Have strikers lost the edge in striking?
GSP TKOed, Sylvia got rocked early and lost a decision, and MMA’s most feared striker Vanderlei Silva got KOed. All these MMA sprawl and brawlers got hurt or finished by a grappler’s superior stand up. What they lack in form they more than make up in effectiveness but how?
How does a striker like GSP who is faster, stronger and just plain bigger then his opponent get finished early in the first?
I feel that it’s the lack of fear of being taken down that helps these grapplers more than anything in their standup. These grapplers can throw with almost reckless abandon as they never have to fear an opponent’s potential takedown. They can train stand up almost exclusively as their grappling will more than likely be untested. Grapplers are now willing to go toe to toe with a striker feeling that everyone has a punchers chance and it has been paying off with belts as the reward.
We all knew that GSP could more than likely take Serra down but that he never would. Serra’s superior Jiu Jitsu was enough deterrent to keep the fight at it’s feet where GSP felt he more than likely had the advantage. Serra knew that too so he was able to let his hands go while GSP had to wonder “Is this punch being used to set up a takedown or will it be followed up by another strike?”
I believe this to be the case with Tim Sylvia who was rocked early in his fight and was never able to recover. Randy confident in his standup grappling had nothing to fear when he threw that low kick over hand right. Randy never had to worry about being on his back where he was quickly finished by Ricco because Sylvia was content to keep the fight on its feet.
Now will this be a hint to who will win the next UFC Lightweight belt? Quinton Rampage Jackson is a great striker who is also known for his grappling. Quinton used his grappling to stay on his feet against guys like Arona and Randleman. No doubt he will be able to keep it standing versus Chuck who has to worry about takedowns and strikes. Working with Carter Williams and Bas Rutten can’t do anything but help. Will this current trend in MMA be the downfall of one UFC most popular and dominate champions? This article thinks so Quinton by TKO round 4.
Brad Doerges
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