when discussing mma guys and their ability to box, two guys, jens pulver and nick diaz often have commented that the biggest problem mma guys have is twofold; one they can't keep their mouths shut when regarding what works or will work in mma, secondly mma guys spend too much time sparring/boxing other mma guys instead of boxers.
the best mma guys, or most effective strikers in mma are the guys who make it a point to train w/pure strikers; more importantly they make it a point to spar pure striking, this is where the gap comes in. MMa guys train w/legit pad holders and coaches, etc; but they don't CONSISTENTLY put in the time w/pure strikers, im not even talking about state national international world class level strikers, just guys who really have the b/g experience and skills as strikers. Not guys who just have very good ability or guys who have a base level familiarity w/striking.
mma guys consistently work w/pure grapplers (JUDOKA SAMBOIST CATCHWRESTLERS WRESTLERS BRAZILLIAN JIU JITSU STYLIST); whether it be average guys, above average, good, very good, superior or incredible grapplers, they develop a solid comprehension of how to effectively apply offense, use defense and effectively use either/both as a way to counter an opp. ALL BECAUSE THEY COMMIT TO HARD INTENSE GRAPPLING; by sparring you learn how to be functional, you learn how to mix things up, set things up, defend, counter and attack thing...esp when things aren't perfect.
the mma guys don't consistently spar w/strikers- pulver has made repeated comments towards it back when he was wMFS, diaz has constantly called out mma guys on it, an woodley commented on how guys need to go work w/legit boxers to develop themselves and that alot of guys still don't do it.
Its not enough to make one or two trips to thailand or a boxing gym or whatever; for you to really show that growth and awareness, you have to spend extensive time w/strikers. Look at the clip fur tuf this season when they train w/gsp's kickboxing trainer, some of those cats had no idea what to do when dealing w/a highlevel PURE striker. Rarely do i see guys look that clueless on the ground, they might be outclassed; they don't look incompetent or helpless.
alot of guys look good on the bag or shadowboxing or on the pads; but can't apply it to the cage, an to me part of it is all the things you have to cover..I still think alot of it come from the lack of sparring.
all the guys who spend the time working w/pure strikers always show soo much more effectiveness standing, an often show the most ability to adjust or apply tech in regards to the opp and situation they are facing.
thoughts opinions
the best mma guys, or most effective strikers in mma are the guys who make it a point to train w/pure strikers; more importantly they make it a point to spar pure striking, this is where the gap comes in. MMa guys train w/legit pad holders and coaches, etc; but they don't CONSISTENTLY put in the time w/pure strikers, im not even talking about state national international world class level strikers, just guys who really have the b/g experience and skills as strikers. Not guys who just have very good ability or guys who have a base level familiarity w/striking.
mma guys consistently work w/pure grapplers (JUDOKA SAMBOIST CATCHWRESTLERS WRESTLERS BRAZILLIAN JIU JITSU STYLIST); whether it be average guys, above average, good, very good, superior or incredible grapplers, they develop a solid comprehension of how to effectively apply offense, use defense and effectively use either/both as a way to counter an opp. ALL BECAUSE THEY COMMIT TO HARD INTENSE GRAPPLING; by sparring you learn how to be functional, you learn how to mix things up, set things up, defend, counter and attack thing...esp when things aren't perfect.
the mma guys don't consistently spar w/strikers- pulver has made repeated comments towards it back when he was wMFS, diaz has constantly called out mma guys on it, an woodley commented on how guys need to go work w/legit boxers to develop themselves and that alot of guys still don't do it.
Its not enough to make one or two trips to thailand or a boxing gym or whatever; for you to really show that growth and awareness, you have to spend extensive time w/strikers. Look at the clip fur tuf this season when they train w/gsp's kickboxing trainer, some of those cats had no idea what to do when dealing w/a highlevel PURE striker. Rarely do i see guys look that clueless on the ground, they might be outclassed; they don't look incompetent or helpless.
alot of guys look good on the bag or shadowboxing or on the pads; but can't apply it to the cage, an to me part of it is all the things you have to cover..I still think alot of it come from the lack of sparring.
all the guys who spend the time working w/pure strikers always show soo much more effectiveness standing, an often show the most ability to adjust or apply tech in regards to the opp and situation they are facing.
thoughts opinions