participant should be familiar with. They are direct, uncomplicated, effective, and can be used in MMA, boxing, and just striking practice.
Combo 1: Classic 1–2
(Jab‐Cross)
The technique consists
of the following:
1.
Jab (lead hand)
2.
Cross (rear hand)
The 1‐2
strike is the bread and butter of striking. The jab will be useful to set
distance and distract the opponent, whilst the cross has a powerful speed
component. Pay attention to opening up the jab quickly, rotating your hips, and
following through to the cross.
Why this will work:
It is fast, straightforward,
and will teach timing for when the opponent is loaded for a counter. In MMA,
the 1‐2
strike opens opportunities for leg kicks or entering for a takedown.
Pro Tip: After the punch, pivot slightly or step back to reduce a counter from occurring.
Combo 2: Jab-Cross-Lead
Hook (1-2-3) Technique:
1.
Jab
2.
Cross
3.
Lead Hook
The 1-2-3 is a natural progression of the basic combination. The jab and cross will push your opponent's guard to the centre, opening up space for a hook to the side of the head. Why it works: It incorporates a straight punch followed by a circular punch, which will ultimately confuse your opponent's defence and create a possibility of a knockout. Pro tip: When throwing the hook, have your elbow slightly bent to 90 degrees and rotate your lead foot slightly to create more torque and power.
Combo 3:
Cross-Hook-Cross (2-3-2) Technique:
1.
Cross
2.
Lead Hook
3.
Cross T
This combination leads with a power punch and finishes with a power punch. The lead hook will break your opponent's guard after the cross, creating an opportunity for a heavy straight punch. Why it works: This is a rhythm combo centred around powerful punches, allowing you to focus on head movement and weight shifts, making it a great counter-attacking combination. Pro tip: Do not rotate your shoulder and expose your chin during the hook, as beginners often do. You want to keep your chin tucked.
Combo 4: Jab–Cross–Leg
Kick (1–2–Low Kick)
Technique:
1.
Jab
2.
Cross
3.
Leg Kick (either lead leg or rear leg; the
target is the opponent’s thigh or calf)
This combination is a
classic in MMA, connecting boxing and Muay Thai elements. The punches distract
and engage the opponent’s guard while the leg kick works on their legs for
prolonged damage.
Why this works:
This combination
teaches a range of different strikes—hands for the upper body, kicks for the
lower body. Continued leg kicks will damage the opponent’s movement and
lower-body defence over the course of the match.
Pro tip: Remember to take a step out at an angle after the kick, to avoid getting countered.
Combo 5:
Hook–Cross–Rear Kick (3–2–Rear Kick)
Technique:
1.
Lead Hook
2.
Rear Cross
3.
Rear Roundhouse Kick (to the body or
head)
A perfect combination
to generate momentum. The hook and cross will cause a natural turn of your
body, allowing you to load your hips for the rear kick.
Why this works:
It joins strikes from
the upper and lower body into one motion, creating a perfect completion to an
exchange.
Pro tip: After the
kick, pull your leg back into stance quickly to keep balance.
Training Tips to
Perfect Your Combinations
1.
Begin Slowly, Add Speed Later
When practising
combinations, start slowly until you are comfortable with the technique. As
soon as you feel that your movement is clean, you can add speed and intensity
to the combination.
2.
Shadowbox Every Day
Shadowboxing is an
effective way to visualise an opponent, train angles on the punches, and
develop muscle memory without the added pressure of someone punching you.
3.
Use Focus Mitts or Heavy Bags
Using bags will build
your power and conditioning, while focus mitts will help you develop your
timing and accuracy.
4.
Add Head Movement
You never want to be
stationary after you have finished throwing the combination. You want to slip,
roll, or pivot away from the target in a way that keeps you erratic and hard to
target for your opponent.
5.
Stay Relaxed
Tension dampens speed. Stay
loose and breathe through every punch in the combination.
Common Mistakes that We
Want to Avoid
•
Throwing every punch with full power (it
is better to focus on your rhythm).
•
Bringing your hands down after your
combination.
•
Overreaching or losing your balance.
•
Not having footwork through your
combinations.
As
long as you fix these errors early, you will notice the combinations get
cleaner immediately, and they will become exponentially more highly effective
when sparring and in competitions.
Conclusion
Being proficient in
striking combinations is more about your focus, timing, and precision than it
is about brute strength. Every elite MMA competitor, whether it is Israel
Adesanya or Max Holloway, has developed their smooth striking style from simple
combinations, which they have practised thousands of times.
Begin by focusing on
simple combos, focus on fundamentals, and then drill it by repeating until the
muscle takes over. Once you can consistently execute basic combinations, you
can then add in feints, angles, or defensive transitions. Don't forget that
even the most dynamic and vicious knockouts have all come from simple
combinations done very, very well.
Train smart, be
disciplined, and continue to strike with purpose and intention, as perfect
practice makes perfect fighters.