A tactical analysis criticizes modern strikers for failing to use wrestling threats to set up striking attacks, even against high-level grapplers. The example cited is Al Iaquinta against Khabib Nurmagomedov, where Iaquinta successfully used fake takedown attempts to land strikes twice—once initiating a clinch to land a left hook on the break, and once feinting a level change to land an uppercut. The analysis notes that even UFC's best striker Petr Yan attempted 65 takedowns in his UFC career, while Jiri Prochazka has only five attempts despite being a sizable fighter with decent grappling credentials. The post argues that against Carlos Ulberg, a fast counterpuncher, Prochazka should have mixed in wrestling threats or clinch work rather than dangerously closing distance with hands down, which the analyst estimates gave him a 90% chance of being knocked out in the first or second round.
Saturday, April 11, 2026
