I need some help against "grapple spammers"

[Supreme_Bananas]

I don't know what to call them, but this is what they do, you know them:

- they pick a strong grappler like Khabib or DC
- they never throw even a single strike
- they just walk up to you holding high block
- when they're close, it's a 50/50 guess between either a single collar clinch or a TD

I have a hard time getting away from them. I can't throw kicks because that'll make the takedowns easier, and my reaction speed isn't that great so I have a lot of trouble defending clinch attempts as well, especially if you're focused on a TD.

I can expect that a grappler wants to grapple, but never throwing a single strike and just alternating between clinches/TDs like that is stupid

[trainbyday1]

Quote: Originally Posted by Supreme_Bananas

I don't know what to call them, but this is what they do, you know them: - they pick a strong grappler like Khabib or DC - they never throw even a single strike - they just walk up to you holding high block - when they're close, it's a 50/50 guess between either a single collar clinch or a TD I have a hard time getting away from them. I can't throw kicks because that'll make the takedowns easier, and my reaction speed isn't that great so I have a lot of trouble defending clinch attempts as well, especially if you're focused on a TD. I can expect that a grappler wants to grapple, but never throwing a single strike and just alternating between clinches/TDs like that is stupid

This has been Demian Maia's exact game plan for his last 5 fights or so. There was also a heel hook specialist who employed the same game plan. Ronda also used this strategy in all her early fights. It's not spam for players who exclusively want to grapple in the same way it's not spam for strikers who exclusively want to strike.

Having said that there are things you can do to counter players who exclusively want to grapple but there is no silver bullet. First learn to stand up from the bottom. Standing up from the bottom is an art in itself. Second consider using a striker grappler like Tony Ferguson who has good striking and ground stats which will make it easier to stand up from the bottom or keep it standing. Use the straight, lead body kick combo to punish them when they get close. Above all though you need to practice practice practice your reactions for blocking take downs and clinch attempts.

Lastly you might want to consider mastering either the clinch or the ground game. This way you can establish it yourself and cause some damage which will deter them from at least one of the two things you are currently concerned with making the other option easier to predict.

[Supreme_Bananas]

Quote: Originally Posted by trainbyday1

This has been Demian Maia's exact game plan for his last 5 fights or so. There was also a heel hook specialist who employed the same game plan. Ronda also used this strategy in all her early fights. It's not spam for players who exclusively want to grapple in the same way it's not spam for strikers who exclusively want to strike. Having said that there are things you can do to counter players who exclusively want to grapple but there is no silver bullet. First learn to stand up from the bottom. Standing up from the bottom is an art in itself. Second consider using a striker grappler like Tony Ferguson who has good striking and ground stats which will make it easier to stand up from the bottom or keep it standing. Use the straight, lead body kick combo to punish them when they get close. Above all though you need to practice practice practice your reactions for blocking take downs and clinch attempts. Lastly you might want to consider mastering either the clinch or the ground game. This way you can establish it yourself and cause some damage which will deter them from at least one of the two things you are currently concerned with making the other option easier to predict.

Thanks. My ground/clinch game is pretty decent, but my takedown defense is just bad, and it's annoying having to go to the ground with Khabib if you're Barboza

[ZHunter1990]

Put them on their back, fighters like Khabib have a good top game and good takedowns but aren't so good off the back. Just get them down before they get you down.

[Evil97]

This strategy in UT with a build with max clinch, ground, subs and attributes is the end all of end alls. HI Collins.

[Supreme_Bananas]

Quote: Originally Posted by ZHunter1990

Put them on their back, fighters like Khabib have a good top game and good takedowns but aren't so good off the back. Just get them down before they get you down.

But what to do if you're a striker with an average ground game at best (Barboza vs. Khabib for example)

[ZHunter1990]

Quote: Originally Posted by Supreme_Bananas

But what to do if you're a striker with an average ground game at best (Barboza vs. Khabib for example)

Even then, Barboza's top game is better than Khabib's off the back I believe.

[WarMMA]

Yh Khabib is only a 70 off his back. Either take him down or use punches (cuz punches sometimes knocks them out of their clinch or td attemp) and mix it up to the body. If you wanna practice denying them just go in practice mode and put it on skilled ground game. The A.I plays just like your saying and only walks forward trying to clinch you or go for a td. On the other hand though, you can always pick a guy that is dangerous off his back so when they take you down they are still not safe.