Hook

The arc punch

The hook is a horizontally arcing punch thrown from either hand. The lead hook (from the front hand) is the most common MMA setup-and-finish strike outside of the jab-cross combination; the rear hook is less common but produces power similar to the cross. The hook finishes more UFC bouts via lead-hand-and-cross combinations than any other single punch sequence.

Mechanics

From an orthodox stance, attacking with the lead hook:

• Loading: lead shoulder rotates slightly outward; lead hip drops to load the rotation.
• Hip rotation: the lead hip drives forward as the lead foot pivots slightly outward. The rotation is what generates the power.
• Arm position: lead arm bent at approximately 90 degrees with the elbow up; the hand at chin-to-temple level for a head hook, or rib-to-floating-rib level for a body hook.
• Connection: the punch lands with the knuckles of the lead hand on the target's temple, jaw, or rib cage.
• Recovery: the hand returns to guard along a tight arc. The lead-hand position covers the temple after the strike.

The rear hook follows similar mechanics but generates more power through the longer rotation from the back foot.

What the hook is for

• Close-range finishing: in clinch or close-range exchanges where the cross can't fully extend, the hook produces the same KO threat.
• Counter to the jab: the lead hook thrown over the top of an opponent's jab. Slip-counter sequence.
• Off the cross: the hook is the most common follow-up to a cross that lands. The combination cross-lead-hook is one of the most-finished MMA sequences.
• Setup for kicks: a lead hook that lands forces the opponent to defend the high range, opening up leg kicks.
• Body work: the lead body hook drains opposition cardio and sets up follow-up head hooks.

Variations

• Lead hook to head: textbook version aimed at the temple.
• Lead hook to body: aimed at the rib cage or floating ribs.
• Rear hook: the back-hand version. Less common because it requires more setup but produces championship-level power.
• Check hook: a lead hook thrown while pivoting away from the opponent. Lyoto Machida used this against Rampage Jackson.
• Russian hook / overhand: a looping variant that travels over the opponent's lead shoulder.
• Shovel hook / uppercut hook: thrown at an angle between the standard hook and uppercut.

Common errors

• Wide loops: a hook thrown with a wide arc telegraphs the strike and lets the opponent slip.
• No hip rotation: a hook thrown with just the arm produces no power.
• Lead-hand low after: dropping the lead hand after the hook invites a counter rear hand.
• Slap-hooking: connecting with the palm rather than the knuckles.
• No setup: a hook without a jab or feint to set it up is easy to defend.

Defense

• Bob-and-weave: the most fundamental hook defense. Bend at the waist with lateral motion to duck under the hook.
• Cover-up with lead arm: lifting the lead arm to absorb the hook on the bicep.
• Step in: closing distance inside the hook's arc, neutralizing the punch.
• Pull-counter: leaning back to make the hook miss, then countering with the rear hand.
• Block with the high guard: bringing the gloves to the temple level to absorb the hook.

Exemplified by

• Alex Pereira: the left hook that finished Israel Adesanya at UFC 281 and Jamahal Hill at UFC 300.
• Lyoto Machida: the check hook that KO'd Rampage Jackson and shaped the karate-distance MMA template.
• Conor McGregor: the lead hook setups before the rear cross.
• Israel Adesanya: the lead hook off the jab feint.
• Cody Garbrandt: the lead hook power-striking that defined his bantamweight title win.

Drills

• Heavy bag hook reps: 50 hooks per side per round, focused on hip rotation and arc tightness.
• Pad work: pad holder feeds slap-hook combinations; build to 5-punch combinations.
• Counter hook drill: partner throws a jab; you bob-and-counter with your own lead hook.
• Body hook to head hook: practice the body-then-head combination on the heavy bag.
• Live sparring with hook emphasis: light sparring where the hook is the primary scoring tool.