Georges St-Pierre and the 10 Most Disciplined Strikers in MMA Today

Merriam-Webster defines“discipline” as “orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior. Self control.” There are many fighters in MMA who can fit the definition when it comes to the striking discipline. However, there are a few that stand out above the rest.

Discipline does not always manifest in the same manner, however. These 10 fighters each possess a particular niche proportion of discipline that makes them unique.

Georges St-Pierre

When one talks about “discipline,” Georges St-Pierre ought be first name on the list.

St. Pierre is often condemned by a faction of fans for abandoning his striking-first “Rush” persona he possessed early in his career. While he well may have turned his back on being a one-dimensional karate fighter, one will never find a moment when GSP is "wild" or "undisciplined."

The longtime welterweight champion keeps his hands in tight, his kicks sharp and balanced, and he never fails to use proper timing to set all his combinations.

Best Example: Georges St-Pierre vs. Josh Koscheck II at UFC 124

Anderson Silva

The current pound-for-pound king has put on a striking clinic for the past handful of years in the UFC. He has an unorthodox style that he has nearly perfected. Those who can remember him from the Pride FC days understand that his current status is due primarily to tireless pursuit of striking perfection.

Anderson's feints, ducking dodges and pin-point strikes are those of a modern-day ninja. That kind of talent comes from both a natural base and tireless work ethic, each of which demands the highest in discipline.

Best Example: Silva vs. Griffin at UFC 101

Jose Aldo

The UFC Featherweight Champion is so fast and ferocious with his strikes that many mistake his style for wild or uncontrolled.

But for anyone who has viewed his training regimen, it is clear Jose Aldo's combinations are drilled to the point of being second-nature.

Aldo's arsenal includes combinations that range from the basics to the elaborate. The Brazilian drills them endlessly in order to utilize them properly in fights. His reaction time and choice of combos is what makes him so dangerous and has kept him out of trouble for most of his career.

While Aldo's many natural skills play a part in his success, it is his discipline to the skill of dynamic striking that truly places him above the standard MMA striker.

Example: Aldo vs. Faber at WEC 48

Lyoto Machida

Since coming onto the scene at UFC 67, The Dragon has shown time and again he is one of the most disciplined strikers in the game.

Machida uses a karate-based counter striking style. The strategy demands keen self-control to avoid opponents' advances while recognizing split-second openings for one's own attacks.

The Brazilian wastes little movement when setting up shots. He wavers even less when feinting his opponent's strikes. He wastes virtually no movement when throwing his arsenal of kicks and punches.

Early in his UFC career, Machida was essentially too disciplined. He failed to knock out lesser opponents by playing a conservative game so as not to be a victim of his own poison. His knockout of fellow countryman Thiago Silva at UFC 94 marked a turning point. He's knocked out four of six opponents since that date.

Example: Machida vs. Bader at UFC on Fox 4

Frankie Edgar

It would be nearly impossible to have a list regarding discipline without adding a man who seems to keep his form no matter how battered and bruised he is. Frankie Edgar may have holes in his defensive game, but his ability to keep his form, speed and precision after being rattled is otherworldly.

This wrestler has found great success in his ability to string together blistering boxing combinations to complement his ground game. Edgar's boxing form is close to perfect when it comes to staying disciplined and never going wild.

No matter how often he is hit, and no matter how close to being finished, the former champion has used his discipline to last up to five rounds consistently.

Example: Edgar vs. Maynard II and III at UFC 125 and 136

Nate Diaz

While haters scoff at the Diaz style of striking, the form has proven effective for a majority of his career. The style is nothing if not highly disciplined, even beyond standard practices of MMA fighters.

Diaz utilizes a rare-to-MMA volume-punching strategy. The style demands constant pursuit while putting one's self in continual danger. The theory is to force the opponent to move away and strike, never allowing him to settle into a rhythm. Diaz can be seen staying focused and pushing the pace in every bout, regardless of what his opponent is doing.

The aggressive style is one that could be easily abandoned by lesser fighters. Not only is one certain to be hit while using it, but the effort takes severe patience.

While other fighters may fall into their opponents' strategy, Diaz sticks to his guns. The style allows Diaz to throws hundreds of strikes, all without tiring or fading in later rounds.

Example: Nate Diaz vs. Donald Cerrone UFC 141

Junior dos Santos

It is hard to follow your game plan while being punched, period. When men that weigh well over 200 pounds are punching you in the face, it is nearly impossible.

That is what makes Junior dos Santos one of the most disciplined strikers in the world.

The key to the Brazilian's success is twofold. First, he has his knockout power, which is nearly impossible to train. Second, JDS has footwork that is learned through endless drilling. The Brazilian's ability to move in and out of the pocket while throwing straights, hooks and uppercuts is made more impressive by the fact he is doing it at 240 pounds.

Most big men stick to what they are born with: power. JDS could have taken that route, but instead he decided to round out his striking. He trained himself to be a quick heavyweight.

That strategy takes discipline beyond most heavyweights in the world.

Moving in and out of the pocket with the likes of Roy Nelson, Cain Velasquez, Mark Hunt and Shane Carwin is a dangerous gambit. The only way to succeed is through severe discipline and trust in one's own skills.

Example: Dos Santos vs. Carwin at UFC 131

Anthony Pettis

Anthony Pettis is one of the most unheralded disciplined strikers in MMA for one reason: He breaks the barriers of what strikes can be thrown.

His discipline is akin to the kung-fu style of the drunken boxer or monkey style. By appearing to be wild and artistic with his attack choices, Pettis effectively shrouds his well-laid plans of devastation. 

Most everyone can recall the matrix kick that Pettis landed on Benson Henderson in WEC 53 (via MMA TKO). Fewer remember his picture-perfect left head kick he landed on Joe Lauzon at UFC 144, despite it being a more devastating move (via Gifulmination.com).

As the Dalai Lama once said, "Learn the rules very well so you will know how to break them properly." Pettis has done just that in MMA.

It is easy for a fighter with success to get sucked into "jumping the shark" and getting caught. Adherence to quality basics is what allows for Pettis to use flashes of creative brilliance in fights.

Example: Pettis vs. Cerrone at UFC on Fox 6

Dennis Siver

While the Russian-born German striker may not have the name recognition of the others on the list, he is on par when it comes to a disciplined stand-up game.

Siver's punches and kicks are perfect for anyone who wants to explain how a particular strike is thrown. The featherweight keeps his body squared toward his opponent, uses his legs and hips to create torque, releases from his back muscles and not his arm, and uses no superfluous movement during the strike. Everything he does is tight, sharp and effective.

Siver has never been a power striker, so his disciplined approach is what helps him be a victor more often than the victim. He sticks to his game plan and never deviates from a good selection of strikes and combinations.

Example: Siver vs. Sotiropoulos at UFC 127

Joanne Calderwood

If you didn't recognize Dennis Siver's name, then you certainly will not know Joanne Calderwood. She is, quite frankly, one of the most disciplined strikers in the game today.

Calderwood's looping-counter jab, devastating knees to the midsection, and step-in uppercutting elbow (a la Anderson Silva) are just a tiny fraction of what she throws in a given fight. Each strike is delivered with a cold precision that is italicized by the brutality with which it lands.

What separates Calderwood from so many that could have been added to the list is the level of calm she possesses while delivering them. She does not appear excited when her strikes land. She does not become reactive or panicked when she is tagged by her opponent. She simply lands blow after blow until her opponent is down. She is purely disciplined.

Example: Calderwood vs. Van Plettenberg at Invicta 4