The Film Room: David Teymur

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Swedish export David Teymur has the biggest fight of his career this weekend when he takes on submission specialist Charles Oliveria at UFC Fight Night 144. Teymur has spent most of his career as a professional kickboxer, but transitioned to mixed martial arts in 2013 and quickly became one of the most exciting strikers in the lightweight division.



On the lead, the Swede can either be patient by coming forward with a quick combo before resetting, or he can run forward with flailing punches that look like he hasn’t been kickboxing for most of his life. When he is fighting tactically on the lead, his go-to combo is a simple rear straight to lead hook, but he will often get stuck headhunting and running forward with wild hooks that throw himself off balance.



Teymur comes from a kickboxing background, but since moving to MMA he relies on his hands much more than his kicks. When he does choose to kick, he has a wide variety of techniques to choose from, but usually relies on the standard round kick to the head or body. To mix things up, he will also throw teeps and front kicks, spinning sidekicks and even the occasional bicycle kick. I would like to see him attack the legs more and throw something before or after the kicks to make them less anticipated, but so far, most opponents haven’t been able to time the kicks and make him pay.



Since Teymur likes to be aggressive and trade in the pocket, he finds himself in the clinch often, where he likes to fire off knees to the body. Something to notice is how he will use his kicks and punches to initiate the clinch. He will often throw a wild hook and place it on the opponent’s shoulder to grab a single or double collar tie before throwing knees and elbows. The Swede uses kicks to the body to get inside the opponent’s guard, where he can easily get a collar tie or over/unders.



When Teymur is not moving forward, he is a very good counter boxer and has impeccable timing with his overhand left. Just like his go-to leading attack, his favorite counter is a left straight or overhand left to a lead hook. This does make him a bit predictable, but his timing and hand speed has been enough to land it frequently.



The Swede is also exceptional at catching his opponent’s kicks and countering off of them like an elite Sanda fighter. These kicks not only add to his extensive countering game, but it also dissuades opponents from throwing any leg strikes, which limits their offense.



You won’t see Teymur initiate grappling exchanges often, but he has shown good takedown defense and scrambling ability to get back to his feet. Since joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship, he has defended 82 percent of takedowns, although he only lands 33 percent of his own. We have yet to see Teymur go against an elite level grappler like Oliveria, so it will be interesting to see if he can stay patient and comfortable enough on the ground to defend off his back and get to his feet, or if he will crumble under the pressure.