How much can muscle make up for technical flaws?

[superpunch]

Everyone thinks that Stipe is more technically sound but lots of people think that Ngannou will win anyways. They think this because Ngannou is stronger and faster.

That got me thinking -- just how much can muscle make up for technical flaws? How much worse can you be but still win at 5 lbs heavier? 10 lbs?

 

[Cozytoesflava]

Well, Brock was mediocre at best and won a title and defended it a few times.

 

[3nigma]

It compliments actual technical skill. If you're muscle bound and strong but your skills are complete shit then you're going to get your ass handed to you. You can't erase a lack of skill with muscle and run with it in today's world of MMA.

 

[FedorFanBoy]

It cant.

 

[AminoAcid]

The technically superior fighter would win more often than not.


However, the question is, how much more technical is Stipe than Francis? He got hurt in his last 2 title defenses, so it's pretty evident that he leaves a ton of openings, which a longer and faster fighter such as NGannou can take advantage of.


Big muscles =\= stronger fighter. When it comes to grappling and wrestling, the size of your biceps probably won't help you that much..

 

[wrestlefan]

All you need are muscles and athleticism and you can clean house in MMA with little actual combat training.

 

[BBMN]

It cant.

Sure did for Lesnar. I'm a big fan of the guy, but I know he's of limited skill and got by on simply being huge.

 

[cmw43]

I think overeem showed muscle ain't everything since he became better after having to come off his horse meat diet

Ubereem went 11-0 in MMA

Once he got busted after the Brock fight he's gone 7-5 with all his losses by KO.

 

[Roop Holstry]

Muscles are everything in fighting. Particularly biceps, traps, and pecs.

They should just measure each fighters arms before each fight and declare a winner based on size.

 

[Final Say]

Sure did for Lesnar. I'm a big fan of the guy, but I know he's of limited skill and got by on simply being huge.

His wrestling technique is great though

Ubereem went 11-0 in MMA

Once he got busted after the Brock fight he's gone 7-5 with all his losses by KO.

his skill level is also very high, too

It compliments actual technical skill. If you're muscle bound and strong but your skills are complete shit then you're going to get your ass handed to you. You can't erase a lack of skill with muscle and run with it in today's world of MMA.

facts

 

[cmw43]

Sometimes muscle can't overcome elite skills.

Like Worlds Strongest Man Marius Pudzianowski VS Tim Sylvia.

 

[cmw43]

UFC

He only had one fight as Uber and demolished Brock in two minutes. Came off the steroids and got KOd in 3 of his next 4.

Then he realised he had to make some changes cos he no longer had his Uber powers.

 

[xentreos]

It's a combination of both. In the gym my size and athleticism allow me to do well against big guys in our gym but when I roll with the best guys at our gym, one a 185er and the other a 170 pounder absolutely wreck my shit every time, especially if I'm already tired.

Better skills wins out almost every time. This is more of a bjj example but it's the same thing with boxing imo. Size and strength absolutely help and definitely can be the determining factor if the skills are similar but if you ain't got a skill set that really got you to the dance it's gonna catch up to you sooner or later.

 

[AminoAcid]

I remember a bunch of my friends - who are casuals - choosing Kennedy before the Gastelum fight because of his big muscles. They also said he would knockout a prime Anderson Silva and give Cormier a run for his money because DC just carries 'useless fat'.


Fking Lolz.

 

[BBMN]

His wrestling technique is great though

I thought it was good but not great. The only time it was truly challenged was by Cain, and Cain was able to just stand right back up like nothing. That was the exact moment my heart sank.

And that's kinda the point. He was technically good in one area, and average in others. But his strength made up for it. Even when he choked Carwin out, the sub was sloppy, but it didn't matter because he's 300lbs of fucking muscle. Same thing with his striking with Randy.... basic skills, but huge arms.

 

[Darth_Inv1ctu5]

I think Demian Maia can answer that. Technically almost flawless fighter who managed to shit down the throats of people ostensibly stronger left, right and center.

I think a gap can exist, just can't be more than 5-10%, if even that.

Now, it becomes a bit more complicated if you want to drill further down and talk about what that muscle does. For example, if a fighter is very explosive, that can mitigate some gaps in technique that, for example, a merely "strong" guy would still be vulnerable to. I'm looking at someone like Brock here, a very explosive fighter who could overwhelm an opponent fast enough to avoid technical striking exchanges. Were he less explosive and merely a big strong dude, he'd have had a harder time beating people who were more technically savvy. Maybe not the best example but you get the idea.

 

[esum80]

not much. technique and skill will always more often than not expose holes masked by athleticism.

 

[peytonlucy]

Sure did for Lesnar. I'm a big fan of the guy, but I know he's of limited skill and got by on simply being huge.

I hope this is satire.

 

[BBMN]

I hope this is satire.

Not at all. Feel free to rip it apart.

I'm a big fan, but if you think he was technically sound anywhere other than wrestling, and that his take downs and top control were simply a result of technical brilliance and not being 300lbs, than I would love for you to change my opinion.

Cain humiliated his wrestling and it broke my heart.

 

[fightfan70]

a great example would be frank mir vs lesnar. 1st fight frank wins by technique. then he bulked up and got smashed. the bulk did not help him. just like the bulk did not help lesnar in the first fight.