At what point does a longer reach become a disadvantage?

[cevo]

Long legs bad for grappling?

Really lanky fighters tend to struggle with TDD and getting up from their backs, which is the most important aspect of grappling in MMA.

 

[LastingEffect]

Struve just forgot that he has to jab to win.

 

[LastingEffect]

Really lanky fighters tend to struggle with TDD and getting up from their backs, which is the most important aspect of grappling in MMA.

Damn, are you that dude, who said I am 5''7 in that other thread and haven't replied yet?

 

[cevo]

Damn, are you that dude, who said I am 5''7 in that other thread and haven't replied yet?

bro it's okay

 

[KONG-D'SNT-TAP]

Long limbs have both pros and cons

 

[laleggenda27]

It's never a disadvantage; provided the fighter properly uses the reach advantage. Sure, you can point out certain positions where a long reach might be disadvantageous, e.g., boxing at close distance. But that's just situational. From an overall perspective, of course a longer reach is an advantage. It makes a huge difference in the striking game, makes it easier to lock up chokes, and helps with ground and pound from guard.

 

[youngsteinel]

When you're so fragile, this happens.

 

[TheIrishPsycho]

When you have an IQ of 50

 

[mrbaapt]

Only when the person doesn't know how to adequately use it ie Struve.

Yes. Imagine if Struve trained with Wilder, he would add a whole new dimension to his game that most opponents could not deal with.

 

[campbecc]

It's typically a disadvantage to be tall and skinny in MMA unless you are a great wrestler like Jones. That's why you see pretty stocky guys in general in MMA.

 

[gotBooched]

What did I do? Just thought an NBA player would look funny in a small car with their knees up to their mouth while driving. Is there some joke there that I'm not seeing?

 

[WeirdFacts]

Literally had this exact thing on my mind when I wrote the NBA player analogy haha. Funny scene

 

[Kassitus]

Ape Index coresponds to winning.

 

[JacJeanFinger]

Tamdan should know

 

[markys00]

If your opponent closes the gap - in the clinch, etc

elbows?

 

[markys00]

i used to think length was a problem when wrestling, but now im more convinced than ever thats its a myth. jon jones

 

[blaseblah]

Watch Neil's fight against RDA. Even RDA himself mentioned how easy it is to control tall and lanky guys afterwards. Maybe I should have said wrestling instead, because playing from your back in MMA is worthless if you're not the very elite in jiujutsu.

So my answer to the question in the topic is that longer reach itself rarely is a disadvantage, but being too thin is (which correlates with longer arms and legs obviously).

Neil outgrappled Kelvin Gastelum, an excellent wrestler himself. RDA is just that good.