[BayAreaGuy]

PT: For a guy that's dominated in both a ring and cage, why do you think so many of these Pride studs are coming to the UFC and just getting owned in a lot of fights? And why was your transition so clean when you came from PANCRASE to the UFC? What's the secret Bas?

BR: You know, I like space. I get really uncomfortable in small spaces. So when I first stepped into the UFC ring, I was like, "Holy Motown man," it was so much bigger than I thought, and although it's an octagon, it pretty much feels like a circle when you're fighting in it There really are no useable corners. Yeah there are corners, but not big enough to use like you would with a corner in a boxing or wrestling ring. I think the problem guys from Pride have had is that they can't lock someone up in the corners and deliver those super big blows like Mirko likes to do. In a cage you just keep circling around-and-around. So at least with a guy like Mirko, he can't holdup in a corner and deliver those devastating blows he usually does. Pride guys are really going to have to adapt and change their game plan if they want to succeed in the UFC. They have to figure out how they're going to lock guys up but through a different approach. Yeah, training against the change is big too, but they have to figure out how to not rely on those big corners you get in the ring. I personally can lock a guy up against a flat wall. You have to stand straight-on with a guy, cuz if you don't, he'll just slip out the opposite side you're pushing him against. In a ring the guy has nowhere to run to in the corner. In a cage, he just runs out the opposite way. And the thing is, when you're standing square to a guy, your power shots from both sides are going to be so powerful. They haven't realized yet that fighting square in the cage is what needs to be done. If you keep just trying to set up a left kick over-and-over, it's too easy in a cage to just keep circling and avoiding that left shot.

Very intersting perspective and very true. Mirko has said he's getting rid of his small cage and putting in a big UFC size cage in his gym.

Right now though, for this era, I think Fedor is the best. He might not be competing much lately, but to me he's still the best

Bas knows his MMA.