In my last blog entry I mentioned that mixed martial arts is a game of physical chess. I stand by this concept, but will take this opportunity to elaborate further.

People often get drawn into the physical aspect of MMA, but like chess it is a game of the mind. Since martial arts and fighting are so much about the mind, knowing what makes a guy tick can help you win the battle. Sometimes I'll even go so far as to look into an opponent's roots to help me understand how they may think and react inside the Octagon.

UFC Fighters Frank Mir and Mark Hunt at Suncorp Stadium. Credit:Chris Hyde

If you're on top of an opponent and then step back to wave him up, will that inspire him to push harder or will he find it dejecting? You try to look at how a person is—how they walk out to the arena, how they prepare and how they deal with adversity. By looking into their past, I can gain perspective on how they might deal with tough situations. I can then start to make educated plans about what avenues they're going to instinctively choose.

I think a person's roots are a mainstay in how you break them down. When you look at where they come from, sometimes it's a very good indication of where they're going. You have to always take into account someone's past to find out who they are.