vs Ibuki

Statistics:
Stamina: 900
Stun: 950
Fighting Style: Ninjutsu
Fighter Type: Brawler
Strengths: Confusing mix-ups, high speed, good zoning
Weaknesses: Low stamina, mediocre damage

Character Videos:
Video Study #5: Iyo (Ibuki) vs. robin01 (Abel)

Offense Strategy:
Abel needs to get a few solid hits in to take the match. Pressure her from a far with st.LK, mix in a few Wheel Kicks and Step Kicks up close. Your objective here is to push her into the corner. While she has many ways to get her out of that corner, these options are not so effective if you keep a good distance. Abel has some good long range normals and Step Kick works so maintain the pressure. Make Ibuki lose her momentum and her cool to break down her defense. Even one misjudged reversal gives you the opening to take down a third of her stamina and open up more opportunities for the knock down mix-ups.

Under pressure, its actually in her favor to land her reversal on you and knock you down especially if she has EX meter to spare. Apart from that, she never ever wants you near her cause getting hit a few times means she's out.

Defense Strategy:
Many players tend to rush into the match to take those hits and end up falling into Ibuki's mix-up vortex, so be patient and look for those opportunities. Ibuki's offense revolves around knocking you down to allow for her mix-up shenanigans all day long. At mid-range, she'll try to poke with her standing MP or sneak in a Neck Breaker to ground you. Also expect many long-range battles with kunais, Neck Breakers and Hien's coming your way.

Notes:
- Ibuki mix-ups are very strong, knowing them is essential to winning this match-up:
1. Off target combo: If you're blocking this, block low and prepare to either tech, block high or watch for the quick dash behind you and block appropriately, or tech. Its crazy I know. She can also jump cancel from this to cross-up.
2. Off her Tsumuji(many kicks thing?): It's usually high, high, low to knock you down. Normally starts from her st.MP.
3. Off her air kunai: On knockdown, she'll throw a kunai and cross you up. The kunai hits/whiffs and either you block or eat a throw or whatever.
- If she does her EX KZG move and you block, she can throw a kunai after. This will make her move safe if you block. Make it a habit to hold FA after you block so even if she does launch the kunai, you can absorb the hit and counter after.