BRIAN BOWLES

ATTRIBUTES

OFFENSIVE SKILLS

DEFENSIVE SKILLS

ULTIMATE TECHNIQUES

WEAVING OVERHAND RIGHT

Level 3—Both Standing, Striking Range

Brian Bowles can uncork a nasty overhand right while standing and trading with his opponent on the feet. This is his most powerful standing technique strike, so make good use of it.

SUPLEX TO SIDE CONTROL, TOP

Level 2—Double Underhook, Offense

While working Bowles’ strong clinch game, go for a huge suplex from Double Underhook, Offense. It’ll score big points with the judges and land you in dominant position on the ground.

DIRECT CATCH TO GUILLOTINE CHOKE

Level 3—Sprawl, Top

Because Bowles is so dangerous on the feet, his opponents are likely to try shooting in on him sooner or later. Sprawl, then counter with this excellent choke to force the tap.

STRENGTHS

• Very well rounded

• Strength

• Finishing ability

Brian Bowles is a tough, well-rounded fighter who has the advantage of being able to finish his opponent at any time, in any position. What he lacks in finesse he makes up for with sheer strength, speed, and determination.

Bowles prefers to throw hands, so focus on landing his powerful technique strikes on the feet, adding them to his quick strike combos. Once you’ve drawn the opponent into the stand-up battle, change levels and score a short takedown to bring the fight to the ground.

Here, Bowles can unleash some of his vicious ground-and-pound or work to secure a submission. Brian’s best subs are his armbars and chokes from dominant top positions such as Mount and Salaverry, which you can reach by performing a technique transition from Side Control.

He also has a fantastic guillotine that can be locked in each time you manage to sprawl against the opponent’s takedown.

WEAKNESSES

• Kicks

• Ground strike defense

• Takedowns

There aren’t many holes in Bowles’s game, but he is somewhat vulnerable to the takedown. This, coupled with his poor defense against ground-and-pound, has allowed certain opponents to overwhelm him on the mat in the past.

Though Brian’s hands are lethal, his kicks are far less threatening—it’s therefore possible to have success against him by fighting him from the outside.

Frustrate Bowles with long punches and kicks until he’s forced to fight his way inside, then look for the takedown so you can work him over with some heavy ground-and-pound from the top. Bowles is good at slipping out of subs, so don’t risk giving up your position.

Stay on top and sneak in brutal strikes as you work at advancing and improving to an even more dominant spot.