tripster

That is precisely why I qualified the post with Wrestling as a base and not the only fighting style. I think the fundamental advantage a high caliber wrestler has is the ability to instantaneously take the fight to the ground and change the course of the fight. This dynamic and explosive action throws opponents off while they attempt to adjust their game plan, whether that be a striker or BJJ guy.

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Tripster

St.Paul Guy

I like how GSP is classified as a wrestler.

5/8 of the champs use wrestling offensively (5/10 if you count Barao and Rousey) to some extent. Calling it the dominant fighting style is silly.

If it were the dominant style world-class wrestlers would "dominate" every division. 0/10 of the champs are world-class wrestlers and that isn't even debatable really....

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tripster

It is very difficult for people to grasp the notion that a fighter can be prominent in one fighting style when we are talking MMA, the very definition being MIXED martial arts. However it is a fact.

Since GSP considered wrestling in the Olympics, I think, adds some legitimacy to him being classified as a wrestler. Henderson really began his fighting career in highschool and college as a wrestler.

The thread is interesting because the ongoing discussions revolving around best fighting styles is a classic and given the current division champs, it's a great time to bring it up.

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Tripster

OU

Cormier is the closest we have to a champ with world class wrestling. He isn't in the UFC and techincally not even the SF Champion, but he is the SF GP Champion and will be immediate contender for UFC title. Cole Konrad won exclusively with wrestling in his career. Ben Askren is the same way. While they are not UFC Champions, they are prime examples of world class wrestlers using wrestling, pretty much exclusively to succeed at a high level.

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Rauno

http://www.strikeforce.com/fighter DC is an official HW champ for SF. Guess they figured making him as the champ while they're at it.

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OU

Well they can give him the belt I suppose. But I don't recall them saying winner of Josh vs DC is the Champion? But I guess when their belt holder went to the UFC all that was left was the GP Championship. So technically he did win a Championship with SF and he is the only HW on SF roster that can say that.
But as far as I know he never won a fight where the SF HW title was on the line.

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americanfighter

I would say wrestling is the best base when you are firs breaking in to MMA but you have to develop other skills along the way because just wrestling won't be enough.

Of all the GOATs it seems like nost of them were wrestlers with MT and BJJ tied in second.

GSP
Hendo
Bendo
Coleman
Shamrok Bros
The Natural
Tito
Hughes
Lidell (though he never really used it)

They all started out as wrestlers or predominately use wresting in their style.

However really its hard to say their a wrestler when their really an MMA fighter

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MMA-Sportsman

I have a theory that it comes to the fact the great majority of these fighters are Americans and wrestling is widely train in America since young age in many schools and continuing through university.

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I will support your good point regardless of our differences.

locnott

I think so, Dan Severn and Don Fry really showed what a good wrestler could do, them Coleman and Kerr just dominated, seems there something to that theory.


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HitOrGetHit

Wrestling is definitely the best when it is complimenting something else IMO. Just due to the fact that as others have mentioned, it allows the fighter to dictate where a fight takes place.

But a pure wrestler would not fair all that well. I mean look at Brock, sure he had a few good wins, but all in all, with just the wrestling really at an elite level, he would get smoked trying to run at the title now even if he was 100%


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Thanks M.C for the sig!