Who is dumb enough to purposely go to the ground in a streetfight.

[Ryu (non-working password]

Since this thread is still going on, I wanted to mention the fact that grappling doesn't always have to be on the ground anyway. Pushing a guy up onto a wall and headbutting him in the face is usually a fight stopper. You can also manuever the guy infront of anyone else and try to escape while you're still technically on your feet.
Also the knee on stomach position is great, and is less committed IMO than say mount or crossbody.
Guard is the LAST place you want to be.

Tony10, you have some great points there.
I'm thinking of celebrating with my "dancing man"
LOL, just kidding, I won't be putting that up.

But you seriously had some good posts.

Ryu

[Tony10]

Be warned, Ryu: put up "dancing man" and Steed comes out of the box. And you know how hard it is to get him back in.

To your point: if you've ever seen the Sperry Vale Tudo tape set, the first thing he shows is pinning an opponent against a wall/car/whatever--a virtual mount--from which you can easily strike, throw, double leg or even suplex him. Or, even better, if need be: disengage and run. All without going to the ground.

And then of course the rest of the series is on the ground. Good priorties, I'd say.

And as you said, I'd say knee-on-stomach is the second best alternative.

[CASCAGROSSA]

I am

[Ronin]

I MUST obtain the Sperry Vale Tudo series.

I have heard nothing but good things about it.

It sounds like Mario is one of the relatively few black belts who has his head screwed on straight about the difference between practice and reality.

Roy Harris as well, although teaching the guard as a "dominant" position is perhaps a philosophical error.

Strike first; then grapple.

[Ryu (non-working password]

Ronin, check your mail

I want those tapes as well. In fact, I'm going to start a thread about it.

Ryu