Can a person with 73.5 reach beat someone with 81 ?
 

Is it possible for a person with 73.5 reach to beat someone in a fight with an 81 reach? given he is more skilled/talented?

second question is, is where does reach come from mostly? is it mostly in the arms? or shoulders? cuz i have a friend who has super broad shoulders but with a short reach.

bump. what are some fighters with broad shoulders, short arms

Seriously asking? Of course you can beat an opponent while having a reach disadvantage. As for examples, look up Hector Lombard, Sean Sherk and Rousimar Palhares. These guy's are the T-Rex's of the MMA world.

I know of a one armed fighter that is finishing professional fighters with two normal, functioning arms. Wouldn't that be more difficult then just battling reach?
Cyrille Diabate has a 81.5 inch reach and has lost numerous times in both kickboxing and MMA. I doubt he ever fought anyone with reach longer then his. Anthony Perosh beat him and he has a reach of 75 inches.