In the video I'm working with amateur MMA Fighter Wez Tully and Professional Figter Tim Wilde (17w 4l signed to Bellator/PFL). Let me know if there are any other fighters in particular you'd like me to go over. You can also follow me via Patreon for extra breakdowns over there. Thanks, Pro Striking!
Tim Wilde is low key very good and has gotten 100x better than he was at the start of the 2020s. I felt so bad for him in the Manumito fight. He was doing beautifully until he was a step too close while exiting and paid dearly for it.
Ilia is the first fighter I’ve seen in MMA that moves like a boxer and fights like a boxer ( a slugger )especially in the pocket. Most MMA guys that are called good boxers just throw a jab and move around a lot. Topuria moves his head off center continuously but they aren’t wild head movements. He’s not Bud Crawford, but he the best I’ve seen in the UFC by far. Maybe Max can take enough punches and out work ilia, but I doubt it.
@@ciaracet0716 ilia was a Greco Roman national champion in Georgia and he’s got better subs than volk I think we can agree on that, I feel like he would starts with his boxing in the first two or three rounds and slowing mix in his wrestling as he gets tired from max’s pace
@@theo5414 like I said ya’ll just don’t get what I’m saying? This video talks about his power, his boxing skill, the video does not one time talk about why he’s in position to throw his boxing combos, it’s not just as simple as having simple footwork, he’s got real boxing footwork not just flat mma footwork, kickboxing etc, it’s all different
Nice video and breakdown. I watch a lot of topuria and try to mimic it in practice. I now constantly move my head and just that small change has it’s my standup immensely. All credit to ilia and videos like this
Tbh his style is basically almost pure boxing…he doesn’t throw many kicks or knees in general. I don’t think it would be a good style for Muay Thai just based off that alone if you’re solely trying to base your style off of him. Keep in mind MMA striking and Muay Thai are more different than people realize. So while he could make it work in mma it probably wouldn’t be that optimal in Muay Thai. Where punches are scored way less than any other strike
I think you did a great job with explaining the defense of Topuria and how his head is always in motion for defense, but the important thing to note is that he uses his head movement to also fake an opponent to throw a punch and then Ilia slips and counterattacks. You can see him doing these to fake josh Emmett so he throws a big punch while Topuria is then using his great defense to avoid it and then he is punching back. Overall Great video but I wanted to mention that this is very essential in Topuria's fighting style.
One question I have about head movement in mma is how to not get starched by those straight punches into same side head kick set ups Slipping into a kick with MMA gloves as your only defense could be fight ending
@@Jessy-Blazein mma because the striking distance is alot longer and footwork is alot more active in mma striking getting head kicked is less likely to happen compared to Thai or k1 but it’s still a threat but not as big.
I’d suggest watching mma shredded Jeff chans vids on head movement for mma striking, he has a fantastic system of simultaneous head movement combined with footwork which I feel is the best for mma for the kicks and takedowns.
Got into trouble using the shoulder role during sparring. Much success on avoiding right hands until kicks started coming right after the right. No more shoulder rolling when this happens or am I doing something wrong?
@@unneomexaenlacocina9380 That’s Ilia’s style tho, it is basically pure boxing. I want to know how was he able to get away with using the shoulder roll like that. Was it just the game plan for Josh Emmett?
what Ilia creates when doing what you mention, apart from it all which is superbs, generates virtuous movement like a Dynamo, which accumulates Energy (concept of Chi) which when unloaded, gives a massive power to his punches
great video! do you think using peekaboo boxing aspects in mma can work? like the bobbing and weaving just not as exaggerated as in boxing. Also do you think the custamo shift works in mma?
Im 185cm with a 190cm reach who fights at lightweight. Would you recommend me this style of boxing? If not which "boxing style" would be good for mma for more rangier type of people that still would give a knockout treath and could be dangerous. Because I like to pressure my opponents instead of jabbing and moving
Topuria is really good bc his wrestling is next level too so he ain't afraid to go to the ground but against someone with muay thai low kicks he will be tested
im in very bad shape but I could tell if you are the guy from the video, your movements are pretty bad, very rigid/tight, no head movements so I dont understand the purpose of comparing to Ilia
![ALL ILIA TOPURIA FIGHTS (16-0 UNDEFEATED) [UPDATED TO 2025]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/G_0ST_E6OIA/mqdefault.jpg)
In the video I'm working with amateur MMA Fighter Wez Tully and Professional Figter Tim Wilde (17w 4l signed to Bellator/PFL). Let me know if there are any other fighters in particular you'd like me to go over. You can also follow me via Patreon for extra breakdowns over there.
Thanks, Pro Striking!
The training video was very very helpful. If you got more of those PLEASE upload.
Tim Wilde is low key very good and has gotten 100x better than he was at the start of the 2020s. I felt so bad for him in the Manumito fight. He was doing beautifully until he was a step too close while exiting and paid dearly for it.
Ilia is the first fighter I’ve seen in MMA that moves like a boxer and fights like a boxer ( a slugger )especially in the pocket. Most MMA guys that are called good boxers just throw a jab and move around a lot. Topuria moves his head off center continuously but they aren’t wild head movements. He’s not Bud Crawford, but he the best I’ve seen in the UFC by far. Maybe Max can take enough punches and out work ilia, but I doubt it.
There's alot of good boxers in the UFC: you're acting like Ilia is doing something new
Ilia’s gonna take max down and sub him
@@brandon-mo7by Good luck with that: Volkanovski had trouble trying to take Max down but you think Ilia can??
@@ciaracet0716 ilia was a Greco Roman national champion in Georgia and he’s got better subs than volk I think we can agree on that, I feel like he would starts with his boxing in the first two or three rounds and slowing mix in his wrestling as he gets tired from max’s pace
@@ciaracet0716 who know tho I could be completely wrong🤷♂️
Great breakdown as per the usual!
1. tick-tock the head
2. shoulder roll the opponent's punches
3. have a low base and and push against the takedowns
100% one of the best mma strikers right now
THE best in my opinion
@ him and pereira right now are the best
Topuria and Poatan are the greatest strikers currently on the roster imo
Footwork is a big part of Ilia’s game
Smh... Its a big part of every fighters game...
@@ciaracet0716 wow that went right over your head didn’t it.
@@jsavage9134is he wrong?
@@theo5414 like I said ya’ll just don’t get what I’m saying? This video talks about his power, his boxing skill, the video does not one time talk about why he’s in position to throw his boxing combos, it’s not just as simple as having simple footwork, he’s got real boxing footwork not just flat mma footwork, kickboxing etc, it’s all different
@@jsavage9134 the dude just said that footwork is a big part of every fighters game which it is so I don't get what your problem is.
This is really great details of his offense and defensive tactics 👍🏽
Nice video and breakdown. I watch a lot of topuria and try to mimic it in practice. I now constantly move my head and just that small change has it’s my standup immensely. All credit to ilia and videos like this
Can you please share with me the videos that teached you head movement
Awesome video👍👍👍 I knew Ilia was gonna K.O Volk. It was literally a Conor moment without the 1st round K.O. His style is too good! 💯
Super good breakdown
Thank you so much sir this video has completely helped me have a blessed day .
great video
Great stuff guys! Keep it coming!
Awesome breakdown!
His style is so damn good, it’s how I want to fight. I have 0 experience but I’m planning on joining an MMA Gym soon and starting 👊
And he is a elite grappler
volk is in trouble
Aged really well
This became canon
He'll be fine
Damn…
Nailed it
Very good breakdown video.. Terima kasih
Thank you!
#Fact
Ilia never used head kick or body kick in his career 🥶
Only punches 👊
If he did tho he would have succes since the power in his hands gets people wanting to slip would set up the headkick easy
How would you implement this style in Muay Thai? I want to fight like this but I don’t want to get dominated by low kicks and clinch
Probably not, you can move your head but you can’t rely on it the way topuria does
for muay thai i would definitely watch petr yan more than topuria when it comes to good boxing
Petr yan and fiziev or alex pereira even tho he does kickboxing
Tbh his style is basically almost pure boxing…he doesn’t throw many kicks or knees in general. I don’t think it would be a good style for Muay Thai just based off that alone if you’re solely trying to base your style off of him. Keep in mind MMA striking and Muay Thai are more different than people realize. So while he could make it work in mma it probably wouldn’t be that optimal in Muay Thai. Where punches are scored way less than any other strike
You would slip and lean backwards instead of forward, then circle out.
MmaShredded has great videos on head movement in mma/Muay thai
I think you did a great job with explaining the defense of Topuria and how his head is always in motion for defense, but the important thing to note is that he uses his head movement to also fake an opponent to throw a punch and then Ilia slips and counterattacks. You can see him doing these to fake josh Emmett so he throws a big punch while Topuria is then using his great defense to avoid it and then he is punching back.
Overall Great video but I wanted to mention that this is very essential in Topuria's fighting style.
Great vid thx
Great work
One question I have about head movement in mma is how to not get starched by those straight punches into same side head kick set ups
Slipping into a kick with MMA gloves as your only defense could be fight ending
Try using head movement at boxing range and sort of smother your head up close to your opponent when slipping
Slipping punches is dangerous in mma, kickboxing and Muay Thai. Pulling punches is often a better option as well as catching and parrying.
@@Jessy-Blazein mma because the striking distance is alot longer and footwork is alot more active in mma striking getting head kicked is less likely to happen compared to Thai or k1 but it’s still a threat but not as big.
I’d suggest watching mma shredded Jeff chans vids on head movement for mma striking, he has a fantastic system of simultaneous head movement combined with footwork which I feel is the best for mma for the kicks and takedowns.
Hands up
It's not only boxing..he has the confidence that he ll not be taken down..😮 say leon edwards..good boxer but can be taken down easily..
Amazing
Got into trouble using the shoulder role during sparring. Much success on avoiding right hands until kicks started coming right after the right. No more shoulder rolling when this happens or am I doing something wrong?
It's MMA me bro , you need to alternate stances not only pure boxing
Icee Mike have a video on blocking with this stance
@@unneomexaenlacocina9380 That’s Ilia’s style tho, it is basically pure boxing. I want to know how was he able to get away with using the shoulder roll like that. Was it just the game plan for Josh Emmett?
@@chriscapshaw3418his style is basically pure boxing but hes not staying like that the whole game, he changes his style the whole game
you cn shoulder roll and tilt back away from the kicks
Would you be able to make another video breaking down his footwork?
what Ilia creates when doing what you mention, apart from it all which is superbs, generates virtuous movement like a Dynamo, which accumulates Energy (concept of Chi) which when unloaded, gives a massive power to his punches
Small thing to add tho shoulder roll worked for him in Emmet fight because of the height. If opponent is much taller its not very uselful
Awesome
great video! do you think using peekaboo boxing aspects in mma can work? like the bobbing and weaving just not as exaggerated as in boxing. Also do you think the custamo shift works in mma?
i think the first point you're talking about is changing head slots
In boxing, it's called defensive frames
Great video. Next time can you add subtitles?
I can try, they just take so long! Is my accent hard to understand?
Im 185cm with a 190cm reach who fights at lightweight. Would you recommend me this style of boxing? If not which "boxing style" would be good for mma for more rangier type of people that still would give a knockout treath and could be dangerous. Because I like to pressure my opponents instead of jabbing and moving
can this work for KickBoxing ?
Georgian matador
Where is the Strickland video
PRO STRIKING NO TERRIBLE MOVEMENT ILIA HAS IT DEFINITELY WILL GET ME KNOCK DA FUCK OUT
Topuria is cocky, but he has every right to be. He's easily the best boxer on the roster and it's not even a debate.
🌹
Max holloway is in trouble
Can Ilia beat Volk?
He’s going to.
Probably not, volk is the most versatile fighter in ufc history. Ilia is good but not good enough yet to beat the best in the world.
@@Jessy-Blazewow. Such an expert takes. 😂😂😂
@@thearyaputra never said I was an expert lil bro
Topuria is really good bc his wrestling is next level too so he ain't afraid to go to the ground but against someone with muay thai low kicks he will be tested
Boxing for mma is a wrong concept and it is usually wrong technically... authentic boxing will be a lot better, which is the one that topuria trains
boxing with small gloves is completly different than with big ones,
Jazz
He has nice feet.
ilia fights like it's Tekken.. lol
Not a big fan of ilia’s system, it’s super limited. It is very dangerous against fighters who are not versatile though.
Its dangerous for everyone because he is heavy puncher
Nah.. volk had iq , strenght, speed , kick, takedown still got defeated
Ilia win to the most versatile fighter with his ''limited'' style 😂😂
@@daniloACQ okay ? What’s your point are you saying that his style isn’t limited or are you just glazing ?
@@Jessy-Blaze 💀
Deigo lopes is cooked
FIRST
Let ppl tell it boxing doesn’t work in mma or ufc
Only Boxing doesn't work in MMA, Topuria will never be the champion
troll
Take your words back..
@@LeoGatenadze სარკაზმია, თან გაჩემპიონების შემდეგ დაწერილი))
Aged like milk
Agreed
im in very bad shape but I could tell if you are the guy from the video, your movements are pretty bad, very rigid/tight, no head movements so I dont understand the purpose of comparing to Ilia
What is the purpose of this comment? 😂
🌹