Heavy MMA Roundtable: Overeem, Aldo, Trash Talkers, Wrestlers In MMA

3. Michael Schiavello wrote an article that got quite a bit of play in the MMA community.  The article asked if wrestling was taking the martial arts out of mixed martial arts.  What do you think?  What are your thoughts on the upper echelon of wrestlers and their impact on the sport?

Jones: It sounds to me like Schiavello’s real problem is that wrestling does not entertain him. He’s hardly the only one of whom that’s true, but I think we should expect a greater respect for such an integral part of Mixed Martial Arts. Wrestling is, in fact, a martial art. I know there aren’t different color belts to earn in Wrestling and that the sport’s history doesn’t include any hint of eastern mysticism or ninjas but that neither disqualifies it as a martial art, nor as a viable discipline on which a Mixed Martial Artist can build his or her skill set.

Lawson: I do not feel wrestling is taking the martial arts out of MMA. It is simply the fact that wrestling is a way to neutralize an opponent who may hold a distinct advantage on the feet. Wrestling is a means to an end, and looking at Josh Koscheck, Cain Velasquez, Georges St. Pierre and the like, the result is usually a victory.

Loco: Wrestling is showing its dominance in MMA currently. But I think it all goes in cycles. For a while everyone was saying the BJJ guys were going to take everyone out. Don’t have a Muay Thai clinch? You’re screwed. Eventually we will see someone take out the wrestler, and then that will be the hotness. We can’t deny the fact that wrestling seems to be the most important facet of the game, as having great takedowns as well as a solid takedown defense can lead to a lot of victories. Toss in some stand up and BJJ? Game over son…the way these little kids are training now, we’re going to have complete packages in the next few years. Like, COMPLETE.

Kyte: Technically, wrestling is a martial art, just we only tend to think of the Asian fighting systems whenever we hear that phrase. The sport moves in cycles, and right now, wrestling is back in fashion and there are too many guys with too little defense for high-caliber takedown artists like GSP and King Mo. Both those guys, as well as other top wrestlers like Brock Lesnar and Jon Fitch, are forcing another evolution in the sport. They’re showing that you have to – HAVE TO – have good takedown defense, no matter how talented you are in other areas of the sport. Their dominance and talents will force everyone else to step their game up, and we’ll benefit by having better fighters and better fights in the future.

Brown: I’m a firm believer in doing what it takes to get a win.  Wrestlers get a bad rap because of their style, but a win doubles your payday and in Koscheck’s case at UFC 113, earned him a title shot.  They’re not pulling an Anderson Silva in there and clowning around.  They’re doing what they do best.  It’s up to everyone else to elevate their own game in order to compete.  I don’t think top tier wrestlers are necessarily hurting MMA, but it’s no secret that the casual fan has very little tolerance for the style in the cage.

4. The UFC Fan Expo is next weekend and Zuffa announced several grappling superfights that will take place during the expo.  Which two current MMA stars would you like to see in a grappling match?  What about a boxing match?

Jones: For me, I’d like to see the same fighter in both a grappling and boxing match, and that’s B.J. Penn. Penn hasn’t done a ton of grappling since winning the Mundials in 2000 just a few weeks after earning his black belt in just three years of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training. Off the top of my head, I’d like to see Penn fight Georges St. Pierre in the grappling match because I’m really interested to see if how their grappling would change without striking in play on any level. In the boxing match, I’d like to see him fight KJ Noons just because Noons is a professional boxer, though Penn has been described as the best striker in MMA by famed boxing trainer Freddie Roach.

Lawson: For a grappling match, I cannot think of a better pair than Jacare Souza and Demian Maia, two of the very best grapplers in MMA. In terms of a boxing match, I would Nick Diaz and Paul Daley. They each have their advantages in boxing and they would both talk trash in the ring.

Loco: I think a Demian Maia vs. BJ Penn grappling match would be a thing of beauty to watch. Heck, I’d pay money to see it. And everyone knows how cheap I am. As for boxing, it’s Tito vs. Dana. We’ve been waiting how long to see it? They owe it to us. I sat through that damn Spike special and got ZILCH.

Kyte: Maia and Jacare. They’re two of the guys we always mention as the top BJJ players in the sport, they fight and grapple in the same weight class and they need to be given a mat and an opportunity to determine who is the best.  For boxing, Penn and Arlovski.  Arlovski has always talked about how much he wants to try his hand at professional boxing, and BJ is one of the best technical boxers in MMA. Plus, we know he’s down for taking on guys who are out of his weight class.

Brown: For pure entertainment value, I’d love to see a Kimbo Slice and Houston Alexander rematch, grappling style.  Two big brawlers not being able to throw kicks or punches.  It think it’d be a riot.  On the boxing side, a match between Shane Carwin and Cain Velasquez would really interest me.  I like heavyweights and grew up on Mike Tyson knockouts.  These two guys would certainly put on a show.  I’d probably pay for that match.