How come no mma practitioners are using rope-a-dope?

Question

Afterall it works in boxing for stikes, so why not allow an opponent in the cage to use his "high school" wrestling skills to throw you you around all over the cage through the first round and tired him self down? He's going to come out during the second round tired as h**l and completely zapped of energy. This would be just like "rope-a-dope except for the cage. Would you use this strategy? I've actually had Mike Reizan ( member of my team ) use this rop-a-dope strategy in the cage and it's actually worked for him a few different times. He thought I was crazy until he tried it ..... effective or not?

Answer 1

Though, I'm sure it can work in some situations, there are a lot of risks involved. As somebody else said, there arent' that many rounds in a standard MMA match. Because of that, you can't afford to lose a single round. Because judges value control of the pace, too much retreating and passively defending (without answering back) will often cost you a decision.

Furthermore, if a high school wrestler was able to correctly employ his skills, he wouldn't be throwing his opponent 'aruond' so much as 'on to the mat.' And that, of course, would give his opponent points on a takedown and the opportunity to advance positions on his ground.

Of course, sprawl and brawl is a very common and successful strategy, as failed takedowns do expend a lot of energy. But the S&Ber has to assert himself with strikes in the mean time -- that being the major separation between said strategies. Forcing the opponent to expend energy is a bi product of (successful) sprawl and brawl, while the main focus is to outscore/KO with strikes. Rope-a-dope is inherently more defensive, where the main intention is to sap the other guy's energy. Which, again, works in boxing where you can afford to throw a couple of rounds, but it's far riskier in MMA.

And in a literal sense, rope-a-dope would be very unsuccessful as it would leave you wide open for takedowns (by going right up against the ropes. But I know that's not what you meant. =P

Answer 2

I honestly dont know but good question and observation william.

I agree with your comments seems plusable to me.

Best wishes :)***

Answer 3

I've asked people the same question, not on here but while actually watching fights. I think you could really only use it against someone who was almost nothing but a wrestler, but in that particular case you may have a point it may be worth giving it a shot. It would be more entertaining than watching some of these guys who are afraid of real grappling or striking so all they do is drive their opponent to the fence and sit there.  

Answer 4

The reason is that any random strike may knock you out or cut you bad enough to stop a fight.  Also the rope-a-dop strategy is geared for boxing which usually lasts 10 to 15 rounds.  MMA fights are 3 rounds or 5 for a title fight.  

So,  you would have to be extremely sure of your skills as a fighter to know that 1) you need to wear your opponent down in order to knock him out, 2) that you can do this and not wear yourself out, 3) you even have the ability to knock someone out, 4) you have the ability to "get thrown all over the ring" and not get submitted, cut, injured or have the ref give you a quick hook because it looks like your opponent is in too dominate of a position (Brandon Vera vs Fabricio Werdum anyone).  If you are such a good fighter to do all of that, I'm sure you can employ a much better strategy than this.  Besides one loss in MMA is way worse than one loss in boxing.

Answer 5

I think Heath Herring tried that against Brock and it didn't work out too well.  Fighters today have more than one dimension to their game and the striking on the ground has improved a lot in the last ten years.  Fighters also train to fight an entire fight these days so unless you mean at the amateure level I just can't see letting a wrestler take you down and live in their world for five minutes.  Also 4 oz gloves make it hard to avoid damage at the top levels.  Although I have seen your method work at the lower level shows such as KOTC.

Answer 6

I think it could be an effective strategy, but only in circumstances where you really know that the fighter likes to use as his weapons and what you know if his strength.

Getting tossed around can be just as tiring as doing the tossing. But doing just enough when on the ground to avoid having to tap can really save energy in the long run. (I used to do that when I wrestled)

So I agree that it's a useful tool, but as with any other tool in life it's situational.

Answer 7

maybe you're not as good as you think. i never think its a good idea to let anyone do anything to me..unless they're female of course :D

too many margins for error. it might work "ok" for local stuff, but i don't know if i'd use it in the ufc or king of the cage for example.