Become Fighter
Sprawl and brawl: MMA guide
Stuff the shot, then punish it. Defence that scores.
Sprawl and brawl is a style and a technique. The technique is simple: stop the shot with a sprawl, then hit the opponent while they are bent over and stuck. The style is a fighter who relies on defence against takedowns and wins on the feet.
The risks are real. If you sprawl and then stand in the pocket without moving, the opponent can re-shoot. Defence has to turn into offence and then into footwork.
Key points
- Sprawl early, with the hips back and the chest on the shoulders.
- Underhook or whizzer the near arm to stop a re-shot.
- Strike from the top: short hooks, elbows to the side of the head. Keep your base.
- Circle out to the back. Do not stay in front of the opponent's head.
- Return to your stance. A sprawl is a defence, not a rest.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Sprawling and standing in front. Circle out the moment you land.
- Over-committing to the strike. Short strikes only. Keep your base heavy.
- Sprawling late. Start the sprawl on the level change.
The rest is in the app
The step-by-step breakdown, the timed drill with the coach calling the shots and the quiz are part of Become Fighter Pro, where this lesson sits in the Striking and takedown entries module of MMA foundations.
Get it on Google Play. Coming soon to the App Store.
More from Striking and takedown entries
Combat sports training is hard on the body. Warm up, stay within your limits and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition. Practise in a clear space and stop if you feel pain or dizziness. Learn partner work only under a qualified coach.