Going beyond the standard workout for boxers, this innovative manual introduces a diverse set of training methods, integrating them into drill sets that build the athletic attributes for which past and present fighters are known. From Leroy Jones sparring with chickens and Ken Norton's 15 combined rounds of shadow boxing, sparring, and bag work to Ricky Hatton's staggering 12-round sparring bouts with a body belt and Kosta Tszyu's creative tennis-ball and head-strap punching apparatus, thi...

Although dramatic head kicks and garrote-tight submissions may get most of the airplay in highlight reels, the stats show that punching combinations and knockouts reap more MMA victories than any other fighting technique. This boxing primer not only covers the basics, including stance, footwork, punches, and combinations, it takes these boxing skills and views them through an MMA prism that addresses the realities of the mixed martial arts game. While there are some must-know fistic skills...

How did the old school, all time champs — like Jack Dempsey, Kid McCoy, Sonny Liston and Stanley Ketchel — do it? This manual examines some of the best and most interesting fighters in boxing history and gets inside the historical import of what they accomplished. Examining the training, technique and tactics of past champions, this book provides readers with recreated templates to drill and box precisely as the greats did. Here are five benefits a reader will gain from this book: 1. Gain ...

Get a load of just some of the recently unearthed gold in this volume: 1. Jack Johnson's "Biceps Punch." 2. Gentleman Jim's Not-Quite-a-Jab. 3. Joe Louis's "Attacking the Buckler" strategy. 4. Gunboat Smith's devastating "Occipital Punch." 5. Bare-knuckle legend Jack Slack's "Chopper." 6. The real deal on how Jack Dempsey built the power in that Lead Hook. 7. "Hurricane" Jackson's wild "Scoop Punch." 8. How Joe Frazier built his eccentric defensive rhythm.

Covering the essential tactic and art of striking in a series of blows, this guide illustrates how today's best mixed martial arts fighters have discovered the devastating effect of "punches in bunches," or strike combinations—a mix that includes fists, kicks, elbows, and knees. The importance of striking in multiples of three is emphasized with an explanation of how to stage strikes in order to maximize load and release, counterstriking, creating angles, and straight striking. Also includ...

One of the most feared and useful weapons in mixed martial arts (MMA) competition is dissected and discussed in this fully-illustrated guide to both perfecting and defending against the low kick. Many competitors view this technique as a single tool in their arsenal, limiting themselves when they could be taking this low-line method of attack and modifying it to fit far more kicking situations than those commonly used. This volume demonstrates how to expand the low-kicking arsenal, showing...

This fourth No Holds Barred Fighting training manual contains all fighters need to know about the art of takedowns, or "shooting," and how to counter takedown tactics used by an opponent. Readers learn to see it from both sides with offensive and defensive stances, footwork, setups, and shooting techniques. Several variations of the most commonly employed shots are featured—double leg takedowns, single leg takedowns, snatch singles, and low singles—as well as counters for each. Hu...

When violence becomes unavoidable, it's best to be informed, and this self-defense book provides revolutionary information that could mean the difference between life and death in the event of a physical assault. Included are drills to increase awareness, examples for using the environment as a self-defense tool, and methods that allow victims to best use their inherent strengths to repel an attack. An interesting look at the psychology of an attack—exploring the mindset of both attacker a...

Chock-full of go-to finishing holds and tap-outs, this action-filled guide illustrates how to skillfully perform these essential fighting moves. More than 100 high-percentage submissions are detailed using sequenced action photographs to help strengthen the wrestling vocabulary of Mixed Martial Arts athletes. Whether used during competition or on the street, these submissions will allow both novice and seasoned no-holds-barred fighters to hold their own.

Offering cohesion and clarification for what is currently a loose collection of strategies, this reference delves into the "ground and pound" fighting method—winning a fight by striking an opponent after a takedown. Demonstrating through fight metrics how just as many matches are won by strikes as submissions, this manual addresses the importance of proper "grounding" and lists an array of riding, pinning, and transitioning skills. Following the first element up by introducing an exhaustiv...

With its complete focus on a single fighting position, this handbook unsparingly examines the clinch. In the clinch, the no-holds-barred combat techniques of striking and grappling meet, posing new challenges and calling for new strategies. With these detailed explanations of each aspect of positioning in the clinch, fighters can set up their own clinch takedowns and beat those used against them in the ring. The unique striking tools, protection strategies, and takedowns the clinch require...

Emphasizing the "mix" in mixed martial arts, this manual addresses the inherent problems in combining different fighting styles. Pioneering a unique drilling matrix that allows the fighter to dissolve the distinctions between separate arts, this guide allows practitioners to effortlessly blend the different disciplines into one seamless whole. Covering both offensive and defensive aspects, this training handbook is the definitive reference for executing optimal flow-chain drills.