• Xenforo Cloud is upgrading us to version 2.3.8 on Monday February 16th, 2026 at 12:00 AM PST. Expect a temporary downtime during this process. More info here

Ilia tells why training MMA sucks

Sms_productions713 said:


I agree with him, and I hope in the future, the younger guys follow this so they don’t turn into shit fighters. MMA as its own discipline I think has really watered down every skill set.
Click to expand...

Maybe what you’ve said has gone over my head but watered down ? They’re training for the UFC. They’re not pro boxers or preparing for the Olympics. It would make more sense to train eg - boxing for mma than its own discipline.
 
RichardHarrow said:
Maybe what you’ve said has gone over my head but watered down ? They’re training for the UFC. They’re not pro boxers or preparing for the Olympics. It would make more sense to train eg - boxing for mma than its own discipline.
Click to expand...
Yes watered down. MMA kickboxing is shit. We’re right back to that old American point karate crap, And MMA boxing? That’s like saying “ hey want to go learn some boxing at the YMCA?” It’s diluted and all looks the same.

I think what you really mean is have a coach that can give great game plans, but mma as its own discipline looks like okay at everything, but not decent at anything.

In my opinion, it has lost that world class skills look to it. That’s my truth anyway
 
Last edited:
Sms_productions713 said:
Yes watered down. MMA kickboxing is shit. We’re right back to that old American point karate crap, And MMA boxing? That’s like saying “ hey want to go learn some boxing at the YMCA?” It’s diluted and all looks the same.

I think what you really mean is have a coach that can give great game plans, but mma as its own discipline looks like okay at everything, but not decent at anything.

In my opinion, it has lost that world class skills look to it. That’s my truth anyway
Click to expand...
Granted it may not be as aesthetic but if it’s what works …?
 
And how do you combine these?
Take Aaron Pico, for example
Great wrestling
Actually good boxing
Yet, he has problems in his MMA fights

You do boxing classes? OK, with what kind of gloves? How does this translate in MMA?
Also, do you do kickboxing separately? How do you learn to defend from leg kicks?
Then you have wrestling. But how do you learn to defend submissions? Take BJJ separately?
 
If you like boxing over MMA, just watch boxing
MMA is all martial arts, mixed, that's it
And it was already the case when the BJJ guys were fighting the luta livre guys in Brazil
 
TeenageMutantLesnarTurtle said:
I dont think it ever had that. None of the individual facets of MMA are represented at a lower average level now than they were 20 years ago.
Click to expand...

not one facet, but MMA itself was better. not 20 yrs ago, but 10 yrs ago for sure. this is the top 15 in 2015.
image_2025-04-29_025603767.png
image_2025-04-29_025708981.png
specific individual fighters might be better today, but the overall talent and competitiveness of practically every weight class was heaps better in 2015.
 
It's just that kickboxing and thai boxing trainers teach shitty boxing.

You won't have a problem finding good wrestling and bjj trainers
 
Harlekin said:
It's just that kickboxing and thai boxing trainers teach shitty boxing.

You won't have a problem finding good wrestling and bjj trainers
Click to expand...
Very true. I was saying in that “elite mma is boring”’thread that training is a major part today why it sucks. New generation doesn’t use high level striking coaches like they used to
 
Yes, the skill sets of yesteryear (basic archetype: wild brawler who gassed out after one round, could easily be outwrestled by basic wrestling and subbed by basic BJJ) was so much more advanced than today's watered down skill set where that doesn't even happen at the lowest levels.

lmao what an engagement farming, desperate for attention post.

Old school skill sets were more comparable to modern WMMA, if WMMA had power.
 
I think it depends on the fighter. I think training mma only and as its own discipline just leads to jack of all trade fighters that have no great skills.

I think fighters should have one skill they can lean on when the fight goes sideways.

For my fight I only trained the disciplines separately.

But it was super Low level so maybe why I got away with it.
 
theincognito said:
Yes, the skill sets of yesteryear (basic archetype: wild brawler who gassed out after one round, could easily be outwrestled by basic wrestling and subbed by basic BJJ) was so much more advanced than today's watered down skill set where that doesn't even happen at the lowest levels.

lmao what an engagement farming, desperate for attention post.

Old school skill sets were more comparable to modern WMMA, if WMMA had power.
Click to expand...
It doesn’t happen because we don’t have the high level wrestlers we used to have, and the BJJ is very low level on both ends. That’s why you don’t see that at any level these days
 
Xoleth said:
And how do you combine these?
Take Aaron Pico, for example
Great wrestling
Actually good boxing
Yet, he has problems in his MMA fights

You do boxing classes? OK, with what kind of gloves? How does this translate in MMA?
Also, do you do kickboxing separately? How do you learn to defend from leg kicks?
Then you have wrestling. But how do you learn to defend submissions? Take BJJ separately?
Click to expand...
Sounds like he's saying he works on gaining and maintaining a solid base specifically in boxing and wrestling outside of camps and mixing it all up comes later while in camp where the supplementary stuff (kickboxing and bjj) also comes into the picture. I don't see how it could be a problem really and it aligns with what I've been saying for years. Basic shit is the most important and you should be focusing far more on how to throw a proper 1-2 and how to defend and execute takedowns than how to throw a spinning back kick or how to do a twister. It's hard to argue with Top's success at this point
 
Sms_productions713 said:
It doesn’t happen because we don’t have the high level wrestlers we used to have, and the BJJ is very low level on both ends. That’s why you don’t see that at any level these days
Click to expand...
You not seeing them is not the same as MMA not having them. They've been around - just generally don't make it far anymore, which further proves significant evolution and shows how ridiculous your point is.

Anthony Cassar
Pat Downey
Logan Storley
Ed Ruth
Joey Davis
Chris Honeycutt
Jarod Trice
and on and on and on.
 
Sms_productions713 said:


I agree with him, and I hope in the future, the younger guys follow this so they don’t turn into shit fighters. MMA as its own discipline I think has really watered down every skill set.
Click to expand...



This is correct..


If you want General skills or starting from scratch and late to the game ...nothing wrong with training MMA classes .

But the true definition of a Mixed Martial Artists is exactly that... someone who has studied individual martial arts as they should be and then combines them to their own style and approach...

The game is missing innovators for sure...

But i wouldn't go as far as saying training MMA classes are shit...thats false...its a great launching point ...and can be enough..

But if you want to truely understand the styles and sport ....learning individually and applying it to yourself is when you'll grow the most...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
1,281,495
Messages
58,371,672
Members
176,015
Latest member
50 caliber beer bottle

Share this page

Back
Top