We can’t say for certain, the answer is “We don’t know.”
But truthfully, the average MMA fighter does use more varied techniques in combination than in the past. They blend multiple techniques together more seamlessly.
I mean, look at the takedowns. Before you Coleman style doubles, basic stuff, no you got guys using a over the shoulder & single leg combined to force a takedown, like Frankie Edgar likes to do. You simply didn’t see that stuff back in the day. Calf kicks? I’m sure they’ve been around since Burma and Siam were going at it, but notice how they implement them with more regularity now?
The sport has evolved, the athletes are getting better using a variety of tools and strategies. We don’t know what would happen in an old school tourney which I’m very familiar with, but that doesn’t mean they’d lose, we just don’t know.
One thing is certain, without gloves and full hand wraps, punching would be more risky. You can break your hand even if you win, and fighting 3-4 times in one night would be virtually impossible, without taking tons of punishment. Gordeau fought Royce after spraining his wrist, having his foot bandaged from Tuli’s tooth. That’s not what you want to have going into a new fight.
