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It is much better to teach striker to grapple. I have done both, and it is rather clear to me. Lets take a look at the best examples: Chute Boxe and BTT. CB is basically a MT school where they have incorporated grappling for MMA. Wand,Ninja and Shogun laid waste to Pride ranks with agression and good cardio. They are NOT that skilled, but they are aggresive, and with the limited space in the ring, they would eventually get to you. Now, they possess JJ skill, but they mostly used it to not take damage on the ground, and get back to their feet. They knew that they were dominate there, and the Pride rules favored their style. Plus, strikers are used to being hit, which makes ALL of the difference in MMA style grappling. Case and point, Frank Mir versus Roberto Traven. Frank Mir was a purple belt and he was facing the Mundial champ and perenniel threat in Traven. As soon as Mir landed a few shots, Traven resorted to grappling sport style. He was so dazed by the punches that Mir was able to pop his arm with an armlock. Imagine any of us purple belts tapping out a world champ in any capacity.
Look at the Nog vs Mirko fight. With WAY less experience in MMA, Mirko was able to take Nog into the second roung where he was submitted. BUT, Nog was saved by the bell at the end of the first round. He likely would have been put to sleep except for the notoriously hard head of Nog. You need only be a relatively competent grappler to fend off the skills of a more experienced grappler.
On the other hand, the BTT is full of TOP NOTCH grapplers, under the guidance of D Gholar, an Olympic level wrestler. The Nogs have decent hands for MMA because they have spent YEARS with arguably the best camp for boxing in the world. The Cuban natl team. But look at their obvious shortcomings. They have little head movement and NOT footwork to speak of. Arona has the worst stance I have ever seen. It is nigh impossible to teach a grappler to modify their stance enough to move fluidly. THAT is why MT is best for MMA. Because it does NOT use a lot of footwork, and footwork is the cornerstone of a good boxer. If you dont think so, try punching a golden gloves champ or an Olympic prospect. I have seen first hand what it is like trying to put some bounce in a grapplers step. Look at Hendo. He punches hard but his footwork sucks. Same of any Gracie that we have ever seen.
Fact is it is much easier to teach a good striker to weather the storm of a good grappler then KO them. Look at Yves Edwards. Questionable grappling, good strikers. Duane Ludwig,Bas Rutten and the CB team. Competent in grappling, but not great by any stretch, but they succeed in being able to force standups an then KO grapplers.
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