Do you consider it cowardly for a great striker to wrestle against another great striker?

[UFCBlackbelt]

We often see these in "amazing" matchups when two highly touted strikers are to battle, that one striker abandons his striking and starts going for takedowns. What are your thoughts? Obviously, it's the most intelligent strategy for victory, but do you feel that it's a little cowardly to avoid striking when you face another striker?

 

[Arm Barbarian]

No.

It's called mixed martial arts for a reason.

It's not the ultimate kick-boxing championship.

 

[Texas]

In boxing, kickboxing, k-1, Muay Thai and tkd competitions yes


In MMA, no.

 

[MysticCam]

Don’t b scared homie

 

[Johnny_Knuckles]

 

[Death By Samson]

Absolutely not. It is MMA. You have the option to fight on the feet or on the mat. If your opponent has a weakness on the ground then exploit it.

 

[Raise Your Fist]

Hell no, that sounds smart to me

 

[omawho402]

There are times where I'm disappointed, but remain understanding. If two great strikers are matched up then yes it kind of disappoints me when one instigates grappling. But let's not confuse disappoint and understanding. I'm pretty much happy watching any fight!

 

[Shaddows]

We often see these in "amazing" matchups when two highly touted strikers are to battle, that one striker abandons his striking and starts going for takedowns. What are your thoughts? Obviously, it's the most intelligent strategy for victory, but do you feel that it's a little cowardly to avoid striking when you face another striker?

if this was a "match the style" battle, I'd agree.
but this is MMA.
You try different approaches until you find one you have the advantage over your opponent.

What is the point of trading blows? But take him down and control on the ground and you are not getting punched while you are doing damage... that's most effective.

 

[Espresso]

You see, Dana makes casuals believe this is cool.

How the hell is a takedown cowardly?

 

[Pito]

Where's the dislike button?

 

[OmegaRugal]

No as others have stated ... its MMA. Not boxing or kickboxing.

If your opponent has a weakness on the ground you can exploit ... why give them a straight up striking match?

Just beat them the easiest way you can.

 

[UFCBlackbelt]

if this was a "match the style" battle, I'd agree.
but this is MMA.
You try different approaches until you find one you have the advantage over your opponent.

What is the point of trading blows? But take him down and control on the ground and you are not getting punched while you are doing damage... that's most effective.

Let's say you are looking forward to Wonderboy vs Conor McGregor, and Thompson goes for takedowns the whole time. I think that would be disapponting.

 

[MMAfanJabroniJew]

No , if you're losing on the feet why wouldn't you try for a take down ?.

 

[csroster]

I guess it depends, there are situations where strikers use TD's and the continuing threat to open up their striking game. There are also times where maybe one fighter has zero ground game it's very smart to take him out of the only place he can win the fight (if he can't stop any TD's that's his problem to solve).

I'd rather see a slugfest than a hugfest, but that's easy to say when I'm not the one risking waking up on my back with a Shoop-thread already underway.

 

[Shaddows]

Let's say you are looking forward to Wonderboy vs Conor McGregor, and Thompson goes for takedowns the whole time. I think that would be disapponting.

Yes, it would.
But the problem here is your expectation, not the fact that a MMA fighter used his well-rounded skills against someone obviously not so well rounded.
You find what works, and you move for the kill.

If it is a strike (i.e. you Jab), you keep throwing it.
If it is a takedown and top control, you keep doing it.

Again, this is MMA. You should be well rounded. Or good enough to now allow someone else dictate where the fight takes place.

In your example, Conor either trains TDD or he suffers the consequence of not being well rounded.

 

[Source]

We often see these in "amazing" matchups when two highly touted strikers are to battle, that one striker abandons his striking and starts going for takedowns. What are your thoughts? Obviously, it's the most intelligent strategy for victory, but do you feel that it's a little cowardly to avoid striking when you face another striker?

I don’t ever consider a man signing to go fight another man in a cage cowardly. Do you?

 

[campbecc]

only if they made a gentleman's agreement not to wrestle like Lytle and Davis (I think it was Davis may have been Hardy I know it happened in a Lytle fight but I'm not sure which fight)

 

[DetachedOrchid]

There's a difference between throwing some wrestling in your gameplan and panic wrestling so no not really.

 

[campbecc]

I don’t ever consider a man signing to go fight another man in a cage cowardly. Do you?

I do if they are ducking all worthy competition to fight people who have no chance.