In combat sports such as boxing and MMA, an orthodox stance, also known as a northpaw stance, is one in which the fighter places their left foot in front, thus placing their left side closer to the opponent. Because it places the right side in the rear, the orthodox stance can allow for more rotation and distance to accelerate right sided strikes, in turn generating more power. This makes it the most common stance in boxing, as well as MMA, and primarily used by right-handed fighters.
Kurt Prenzel, boxer of the 1920s, displaying orthodox stance with left hand and left foot to the fore
American boxer Al McCoy standing in the southpaw stance
Stipe Miocic is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Heavyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is a former two time UFC Heavyweight Champion. As of May 14, 2024, he is #6 in the UFC heavyweight rankings.
Miocic in 2019
Miocic attending a baseball game in Cleveland in 2016