Southpaw vs Orthodox: Which Stance Reigns Supreme?

29 May 2025

In the world of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), fighters are constantly searching for that competitive edge, that one thing that will give them an advantage over their opponent. And one of the most fundamental aspects of a fighter’s strategy is their stance. It’s like choosing your weapon before heading into battle – are you going to wield the sword with your right hand or your left hand?

In MMA, there are two primary stances that fighters adopt: Orthodox and Southpaw. The Orthodox stance is the more common of the two, while the Southpaw stance is often seen as more unconventional or tricky to deal with. But which one reigns supreme? Is there a definitive answer, or does it all depend on the fighter? Let’s dive into the intricacies of both stances, break down their strengths and weaknesses, and see if we can come to a conclusion on the age-old Southpaw vs. Orthodox debate.

What is the Orthodox Stance?

Let’s start with the Orthodox stance, which is the most commonly used stance in MMA. In this stance, a fighter leads with their left foot and left hand, while the power comes from the right side of the body. In other words, the left hand is used to jab and create openings, while the right hand is cocked and loaded for the knockout punch.

This stance is preferred by the majority of fighters, primarily because most people are right-handed. It feels natural for right-handers to have their strongest hand in the back, ready to deliver powerful strikes. The Orthodox stance also lends itself well to conventional training methods, as most gyms and trainers are geared toward teaching it.

Key Features of the Orthodox Stance:

- Lead Hand: Left hand used for jabs and lighter strikes.
- Power Hand: Right hand used for crosses and power punches.
- Foot Positioning: Left foot forward, right foot back.
- Natural for Right-Handers: Feels more intuitive for fighters who are right-hand dominant.

The Advantages of the Orthodox Stance

1. Familiarity: Since it’s the most common stance, many fighters are more comfortable in Orthodox. They’ve been trained to fight against other Orthodox fighters from the start of their careers, making it easier to anticipate moves and strategies.

2. Balance: The Orthodox stance offers a good balance between offense and defense. The lead hand allows for quicker jabs, while the rear hand can generate significant power for counters and knockouts.

3. Defensive Stability: With the left hand and foot forward, fighters in the Orthodox stance often have an easier time defending against attacks, particularly from other Orthodox fighters, since they’re more used to this style of combat.

The Disadvantages of the Orthodox Stance

1. Predictability: Orthodox fighters can be somewhat predictable. Since it's the more common stance, most fighters have a lot of experience facing opponents in this style. This makes it easier to anticipate their attacks and counter them effectively.

2. Limited Angle Creation: The Orthodox stance can make it harder to create unusual angles for strikes. The foot positioning and hand placement tend to limit the variety of attacks that can be thrown, compared to the Southpaw stance which allows for more creativity in movement.

What is the Southpaw Stance?

Now, let’s talk about the Southpaw stance, which is essentially the mirror image of the Orthodox stance. In Southpaw, the fighter leads with their right foot and right hand, while the power comes from the left side of the body. This stance is typically adopted by left-handed fighters, although some right-handers will train in Southpaw to gain a strategic advantage.

Southpaw fighters are often seen as more difficult to deal with because they present a different look than most fighters are used to. Facing a Southpaw forces Orthodox fighters to adjust their usual tactics and deal with attacks coming from unexpected angles.

Key Features of the Southpaw Stance:

- Lead Hand: Right hand used for jabs and lighter strikes.
- Power Hand: Left hand used for crosses and power punches.
- Foot Positioning: Right foot forward, left foot back.
- Natural for Left-Handers: Feels more intuitive for fighters who are left-hand dominant.

The Advantages of the Southpaw Stance

1. Unorthodox (No Pun Intended): Southpaw fighters are rare, which makes them more difficult to prepare for. Orthodox fighters, who make up the majority of the MMA population, often struggle to adjust to the Southpaw’s unique angles and footwork.

2. Angle Advantage: Southpaw fighters have a natural advantage when it comes to creating angles. They can position themselves outside of their opponent’s lead foot, opening up opportunities to land clean shots while minimizing the risk of getting hit.

3. Power Shots: Southpaws often have an easier time landing their powerful left hand. Since most fighters are accustomed to defending against Orthodox opponents, they may not be as prepared for the Southpaw’s strong left cross.

The Disadvantages of the Southpaw Stance

1. Vulnerability to Leg Kicks: Southpaws are more vulnerable to leg kicks, especially to their lead leg (the right leg), since it’s in front and exposed. A smart Orthodox fighter will target this leg with low kicks to slow down the Southpaw’s movement.

2. Difficulty Finding Sparring Partners: Southpaw fighters can struggle to find good sparring partners who can mimic the Orthodox style effectively. This can make it harder for them to prepare for fights against Orthodox opponents, who are far more common.

3. Susceptibility to Certain Counters: While Southpaws have the advantage of angles, they are also vulnerable to specific counters. For example, Orthodox fighters who are experienced against Southpaws often look to land their right hand over the top of the Southpaw’s jab, exploiting the open lane between the two stances.

The Battle of Stances: Southpaw vs. Orthodox

So, which stance reigns supreme? Well, the answer isn’t as clear-cut as you might think. It really depends on the fighter, their skill set, and how well they can utilize their chosen stance.

Why Orthodox Fighters Dominate the Numbers

The Orthodox stance is undoubtedly the more common of the two, which means that statistically, more champions and elite fighters have come from an Orthodox background. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the superior stance – it’s simply the more prevalent one. Fighters like Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, and Khabib Nurmagomedov have all found incredible success using the Orthodox stance, focusing on their fundamentals and blending solid striking with wrestling.

However, this dominance is more about numbers than effectiveness. Since most people are right-handed, there are simply more Orthodox fighters to choose from. It’s not so much that Orthodox is inherently better – it’s just more common.

Why Southpaw Fighters Cause So Many Problems

Southpaw fighters, while fewer in number, have had a disproportionately large impact in MMA. Some of the greatest fighters of all time, including Conor McGregor, Anderson Silva, and Lyoto Machida, have used the Southpaw stance to great effect. Southpaws thrive on the confusion they create. Orthodox fighters aren’t as used to facing Southpaws, which can give the latter an edge in the octagon.

Southpaws tend to excel at controlling range and creating awkward angles that catch their opponents off guard. Their rear hand – typically the left – can be a devastating weapon because it comes from unexpected directions, making it harder to defend against.

What’s More Important: Stance or Skill?

At the end of the day, while stance plays a significant role in a fighter’s success, it’s not the be-all and end-all. The most important factor is how well a fighter utilizes their stance. A highly skilled Orthodox fighter can easily defeat a less-skilled Southpaw, and vice versa. It's all about how you play the cards you’re dealt.

The greats adapt. Conor McGregor, for example, is known for his Southpaw stance, but he’s also adept at switching stances mid-fight to keep his opponents guessing. Similarly, fighters like Max Holloway and Israel Adesanya can seamlessly switch between Orthodox and Southpaw, making them even harder to predict.

Conclusion: Does One Stance Reign Supreme?

So, does one stance reign supreme? Not really. The Orthodox stance is more common and familiar, making it easier to train and find sparring partners. However, the Southpaw stance offers unique advantages in terms of angles and unpredictability, which can be a nightmare for unprepared opponents.

Ultimately, the most successful fighters are the ones who focus on mastering their chosen stance and adapting to their opponents, whether they’re Orthodox or Southpaw. It isn’t the stance itself that determines victory – it’s the fighter’s skill, strategy, and ability to adapt inside the cage.