Yup agreed Dragon Sleeper.He says he doesnt train and the last fight with maurice he said that he did not prepare for that.Just got off the bar stool so to speak.But not a lot of fighters can boast of having pounded some of the better striker and grapplers without formal training but with just brute force.It is only now that he is learning to counter some of the take downs and to be effective against or in the guard position.
During the first UFC events which I saw in laser discs I was always booing the grapplers because I thought that it did not take much skill in taking down an opponent and choking him.Hey, I thought, any moron can choke.That's for fighters who can't take and deliver punches.But recently my views have changed.I have taken up Aikido and my Sensei teaches me a little bit of Judo on the side.We have sparring matches ever so often.No hold barred judo sparring meaning take downs, submissions, chokes, you name it.Of course no striking because that is not Judo and I don't want to hurt my Sensei. ;Dhehe.Actually he beats the crap out of me.He weighs around 140 to 150 and I weigh around 185 and taller than him.He's taught me a lot of submissions especially the arm bar and a lot of chokes.It is not only to go for the throat but to sink your bone near your thumb to the adams apple and squeeze with your shoulders and head.There are a lot of choke position that you wouldn't believe.I am able to lift him and throw him down but so far I always tap out.You gotta be ready for injuries if your gonna spar no holds barred.
Man now I appreciate it when a grappler takes his opponent down and goes for a hold.Believe me it is not as easy as it looks.Hurts like hell when your opponent have you in a correct arm bar.
To those UFC fans out there.Pareng Dragon Sleeper.Take up Judo or Jui Jitsu if your into grappling.Muay Thai, boxing, Yaw Yan, Jeet Kune Do, etc if your into striking.Of course if you are into subduing with minimal injury to your opponent, take up Aikido which is what I'm currently learning.Ask those clubs if they are into sparring coz there is no substitute to being on the mat with an opponent.Then you will truly appreciate UFC, Pride or whatever fight tourneys you watch.It is a different kind of rush I tell you.
If UFC did not have rules, Tank would have been champion ten times over.
Elf