Just Topics...

[jubaji]

A few topics to stimulate discussion:

All things being equal, what do you think is more likely: Being taken down hard by someone good at that, or being knocked out by someone good at that (assuming these two 'good' people are fighting each other)


For striker-type folks: What would you most recommend to a pure grappler to improve his odds against a pure striker if he only had a very limited amount of time to devote to this kind of training


For grappler-type folks (hey, that's me!): What would you most recommend to a pure striker to improve his odds against a pure grappler if he only had a very limited amount of time to devote to this kind of training


These questions are not for the purpose of 'beating' an expert in that area, just making the most improvement in the least amount of time (however limited said improvement may be assumed to be)

[Bjjexpertise@be]

As a grappler, I'd recommend to any striker to work more on his clinch work. Knowing when and being able to clinch up can stuff a takedown and allow you to get some good shots in on the break. Also, it seems to me that people are focusing a lot on sprawling and neglecting clinch takedown defense so it would be a good idea to spend some time into unwraveling the mystery behind clinch takedowns.

[jubaji]

Very good point.

[Garland]

A few topics to stimulate discussion:

All things being equal, what do you think is more likely: Being taken down hard by someone good at that, or being knocked out by someone good at that (assuming these two 'good' people are fighting each other)


For striker-type folks: What would you most recommend to a pure grappler to improve his odds against a pure striker if he only had a very limited amount of time to devote to this kind of training


For grappler-type folks (hey, that's me!): What would you most recommend to a pure striker to improve his odds against a pure grappler if he only had a very limited amount of time to devote to this kind of training


These questions are not for the purpose of 'beating' an expert in that area, just making the most improvement in the least amount of time (however limited said improvement may be assumed to be)

It really depends on the time of day, weather, temperature, and what the Farmer's Almanac says...along with what the daily horoscope and tea leaf readings say to decide whether a top-notch grappler or a top-notch striker will win in a match against one another. If the striker is good on his feet, and knows how to defend against takedowns and stay in his range...then the striker has a good chance of winning...if the grappler can manage to close the gap and put the striker in his element...then the grappler has a good chance of winning. I'd go so far as to say that in a ring fight...the grappler has a 7 out of 10 chance of winning...they have more ways to. They can lay and pray, they can use submissions and chokes, and they can ground and pound, etc.

I've heard that it is easier to train a striker how to grapple than vice-versa...but I'd imagine that focusing on the body mechanics, the footwork, and the nicities of the techniques slowly and with extreme attention to detail would be the best way to "correct" shitty form in the transition. Repitition is the mother of all skill.

For a striker to learn grappling...Shit. I'm out of my element on that, and would greatly like to see opinions.

[The_Judo_Jibboo]

A few topics to stimulate discussion:

All things being equal, what do you think is more likely: Being taken down hard by someone good at that, or being knocked out by someone good at that (assuming these two 'good' people are fighting each other)

in the ring i think we've seen that pure grappling vs. pure striking, the grappler has a better chance of imposing his game plan. i think Garland's 7 out of 10 is pretty accurate here.

but taken down hard (which i assume means fight-ending or near-fight-ending) i think the odds even out more, still in favor or the grappler, but only very slightly.

For grappler-type folks (hey, that's me!): What would you most recommend to a pure striker to improve his odds against a pure grappler if he only had a very limited amount of time to devote to this kind of training

i would say, learn how to keep his hands off you! one step better than a good sprawl is knowing the range a guy can shoot from so instead of reacting to his shoot, you can anticipate and take some initiative. I agree with Garland again that the sprawl has been emphasized to the point of ignoring other important tactics, especially for outside the ring where downward elbows to the spine and back of the head come into play

if you're going to work on only one element of your striking game to fight a grappler, i'd say go with accuracy. it's seems that in MMA for the better grapplers who don't just run in, it's usually a missed strike that opens up the way. with a good stiff, accurate jab you can control his head, which is as good as controlling his whole body. he can't move in if you're moving his head back. same goes for kicks to the legs, just keep 'em quick

[jubaji]

! one step better than a good sprawl is knowing the range a guy can shoot from so instead of reacting to his shot, you can anticipate and take some initiative.

That's a good point. Too often these days you hear folks repeating 'sprawl' like a mantra that will magically protect them. If all you are doing is reacting to the shot, you are not going to be able to stop someone good.

[SamuraiGuy]

For the second one, I think its a bit ridiculous to say "I would teach the striker how to grapple in the clinch" assuming this is just a bare minimum thing we are takling about... why not say "I would teach him how to fight on the ground".

And yeah, the sprawl is kind of weak, because any good wrestlers shot doesnt end when the other person defends, you get into the game of finishing the shot with whatever defense they present.

In 5 minutes, I tihnk the best think you could teach a striker about grappling (assuming that he wants takedown defense grappling).

Underhooooooks.

They shoot, underhooks can get you outa that one, in the clinch if you get underhooks it GREATLY limits their takedowns as they dont have control of the hips.

[Sagacious Lu]

I'd recomend that the grappler concentrate on protecting his head because if he's in shape he can probably afford to eat a few shots to the body or legs, but a shot on the jaw will end the fight. Other than that I'd recommend trying to get a take-down ASAP. A shot might be a better option than trying to work from the clinch, especially if the striker has a good Thai clinch, but than again maybe not. As a striker I'd want to control the distance to stay out of range of a shot and avoid clinching. I'd only want to get close to throw a quick combination and then get out of range. I'd be looking to land a big shot to try and end it ASAP.