MMA is said to be a sport where anything can happen; well, for the past three years it has basically been the same thing. A takedown here, a submission there, and a straight punch that sends an opponent on the floor.
I have said this before, but it's true. MMA has not branched out to the hundreds of other styles that are out there.
Now everyone is gonna be like "they are proven in effective, etc., etc., etc." Have you ever seen a master in an martial art style that has been doing it since they were a child? They are amazing; they do things that just seem inhuman and they seem so confident in what they do will bring an attacker down. They know when and were to pull off the moves that they have drilled all their life in real combat because of years of training and learning.
Watch an episode of Human Weapons and check out some of the old masters of Karate and Taekwondo. I would never pick a fight with any of them; they would destroy anyone, no matter how physically fit.
What about Iron skills that every intense Kung Fu master has trained in? Is MMA filled with a bunch of pansies that they cant handle jamming their fingers into rocks, or letting their instructors hit them with bats? Think about a fighter who has mastered Iron hand skills, his fists would be just as big as Brock Lesnar's and twice as hard!
Research about Shaolin monks, and not the BS stuff on wikipedia. Most of them have been training since they were 5, and by the time they are 20 they have mastered at least a couple forms of iron skills, and have also been fighting several other kung fu masters in honor bouts. Those men are in some of the best physical and mental shape ever, they are in a state that no MMA fighter has ever achieved.
- B/R Ticket Guide
I would seriously bet on a Shaolin monk in a fight against a MMA fighter any day. Who is better, the MMA fighter with maybe 10 years of practice, or a monk who has practice 17 years of fighting and mind control?
That is another thing that sets apart great martial artists like Bruce Lee and a lot of the older masters from MMA fighters, they don't just physically know what to do, but their mind knows what to do and why to do it. They are in a state of complete and total calm and understanding. Have you seen an MMA fighter who just seemed like he doesn't care about a fight?
There are so many different philosophies out there about fighting and whats effective. Many people believe just because it's not simple means it's ineffective. There are moves in such techniques like Mizongyi, Long Fist, or Bak Fu Pai that just sound devastating, yet it takes such concentration and understanding to pull off that it is branded instantly useless. Well, what if someone did master those moves and used a Mizongyi Fajian punch and sent his opponent six feet across the mat?
How about instead of learning to get out of submissions, how about learning to not get into submissions? Several martial arts teach about not letting your energy get the best of you and to always control everything you do so that way you never let your energy put you into a bad position, aka get into a submission.
I'm not saying that everything can work, but I am saying there is so many other things that can be put into MMA. There is something else out there besides Muay Thai, wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu that can be even more devastating, yet no one has put the time in to find out.
Wouldn't it be cool to see two fighters going at it and then one of them suddenly swing their arms in some classic long fist moves and just bash the opponent in the temple with a hard back fist? Or to have a fighter do a boxing head bob under a punch and do a snake fist to the liver and end a fight that way?
Fighters need to take that chance and spend the time training in something new. Bruce Lee spent years looking at several martial arts and several training methods and look what he became, basically a god among fighters.
I just recently got a book that is basically a giant encyclopedia of martial arts. It has opened my eyes to how much MMA doesn't have, and what could be really useful in a match if only someone would come along and master it.
You know if one person mastered a new style and came in and started dominating in the ring, everyone would start to do the same. Look at BJJ, no one knew about that, then Royce dominated the fights and then suddenly its mandatory to have some form of BJJ training in order to survive a MMA bout.
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about 1 month ago
wow...You know its been a long time since you've written anything when you write an article thats basically the same thing as one of your previous articles...My bad.
from about 1 month ago
{Psst! CJ . . . I think an as yet undiscovered martial art discipline is out there calling your name . . . hear I?}
about 1 month ago
And I like the pic you selected.
from about 1 month ago
I read this last night, and still don't quite know where I stand on it. I can see both sides of the argument, but put into a comabt situation in which many disciplines are used I'm unsure how effective 1 particular style would fare against another as the sport evolves.
The perfect example to counter what I just said is your own example of Royce Gracie. He did just what I said I was unsure about, in comes this skinny unremarkable man dressed in pyjamas and proceeds to beat everyone put in front of him, wrestlers, brawlers, streetfighters, monsters in comparison to him, and as you rightly say the world goes crazy and BJJ is THE thing to study, it's seen as the be-all and end-all of the fighting world. If you do BJJ you're unbeatable. We've seen, tho', in a relatively short space of time that that just isn't true, and the athletes evolve quickly.
It seems that there are thousands of different martial arts, and while there are, they're based on a handful of key traditional fighting systems and theologies, they've just been tweaked and adapted by people who had the vision the break from the mould and think they could improve what they've taught. One of the styles you mentioned in your article has it's core in simple boxing, but it's been evolved, which is exactly what Gracie did with his teachings of original jiu-jitsu, and again, we've seen him be beaten several times. Gracie is no different to many old masters of their art. He learnt, he saw holes, he adapted the style to his own. It still isn't complete. Having said that, we're back to the old chestnut of there being no 1 superior style, there are only superior practitioners.
Also, some of the techniques you mention would be difficult to put into practice. The one-inch punch, for want of a better term, is a prime example. It's all well and good sending someone 10' across the room, but unless you have complete mastery of your energy and mind, which only comes after decades of dedicated study, the majority of people, while capable of doing it, need to concentrate, channel that energy, focus and then execute. Would someone have the time to do all that in a fighting situation, with, say, a pummelling Matt Hughes shooting in on them and slamming them to the ground?
I still have no idea which side of the fence I sit on this one. I do know I wouldn't want to start a fight with Wanderlei Silva, nor would I want to start a fight with some little bald-headed bloke dressed in a pink or orange bed sheet.
from about 1 month ago
That wasn't a reply to Joseph, it was to the author, I just clicked the wrong button.
from about 1 month ago
I thought the picture was rad too Joseph, and when I finished reading the article I thought I had found your long lost son. You guys should get together sometime for a drink (I mean a nice refreshing soft drink, not the other garbage).
about 1 month ago
I think this topic branches out in many directions. First off, this was a great article, with a very relative topic. Not so relative in the physical realities of the sport but more so in theory.
Martial Arts is a very broad term. The idea of martial arts though, in theory is a discription of centuries of teachings. There really isnt much traditional martial arts in MMA. MMA is a sort of hybrid of hundreds of years of teachings, theories, practices, and disciplines brought together to become the pinnacle of all approaches, on a grand stage for all to see. THe monks you speak of are more the traditionalists who live eath sleep and breathe their artform, the men we watch on TV are the final product fast forwarded a century or so geared with marketing and business in mind. Both are equally respectable in their own rights.
I totally agree that there should be more emphasis on the ideals of martial arts as a concept. I believe the history of the term and what it represents is very important and overlooked which is a detriment to the sport. Really in theory, most true traditional martial artists probably scoff at things like the UFC. While combat is the essence of most martial arts styles, it is not the goal. MMA is built around competition and indefinite combat for teh purpose of making a profit. True martial arts are meant to be a form of defense for peasants and monks against military or oppressors. Definitely not to profit.
I could go on and on about this. One thing is for sure, and Ive felt this way for a long time, MMA doesnt have a lot to do with martial arts. You make some great points about traditional martial artists, but in the end I think the comparison is moot. While there are obvious martial arts permeating MMA as we know it today, and some still respect the tradition, there isnt much tradition as a whole involved in MMA. That is very sad to someone who has been involved in some way shape or form with traditional martial arts since he was a small boy. Thanks for a great read, 5 stars and potd.
about 1 month ago
Im glad to see not everyone is a complete meathead here. I actually was just wanting to see someone do something new. like a fighter instead of learning cage control that will lead to a take down, how about learning some nice wing chun techniques to actually knock an opponent out against the cage, utilizing the fact that he has his opponent pinned to the wall.
IDK Ive been thinkin about this a lot, and I always believe that there is something in all martial arts that makes it effective. Lets get real, if it wasnt effective, would the people back the BC times be teaching it to their students, especially since it was more common to be killed or mugged.
from about 1 month ago
"Im glad to see not everyone is a complete meathead here. I actually was just wanting to see someone do something new. like a fighter instead of learning cage control that will lead to a take down, how about learning some nice wing chun techniques to actually knock an opponent out against the cage, utilizing the fact that he has his opponent pinned to the wall."
...because it doesn't work :)
Top MMA fighter get paid millions of dollars, and can afford any and all training partners, equipment, books and knowledge YOU have access to. If your claim above was true, they would use it.
Traditional arts worked then, but not now. Here is an example. Ever wonder why kung fu has no takedown defense against a single or double? Because when someone in front of your is holding a spear, you do NOT shoot at his legs, because he'll poke you with his spear. Who walks with a spear today? Nobody. Hence today a kung fu "master" gets taken down and elbowed in the face easily.
There are THOUSANDS of such examples of outdated VS modern.
cheers,
about 1 month ago
I'm gona let the BR goons take care of you Anthony.
from about 1 month ago
What do you mean CJ?
Do you have comments on the subject?
Usually when people have no legit arguments left on the subject they (usually young people do that) tend to call names or say "admins will take care of you".
I have not broken any rules or said anything bad. Just commented on the subject, and stated my take on it.
best regards,
about 1 month ago
p.s.
I'm still waiting on the name of any world class fighter with whom Bruce Lee had an actual full contact fight of any kind.
thanks,
about 1 month ago
He didnt fight them because he was basically teaching all of the world class fighters. He did fight in boxing matches and dominated his fights, but martial arts and boxing were seen as two completely seperate things. Saying that because he didnt go out and fight in boxing doesnt mean he was a bad fighter. Back then all there was were Karate tournaments that were complete and total disgraces to fighting. He created gear specifically to get more realistic fights. Bruce Lee himself even stated that he could beat anyone if they challenged him. With that statement don't you think all the "world class fighters" back then would have scrambled for a challenge? They didnt because the guy was a fighting machine.
from about 1 month ago
I dont give a fuck if I get kicked off here, if I cant express my views without havin dick heads like this sayin nonsense every twenty seconds then fuck it I dont want to be apart of this community.
from about 1 month ago
CJ,
(notes on your latest post)
Bruce Lee did not teach any world class fighters. He was training partners with Lewis and Norris, he learned as much from them as they did from him.
Bruce Lee did box, but only unranked amateurs. He never boxed any pro. His best performance VS Elms was weak. 3 rounds to TKO an unranked local champ amateur.
Yes, Bruce stated he could beat anyone, but saying something and actually doing it are two different things. Bruce Lee has also retracted that statement later in life, after Gene took him down with ease and applied a choke (4 times, just to prove a point)
Why would World Class fighters challenge a movie star? lol, do you see Van Damme challenge Fedor? No, Van Damme sits and cheers at Fedor's fights, same as Lee cheered for Lewis.
Calling users an "ignorant couch potato, lazy loser who sucks" is against the rules of this website. Apologize or be reported now.
Telling someone their opinion is wrong is "low"??? Welcome to real world man. People will not always agree with you. You should not get offended at that.
best regards,
from about 1 month ago
CJ,
This is a family website. Words that start with F and end with K (and it's not "fire-truck") are not allowed here.
And, if you don't agree with something I said, then state what it is and WHY I'm wrong, or why you hold a different opinion. Then I'll respond agreeing or disagreeing with you, then you agree or disagree further with me. This way we both learn (or one of us learns), and enjoy a discussion.
No need to cry or leave just because someone doesn't agree with you man.
I have read every Bruce Lee book, every Norris interview, every Lewis quote ever said about Bruce. My opinion is in no way "bullshit". And I never bought any Black Belts.
cheers,
about 1 month ago
machida anyone?????????....shotokan karate master and son of bruce lee lol ...god of mma and higher power to stoker " dafire" mac".....bhahaha good to see you havent changed ants.....i love the song by cindy lauper..."oh..i see your true colours shinin through"...yes i see your true colors and thats why i hate you...oh sorry love you...lmao...lol..?
stokerxoxo
from about 1 month ago
What I find particularly strange is that CJ has a pic of a wushu practitioner
(Shaolin monks these days are circus performers sponsored by Chinese government to jump around to attract tourism, hence they are wushu performers, not monks)
for his article, and mixes Bruce Lee and traditional arts in one bag.
But what he doesn't know is that Bruce Lee HATED Shaolin, wushu, traditional arts and even his own wing chun proper.
Bruce Lee had the harshest words to say about traditional arts, and pleaded with the world for development of MMA, but the world was not ready for MMA. Now that we DO have MMA, we have people like CJ who go back and toss Bruce Lee in with traditionalists... Bruce Lee is surely turning in his grave in horror right now...
about 1 month ago
CJ
Please don't respond to trolls. Just keep up with your quality writing.
from about 1 month ago
I was trying, but after like the 4th comment that he just randomly spewed out I was like wtf...
about 1 month ago
i think there are some true martial arts masters in MMA: Anderson Silva, Machida, the Nog brothers to name a few but in principle i agree with the article.
about 1 month ago
..be like "BRuce LeE" your idol CJ.. PLEASE/ "KEEP"..WHAT works and ignore what doesn't...
Anthony likes to stir shit...im a guy who has dealt with him on other websites...he is extremely knowledgeable..but he uses his knowledge as a weapon to beat people down..just my opinion...as Mr lupoli will tell you...*page 449 says acceptance is the answer...right joe??
/THANKS STOKER
from about 1 month ago
Lol well so far his credibility just went straight to hell telling me that a rumor was truth.
from about 1 month ago
CJ,
The incident with Gene carrying Bruce on his shoulders is a separate event, having nothing to do with bruce learning Judo from Gene.
In fact, given that Gene taught Bruce Judo and wrestling, Gene has taken Bruce down and applied every choke you can think of to Bruce on many occasions. Think of WHY Bruce learned Judo from Gene. it's because Gene showed to him it's effectiveness :)
Many moves you see Bruce do in movies (like the subs on Samo in Enter the Dragon) were taught to him specifically by his Judo teacher Gene Lebell.
Also, CJ I love your explosions, when you begin to call names and use F words. It shows how well you can debate and how much proof you have for your claims, and knowledge...
best regards,
from about 1 month ago
I didnt read one thing in that statment that held any weight to it...I guess thats what happens when your desperate for a come back. Im done with this cat.
from about 1 month ago
CJ,
Hint: Claiming that someone who doesn't agree with you is "desperate" or holds "no weight" doesn't mean it's true, even if you type it many many times.
Gene taking Lee down 4 times is a well known story, taking place when Lee wanted to see the effectiveness of Judo. Bruce's teacher Leung has also beat Lee in sparring. (But I suppose he is lying about it on his website, right?) A world champ dirt bike rider Lee's friend has always beat him in any strength test they ever did (but I suppose he is also lying) Bruce declining to box Ali and saying: "He is as fast and skilled as me, but much bigger, he'd kill me with one punch" is also a lie probably, right?...
Everything that doesn't portray Lee as someone who could KO King Kong with one punch is a lie. Right CJ?
My point is Bruce hated traditionalists. He loved MMA idea, and has tried to tell you that your "iron palms" don't work! He spent a lifetime trying to tell you this, but you just don't get it...
peace,
about 1 month ago
Looks like I accidentally erased my last comment thread.
No matter, you know what you wrote.
The reason I stress historical context is because certain moves worked ONLY within that context. That's something you apparently still need to understand. Don't call me a meathead, I can promise you I'm nothing of the sort. Please do your research instead of writing the same article over and over and polluting this fine website with your complaining. You say we're not reading what you write and we're just complaining, but I see the comments listing point by point counter-arguments, answered by mindless babble.
from about 1 month ago
but there are other moves that CAN work in an MMA setting. Why don't they use those moves that can work instead of the ones that don't.
Again I didnt say everything would work I said somethings could work. Again you fail to realize the whole picture Shaun.
from about 1 month ago
CJ,
Specify the moves you refer to please.
Guys like GSP train for many hours a day and get paid millions of dollars to fight. They need and can afford any and all training methods and knowledge. EVERYTHING YOU know, GSP knows, only better.
If a move works GSP would use it. If he doesn't use it it means it doesn't work, or doesn't work for him, or doesn't work as well as some other stuff that works better.
best regards,
from about 1 month ago
So then why doesnt GSP pull men into their guards?? People can be very dangerous on their back so why doesnt GSP?? By your logic since GSP doesnt pull those into his guard that its a bad move since GSP trains so much and knows what works and doesnt, so by not pulling people into his guard he is saying BJJ doesnt work.
Do you maybe think that GSP knows what works for him and doesnt care to branch out since he is the champ.
from about 1 month ago
CJ,
I think GSP doesn't seem to like the guard. He is not really a BJJ fighter. He prefers to have top position and use his wrestling to control position.
His wrestling is better than his BJJ, and in UFC wrestling is valued more. That has to do with UFC's official judging criteria, which favors the wrestler. It's entirely possible that in Pride or Rings GSP would fight differently, as they don't care about top position or even takedowns so much, they want to see sub attempts.
For example, by PRIDE judging criteria BJ would have won that fight with GSP.
from about 1 month ago
So what if a fighter trains for a long time and finds out that he is extremely gifted at a snake hand fist, and can hit peoples organs and livers so well that he can drop them with body shots. (the liver one is possible, but I wonder if you could actually jab like the lungs or heart hard enough to have any affect too).
Its just something new Anthony nothing more. Thats all I am asking is to see something new in MMA.
about 1 month ago
ANTHONY,I AGREE BUT
I fail to see how Bruce lee could actually hate shaolin priests..Bruce wrote the original story for the [popular tv show kung fu...which originally was about a wandering shaolin priest who went from town to town trying to be a pacifist..but ironically got into fights with townsfolk..David Carridine(SP) was excellent as the lead role (kwi chang Kane(sp) which was meant for Bruce lee.
Bruce Lee had a simple philosophy..use what works, use all forms, don't get stuck in one form and stagnate.. Life is a journey ..spend your life in a constant process of learning..and constantly throughout your life work hard to better yourself. Prepare your body and your mind..(as Muhammad Ali did)..be in constant movement ..like water my friend..flow!!
/stoker
from about 1 month ago
What I referred to is that Bruce had very harsh words to say about traditionalists in his writings.
In his book JeetKuneDo (TUTTLE edition) he makes tons of totally insulting comments towards crane kung fu stances, traditional training methods, forms, katas etc etc
When talking about traditional arts Bruce sounds nearly as bad as CJ's posts towards me :)
Danny Glover talks on Divine Wind about how Bruce told him that Muay Thai fighters ALWAYS defeated ALL and ANY kung fu masters every time.
Bruce also referred to traditional kung fu practitioners as "cripples" and "idiots" (I can get the page number from Bruce's books, and you can check it for yourself in your closest book store if anyone is interested)
Of course Bruce valued heritage, history and tradition of Shaolin and China in general. He just didn't agree with their fighting philosophies. And lol he was HARSH when he didn't agree.
from about 1 month ago
Anthony you constantly prove that your a meathead you yet cant comprehend the point of my article.
It is about finding something else that works, not traditional vs modern. Your an idiot since I have said this to you 3 times and yet you still dont understand.
from about 1 month ago
CJ,
Calling other users idiot and meathead is against the rules of ANY website or forum.
In your "article" you mentioned "iron skills" which is a traditional concept, as well as Wing Chun, which is also traditionalist. You also have a pic of a wushu practitioner (whom you like to romanticize and call him a "monk" because it sounds cooler) Hence I used logic to conclude that you refer to traditionalist arts.
If I'm wrong, please give me an example of a modern technique that you would love to see in MMA, but so far have not.
Thanks,
from about 1 month ago
A successful Spin hook kick. You generate enough moment and force to knock out an opponent easily, and done correctly can even leave your opponent completely and totally fucked. It isnt that hard to do, you just need flexibility and good timing. How about instead of throwing that counter punch you throw a spin hook kick and blast your opponent in the temple.
from about 1 month ago
Spinning kicks in general are slow to start and very easy to counter in almost every situation. They only work if the opponent is already dazed, at which point you're just racking up points for style. What a spinning kick DOES do is make you incredibly vulnerable for a takedown, one which will almost always give your opponent side control. That's why the only spinning kick we ever really see is the spinning back kick. Due to the lack of a complete rotation, it's much quicker to execute, so you don't telegraph it too much. Also, MMA fighters usually have a hard time countering straight kicks, the spinning back kick plays into this weakness.
We have a TKD 2nd degree that trains with us. Yes, his kicks are devastating, and I wouldn't want to be caught with one. Luckily, the spinning kicks are easily sensed and easily countered. As soon as he starts to wind up, just tuck the chin and rush.
from about 1 month ago
CJ,
Hook kicks do take place in MMA and K1 sometimes. Roman Zentsov scored a gorgeous one on Midoux in MMA for example. Check it out, it's a beauty, he threw it from far away, and it landed in a split second on Christof's head!
In K1 Badr Hari scored a beauty of a spinning hook on Peter Leko.
The reason you don't see it more often is because the spinning torso is easily picked up by a trained eye of a professional fighter. Top MMA and K1 fighters go out of their way to hide their intentions.
In Fedor's book:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0977731545/ref=s9k2a_c1_img1-rfc_p-3237_g1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=10AN6HF2ZVY7AVWWSQNH&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=463383351&pf_rd_i=507846
he spends entire paragraphs with countless stills and large diagrams explaining how he purposely rotates his body in a DIFFERENT direction from his strike, to confuse the opponent!
GSP throws a spinning hook every now and then, and Hunt did one on Crocop but just missed by a hair.
It seems top fighters prefer easier faster attacks, but use the hook kick as surprise.
just my two cents,
peace,
from about 1 month ago
Watch professional TKD fighters, where timing is KEY. Im not talkin about a full tornado kick or step forward spin kick, im talkin about that simple quick spinning back hook kick from the back leg thats quick to pull off. Your leg is longer than his arm, just set it up so that way when your opponent commits a punch you counter it with the spin hook kick. Ive grown up watching this maneuver pulled off, and if it could put a man down to the floor with a helmet on then imagine it against a person without any gear. The person on the receiving end wont know what hit him.
I have seen most spin kicks in MMA they just throw them, no set up no nothing its like hey look what I can do. If you set it up properly its like gettin someone in a submission.
from about 1 month ago
CJ,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri-MfGxxnnk
As you can see TKD doesn't cut the mustard in real life as well as in demos and theory. Notice that the TKD guy is a World Class TKD practitioner, and threw the spinning hook you refer to with blinding speed right at the start.
It's just not that easy CJ. The opponent is not going to stand there and wait to be killed. This is why fighters prefer to go for safer attacks. If you miss a punch, ok. If you miss a spinning hook, you may be in serious trouble.
from about 1 month ago
If you get it down to light speed like a TKD fighter than I dont see the draw back especially if you set it up correctly. Now yes TKD doesnt work in real life fight situations, but I havent watch an MMA fight where a mma fighter saw someone do a spin kick and instantly backs up, their usual reaction is to back the fuck up and thats when it isnt set up. What if u set it up to catch them right when they throw a punch, there is no escaping a well timed hook kick.
I actually think that would be cool, it could be a whole new level of attack. Setting up the knock out strike like a submission. Like instead of maneuvering ur body to draw your opponent into a traingle, maneuver into a position that forces ur opponent to over commit a punch and then bam back kick to the face. Back kicks have proven themselves worthy in MMA.
about 1 month ago
ok..
I agree with all that..would you say the reason modern day mixed martial arts is headed towards being well rounded has more to do with what thrills the audience or because the old stuff like wrestling,karate,tkd,kung fu no longer work in real fight situations?
/stoker
from about 1 month ago
I think, MMA certainly does NOT thrill the general audiences, since general audiences are often not educated about ground game. MMA is for selected few who are hardcore MODERN and EDUCATED Martial Arts fans.
This is why the refs began separating the fighters after a clinch, and boxing evolved into a no-grappling art... because average people understand a punch to the nose, but don't understand Fedor's arm-positioning in Nog's guard, and how it's different from say Coleman's arm positioning while in Nog's guard.
Traditional arts work just fine when tested and tweaked. Machida has no problem using Karate, and Cung Le does just fine with Kung Fu. Jeremy Horn is a big Ninja devotee. What DOESN"T work is when traditionalists just stick to their old stuff, never test it, never refresh their art, never tweak it, never experience a punch to the nose, never actually put their supposed skills to the test. All they do is critique MMA. It's a disgrace to traditional arts, which are just fine per say.
my two cents,
about 1 month ago
yeah,
guys like ken Shamrock and Matt Hughes who are wrestlers and rely on that alone ..they are stagnated into one form...never growing or evolving..so they get left behind by guys like Anderson Silva who is a pro boxer and also specializes in other disciplines...or GSP.who isn't great at any one form but very good at all forms..
THANKS STOKER
from about 1 month ago
I think Kenny and Matt Hughes do try to evolve, it just doesn't work for them very well :(
Some people really like to stick to their base. Like Kevin Randleman, you can teach him BJJ all day, but as soon as the fight starts he takes people down and tries to pound them out. He just doesn't learn.
Anderson and GSP are crazy motherf_ckers. Constantly evolving, training with different people every time. GSP has traveled to Brazil and even learned the language a bit. Anderson has an absolutely sick training camp, he has Nog to roll with!!!!! And Santos (kickboxing undefeated HW Champion 17-0) to practice striking with. Anderson should move up, he makes 185 division look like a white belt class.
from about 1 month ago
Matt Hughes was actually really good at utilizing his advantages against his opponents. He knew he couldnt strike, but it still didnt stop him from trying to strike his way into a take down.
The only reason he is gettin his ass kicked now a days is because he is no longer doing set ups and is just bulldozing in the most telegraph-able take down ever and is easily being countered by people who are just as strong.
about 1 month ago
The key phrase there is 'strike his way into a takedown'. Matt Hughes was, essentially, the Tito Ortiz of the welterwights. He had great wrestling skill, and great strength. Wrestlers have a different mentality to most other athletes. Most wrestlers have been doing it since they were kids, it's almost like it's blueprinted into their DNA. Very few wrestlers develop alternative skills to a level that's equal to or better than their grappling, and when all else fails it's almost like they regress to what they've always known. It worked during the infancy and growth of MMA, but as we've seen it's no longer as dominant as it was, and the fighters have and do evolve. Compare that to, say, GSP, great wrestling, but he'll also strike, submit, he's willing to try something out of the ordinary. A wrestler reverts back to wrestling, and, since wrestling doesn't win matches, resort to GnP and lay-and-pray.
The only exceptions I've seen so far are Koscheck, who's stand-up has improved beyond recognition, and Lesnar, who was happy to stand and trade with Couture and throw knees as well as hands. Sherk, too, has better stand-up than he did. Pulver has great striking, and was one of the earlier wrestlers who realised he needed to add more facets to his game (and he still realises that). Contrast that to Hughes, a training partner of Pulver, who has been found out a lot in the past couple of years because he didn't evolve.
about 1 month ago
so who are you liking in the faber/pulver rematch??..i like the lighter weight classses in mma ..they are faster and throw 3 punch combos..instead of the one punch cans of heavyweight div.
/stoker
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