Today:
MYTH : Groovy´s main holes in his game are his Striking Defense and his Cardio.
Note: this thread can be seen as an
extension of these ones:
https://forums.sherdog.com/threads/...ths-part-5-the-true-evolution-of-mma.3807975/
https://forums.sherdog.com/threads/deconstructing-mma-myths-part-24-carlson´s-silence.3879035/
B4 his UFC run, Groovy fought in several regional events:
Mescalero Warrior Challenge 2
Kamikaze Fight League 2
Xtreme FC 25: Boiling Point
Pancrase 255
Jackson's MMA Series 13
Nemesis Promotions: High Altitude Face Off 7
RFA 32
TSE: Rocky Mountain Rubicon 2
Besides the 'special' El Cucuy fight (short notice fight, as a rookie in the UFC), that he lost while bein´game during the whole fight, he fought 5 other times in the UFC (earnin´
1 POTN & 3 FOTN):
2 [competitive] losses vs El Cucuy & Teymur
2 Draws vs Green
(controversial) & Frevola
1 [quick] win vs Makdessi
Groovy has a
wrasslin´background, but transitionned to MMA as an
unorthodox striker, basically..
When he fought El Cucuy, he was still a
Purple Belt in BJJ.
The recurrent narrative about Groovy´s shortcomings, since he started his UFC career, seems to be all about his Striking Defense or his cardio.
The truth is, these 2 elements are more
consequences than causes of his shortcomings...
His paradox is pretty
similar to Vitor Gracie´s one after he fought Wand:
while havin´the tools to develop a truly well-rounded game, Vitor
opted to rely solely on his striking game, forgettin´about the ground game and potential transitions that could win him the fight, or at least give him the round.
> See in this other Decons Thread:
https://forums.sherdog.com/threads/deconstructing-mma-myths-part-24-carlson´s-silence.3879035/
Groovy has
legit athletism and decent transitions when it comes to his
defensive grappling:
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But his transitions on the offensive end are strikingly hesitant and lacks 'conviction', to say the least...
Even when he initiates the grappling exchange, he seems to
never fully commit to a potential offensive transition...
In short, he´s got a striker´s mindset since he joined the UFC, while he had a quite a well-rounded game b4 (4 submission wins > RNC/Heel Hook/Arm Triangle Choke)
In all the tough fights where he got really challenged (
Reese [legit wrassler - ATT] in Xtreme FC 25,
El Cucuy/Teymur/Green/Klose/Frevola in UFC), he got some
13 rather dominant grappling positions where :
1/ He inflicted
zero damage, except once against Green (GNP or havin´his opponent´s back against the fence, absolutely no knees for instance).
2/ He failed to pass guard or
transition to a better position.
3/ He
failed to threaten with a legit submission, even when he got his opponent´s back on the ground.
1 out of 13.
> Cant post these 13 Gifs here in the OP, so watch for them in the 5th/6th post of this thread.
This doesnt mean that this
'hole' in his game/mindset cost him the fights, but he could have potentially
secured the round (and these grapplin´exchanges are quite problematic since he´s the one who sometimes initiates them >
consequences on his cardio).
Now, his striking is obviously what made him interesting since he joined the UFC, so it would be foolish to ask him to completely change his game, go full Ground Control...
Still, Groovy´s got to evolve since
he himself admitted that he cant cut to FW, and the [sad] reality of Modern MMA is all about weight-cuttin´ (Game is @ an all-time low...).
Groovy is not a small LW, he´s a natural one, but now @ LW you have guys like Chiesa, Khabib, El Cucuy who are not true LWs, realistically...
Hence, gettin´a new contract is not enough, Groovy has to think about his evolution as a MMArtist
: Gettin´ a new camp has been necessary since the Klose fight.
Time to...
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Shout-out to da Groovy Crew!:
View attachment 502405
@Air Lats @anacondavise @Andzso @ArtOfDrowning @Bacco @Ballsaque @BC @bigwaverider @beefcake180 @billharford @charalsias @chinarice @Chivas GDL @clumseygenius @Codpiece @Dana_is_your_GOD @DaPunkMinowaMan @Davey Crockett @Dead Kennedy @ditchbankbandit @djolegeorgee @Dragon Punch @drbolony @Dr Hannibal Lecter @DS7 @ejazahmednit @ElCasca @El Che @Elmonstro1 @Erocthadon @Essie @Flex Plexico @FranOlivetto @FrontNakedChoke @Gabe
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@Champ Gono btw bruv you one deep thinking son of a gun!
the champ shuttin fools down
muddafuqqahs that wanna hate. Always & forever. 
