When you say that you are good
I ask "compared to whom?" I have recently been watching a lot of combat sports. Suprised? Me too! :) Anyhow, I keep hearing the commentators talk about how this person or that person has world classed skills in one thing or the other. Myself, being of the outspoken variety have called out" rubbish" on many occasions.
Now, I am not a hater. I just can't stand when people make weak points, and then defend them as if they were gospel. Let me help you out with an example or so. I was watching some mixed martial arts matches recently. You guys know by now that it is my guilty pleasure and fodder for many of my blogs. I heard Joe Rogan say that Karo Parysian has world class judo. Now, I LOVE Karo. I love his never say die attitude, and his explosive judo throws. He has single handedly shown the American audience that judo does work without a gi. If you don't believe me, watch his fights. After Diego Sanchez claimed that he would not fall for" that judo sh$#&*", he proceeded to spend more time flying the friendly skies, than any airline that I have ever seen. Karo has excellent judo, no doubt about it. But world class? Ummmm no.
Judo is the second most popular sport in the world in terms of number of countries that practice it. About 150 if I am not mistaken. That said, in order to be a world class judoka, you must be a TREMENDOUS practictioner. In the US, judo has not produced a large number of world class judoka. While Jimmy Pedro, Mike Swain and Rhadi Ferguson are glaring exceptions, plainly stated, most American judoka are second rate. In order to say that you have world class judo skills, you must have judo skills that are top rate in an enormous field. I think that sometimes people get a little carried away with hyperbole these days. Karo does not have world class judo. If he did, he would make far more money in terms of seminars and endorsements than he currently makes in mixed martial arts.
But that mini-rant aside, I ask you, whom do you compare yourself to? As a martial artist, we have a repoertoire of techniques that are un-matched by other empty hand combat sports like boxing, or wrestling. Not to say anything bad about the other disciplines, as I enjoy them as well. But because the martial artists have many more techniques that they are attempted to master, some of their skills go a little unpolished. Let me tell you what I mean.
Now, boxing is a highly refined sport/combat skill that deals specifically with above the waist striking with the hands only. Now granted, that is rather limiting, but their skill is undeniable. It is widely accepted that boxers have the most refined use of hand striking skills in the world. Notice that I did not say the most complete, just the most refined. When you only are allowed to use two weapons, the use of those weapons becomes more refined than those whom have a larger box of tools to work with.
Now here is where it gets a little interesting. When commentation MMA matches, I will often hear Joe Rogan and other say things like, he is an "excellent striker." As a striker myself from day one, I often disagree with those assessments. VERY few people in MMA have excellent striking. Like most MMA practitioners, they use more aggression and endurance to win matches than refined technical skills and techniques. The way I see it is, to be world class as a mixed martial artist, you have to match up favorably to a specialist in that field.
Now, I think that the best puncher in the UFC is Chuck Liddell. I dont think that because of his skills, but by the large percentage of people that he has put away with punches. Fights with Quinton"Rampage" Jackson notwithstanding, he has a large percentage of KO and TKO wins with his fists. Now, would you have any confidence at all in his ability if he were to face a boxing champion at 225 pounds? Yes,225. Liddell cuts weight to 205 from about 225. Anyhow, outside of the MMA cubbyhole, Chuck Liddell's skills leave a lot to be desired. He would not crack the top 50 boxers in the HW division, even as anemic as it is nowadays. I am not saying that he would have to win against these guys to be world class. I am saying that while he may lose, he would have to be able to hold his own against these boxers. Rest assured he would not. The difference in fistic skill level would be glaring and likely embarassing to Chuck and MMA fans.
In the kicking department, there is also a huge gap in the skills of truly skilled kickers, and those who are merely touted as such. the K-1 and K-1 Max has good kickers. The guys in MMA do not. How many rounds would your average MMA fighter last in a K-1 ring? Or even K-1 Max where the fighers are smaller? I would guess not long. Guys like Ernesto Hoost and Peter Aerts and Francisco Filho would do horrible damage to MMA fighters in a kickboxing match. Case and point, Mirko Cro-Cop. He was only a B level K-1 fighter, but his knockout reel of head kicks is still likely the most impressive in MMA. And while a lot of guys in the MMA world love to poop on the skills of TKD stylists, they are being a little myopic I think. Fact of that matter is that many TKD practitioners have phenomenal kicking skill. While there may not be a lot of use for some of the flashier techniques, their basics are often quite sound. Remember folks, mastery is not the cool looking stuff you see in the movies. It is the ability to use the most simple basics against skilled opponents.
Let me go a little further, using the the roundhouse kick as an example. In MMA the roundhouse kick thrown Thai style is the most popular kick by far. Now, in Thailand and also in Holland were Muay Thai is very popular, the kicks are snappy, powerful and technically sound. The body is in correct alignment, and the results are obvious and devastating. In MMA, VERY few of the competitors have even competent skill in kicking. Oddly enough, for the ones that do, almost all of them have background in a traditional art like TKD or Karate. What you usually see is off balance kicks thrown that smack and dont thud. We see people falling down when they miss kicks. And we also see kicks telegraphed so badly that the cross counter is easy to use.
Once again, I am not saying that MMA guys should have to able to beat a Muay Thai stylist into submission with leg kicks. Nor am I saying that an MMA guy should be able to compete at an Olympic level with a TKD black belt. I am saying that there skills should be enough to garner the respect of whichever opponent they are facing. I alwasy thought that a highly level of mastery in several martial arts disciplins is what MMA was supposed to be all about. I thought that the supposed "advantages" of training MMA was the diversity of technique, and the ability to flow from one level to another seamlessly. Alas folks, that is usually not the case. Notice that I said usually. Oddly enough there is an exception in MMA.
Those exceptions come in the realm of wrestling. Olympic gold medallists have competed in MMA. World champions, NCAA champions and state champions have all competed in MMA. Why? Oh yeah, because the MMA world as we know it was started by grapplers. Now granted there are miles of difference between jujitsu and wrestling in terms of intent, but in a larger, perhaps more vague look at things, grappling is grappling. Right around UFC 10, wrestlers learned that they were making a huge mistake in strategy. They were tackling jujitsuka who didnt mind being on their back. It is not like it was going to be the other way around. We all saw Dan Severn get triangle choked by Royce Gracie. Does anyone sober think that Royce could have taken down Dan?....... I didnt think so. Anyhow, not long after that (UFC IV to be specific) wrestlers learned that they have an inherent advantage in MMA. They, more than anyone else can control WHERE the fight takes place.
Let me give an example. Mark Schultz was NOT going to trade punches with Gary Goodridge. I wouldn't either. So he took him to the mat quickly to avoid a horrendous pounding. Chuck Liddell on the other hand knows that he is almost impossible to take and/or hold down in MMA. So he can throw his punches with impunity. We have seen the results. Anywho, the point is that once wrestlers who were making zero money in the amateurs realized that they could make money in MMA, they came in flocks. When they learned to avoid submissions, they became champions in a hurry, Mark Kerr, Coleman,Schultz and a lot of others were able to breeze through competitions with minimal change to their strengths, which is good old wrestling. So wrestling is my one exception to my rant up above.
Now, back to my main question if I may. When you say that you are a good puncher, what do you mean? Do you mean in comparison to fistic specialists like boxers? When you say that you can kick, do you mean in comparison to Muay Thai boxers, TKD medallists or bare-knuckle champions? If not, why not? If you are looking to be the best, you should be able to make a spirited showing even against those is specialize in certain areas. Now, I gotta do. I have to practice my whizzer, single leg, and standing switch. Why? Because my wrestling sucks big time, and I need to work on it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One love folks!!!
Now, I am not a hater. I just can't stand when people make weak points, and then defend them as if they were gospel. Let me help you out with an example or so. I was watching some mixed martial arts matches recently. You guys know by now that it is my guilty pleasure and fodder for many of my blogs. I heard Joe Rogan say that Karo Parysian has world class judo. Now, I LOVE Karo. I love his never say die attitude, and his explosive judo throws. He has single handedly shown the American audience that judo does work without a gi. If you don't believe me, watch his fights. After Diego Sanchez claimed that he would not fall for" that judo sh$#&*", he proceeded to spend more time flying the friendly skies, than any airline that I have ever seen. Karo has excellent judo, no doubt about it. But world class? Ummmm no.
Judo is the second most popular sport in the world in terms of number of countries that practice it. About 150 if I am not mistaken. That said, in order to be a world class judoka, you must be a TREMENDOUS practictioner. In the US, judo has not produced a large number of world class judoka. While Jimmy Pedro, Mike Swain and Rhadi Ferguson are glaring exceptions, plainly stated, most American judoka are second rate. In order to say that you have world class judo skills, you must have judo skills that are top rate in an enormous field. I think that sometimes people get a little carried away with hyperbole these days. Karo does not have world class judo. If he did, he would make far more money in terms of seminars and endorsements than he currently makes in mixed martial arts.
But that mini-rant aside, I ask you, whom do you compare yourself to? As a martial artist, we have a repoertoire of techniques that are un-matched by other empty hand combat sports like boxing, or wrestling. Not to say anything bad about the other disciplines, as I enjoy them as well. But because the martial artists have many more techniques that they are attempted to master, some of their skills go a little unpolished. Let me tell you what I mean.
Now, boxing is a highly refined sport/combat skill that deals specifically with above the waist striking with the hands only. Now granted, that is rather limiting, but their skill is undeniable. It is widely accepted that boxers have the most refined use of hand striking skills in the world. Notice that I did not say the most complete, just the most refined. When you only are allowed to use two weapons, the use of those weapons becomes more refined than those whom have a larger box of tools to work with.
Now here is where it gets a little interesting. When commentation MMA matches, I will often hear Joe Rogan and other say things like, he is an "excellent striker." As a striker myself from day one, I often disagree with those assessments. VERY few people in MMA have excellent striking. Like most MMA practitioners, they use more aggression and endurance to win matches than refined technical skills and techniques. The way I see it is, to be world class as a mixed martial artist, you have to match up favorably to a specialist in that field.
Now, I think that the best puncher in the UFC is Chuck Liddell. I dont think that because of his skills, but by the large percentage of people that he has put away with punches. Fights with Quinton"Rampage" Jackson notwithstanding, he has a large percentage of KO and TKO wins with his fists. Now, would you have any confidence at all in his ability if he were to face a boxing champion at 225 pounds? Yes,225. Liddell cuts weight to 205 from about 225. Anyhow, outside of the MMA cubbyhole, Chuck Liddell's skills leave a lot to be desired. He would not crack the top 50 boxers in the HW division, even as anemic as it is nowadays. I am not saying that he would have to win against these guys to be world class. I am saying that while he may lose, he would have to be able to hold his own against these boxers. Rest assured he would not. The difference in fistic skill level would be glaring and likely embarassing to Chuck and MMA fans.
In the kicking department, there is also a huge gap in the skills of truly skilled kickers, and those who are merely touted as such. the K-1 and K-1 Max has good kickers. The guys in MMA do not. How many rounds would your average MMA fighter last in a K-1 ring? Or even K-1 Max where the fighers are smaller? I would guess not long. Guys like Ernesto Hoost and Peter Aerts and Francisco Filho would do horrible damage to MMA fighters in a kickboxing match. Case and point, Mirko Cro-Cop. He was only a B level K-1 fighter, but his knockout reel of head kicks is still likely the most impressive in MMA. And while a lot of guys in the MMA world love to poop on the skills of TKD stylists, they are being a little myopic I think. Fact of that matter is that many TKD practitioners have phenomenal kicking skill. While there may not be a lot of use for some of the flashier techniques, their basics are often quite sound. Remember folks, mastery is not the cool looking stuff you see in the movies. It is the ability to use the most simple basics against skilled opponents.
Let me go a little further, using the the roundhouse kick as an example. In MMA the roundhouse kick thrown Thai style is the most popular kick by far. Now, in Thailand and also in Holland were Muay Thai is very popular, the kicks are snappy, powerful and technically sound. The body is in correct alignment, and the results are obvious and devastating. In MMA, VERY few of the competitors have even competent skill in kicking. Oddly enough, for the ones that do, almost all of them have background in a traditional art like TKD or Karate. What you usually see is off balance kicks thrown that smack and dont thud. We see people falling down when they miss kicks. And we also see kicks telegraphed so badly that the cross counter is easy to use.
Once again, I am not saying that MMA guys should have to able to beat a Muay Thai stylist into submission with leg kicks. Nor am I saying that an MMA guy should be able to compete at an Olympic level with a TKD black belt. I am saying that there skills should be enough to garner the respect of whichever opponent they are facing. I alwasy thought that a highly level of mastery in several martial arts disciplins is what MMA was supposed to be all about. I thought that the supposed "advantages" of training MMA was the diversity of technique, and the ability to flow from one level to another seamlessly. Alas folks, that is usually not the case. Notice that I said usually. Oddly enough there is an exception in MMA.
Those exceptions come in the realm of wrestling. Olympic gold medallists have competed in MMA. World champions, NCAA champions and state champions have all competed in MMA. Why? Oh yeah, because the MMA world as we know it was started by grapplers. Now granted there are miles of difference between jujitsu and wrestling in terms of intent, but in a larger, perhaps more vague look at things, grappling is grappling. Right around UFC 10, wrestlers learned that they were making a huge mistake in strategy. They were tackling jujitsuka who didnt mind being on their back. It is not like it was going to be the other way around. We all saw Dan Severn get triangle choked by Royce Gracie. Does anyone sober think that Royce could have taken down Dan?....... I didnt think so. Anyhow, not long after that (UFC IV to be specific) wrestlers learned that they have an inherent advantage in MMA. They, more than anyone else can control WHERE the fight takes place.
Let me give an example. Mark Schultz was NOT going to trade punches with Gary Goodridge. I wouldn't either. So he took him to the mat quickly to avoid a horrendous pounding. Chuck Liddell on the other hand knows that he is almost impossible to take and/or hold down in MMA. So he can throw his punches with impunity. We have seen the results. Anywho, the point is that once wrestlers who were making zero money in the amateurs realized that they could make money in MMA, they came in flocks. When they learned to avoid submissions, they became champions in a hurry, Mark Kerr, Coleman,Schultz and a lot of others were able to breeze through competitions with minimal change to their strengths, which is good old wrestling. So wrestling is my one exception to my rant up above.
Now, back to my main question if I may. When you say that you are a good puncher, what do you mean? Do you mean in comparison to fistic specialists like boxers? When you say that you can kick, do you mean in comparison to Muay Thai boxers, TKD medallists or bare-knuckle champions? If not, why not? If you are looking to be the best, you should be able to make a spirited showing even against those is specialize in certain areas. Now, I gotta do. I have to practice my whizzer, single leg, and standing switch. Why? Because my wrestling sucks big time, and I need to work on it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One love folks!!!
posted by Anthony, freestyle kenpo teacher | 11:23 AM
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