BigJake Posted February 18, 2003 Share Posted February 18, 2003 I have experience in stand-up fighting (brown belt in Kenpo and 2 years boxing competition in the military) and would like to cross over into kickboxing. I would also very much like to compete in some NHB events such as "cage fighting", etc. My question is, is it possible for someone with a good kickboxing/boxing foundation to compete in these types of events? Or, since my stand up striking skills are good, should I concentrate more on learning some grappling skills such as judo or jiu jitsu instead of the kickboxing? I know according to most opinions the fights in these competitions usually end up on the ground but, I am not really interested in studying grappling enough to want to invest money and time in training specifically in that. And as I stated, I was in the military and trained in hand-to-hand combat enough to apply a choke or joint lock to end a fight, although I know some of those holds and chokes would not be legal in an NHB type of fight. I have only seen a few of these events on tv (one Pride and two UFC fights) but it seems as though the fighters are usually only trained in wrestling or grappling, so that is why I wonder if a kickboxer would be allowed to compete in one of these tournaments? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJS Posted February 19, 2003 Share Posted February 19, 2003 If you learn how to avoid takedowns then yes. most pure strikers get put on their back in the first minute...so eather learn some basic wrestling moves...(sprawl) or be prepared to fight from tyou back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tombstone Posted February 19, 2003 Share Posted February 19, 2003 of course. Don't cave in to that "Most people" crap. Do what you do best and have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BonnyBoy Posted February 19, 2003 Share Posted February 19, 2003 Yeah, you're allowed to. But, the chances are if you have no grappling experience, you'll have your ass handed to you on a plate by a decent grappler. There are always two choices, two paths. One choice is easy and its only reward is it's easy.It takes sacrifice to be the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Venezolano Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 I would suggest you learn some grappling, and takedowns defenses if you don't want to go to ground. Look at Chuck Lidell, he do Kenpo and Kickboxing, and has a very good takedown defense, so, of course you can enter in a nhb, but in nowdays, is better to be well rounded that only know stand up or grappling stuff alone. Valencia - Venezuela. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowsnow Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 I would learn some basic groundwork and sprawling before entering a NHB fight. just like everyone else said, a decent grappler will take you down without much effort... YS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenpo4life Posted February 20, 2003 Share Posted February 20, 2003 I think that it is much better for a striker turned grappler than vice versa. Strikers dont have to change so many elements of their game. BJJ guys for example dont move as fluidly as a striker. Look at the dominance of the chuteboxe team. They defend the shoot and ko their guys. I do the same in my training. A good strike can end a fight right away. Look at Mo Smith versus Kazunari. No grappling, just footwork and POW!! Night Night If my survival means your total destruction, then so be it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Molson style Posted February 22, 2003 Share Posted February 22, 2003 there have been fighters with striking backgrounds and grappling backgrounds that have excelled in mma. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jushin Posted June 15, 2003 Share Posted June 15, 2003 try to mix in shootboxing skills. Just knowing kickboxing will not be enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtmaniac Posted June 22, 2003 Share Posted June 22, 2003 Well, although Chuck Liddell are one of the best nhb fighters he never was a pure striker. He was a succsessful wrestler in college and thats why he's got so good takedown defense. All the Chute Boxe guys trains in wrestling regularly to improve their sprawls. The best example of a succsessfull, close to pure striker, would be croatian K-1 fighter Mirco Filipovic. Even Filipovic trains a lot of wrestling and bjj before his nhb fights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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