The Problem with the UFC

Mr. Grapple · 07-21-2006, 12:33 PM

Is really more the problem with MMA in the U.S.

THe thing is that americans have a huge and enviable wrestling culture. Collegiate wrestling. So it's natural for most of the best athletes in UFC to be wrestling trained. Which makes for excellent takedowns, makes them hard to hurt because wrestlers have no neck and this prevents easy knock-outs. Wrestling is a natural step to MMA in the States.

Here's the problem though. Wrestlers have no real ability to pass the guard and as good as some UFC fighters are at throwing punches while inside the guard, they're seldom show-stoppers. Usually, it's a decision win because they can't or won't advance the action to a better position. The result? A boring fight where a judge decides the winner.

Now, not all UFC fights go this way. Hughes seems to have surpassed this wrestler's rut. So have a few others. But the real excitement is now in stand-up in UFC whereas in Pride it's both on the ground AND standing. Also the yellow card system is great. UFC should adopt one.

TrueDolFan · 07-21-2006, 12:39 PM

I agree the UFC would benefit from a yellow card system. But as far as the whole wrestling thing goes, if a pure wrestler comes into the UFC, he would be completely DESTROYED by a well-rounded fighter. You have to be well rounded in MMA, whether it's the UFC or PRIDE. Tehe UFC has PLENTY of guys that are much more than wrestlers. It's guys like Diego Sanchez, and Josh Koshcheck, and Rashad Evans that give the UFC a bad name - to people who only watch the stuff on Spike TV.

ebondark · 07-21-2006, 12:50 PM

I dub this thread a WAAHHHHHHH thread.

I like UFC's system. I get to see a different style of fighting then I get to see in PRIDE. It's nice to see the two competitors.

WAHHHHHH

Mr. Grapple · 07-21-2006, 12:54 PM

who's crying? I'm just saying that if you're hardcore, you watch Pride. If you want a sport laiden with very non-combat-like behaviour, then watch UFC. That's all. No tears.

jkt · 07-21-2006, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Grapple

who's crying? I'm just saying that if you're hardcore, you watch Pride. If you want a sport laiden with very non-combat-like behaviour, then watch UFC. That's all. No tears.

hahaha... I like that one

GiantKill3r · 07-21-2006, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueDolFan

It's guys like Diego Sanchez, and Josh Koshcheck, and Rashad Evans that give the UFC a bad name - to people who only watch the stuff on Spike TV.

I'll at least give Diego credit for his cage-agression/willingness to engage, a broader & more refined arsenal of submissions, and, for his continuous (though marginal) improvement in stand-up striking.

While I'm not necessarily a fan of Diego's, I must admit that he doesn't nearly deserve to be lumped in with the likes of Koscheck or Evans. Their grappling-oriented styles make for MUCH more dull matches.

KingSnake · 07-21-2006, 01:00 PM

UFC should allow stomps/downed kicks and put in a card system for stalling.

ebondark · 07-21-2006, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Grapple

who's crying? I'm just saying that if you're hardcore, you watch Pride. If you want a sport laiden with very non-combat-like behaviour, then watch UFC. That's all. No tears.

If you're hardcore watch them both. They each offer their own flavor. You don't like the ground game in UFC (which I think you should change your name from MrGrapple then

) so be it.

Some of us love it. I like to see Tito drag his opponents into the corner and lay in with elbows and strikes. I like it when Even Tanner does his GnP. Is someone like Rashad Evans kind of boring ... yeah he's the exception not the rule. Should he lose fights for LnP ... yeah I think that aggression on the ground should be increased in point value where if you are on the ground too much and don't fight aggressively you should actually lose points.

However I don't like how PRIDE moves fighters from one location to another at the edge of the ring. It screws up momentum and gives a fighter time to recover. I don't like how quickly they stand fighters up ... agian there are fighters who given a little time can do some very cool attacks from the ground. Hell we both know that Tito would get destroyed in the PRIDE ring becuase his fighting style isn't condusive for it.

In the UFC cage though many PRIDE fighters would get owned by him and he sure as hell is exciting to watch!

ebondark · 07-21-2006, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingSnake

UFC should allow stomps/downed kicks and put in a card system for stalling.

The only thing they should add is Knees to the head in North/South position to prevent stalling from that position.

KravMachado · 07-21-2006, 01:12 PM

Dude I dont know if you've noticed that American Fighters have concentrated nowadays on staying out of someone's guard.

The day of "subbing someone" from the guard are over! Sure they can do that worldwide, but most US fighters are learning more and more and focussing more and more on either getting back to their feet and dropping bombs. Or, if they are in someone's guard, pounding the crap out of them from top position. Which I believe is more realistic, more intelligent AND more entertaining.

I wanna see blood! I dont wanna see some squirrly bastard lookin like he wants you to dry hump them. I like BJJ (when in the hands of a truly skilled BJJer).. But most of what MMA gets worldwide are "good" BJJers.

You've seen it more and more in the UFC/WEC/IFL etc.... Idiots who have no MMA skills sit on their back while the other guy is standing over them and the idiot on his back put his hands behind his head and say "Come Down Here"! IT's the gayest looking move ever.... BE A MAN AND STAND!!!!! Nothing wrong catching someone in a submission, but the day of "working off your back" are OVER!