🥊✈️ Do You Know Ben?

[2 min read]

Paulo Simoes
March 26, 2025

[2 min read]

👋 Hey Warrior,

Ever watch Ben Whittaker in action?

The way he effortlessly evades punches from professional opponents is a masterclass in movement.

It's mesmerizing and entertaining to watch his antics in the ring.

If you don’t know who I’m talking about here’s a good video:

The way he uses subtle shifts, head movement, and footwork to make world-class fighters miss entirely is…

…a powerful reminder that in a confrontation, it's not always about brute strength or taking a hit…

…it's about not being there to be hit in the first place.

This concept isn't just for professional boxers.

It's a fundamental principle that applies directly to self-defense.

If you're not where your attacker expects you to be, their punch won't land.

It sounds simple, but the implications are huge.

Effective head movement can be the difference between getting rocked and staying in the fight long enough to get away.

Nothing illustrates this better than demonstrations by guys like Trav from @FightSmartTrav or Jeff Chan from @MMAShredded on YouTube.

They have both done challenges where they invite strangers to try and hit them.

What's fascinating about these videos is how they use subtle head movement and upper body movement to avoid getting hit.

They're not relying on blocks or toughness…

…they're using skill and technique to control the situation.

This highlights a crucial lesson…

…movement, especially head movement, is a highly effective defensive tool.

It disrupts your opponent's targeting, making it harder for them to land accurate strikes.

This keeps you safer and tires him (or her) out.

Here are some key principles about head movement we can learn from this:

Small movements, big impact: You don't need to make huge, telegraphed movements. Small slips, bobs, and weaves can be enough to make a punch miss.
Keep your eyes on the target: As you move your head, it's crucial to maintain eye contact with your attacker. This allows you to track their movements and anticipate their strikes.
Practice makes perfect: Effective head movement requires consistent practice. It's about developing the muscle memory and reaction time to move instinctively.
Combine with footwork: Head movement is even more effective when combined with agile footwork. This allows you to move both your head and your body out of the line of attack.

Remember, Warrior, the ability to move your head effectively is a critical component of self-defense mastery.

It's not just about avoiding punches…

…it's about controlling the engagement and ensuring your safety.

Stay sharp, stay elusive, and keep moving, Warrior.

Paul Simoes

P.S. Tomorrow, we'll open the floor for a community discussion on your favorite evasive moves. Get ready to share your techniques and insights!

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