MMA fighters?

Question

If mma is ultimate show of skill why is it that most fighters have little background and look so sloppy. I'm not expecting cinema fights, but something along the lines of watching boxing. Is this proof that there aren't "styles" can any of you (with no knowledge of the fighter) pick out wether the punches and kicks thrown were tkd, wing chun, boxing, muay thai etc?

Answer 1

If you are simply talking striking, then I think the "styles" or discipline can overlap others or simply be striking. You can tell Muay Thai immediately in a clinch. I think the main difference in styles comes with the ground game and submissions.

Although the UFC (not necessarily the only word in MMA) started as a competition to see which discipline was the better, with todays MMA fighter, you see less of one discipline and more of the actual "mixed martial arts," where different strikes, defenses, submissions from various disciplines are studied within one fighter. I think that is the future of MMA (by design); the fighters will have to be even more well-rounded than ever before. Any big guy can go in there and strike (Kimbo), but if they have no take-down defense, submission defense, or ability to submit, once on the ground it is over. That is probably why you see what is perceived to be little background in any one discipline, but the ability to use parts of each style. Also remember that for the grappler, striker, and ground fighters, their strikes are designed to set up the take down. They know they will eat a few on the way in, and probably a little sloppier with the strike.

Answer 2

Actually mma stand up is quite sloppy, but having said that there is a good reason for it. It is very difficult to train for standup in mma. There are tons of MT coaches, boxing trainers, etc...that won't even train mma guys. Everything changes in an mma fight. Footwork, the way you hold your hands, everything. Because in boxing, etc you don't have to worry about clinches, takedowns, and whatnot. It's not just a coincidence that there are very few standup mma trainers.

Answer 3

Most fighters in MMA don't use Karate, TKD, and Wing Chung. They incorporate moves form those styles into their boxing/kickboxing repertoire. And I don't know which organizations you have been watching but I know plenty of fighters with outstanding credentials, form black belts to undefeated boxing records. I'll be honest and say that I'm not sure what you mean by sloppy, but you mustn't have seen the Nick Diaz/Diego Sanches bout. Or BJ Penn fight ever, or watch GSP exsecute a techniquely perfect takedown. Or see any of the sports numerous wrestlers switch pass the opponent's full gaurd into the half gaurd, then into side control, and then into mount. Yeah two guys working over each other relentlessly is going to cause some sweat and lead to slippery bodys, but I don't think you understand the complexity and techniques being used in the sport.

Answer 4

i don't know which fighters you've been watching but watch fedor, anderson silva, george st pierre, nick diaz, gomi, bj penn, aoiki, nogueira, ....their are tons that show legit skill

Answer 5

kimbo sucks

Answer 6

Alot of mid level MMA fighters have poor stand up skills.  

Too many MMA guys now focus on the ground too much.  They learn a few Muay Thai power techniques and think that it is adequate stand up.  

I would rate their stand up game as yellow or green belt level when comparing to traditional martial arts.  They know how to throw a round kick to the inner/outer thigh, maybe a rib shot, and maybe they have the flexibility to try a head kick, but they have no chance of landing it because they are too often told it can't work.

I agree you can't be one dimensional, but too many guys are 85% - 90% ground fighting and are not balanced.

Don't get me wrong, those fighters are really tough, alot tougher than a typical yellow or green belt, but their stand up skills have a long way to go.  

James