Free Step Dodge

That's what I've been working on lately. It's really helped.

Once you get the life lead, be a dick to them and grieve your opponent to come to you. If they attempt to go for some stupid manny special throws at you, whiff some moves that has decent recovery and range.

Or you can pick up Leifang and 1P+K those fools! Bwahahahah!

The good thing about whiffing moves from a distance, if a manny special is attempted, you'll catch them on legit counter hit stuns and make sure you make them pay for doing so.