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Southpaw fighters have a certain mystique about them which makes orthodox fighters always cautious of them. Typically, left-handed people tend to be southpaws, and since around 10% of people are left-handed, southpaws are quite uncommon to come across.
While most fighters spar with orthodox partners, southpaws suddenly change the dynamic during a fight. It should also be noted that while most southpaws are left-handed, some right-handed fighters also choose to switch things up. On that note, let's list down the five best southpaw fighters in the UFC today.
#5 - Israel Adesanya
Boxers typically stick to the stance they have learned their craft in since their formative years. However, kickboxers are often comfortable switching their stances to unsettle their opponents. Israel Adesanya has sneaked his way into the list of the five best UFC southpaws because he is an excellent striker from an unorthodox position, despite being an orthodox fighter.
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In many of his fights in the UFC, Israel Adesanya has showcased striking from a southpaw stance. He was constantly switching into a southpaw stance during his fight against former UFC champion, and his idol, Anderson Silva, at UFC 234.
Fighting in an orthodox stance, he uses his right leg to kick his opponents quite frequently, which allows him to seamlessly switch to southpaw. In many of his fights, the UFC middleweight champion has dealt significant damage from a southpaw stance.
Israel Adesanya revealed his tendency to fight in the southpaw and switch stances to suit the situation on social media. Speaking about a particular bout from 2016, 'The Last Stylebender' said:
"Yes I'm southpaw and yes my opponent is circling the correct way in accordance with normal conventions when fighting a southpaw, he circles out and I cut off the cage but wait! As I move to the right I turn conventional its subtle and its intended to be. Like every aspect of my game the subtle step I use that turns me orthodox I practice & drill everyday! Now has my opponent processed the switch? He continues to circle left but I've switched right handed, now he's circling into my powerside, has my opponent processed this?"
Also read: UFC middleweight Phil Hawes predicts outcome of Israel Adesanya vs Robert Whittaker 2; talks about how to beat Stylebender [Exclusive]
#4 - Valentina Shevchenko
Valentina Shevchenko is the reigning UFC women's flyweight champion. The southpaw holds the record for the most consecutive wins (7) and most knockout wins in the division's history (3). She defeated three former champions of the UFC on her way to MMA glory - Holly Holm, Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Jessica Andrade.
There is no denying the fact that Valentina 'Bullet' Shevchenko is one of the finest southpaws in all of MMA. The dancing demoness from Kyrgyzstan executes striking techniques with unbelievable precision and ice-cold determination.
As a southpaw, the right hook and left kick are perhaps Shevchenko’s most effective weapons against orthodox opponents. It is just difficult for orthodox fighters to see them coming, which reduces their reaction time as well. The trajectory of her lead hook is mostly hidden by her opponents' leading jab, which is basically the beauty of a southpaw.
Also read: "He wants MMA, he's gonna get it" - Conor McGregor promises to showcase a 'lot of weapons' in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
#3 - Nate Diaz
Nate Diaz is one of the most skilful southpaws in the UFC and he has proven it even against opponents otherwise superior to him. His southpaw stance and long reach enables him to unsettle his opponents even with their guard up. Against aggressive strikers, Nate is good at leaning back into counter attacks with a jab, a check hook or a 'Stockton slap'.
Nate Diaz is also on-point with his defensive game, which is evident when he rolls his shoulders to make strikes deviate off him. Offensively, the Stockton native has a deadly left cross that puts a lot of orthodox fighters in trouble. As was evident in his fight against Leon Edwards, a single landing rocks his rivals like they've been hit by a baseball bat.
His left hook tearing straight through his opponent's guard has many times proven a factor in him establishing his dominance inside the octagon. A good example of this was at UFC 196, although Conor McGregor was tired for the most part without absorbing any strikes.
However, the moment Nate tagged the Irishman with his left cross, the former UFC champ was rattled. Despite leaving his lead leg vulnerable against kicks in his southpaw stance, Nate has forced his rivals to keep guessing what's coming.
#2 - Dustin Poirier
Dustin Poirier is increasingly being considered one of the best boxers in the UFC, and much of the credit goes to his southpaw stance and how he uses it. 'The Diamond' uses a left cross to shift into an orthodox stance to close the distance on his opponents and set up power shots.
Often, earlier in his MMA career, Dustin Poirier would throw a loaded right hook and end up in an orthodox stance. But now, he is doing this intentionally and to great effect.
If an opponent backs up from Poirier's boxing range, 'The Diamond' uses his right hook to switch to an orthodox stance. Upon closing the distance, he can switch back to southpaw easily and land punishing boxing combinations.
Ahead of his fight in 2018, Justin Gaethje spoke about going against Dustin Poirier and said facing the southpaw was like "staring down a barrel of a gun."
Also read: 10 best Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier 3 predictions so far.
#1 - Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor is considered one of the best strikers in the sport. On our list of the best UFC southpaws, he makes it to the top. While being a southpaw, McGregor possesses the ability to switch stances mid-fight. The 'Notorious' is also popular for his left punch, which is the main weapon in every southpaw's arsenal.
Conor McGregor displayed the beauty and mystique of his southpaw stance by KO'ing Jose Aldo in 13 seconds at UFC 194. The Irishman's left hand was what stripped the former UFC featherweight champion of his title.
Conor McGregor's southpaw stance is also complimented by his excellent distance management skills. In terms of counter striking, the former UFC double-champ is one of the best in MMA. He has used his left hook or upper-cut to hurt many opponents in his career, especially while using it as a counter. The 'slip-and-counter' method has been used by him against many, like Marcus Brimage and Eddie Alvarez.
What makes Conor McGregor stand out from other UFC southpaws is that he takes a more sideways posture, resembling a karate stance. Departing from the usual squared-up stance, the 'Notorious' has proven to be one of the most exciting UFC southpaws to watch.
The karate stance has enabled him to stay outside the reach of even taller opponents. While gaging distance by extending his right hand, he can also create space with an occasional left front kick. The stance has also helped McGregor generate more power when he decides to strike with his left hand, making it all the more dangerous.
