Ending an MMA Combat Bout: Specific Striking Techniques Which Determine the Type of Outcome
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© Idōkan Poland Association “IDO MOVEMENT FOR CULTURE. Journal of Martial Arts Anthropology”, Vol. 20, no. 3 (2020), pp. 9–17 DOI: 10.14589/ido.20.3.2 COACHING & KINESIOLOGY Bianca Miarka1,2(ABCD), Esteban Aedo-Munoz3,4(FG), Diego Ignacio Vanenzuela Perez5,6(AB), Felipe Guimaraes Teixeira1,7(EG), Ciro Jose Brito2(EF) 1 Laboratory of Performance and Psychophysiology in Sports & Combats, Fight Department, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) 2 Physical Education Postgraduate Program, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares (Brazil) 3 Physical Education Department, Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación, Santiago (Chile) 4 Physical Activity, Sport and Health Sciences Laboratory, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (Chile) 5 Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomás, Santiago (Chile) 6 Master in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences applied to training, rehabilitation and sports reintegration, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomás, Santiago (Chile). 7 Biomechanics Laboratory, Estacio de Sa University, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) Corresponding author: Diego Ignacio Vanenzuela Perez Escuela de Kinesiologia - Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomás, Santiago Chile. Av. Ejército Libetador, 146, Centro – Santiago, Chile e-mail: [email protected] Ending an MMA combat bout: specific striking techniques which determine the type of outcome Submission: 15.07.2019; acceptance: 2.11.2019 Key words: time and motion studies, task performance and analysis, martial arts, motor control, high-intensity inter- val training, athletic performance Abstract Background. A schematic analysis of tactical performance by an MMA athlete is a potential mediator of success, and can help the understanding of how striking actions can be used to organize technical-tactical actions. A specific evaluation of MMA striking actions has not been undertaken in previous studies. Problem and aim. To compare the striking motor actions of MMA athletes by outcome type (Split vs. Unanimous Score Decision vs. KO/TKO vs. Submission) at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC™), and to offer a practical application for MMA training. Methods. Kruskal Wallis and Dunn post hoc tests were applied to compare the effects of the different types of outcome decision (Split Score Decision vs. Unanimous Score Decision vs. KO/TKO vs. Submission). Results. Results showed a higher number of Unanimous than Split Decisions and Submissions after attempted (p≤0.05) and (p≤0.05) landed head strikes during keeping distance and clinch moments. A Split Decision followed a higher frequency of attempted (p≤0.05) and landed (p≤0.05) body strikes during keeping distance and clinch moments rather than an Unanimous Decision. Submission and TKO/KO.TKO/KO were more highly demonstrated than Split Decision after Attempted [0.0 (0.0;2.0); p≤0.05)] and Landed [0.0 (0.0;2.0); p≤0.05)] Head Jabs during groundwork combat. Conclusions. These results are interesting because they show the singularities of two situations (Split and Unanimous Scores) in which the bout must continue until the end of the round. Unanimous decisions were made in respect of attacks to the head during stand up combat, while split decisions were determined by the number of strike actions oriented to the body, and TKO/KO out- comes were determined by jabs to the head made in the ground situation. Introduction submission), which may interfere in technical-tacti- cal patterns (i.e. frequency of striking and groundwork The tactical aspects of MMA bouts may be affected by actions) in detailed situations [Kirk et al. 2015]. Specific the outcome method (referee’s decision, knockout and striking analysis can be separated into three phases: 10 “IDO MOVEMENT FOR CULTURE. Journal of Martial Arts Anthropology”, Vol. 20, no. 3 (2020) a) keeping distance; b) clinch and; c) groundwork what and how to orientate strike attempts and land them [Miarka et al. 2017]. In the keeping distance phase, the on the opponent might not be clear to coaches and ath- athletes keep their distance, at which time both athletes letes [James et al. 2017]. A specific evaluation of MMA are able to organize their strategies and movements and striking actions comparing round-ending methods has are not limited by body contact or the other person’s grip not been performed. This analysis can increase the vari- [Kruyning De Jong 2014]. In this phase, the athletes ety of strategies, allowing MMA athletes to make the keep their distance to avoid sequential attacks by the best strike actions choices during the combat. This is an opponent, attempting to use mainly full single punches, essential point because this combat sport has a higher kicks, and knee and elbow attacks [Chernozub et al. number of strike actions of special complexity of inter- 2018; Coswig et al. 2016]. During the clinch phase both mittent structure over the five minutes per round, which athletes attempt to perform specific punches, kicks, and involve striking skills (i.e. punches, kicks, knees and knee and elbow attacks. They move to the final, ground elbows attacks directed to the head, body and leg) as phase, through strike sequences, by trying to dominate well as grappling actions (i.e. takedowns, submissions, the opponent for then doing submissions with strike chokes and locks) [Kirk et al. 2015; Tack 2013]. The attacks or grappling actions, such as chokes and joint identification of differences in round-ending methods and locking techniques, as soon as possible [Kruyning as a potential mediator of success could help to under- De Jong 2014]. It is to the benefit of coaches and high- stand how striking actions could be used to organize level support athletes to understand the potential of technical-tactical actions in order to quickly adapt to relating the striking characteristics in each combat phase spatial-temporal changes during the round [Miarka et al. rather than the previously-labeled style of athletes (i.e. 2018]. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to do an grapplers versus strikers. This understanding can assist objectivity performance analysis based on striking actions in the design of better training programs [Blue 2016]. in different MMA combat phases (i.e. keeping distance, A schematic analysis of striking performance by clinch and ground) comparing outcome types (TKO/ MMA athletes may be helpful, and may be applied to KO, Submission, Unanimous and Split Score Decision). observe the actions taken by the competitor to increase their chances of winning relative to the specific situa- tion and the technical-tactical actions in each method of Methods ending a round. [Chernozub et al. 2018]. These actions involve a diverse skill set including: varied strike actions Study design with different orientation (i.e. Head, Body, Leg); with spa- tio-temporal changes (i.e. keeping distance, clinch and This comparative and descriptive applied research study, ground), while the relationship between these skills rep- using technical-tactical analysis, determined specific resents the primary aspects of MMA attacking systems striking actions by referee’s decision by elite level athletes [Chernozub et al. 2018; Coswig et al. 2016]. participating in UFC®. This information provides new Further, technical-tactical data from different concepts of performance evaluation and programs to situations can offer crucial information to improve con- the specific combat phase of each outcome. A validated textualized training plans with potentially unknown protocol of technical-tactical analysis was identified in key factors [Coswig et al. 2016]. However, it is not clear previous studies addressing MMA performance analysis whether the technical-tactical aspects would increase [Kirk et al. 2015; James et al. 2017]. The data collected the probability of being a winner by using specific strik- from professional events in sequence was analyzed. All ing actions as the means of ending rounds. The authors bouts occurred during UFC events in air-conditioned have been attempting to determine those performance arenas, except Ibirapuera Gym, between 18:30 and 24:00 indicators that have the greatest influence on classify- with temperature range between 24.5-27.0oC. In the ing outcome at the elite level of MMA and establishing last stage of the study, we compared types of outcomes the efficacy of decision tree analysis in explaining the (TKO/KO, Submission, Unanimous Score Decision and characteristics of victory when compared to alternate Split Score Decision) to verify the impact of each tech- statistical methods. Grappling and accuracy performance nical-tactical grappling action. indicators were considered the most influential ones in This study was submitted to and approved by the explaining outcomes [James et al. 2017]. Although, this Local Committee of Ethics in Research, following the report provides important information for athletes and rules of resolution 196/96 of the National Health Council. coaches, we believe that MMA athletes require specific The present study ensured anonymity and confidential- analysis of the technical-tactical actions associated with ity by replacing the athletes’ personal identification. In striking competitive success. addition, there are no ethical issues in analyzing or inter- Even if the athlete stands up takes place into that preting data obtained at public events, as established by striking category, however, the precise techniques to previous protocols [Kirk et al. 2015; James et al. 2017; develop a strategic way to attack and to know when, Coswig et al. 2018]. Ending an MMA combat bout: specific striking techniques which determine the type of outcome 11 Participants in the analysis. Where appropriate, while consider- ing the inclusion criteria, both athletes were evaluated The sample was composed of 304 UFC rounds, the in a single match, and individual athletes were evalu- sample was separated by Split Score Decision (n= 40), ated more than once when videos of multiple matches Unanimous Score Decision (n = 170), KO/TKO (n = 54) were available, following previously published proto- and Submission (n = 40) from 58 events between 2012 cols [Sterkowicz-Przybycien et al.