Quote:
Originally Posted by Acoustic
Kinda an odd question I have been throwing around in my mind for awhile. Say you are facing a really good wrestler and you are more comfortable on the feet (and maybe have a decent bottom game).
Would it be wiser to prepare your standup around defending the takedown (and possibly limiting your other striking elements) and fighting off the takedown at all costs (and getting tired), or strike like usual and let the takedown happen?
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In my mind one of the biggest misconceptions about jiu-jitsu by people who don't practice it and even people who do is people assuming that the guard is an attacking position and a position that you would strategically select (bad idea)--yes, you can attack from your back and perhaps submit or sweep, however guard is certainly a defensive position, and in my mind a last line of defense at that when you don't have a choice--it is always better to be on top, ALWAYS, and being underneath someone is generally a bad idea. The position is called the guard for a reason, because it is to guard yourself when being overpowered by a bigger or stronger opponent.
The guard exists because sometimes you don't have a choice and you end up on your back, but letting someone put you there in hopes that you are going to "catch" them with something is a poor strategy in any other situation beyond a jiu jitsu tournament--in real life you'd be playing guard off the concrete, not to mention that being stuck underneath someone when his buddy steps up to kick your face in is a bad thing as well-- in mma being on bottom creates the perception that you are not dictating the terms of the fight, and so you are losing points every time you allow a takedown, not to mention that one mistake of posture or hand control can get your head bounced off the canvas.
