Why is "running away" a cowardly fighting tactic ?

[OmegaRugal]

Gus and Condit in his fight against Diaz have both been criticized for "running away." It's a fight, right ? And if the idea is to inflict damage and not absorb any yourself, how exactly is running away from danger a bad thing ?

It's not like Gus doesn't fight - but on occasion when he feels cornered or in a bad position, he runs away from the fighter to create distance so he can regroup. Machida's style is based on this, in essence, but in a different way. Is Machida being cowardly but not engaging in this gif but backing away ?

No, people would call it smart strategy. Then why does Gus get shit ? It's basically a way to regroup, create distance, and avoid damage.

Gus is mainly a striker so keeping the distance vs a wrestler is smart even if that means running the way he does.

It should be up to the wrestler to corner him and use the cage to his/her advantage.

 

[MMA IAN]

99% of 'running away shit talkers are people who have never taken a punch, which explains 99% of shit dribblers

 

[OverhandLoop]

I have no problem with running in particular contexts.

1.) Fighting guys with big power and granite chins like Hendo or Hunt. Standing there and trading with them is idiotic, even if one does have good defense. Cro Cop "ran" from Hunt when they fought, and for good reason.

2.) Facing a high-caliber wrestler who will take one down, keep them there, and grind them to death. Gus Ran from both DC and Jones at times because he didn't want to spend the entire fight on his back. He didn't run from Thiago Silva, Shogun, or even Rumble.

 

[HHJ]

Turning your back and running is a desperation tactic,I dont call them cowards because sometimes you ARE desperate in a fight,and trying not to get knocked out,but it isnt something you strategize doing,its something your forced into. So this is why people are giving Gus a hard time.

 

[SavageAngel]

I think GUS fought the first 3 rounds perfectly against Jones and Cormier in the first three rounds. He did a lot of "running" as a lot of haters would say. But it was more like getting the distance and regrouping. He did it very well. But in the end of the fight he never engaged as much as Gus fans wanted.

Machida on the other hand became an undefeated champion without loosing rounds in a very dangerous time for the LHW division. So again, only haters are going to say that Machida runs away from his opponents and doesnt fight like a real man.

 

[bambammccoy]

Well you know when a 'winner' wants a rematch, and a 'loser' doesn't want one, it really is telling, especially when that 'winner' did a great impression of kalib starnes, who actually had a broken hand or something that could more valid reason than the one of 'i wanted to win'

This is the dumbest shit ive seen in a while.

Carlos wants rematch Diaz doesnt = Carlos looks bad

Diaz wants a rematch Condit doesnt = Condit looks bad

You must be one of those 1,2,5 guys.

 

[HHJ]

I dont consider mirko vs hunt or condit vs diaz the same as turning your back and taking a jog though. Those were effective strategies.

 

[Scheme]

This is the dumbest shit ive seen in a while.

Carlos wants rematch Diaz doesnt = Carlos looks bad

Diaz wants a rematch Condit doesnt = Condit looks bad

You must be one of those 1,2,5 guys.

Diaz SLAPPED Condit in the face and Condit ran away from him. The only thing the Natural Born Killer killed on that night is a good fight. He was Diaz's bitch that night, and for some reason the judges gave him 3 rounds for the gentle taps he was giving Diaz.

 

[trblesome1]

Gus engages after he regroups so i never really complain. condit against diaz was the most annoyed ive been by it

That's a bingo

 

[Crimson Glory]

What martial art teaches running?

TKD.

Seriously, they tell you in a self defense situation to run away, avoid at all costs, until you're cornered, then throw spinning shit.

 

[Crimson Glory]

It's not cowardly TS.

Don't listen to meathead fans.

Gus was doing what he had to to avoid getting cornered against the cage or getting taken down, like in the Jones fight.

If it works, if it serves a purpose, then I don't see any harm in it. It's not like Gus was avoiding DC or Jones the entire fight, he brought the fight to them, and gave them both a beating, damn near finished DC too with that knee.

Gus is a warrior, no ifs, ands or buts about it.

But ofcourse, you HAVE to stand in front of eachother, with your feet nailed to the canvas and just trade blow for blow, cuz JUST BLEED!

 

[Monacomo]

You shouldnt turn your back amd run from your opponent, i think he lost the jones fight because he spent the last 2 rounds doing that. You can create distance and regroup by using footwork, not turning and running. Gus fan

 

[giusti825]

Its not about "just bleed" fans, as someone said earlier.

Lets make a comparison to a first person shooter. People generally find "camping" dishonorable, because it removes an element of skill in the game, and if all players did it, no game would in fact take place. Same can be said for "evasive fighting." If both contestants are constantly moving backwards until warned by the ref, there are going to be few if any exchanges and a situation where judges are trying to pick a "not loser" instead of a winner.

 

[TheUnchosenOne]

Has "timidness" ever been enforced in a fight?

Maia lost a point against LaFlare for it. It's been threatened a few times in the UFC, but I can't recall it actually happening any other time.

 

[Crimson Glory]

Its not about "just bleed" fans, as someone said earlier.

Lets make a comparison to a first person shooter. People generally find "camping" dishonorable, because it removes an element of skill in the game, and if all players did it, no game would in fact take place. Same can be said for "evasive fighting." If both contestants are constantly moving backwards until warned by the ref, there are going to be few if any exchanges and a situation where judges are trying to pick a "not loser" instead of a winner.

How is doing what Gus did, basically just making space to fight at range, and avoiding getting pressured against the cage, which DC does quite well, comparable to camping? Camping you're just waiting out, no engaging in the game at all, Gus engaged MANY times throughout the fight.

Using your feet/space is legitimate when being pressured... oh wait, my bad, no it's not, you're supposed to just stand their like a statue and take punishment and let your opponent implement his game plan against you(fight on the inside, take you down).

:icon_neut

 

[Squarechoke]

Only idiots say that it's cowardly so it's nothing to pay attention to. They are the ones that can't separate bravery from stupidity, which is something only stupid people fail to do.

Anyone that steps into the cage to fight a high level opponent in full contact martial arts isn't in a position where he can be accused of being a coward in terms of fighting, nor should he need to be insecure about his "toughness".

If you are in a bad spot and you have the chance to disengage and regroup you should do that. If you don't do your best to win you deserve to lose. If a fighter is consistently avoiding the fight then that's a different matter as that is against the rules and the referee is supposed to deal with that.

 

[FeloniousMonk]

How is doing what Gus did, basically just making space to fight at range, and avoiding getting pressured against the cage, which DC does quite well, comparable to camping? Camping you're just waiting out, no engaging in the game at all, Gus engaged MANY times throughout the fight.

Using your feet/space is legitimate when being pressured... oh wait, my bad, no it's not, you're supposed to just stand their like a statue and take punishment and let your opponent implement his game plan against you(fight on the inside, take you down).

:icon_neut

Being a black metal fan
on Sherdog is as much of
an indication that you have
a boner for Gusto as much
as using the phrase "All
lives matter" in response
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indicates that you prejudiced

 

[Apocalypse604]

It's not cowardly TS.

Don't listen to meathead fans.

Gus was doing what he had to to avoid getting cornered against the cage or getting taken down, like in the Jones fight.

If it works, if it serves a purpose, then I don't see any harm in it. It's not like Gus was avoiding DC or Jones the entire fight, he brought the fight to them, and gave them both a beating, damn near finished DC too with that knee.

Gus is a warrior, no ifs, ands or buts about it.

But ofcourse, you HAVE to stand in front of eachother, with your feet nailed to the canvas and just trade blow for blow, cuz JUST BLEED!

Well, im not calling out names, but i will try and differentiate it. What does it tell you when your in a real fight and the guy your fighting turns his back on you and starts running away, then turns around 10 feet away lol. Its not the "warrior" way as some may say...never turn your back on an opponent. Like, these guys dont just back up, they straight turn their back on their opponent and run.....i mean, come on. Its one thing to back pedal, its another to straight up turn and run.

If you backpedal, but youre still counter fighting its one thing, if you turn your back frequently and bolt, i can totally understand why judges would and rightfully should dock points. Its a fight, not track and field.

 

[Jack Reacheround]

TKD.

Seriously, they tell you in a self defense situation to run away, avoid at all costs, until you're cornered, then throw spinning shit.

Condit obviously trained TKD for the Diaz fight.

 

[waldywaldy]

"He who hits and runs away lives to fight another day" - Willie Pep

While typing I realize this also perfectly describes Jon Jones' situation, although I am sure that's not wat Willie ment.

Bonus: "Neo footwork" from over half a century ago.