Which will likely be more exciting fight two specialists fighting or two highly skilled complete fighters fighting?

[Takes Two To Tango]

Base on your historical experience with MMA fighting.

Which usually is the more exciting fight?

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

Are the specialists opposite skill classic striker vs grappler or Striker/striker grappler/grappler?

Usually I'll go with well rounded guys going at it. Sometimes we see such seamless transitions from striking to grappling to subs that it looks scripted like the Mighty Bar.

However, I won't ever complain about a Poatan vs Izzy or Hatsu Hioki vs Do Bronx

 

[Killhippies]

I think the specialist fights tend to be more boring nowadays. It usually involves one side just trying to survive until they can get a reset to the feet or grinding out a takedown. They end quicker so that probably skews people's excitement for them.

The complete fighter fights have more back and forth since they are not afraid to go anywhere. They can get boring too if both fighters are too risk averse, but same can apply for the specialist fights.

 

[markantony20]

To me when martial arts are mixed it’s the highest form of combat

However two guys who are at the pinnacle of their styles are also fun

Izzy vs Alex 3&4 or mosvar vs Lopez or Stirling

 

[markantony20]

I think the specialist fights tend to be more boring nowadays. It usually involves one side just trying to survive until they can get a reset to the feet or grinding out a takedown. They end quicker so that probably skews people's excitement for them.

The complete fighter fights have more back and forth since they are not afraid to go anywhere. They can get boring too if both fighters are too risk averse, but same can apply for the specialist fights.

I can see that

It either becomes a chess match or a snooze fest

 

[sonhow]

A specialist vs specialist I automatically thought off K1 Hughes outstriking Renzo in all striking match.

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

A specialist vs specialist I automatically thought off K1 Hughes outstriking Renzo in all striking match.

Are there any instances of two strikers turning their fight into a grappling match?
5th round Ngannou vs Gane is the only thing that pops to mind

 

[sonhow]

Are there any instances of two strikers turning their fight into a grappling match?
5th round Ngannou vs Gane is the only thing that pops to mind

Paul Daley tried to wrestle MVP and it became boring clinch fest. Basically everytime one striker is much better so other has to mix it up and the better striker cant quite keep the other one from grapping em.

 

[Koala]

Anderson Silva vs Maia was prime boring MMA

 

[Thesnake101]

Are there any instances of two strikers turning their fight into a grappling match?
5th round Ngannou vs Gane is the only thing that pops to mind

I think Stephens tried his damnest to wrestle against both Pettis and Holloway but still got shut down iirc.

 

[Tweak896]

Depends on the matchup of specialists. If we get a striking match from 2 top grapplers or a wrestling match with 2 strikers, no. But when the specialists engage the whole fight in their specialty is the peak of MMA. Like Izzy/Pereira.

This is sort of a loaded question. On the flip side you have well rounded guys that make great fights in every aspect. It's very contextual with who's matched up to each other.

 

[TriangleMonkey]

I like the well-rounded guys that actually have solid ass technical prowess in more than one area, at least two areas

 

[RockyLockridge]

Well rounded guys going at it. That's why fights like benson vs pettis 1 are the best fights they go all places in mma and shows off both fighters entire tool kit. Porier vs zombie is another fight like that