Got an opponent. It's on like Donkey Kong.

Stay tuned, I'll update this thread with sparring or padwork videos every so often.

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Iron sharpens iron.

So here's my opponent's second match. He's had another since, as well as having dropped 6kg or so. I already have a basic idea of what I want to do, but would appreciate other ideas. He's the short guy fighting out of the red corner.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvLnGhHlKfU

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Iron sharpens iron.

A little bit of sparring against one of the beginners in the club:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=razfoYpaHAg

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Iron sharpens iron.

Teeps and long knees all day.

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"I went hunting. For bears. With a knife."
-Aleksander Emelianenko

That's what I'm thinking, along with leg kicks.

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Iron sharpens iron.

Yeah, watching that video there seems to be a lot to take advantage of. He looked lost in the clinch - definitely would be able to rack up knees and dumps from there. He also leaves his body wide open for kicks to counter the punches. He seems like he does throw volume punches to keep people off him.

If it's an amateur fight, the long knees should work really well. No padding on the knees.

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"I went hunting. For bears. With a knife."
-Aleksander Emelianenko

It's a modified Thai rules fight- 3x2-minute rounds, 10oz gloves, and no shin guards. Should be able to get in a good knee to the head, considering he'll be shorter than me.

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Iron sharpens iron.

An update! Managed to get my hands on a copy of my opponent's fight from 24th March this year. Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bCgif0ob_U

He just keeps coming forward, doesn't even go to touch gloves at the start. I might have to watch out for that. Still has a relatively lazy guard though, and it looks as though he doesn't expect high kicks to come in. Should be able to work some knees pretty well as he comes in.

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Iron sharpens iron.

Lazy guard and sloppy punching but he does throw high volume. He doesn't keep his elbows tucked - kinda leaves them up like a chickenwing - so you should be able to counter with body kicks, knees, or punches once you parry/block the strikes when he comes forward.

Also, not really sure how to explain this through text, but since he's always moving forward quickly you can do the backwards step to change stance (from orthodox to southpaw) then throw a long knee with your back leg as he's coming forward. Put a jab in his face first then step back when he goes to come in. You could throw a body/head kick with your back leg also but I think the knee would land more squarely.

Good luck, looking forward to seeing the fight.

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"I went hunting. For bears. With a knife."
-Aleksander Emelianenko

Almost there now. Weighing in tomorrow night. Cutting from being around 72kg at the start of the week to being 68kg tomorrow night- weighed around 68kg today. Then, Saturday night is the fight. Looking forward to a good one.

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Iron sharpens iron.