Should older fighters change/adapt their style to, possibly, extend their careers?

[WarDronx]

What i was thinking was that as a fighter gets older or suffers an injury, it would be better to gravitate towards a grappling or grappling-based style. I think that grappling sports (BJJ, Judo, Wrestling, etc) can be implemented to a longer extent (age-wise) and that is proven by the existence of Masters/Veterans divisions in those sports.

In a MMA context it wouldn't be that simple but i think the basic principal can still stand. A pure striker might not be able to become a master grappler/submission artist but adding more clinching, for example, can be beneficial since they will nullify the younger and (probably) faster striker. When it comes to grapplers it would be easier since they can use their experience and their skills.

Do you guys think fighters should change/adapt or stick to their strengths even if they start to decline in some areas?

 

[Cam Zink]

Stand and bang forever

 

[Joshuaace]

I'd be a bigger fan if most aging fighters shortened their careers.

 

[Egészségére!]

 

[AgentSmecker]

Nah they should just get back on the gear and see out their twilight years juiced to the gills in Japan.

 

[30% Usman]

Not a older fighter but i think gaethje should use his wrestling , also struve should learn to use his reach advantage

 

[chuckleknuckle]

Nah they should just get back on the gear and see out their twilight years juiced to the gills in Japan.

No need to go to Japan, you can dodge 2 tests every 6 months under USADA and get away with it.

TRT Hendo 4 president.

 

[AgentSmecker]

No need to go to Japan, you can dodge 2 tests every 6 months under USADA and get away with it.

TRT Hendo 4 president.

No doubt a lot of them still do... naming no names.... don't know any but go tell that to all the dudes who dropped off the map post USADA.

 

[chuckleknuckle]

No doubt a lot of them still do... naming no names.... don't know any but go tell that to all the dudes who dropped off the map post USADA.

I don't quite get why they are shitting themselves. Micro dose, short half lives, or stop the cycle for 6 months and they'll be fine.

If roid tests are IQ tests, not surprised the guys with the lowest IQs fall off hard. Hendricks and Weidman don't exactly come across as geniuses.

 

[KarateYeah]

Absolutely man! I think it will be a negative point to selling their fights, but who gives a fuck if you're a fighter? It's your life in the line.

Maia is probably 10 years younger than Gaethje in fight years.

 

[Bluesbreaker]

It could absolutely work for some guys. For others though, their joints are so shot, they struggle to implement their grappling anymore. Eg. Diego Sanchez

 

[WarDronx]

It could absolutely work for some guys. For others though, their joints are so shot, they struggle to implement their grappling anymore. Eg. Diego Sanchez

Yes, injuries can hinder one's abilities. For guys like Sanchez the clinch and dirty boxing, knees and elbows could be a better plan, provided they don't allow the opponent to regain the distance. If you can't shoot for a takedown very well this could be a better approach. Maybe clinch and try to bring them down against the cage?

 

[Dead Kennedy]

It’s definitely possible, just not probable. All depends on the individual and what their body could handle.

 

[loyalyolayal]

K1 Maia got one-shotted. Glory Maia's gonna be unstoppable tho.