by mok » Fri Jan 02, 2009 9:30 pm
Dude - just some food for thought:
Wrestlers and judoka also practise years of trying not to be put on the ground, and against other skilled wrestlers/judoka to boot... Yet the end-result of every round in every wrestling or judo bout is almost always inevitably that at least one of the 2 will end up on the ground. Which of the 2 ends up there is a question of skill, and with equal skill it comes down to size, strength, or a toss-up (luck).
Now I'm not disputing that years of stancework and proper rooting/ structure won't help you - you may even up manage to up your odds to that toss-up, depending on some transferable skills and raw athletic talent (GSP is a perfect example of this, BTW). But at best, all other things being equal it remains a toss-up.
Granted in wrestling or judo bouts, both opponents are trying desperately to hit the ground (though with a different opinion on who should be on top), but the fact is that it is impossible to 100% guarantee you will not end up there. That's what I meant by superlatives - try to stay away for "100%" this or that, there are no absolute certainties in anything, least of all fighting.
It is true however that the years of submissions fighting being the only game in town are over. Last UFC was basically all standup, granted dished-out by individuals who are skilled in both stand-up and ground game... but the balance has swung back to the left, and with enough strikers who are willing to take chances and not fear the ground it's refreshing to see striking delivering the ass-kicking it was meant to.
What is the sound of one-hand clawing?