5 UFC fighters with the best fight IQ, 1 with the worst

As a seasoned MMA enthusiast with over two decades of following the sport, I must say that the minds of fighters in the UFC are truly fascinating. Each one brings unique skills and strategies to the table, and it’s always intriguing to see how they adapt and evolve over time.

In mixed martial arts, where numerous physical abilities are essential, it might seem that size and strength determine most bouts. However, this isn’t always accurate; mental prowess in a battle can be equally or even more crucial for achieving victory and success. Here, we’ll examine five fighters renowned for their exceptional fight IQ, as well as one with the least.

Best: Alexander Volkanovski

When Alexander Volkanovski undoubtedly enters the UFC Hall of Fame and is acclaimed as one of the most exceptional champions in UFC history, it will be his versatile fighting approach and exceptional combat intelligence that he’ll be most fondly remembered for.

Despite losing three out of his last four bouts, Volkanovski’s intelligence in the ring should not be underestimated due to a few setbacks in the Octagon. Since making his UFC debut in November 2016, he has demonstrated himself as one of the most brilliant strategists in the sport.

As a devoted fan, I’d say one effective method of showcasing Volkanovski’s exceptional fight intelligence is by examining his past bouts. Despite often facing disadvantages in height and reach throughout his UFC journey against opponents like Max Holloway, Chan-Sung Jung, and Yair Rodriguez, he has consistently discovered the optimal path to triumph.

He effectively employs his exceptional sense of timing, coupled with both impressive striking and wrestling techniques, to counter most opponents he’s encountered. Be it an accomplished boxer such as Holloway, a versatile kickboxer like Rodriguez, or a formidable grappler like Islam Makhachev, he consistently devises the appropriate strategy for each fight, regardless of whether he ultimately emerges victorious.

Best: Belal Muhammad

Despite not being every fan’s preferred Octagon fighter, it’s indisputable that Belal Muhammad boasts a top-tier fighting intelligence. Now that he’s officially the UFC welterweight champion, Muhammad is finally earning the respect of fellow fighters and global fight enthusiasts alike. However, his exceptional fight smarts have always been one of his most admirable traits.

A significant portion of Muhammad’s current 11-fight winning streak, which culminated in a world championship, has been built following a consistent approach throughout his journey. While Muhammad might not possess the most refined striking techniques or physical superiority like other welterweight fighters, he meticulously adheres to a strategy that minimizes damage received and often leads to a victory via decision.

A fighting technique that has proven successful for numerous ex-UFC champions involves the “pressure wrestling” style, which pushes opponents against the cage, enabling the wrestler to manage most of the fight and repeatedly attempt takedowns rather than just a few in the center of the Octagon. While Muhammad’s takedown success rate is 39%, his endurance and carefully designed strategy enable him to secure decision wins frequently.

Best: Israel Adesanya

Despite having just lost his middleweight title to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305, Israel Adesanya remains one of the most intellectually gifted fighters across mixed martial arts (MMA).

Effective distance control might just be the crucial aspect for a competent defensive combatant, and this is where Adesanya truly excels. His extensive experience in kickboxing, coupled with his impressive height and reach, makes him extremely hard to land blows on, often leaving his adversaries utterly exasperated at the end of numerous bouts.

His talent for managing distance gives him the edge to employ feints for kick setup and leave opponents momentarily stunned, a skill that has been his hallmark throughout his career. Some speculate that Adesanya’s most impactful fighting years may be over, but with one of the highest IQ’s in the sport, he still possesses significant potential if he decides to continue.

Best: Cory Sandhagen

Cory Sandhagen is widely recognized for his exceptional striking skills and impressive knockout victories, but his abilities as a mixed martial artist extend far beyond this. Despite not holding a UFC title, Sandhagen has consistently ranked among the top fighters in arguably the most talent-rich division globally, the UFC’s bantamweight division.

Similar to other fighters mentioned, Sandhagen exhibits an impressive versatility, although this aspect of his skillset was less recognized during the initial stages of his career. His defeat by Aljamain Sterling at UFC 250 via first-round submission in June 2020 led many to question potential weaknesses in his game. However, since that encounter, Sandhagen has significantly advanced and transformed into a fully-fledged, well-rounded fighter.

His decision victory over Marlon Vera proved his ground game had taken a meaningful step forward to compete with the best grapplers at 135 pounds. He has similarly found ways to compete and win against the best of the best for years now and continues to show his world class fight IQ.

Best: Jon Jones

Jon Jones is currently 37 years old, and with the exception of a controversial disqualification defeat against Matt Hamill in December 2009, he has maintained an undefeated record throughout his professional career spanning 29 fights. This impressive run includes numerous championship wins across various weight classes.

In the world of mixed martial arts, particularly in the UFC, having an exceptional understanding of combat strategies, or what we call “fight IQ,” is indispensable to remain undefeated for long periods like Jon Jones. Any list of the sport’s most intelligent minds would be incomplete without him. Some factors contributing to his career triumphs include his natural athletic skills and the physical advantages he often holds over opponents due to his height and reach. However, it is his exceptional fight IQ that has enabled him to maintain this level of excellence for more than a decade.

Jones demonstrates an impressive versatility in combat sports, ranging from wrestling to kickboxing, and everything in between. He consistently exhibits the right moves at the right time within the Octagon. An illustrative instance of this is evident in his latest bout against Ciryl Gane. With a three-year absence from the Octagon and facing an elite heavyweight striker like Gane, who was widely expected to bring about Jones’ first genuine defeat due to timing and overall flow issues, he managed to triumph nonetheless.

As soon as the match began, I swiftly took Gane down and submitted him within two and a half minutes. It’s no secret that I’ve always had a knack for knowing the best strategy, and this time was no exception. My execution was spot-on, further demonstrating my high-level understanding of the fight game.

Worst: Jiri Prochazka

As a fervent fan, I can’t help but marvel at Jiri Prochazka’s electrifying presence within the UFC arena. His fighting style, which borders on daring audacity, sets him apart from almost every athlete who has ever graced the Octagon. Remarkably, he clinched a UFC championship in just his third fight with the promotion, a feat that speaks volumes about his talent and tenacity.

Yet, it’s worth noting that Prochazka’s distinctive fighting style has also been his downfall on two instances and almost resulted in several other defeats within the UFC. Despite earning five performance bonuses in his six-fight UFC career, this is primarily due to the uncommon approach he takes within the Octagon.

In his previous bouts against Volkan Oezdemir, Dominick Reyes, Glover Teixeira, and Aleksandar Rakic, Prochazka found himself in situations where he might have ended up losing the fight. Yet, by employing a strategy that mainly kept his hands low while moving forward aggressively, he managed to secure finish victories in every one of those matches. However, against UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, he was not successful in any of their encounters. This was because both fighters adopted similar styles, making it easy for a skilled striker like Pereira to counter Prochazka effectively.

Although Prochazka’s strategic prowess may not match some of the other fighters on this list, his exceptional resilience and inventiveness within the Octagon have contributed to an impressive 30-5-1 career record, which includes a UFC championship title. Such achievements are something any professional mixed martial artist would be proud to boast about.

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2024-08-31 23:44