Grappling getting more technical

[kimura_guy]

Well, I'm still new to the grappling side of MA, I was in the striking side years ago. I have to say that I enjoy the grappling (both watching and participating) more. But, both the striking and grappling arts have their place. I think you need a balanced menu of both to be all around. My instructor teaches JJ on two days a week, and TKD, MT on the third class of the week. I think that is a well rounded school IMHO.

 

KG

[Punchdrunk]

I think there is truth to both the major theories in this thread. The original format UFC's no time limit did favor the patient style of the Gracies.

 

However, you cannot seriously compare the submission grappling ability of most of those competitors with the population of today's UFC. Some of the older fighters looked amazed by sleeve chokes, armbars and triangles from the guard. Today's fighters would see those setups coming a mile away.

 

I also agree that the general fighting populations' increased facility at striking and groundwork has made the clinch the critical range in deciding a fight which is why Judoka and grecco roman practitioners are achieving a high level of success lately.

[judoguy]

I think there is truth to both the major theories in this thread. The original format UFC's no time limit did favor the patient style of the Gracies.

 

However, you cannot seriously compare the submission grappling ability of most of those competitors with the population of today's UFC. Some of the older fighters looked amazed by sleeve chokes, armbars and triangles from the guard. Today's fighters would see those setups coming a mile away.

 

I also agree that the general fighting populations' increased facility at striking and groundwork has made the clinch the critical range in deciding a fight which is why Judoka and grecco roman practitioners are achieving a high level of success lately.

 

Excellent analyses. Especially the latter part. One interesting match was Karo Parisian v Nick Diaz. Prior to the fight Nick commented that this was a bad match up for him. Nick is a much better striker then Karo but was very tenative in his striking against Karo for fear of big throws and take downs right into submissions. Nicks ground game was not the problem because he is very good on the ground, but his fear of clinching with Karo hurt him in the fight. Same goes for Randy Couture in all of his fights. He regularly defeats great strikers because they are too concerned about getting taken down, pinned against the fence and pounded. People had better start learning Greco and/or judo or you will see this happening more and more.

[judoguy]

And also Karo's ukemi is so good that when he gets taken down he just rolls right over you and reverses position easily. He has really incorporated his judo into mma very well.