Sakuraba....

[Crash Stitches]

It seems to me that Sakuraba is one of (if not THE) best grappler in MMA. I have yet to see him out-grappled. He beat Newton, Braga, Conan Silviera, Tiger White, Belfort, Renzo, Royler, Royce, etc...and all are world-class grapplers. Any opinions on this?

I know they're comin'....

[Ice Phoenix]

Yeah, he's good, but can he mix it with Rickson?

[Szczepankiewicz]

Sak is one of the best fighters, and probably THE best showman that MMA has to offer.

[Crash Stitches]

I'm sure he can mix it with Rickson, seeing as he beat all the other Gracies, and Rickson's over 40 now. Rickson has yet to prove himself against any A-level fighters. Hell, Royce beat 'em all, including Severn and Shamrock, and Saku make Royce look silly.

[Crash Stitches]

also, how about the way he made Conan Silvera tap? Silvera was a Black Belt under Carlson Gracie, and 240 lbs SOLID. Sak had to beef up to 203 to get in the heavyweight bracket (he goes at 185 now), and he nailed Silvera. Anyone else notice that Saku never uses the guard? He'd rather give you his back....

[MrPoopy]

I'd rather get back to standing than pull guard on someone that's not wearing a gi.

[Crash Stitches]

jeeez....

man, this forum's just chock full of hot, opinionated action!

[Ice Phoenix]

But MrPoopy, what about if they were wearing shorts/pants and a shirt and they were unskilled? Would you still go to knees or use your guard?

[MrPoopy]

If it was pretty obvious that they were unskilled, then I might go with the guard. But if it's a real fight I'm not going to get too technical. I'd try to get a dominant position on the way down and keep it. I just don't want to put a strong guy in the guard and get pounded. In class I've been avoiding the guard more and more since we're not wearing gi's. I've been a little more successful by doing it.

[knightsabre]

Actually,

the reason Sak didn't use the guard was because of the old pride rules which protected a fighter who turtled.
If you watch Saks latest fights especially after his first beating from Silva,he started using the guard.
He used it against Jackson and also in his second fight against Silva.

[Crash Stitches]

good point...

I was reminded of how his turtle defense became obsolete when I bought Pride 13 last week....yep, skull fractures suck. Damn, but he took a beating and never quit! Bushido!

[Mr. Miyagi]

I don't think his turtle defense is obsolete at all, it just doesn't work against a monster like Silva. It seems to baffle all the elite grapplers he's been up against. Sak is a great fighter but he couldn't beat Silva. It doesn't mean that he suddenly has holes in his game; he just lost to one of the best out there. He submitted Braga and I think he could beat Pele or Militech in a similar manner and those guys can hit hard too.
Silva is at the top right now, that's all there is to it. I wouldn't mind seeing Silva and Braga go at it.

[Crash Stitches]

it wasn't the fact that he lost to Silva that exposed his weakness, it was the Pride rule change that suddenly allowed soccer kicks and knees on the ground from the turtle that got his ass handed to him. I just don't think he was ready for that.

[Mr. Miyagi]

Yeah, maybe that rule change hastened his defeat against Silva the first time around but the end result was the same the second time as well. I think Silva is just too big and ferocious for him, I don't know what other middleweight would be able to do that to him.
If Silva and Belfort fought again my money would be on Silva.