How to Fight vs. a Southpaw in MMA & Kickboxing 

Huh, I was taught to NOT go to the right when facing a southpaw because you are walking into the power left hand. I was taught circle left to get a better angle since they only have 1 hand to defend them and it's easier to "pressure". This isn't from boxing though. I learn this from MMA. I thought MMA and boxing striking weren't too different. I learn something new everyday!

Most trainers will teach you to circle left against southpaws and most people do it, however they are not very successful. From the boxing world, look at James Toney, Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones and Floyd Mayweather. They almost always go to their right against southpaws and they have been pretty successful. Tyron Woodley who is a very limited striker also went to his right against Stephen Thompson who is a southpaw and a great striker, and kind of nullified Wonderboy. Things are not so black and white but in general when you go to your right against a southpaw in boxing you expose their centre line and when their left hand is thrown, it is thrown away from their body as opposed to across their body. When you go to your left against an experienced southpaw, he can cut you off with a hook upstairs or downstairs, and better southpaws will shoot a lead left hand while you're going to your left against them. Check Nonito Donaire who tried to circle Guillermo Rigondeaux to his left and every time he did that Rigondeaux would shoot a left straight on an angle or an uppercut. There are fighters that have gone left or circled left with success against limited southpaws

Here is a video of an orthodox kick boxer going to his left against an experienced southpaw kick boxer ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-T5srSuD8qOo.html

It all depends on the fighter your fighting,and what type off martial art you do,I’m a southpaw I use sport karate and Muay Thai,but I like to have my power leg forward power hand or elbow back,so circle left can walk straight into power front leg and power hand,and and some southpaws have power hand forward,so all really about knowing your opponent skills and weaknesses,me personally as southpaw always go right to move away from the power kick and hand,

You’re *

Yes i would like to know more about this from a kickboxing stand point too. Is it the same theory as in boxing??

Pretty easy for the orthodox fighter. For the soutpaw its harder.

@@Melledegroote yeah but the liver shot via kick or knee way easier and already pre loaded for a southpaw ,.

Minus the left hook liver shot , its pretty much the same.