Marcelo Garcia / Andre Galvao in wrestling

[206crazy]

I'm sure they would do well! If you train anything that long, you can catch on to things easier because your attention to detail and muscle memory.

I wrestled against a hs state champ and he was surprised at how good my standup was and I don't even practice takedowns. He said the only problem I had was my footwork, which can be taught pretty easily. I'm a brown belt and not even remotely close to the level of talent those guys are.

Didn't someone on here say they knew an average blackbelt who went and tried out for wrestling in college and made the team? I just don't see how a black belt world champ like those you mentioned wouldn't do well if they practiced straight wrestling...

[bvn]

Originally Posted by jasonbass

As far as how Andre would do against wrestlers, we had come the Cal State coach come down and Professor went toe to toe with him scoring and stuffing takedowns, but more importantly, after 20 minutes, Andre was still fresh as a daisy.

That is really interesting. Does Andre regularly bring in wrestlers to train with him?

Maybe Andre should try out for the Brazil national wrestling team for kicks! Especially with the Olympics being in Brazil 2016 - granted he'll probably be too old by then. Maybe someone younger.

[PointyShinyBurn]

^ Both Cyborg and Calasans have competed internationally for Brazil in freestyle, you can look them up here:
http://www.foeldeak.com/wrestlingdat...hp?language=en

There are some videos of Calasans on YouTube as well: http://www.youtube.com/user/mirtico/...uery=calasans+

[BJJArsenal]

I was just going to say that. Cyborg and Calasans are both on the Brazilian national wrestling team. I think Justin Rader could make a transition to pure wrestling very well, but he's been wrestling since he was 3. That reminds me, does Rader actually have any credentials in wrestling? High school/college etc, I looked once and couldn't find anything.

[Bleep]

Originally Posted by QTdd

I knew I'd get responses to that statement.
Being big and strong doesn't make you a talented athlete.

Palhares is a good athlete, though. He could do very well in wrestling.
But not because he's strong, but because he's a fairly talented athlete.

I'm actually going to have to agree with you on this one.

Galvao isn't 'athletic' par excellence. His biomechanics, particularly hips, are a dead giveaway - they're too wide for someone of his height for him to be 'athletic'. He won't be explosive enough as a wrestler compared to say, Jacare, Terere, Buchecha - who are all natural athletes, and then some. Yes, this means I don't think Xande is naturally athletic either.

I think people are mistaking 'engineered' athleticism for natural ability (look at him at ADCC 2005 vs now). Galvao's strength, balance and explosiveness stem from his hard work in the weight room and on the mat, and perhaps his talent in BJJ as an art, not his innate gift as an 'athlete'. Sure, he has enough, but definitely not top notch. So yeah, I believe him when he says he's not the most gifted. It does show how far hard work can take you, though.

[BJJArsenal]

Originally Posted by Bleep

I'm actually going to have to agree with you on this one.

Galvao isn't 'athletic' par excellence. His biomechanics, particularly hips, are a dead giveaway - they're too wide for someone of his height for him to be 'athletic'. He won't be explosive enough as a wrestler compared to say, Jacare, Terere, Buchecha - who are all natural athletes, and then some. Yes, this means I don't think Xande is naturally athletic either.

I think people are mistaking 'engineered' athleticism for natural ability (look at him at ADCC 2005 vs now). Galvao's strength, balance and explosiveness stem from his hard work in the weight room and on the mat, and perhaps his talent in BJJ as an art, not his innate gift as an 'athlete'. Sure, he has enough, but definitely not top notch. So yeah, I believe him when he says he's not the most gifted. It does show how far hard work can take you, though.

So basically you just said 'he's not athletic, but really he's quite athletic'.

Just because someone's not naturally athletic doesn't mean they're not once they've built themselves up to that standard.

[DCLXVI]

Originally Posted by QTdd

What a joke you guys are. No, he's not.
He's an elite level grappler, but he's not even close to being a fantastic athlete.

You guys should stop thinking that being big makes you a great athlete.

Aldo, Dodson, , Velasquez, Dos Santos, Manuwa, GSP, Jones, A. Silva, Penn, Koscheck, Sonnen, Pettis etc. are great athletes.

Is Bonnar athletic because he's huge? What about kingsbury? No, they'r not very athletic.

[mtruitt76]

Originally Posted by QTdd

I've done BJJ longer than almost anyone on this forum. I'm not discrediting his skills at all.

We all admire your dedication. Keep hanging in there, I am sure you will get that blue belt soon.

[kying418]

Originally Posted by Bleep

I'm actually going to have to agree with you on this one.

Galvao isn't 'athletic' par excellence. His biomechanics, particularly hips, are a dead giveaway - they're too wide for someone of his height for him to be 'athletic'. He won't be explosive enough as a wrestler compared to say, Jacare, Terere, Buchecha - who are all natural athletes, and then some. Yes, this means I don't think Xande is naturally athletic either.

I think people are mistaking 'engineered' athleticism for natural ability (look at him at ADCC 2005 vs now). Galvao's strength, balance and explosiveness stem from his hard work in the weight room and on the mat, and perhaps his talent in BJJ as an art, not his innate gift as an 'athlete'. Sure, he has enough, but definitely not top notch. So yeah, I believe him when he says he's not the most gifted. It does show how far hard work can take you, though.

I agree with these sentiments as well (although I admittedly have only watched a few of his matches)

I like Andre, and I think it is a testament to him, that he has trained his ass off to become a great athlete (even if he is not a "naturally gifted" one)

[flowroller]

Marcelo wrestling with Johnny Hendricks

http://www.mginaction.com/VideoDetai...?VideoId=14955