Is having a Buff and Ripped Muscles an advantage in MMA?

[mkt]

1) How you look (ripped, etc.) is of no importance unless it intimidates your opponent...at the highest levels of MMA, this is probably not an issue.
2) Strength/explosiveness is an advantage, but there's a trade-off for muscle-bound fighters: most of them gas earlier in the fight (Overeem, Romero, Sokoudjou back when he was in shape, etc.).

Since TS brought up Randleman (RIP), he's a good example of the trade-off. He was a good wrestler and extremely strong/athletic/explosive, but had a very mediocre record (5 wins and 6 losses in Pride). And he'd do even worse now.

 

[wonderbread]

GOAT says no.

extra large head

 

[Rea_ctor]

It gets my attention <3

 

[Terpizzle]

Typically, bigger muscles means you have more strength. So it could be an advantage.

Or could gas you out. Disadvantage.

Well, that was productive.

 

[FrontNakedChoke]

having a buff?

 

[froggyluv]

Depends how well conditioned they are with that extra bulk.

 

[mikehunt]

It's only important if you're canadian since 99.5% of canadians are gay

 

[Krazybee129]

Being buff and ripped is always disadvantage in mma especially cardiovascular wise, only exception is Lesnar.. 100 %-Brandon schaub

 

[scottmushroom]

It depends on if said "buff and ripped muscles" are functional as well as your fight style. I would say that the physique itself is not important, but it can be an indicator on some aspects of a fighter's game.

 

[Bjjpitbull8]

No

 

[Threetrees]

People in this thread are misinterpreting "Is it an advantage" with "Is it a massive advantage"

Of course it's an advantage under the right circumstance.
Any attribute is.

 

[Squish II]

Depends on the fighter. I think that more often than not its an advantage. But that depends on whether the fighters can take advantage of their physique. Some need to be able to conserve energy like Yoel, they also need to keep their exposiveness and speed. Some know how to cover their power shots and make them count using feints, like Woodley. Robbie Lawler has a fighting style that i think benefits very well from him being more muscly, he already has feinting and energy conservation down.

Most of the time its up to the fighter, but some people just don't have the genetics which make being ripped work for them.

 

[Towerworld]

If you're short for your weight class seems to even the gap a bit johnny hendricks,woodley,TRT vitor, matt hughes,serra,mendes,lawler.

 

[Squish II]

this thread is racist af

"buff/explosive" fighters like Rumble, Woodley, Yoel..

They are the poster boys for athletic and exposive. White fighters who are ripped seem to be less likely to be explosive. Must be their workout regime

 

[tramendous]

Some of the best fighters were far from buff / ripped:
Anderson
BJ
Cain
Chuck
Cormier
Jones - early fights
Pettis
Diaz brothers

you didn't mention fedor so what you said is null and void

 

[tramendous]

2) Strength/explosiveness is an advantage, but there's a trade-off for muscle-bound fighters: most of them gas earlier in the fight (Overeem, Romero, Sokoudjou back when he was in shape, etc.).

i like how you mention only black fighters. and one of the guys keeps knocking people out in round 3. check your racism bro.

 

[Anomonis]

Look at the hardest strong man competitions, none of those guys are jacked like Overeem, because they have functional muscle and not beach muscle.

Some of the best fighters were far from buff / ripped:
Anderson
BJ
Cain
Chuck
Cormier
Jones - early fights
Pettis
Diaz brothers

Decent list, but add Fedor.

 

[Karelinator]

Seriously, though, if you don't have to cut weight, being ripped seems offers no advantage at all.

Plenty of athletes seem to move like absolute beasts with a bit of pudge on them, it seems to have no effect on mobility as long as 'pudge' doesn't turn into full blown 'being fat'.

 

[Andzso]

pudgy fedor

 

[Thc Sargon]

Being strong is but not big muscles. Big muscles is a disadvantage, it tires you out faster because more blood is pumping to that muscle to supply it with oxygen.