Why do almost no MMA wrestler develop an extensive kicking game into their arsenal?

[spacetime]

They tend to settle with low kicks and punching. Why is that? Is the transition to kicking later in life that much harder than to box? Aren't they naturally flexible from all those years wrestling?

Jon Jones is actually the exception with his spinning back kicks and high kicks

 

[gono btw]

They tend to settle with low kicks and punching. Why is that? Is the transition to kicking later in life that much harder than to box? Aren't they naturally flexible from all those years wrestling?

Jon Jones is actually the exception with his spinning back kicks and high kicks

Spoiler

 

[Daniel4802]

Maybe they think too many kicks would make them more vulnerable to getting taken down.

 

[spacetime]

Maybe they think too many kicks would make them more vulnerable to getting taken down.

That could be it

 

[FlyingDeathKick]

Lando, TJ, Rumble, Jones etc... In general I'd say Weidman vs Rockhold is the reason why. Maybe wrestlers aren't typically as flexible or coordinated.

 

[Martialbeef]

It's hard

 

[MMA Maine-iac]

Seems like wrestlers have the flexibility of a petrified oak

 

[Mortal Wombat]

Probably goes against everything they're taught about TDD. As someone said above Chris tried and he went from an undefeated champion to well you know.

 

[Clear Winner]

This thread is number 1 bullshit. At the lower weaightsthey almost all kick. All of team Alpha Male, Cruz, Dilla etc... do

Even back in the day Evans was doing it:

DC is an elite kicker too:

OK, maybe not him, but the others.

 

[GSP Rush]

Justin Gaethje, I know he doesn't use his wrestling as much but he's definitely got both there.

 

[superpunch]

Kicking just doesn't fit in with the rhythm of wrestling. Boxing naturally allows a rhythm that lets you mix it in dynamically with wrestling. Kicking at a distance.. just doesn't allow a dynamic use of your wrestling skillset. So, you become a specialist where each "phase of fighting" is discontinuous and choppy instead of a mixed martial artist mixing different styles together dynamically.

Kicking is dynamic for Jones because of his reach at LHW and his clinch game. There's no gap in range from kicking his range to clinching with other smaller guys. And he's excellent in the clinch and can use it to execute takedowns. So, he has a continuously effective range of offense and defense between phases of combat with no gaps in between. 99% of fighters without such a massive reach advantage would have a gap between those kicking and clinching ranges that would need to be filled by boxing.

You can have great kicking, great punching, great wrestling, and great submissions. But if they don't "flow" together, they're not dynamic.

Example of "dynamic" fighters (no gaps in phases of combat): Fedor, Cain, DC

Example of "choppy" fighters (have gaps in phases of combat): Cro Cop, Conor, JDS

 

[Franklin U.]

Because they're too busy honing their craft in taking someone down THE VERY SECOND someone raises a lower limb.

However- in becoming a complete mmartist, they should try - also most very good wrestlers are very dense ( muscle wise) from waist down so maybe it's more of a nature of their lower limbs being malleable. In fact , alot of them look awkward when throwing kicks.

 

[kimocomplex]

Cejudo is a heavy kicker, definitely in Legacy Fights before he joined the UFC

 

[D 1 Wrestler]

High kicks open you to takedowns and doesn't help set your takedown up

 

[Joe Myers]

This thread is invalid. There are countless wrestlers who are proficient at kicking.

 

[spacetime]

High kicks open you to takedowns and doesn't help set your takedown up

Most Wrestlers get quite proficient at BJJ, though, but maybe they are still more comfortable in top position from their wrestling days and can't get this out of their system

 

[spacetime]

This thread is number 1 bullshit. At the lower weaightsthey almost all kick. All of team Alpha Male, Cruz, Dilla etc... do

Even back in the day Evans was doing it:

DC is an elite kicker too:

OK, maybe not him, but the others.

That was actually a picture perfect Karate kick by Evans

 

[SandisLL]

Yes, i think that guys who didn't arts with a lot of kicks in youth doesn't feel enough comfortable with kicking.
There also psychology, cos less risky is to fail with low level or even middle section kick than with high kick where back is turned to opponent during kick execution.

From " pure " striking arts, not MMA, I don't know succesful A+ or A or B+ level athlete who transitioned from art without kicks to art with high usage of kicks after age of 18...
From mainly KB to boxing i know at least 2 guys who did succesful debuts even in pro level in boxing. Maybe there also they find where they just more talented, I don't know.

 

[cauti0n]

Gaethje is arguably the best kicker P4P

 

[DanMMAleague]

Wrestlers are a lot worse on their back than BJJ guys.

Honestly most MMA wrestlers could do with cross training in Muay Thai or Sanda more.

The level of countering kicks with takedowns in MMA is not great.

They are good at shooting singles and doubles and pushing people up against the fence but they are neglecting countering kicks with takedowns.