Good post Xen
Not only does water provide a type of cushioning but so does fat. Getting dangerously lean will ultimately rob your body of fat from your joints, organs and other places. Professionals have dietitians helping them rid of subcutaneous water and fat without affecting organ fat and water too much.
This also applies to the torso. You need a certain amount to protect vital organs otherwise small taps to the liver, kidneys or sternum will affect you easier.
As someone else also mentioned, sparring definitely has a benefit. You can be a demon on pads, bags and super fit but it means jack if you freak out the first time you get hit. Even if you’re of a high level, not training for a while or sparring will affect your conditioning. When you’re conditioned, you can take what you’re given and continue much better.
I’ve been dropped plenty of times, but they were by guys who have had devastating knock out power and above 120 kilograms. I’ve never been completely out yet but the one time I came close it was scary. I was dropped and I remember being hit and falling, seeing a blur on the ground and getting to my knees and then trying to straighten up and get up but not being able to extend and stand up.
Scary feeling but I do attribute it to years of not being punch shy and training and sparring with bigger guys. We don’t go all out but still when a guy who’s 100+ kg hits you, even when he’s playing, you know about it.
I do believe that some people are born with superior structures that allow them to take blows much better. Contrary to popular belief, big jawlines don’t mean jack. In actual fact, the longer the jawline structure the less force you need to cause the same amount of shock at the jaw, neck, brainstem or cervical spine. Torque = force x distance.
Obviously two jaws of otherwise exactly same structure and same musculature supporting them but one jaw line longer and you plug in the same numbers but change the distance input and you will get higher torque being applied for the longer jaw line.
Sometimes those larger jawlines are accompanied by stronger musculature and other supporting structures but the rule above still applies. Less amount of torque required to cause the same effect.
Also, speed is the most devastating factor in a knockout. This was witnessed when the much smaller Melvin Manhoef severly knocked out Mark Hunt who is otherwise known to have one of the best Jaws in MMA and K1.
Manhoef though is a dangerously fast and explosive very small heavyweight.
So most importantly, spar. This is the most effective way to stop being ‘punch shy’. Get used to copping punches on your gloves but still remaining balanced and poised. Many people panic as soon as they get it. This causes them to tense up and ‘freeze’. Some start backing away, neck up looking out for what’s coming next, coupled with being on the back foot and unbalanced this makes for an easy KO if the other persons foot work is sound enough to turn at the angle required and punch.
Secondly, stay hydrated and keep enough fat on your body.
Thirdly train your neck, traps, and back. Also train your jaw by doing as others have suggested. Chewing thick gum helps as well as wrapping a piece of leather around a chain or harness attached to weight.
Fourthly proper mouth guards, keeping your chin down and tucked but not at the expense of having your neck extended forward.
By far the most important thing though, is DONT GET HIT! learn proper footwork, timing, train your reflexes and drill over and over again to ensure you can avoid as many punches as possible.
For that, I say this without trying to take a dig but do straight up boxing with an old school boxing trainer who will teach you footwork, rhythm, balance and drill you enough so that it becomes second nature. MMA, Muay Thai and other arts fail miserably in their defensive tactics as compared to Boxing. I say this objectively with Muay Thai being my preferred sport.
