...finding this old UFC video of Gary Goodridge doing a Kuk Sul Weon takedown of Paul Herrera (whose fighting style, whatever it was, played no part in the bout). Amazing takedown and knockout.
That's often the problem for "percussive" martial artists who don't train in grappling and ground work: most rule-free fights end up on the ground, with the combatants in some sort of clinch, and the normal kicking and punching strategies are effectively neutralized.
This is what brought the entire Gracie family into such prominence during the early days of UFC (back when there was no weight class, or time limit, or rules beyond "no biting, eye-gouging, or hair-pulling"): as exponents of Brazilian jujitsu, they were all ground fighters, and were consistent winners against a wide variety of styles. About the only real disadvantage I see to such fighting-- which requires total body commitment in order to neutralize the opponent's limbs-- is that the techniques aren't much good against multiple attackers.
Speaking of grappling, I just watched Mickey Rourke's "The Wrestler" on cable. Thoroughly depressing film, but Rourke deserved the Oscar nomination.
Further digression: back in the early Aughts, my brother Sean was flipping randomly through the channels when we caught an MTV reality series about aspiring pro wrestlers called "Tough Enough." I was hooked. Unlike most reality TV, this show was primarily about the contestants' ability to survive the grueling training regimen, with the winner gaining a much-coveted contract as a pro wrestler.
The training looked almost military, the stunts were scary in their level of difficulty, and injuries were just par for the course. Big, strong guys found themselves reduced to tears by the hell they were enduring, and because everyone was training so hard, there was a refreshing lack of mind games and pettiness. Quite the opposite: the contestants developed an almost brotherly and sisterly camaraderie, and every time someone was cut, it was sad for the group as a whole.
Since watching that show, I've gained a weird respect for what pro wrestlers do, despite the sordidness and ridiculousness that haunt the spectacle. The Rourke film offers a portrayal that isn't far from what I saw on "Tough Enough" (the MTV series also dealt, at least peripherally, with performance-enhancing drug issues); both visually and emotionally, the movie rang true.
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oh my goodness. i dont know what the hell it was i just witnessed, but it sure was quick and brutal!
ReplyDeleteNicely done. Yet another reason to stay on your feet.
ReplyDeleteMalcolm,
ReplyDeleteThat's often the problem for "percussive" martial artists who don't train in grappling and ground work: most rule-free fights end up on the ground, with the combatants in some sort of clinch, and the normal kicking and punching strategies are effectively neutralized.
This is what brought the entire Gracie family into such prominence during the early days of UFC (back when there was no weight class, or time limit, or rules beyond "no biting, eye-gouging, or hair-pulling"): as exponents of Brazilian jujitsu, they were all ground fighters, and were consistent winners against a wide variety of styles. About the only real disadvantage I see to such fighting-- which requires total body commitment in order to neutralize the opponent's limbs-- is that the techniques aren't much good against multiple attackers.
Speaking of grappling, I just watched Mickey Rourke's "The Wrestler" on cable. Thoroughly depressing film, but Rourke deserved the Oscar nomination.
Further digression: back in the early Aughts, my brother Sean was flipping randomly through the channels when we caught an MTV reality series about aspiring pro wrestlers called "Tough Enough." I was hooked. Unlike most reality TV, this show was primarily about the contestants' ability to survive the grueling training regimen, with the winner gaining a much-coveted contract as a pro wrestler.
The training looked almost military, the stunts were scary in their level of difficulty, and injuries were just par for the course. Big, strong guys found themselves reduced to tears by the hell they were enduring, and because everyone was training so hard, there was a refreshing lack of mind games and pettiness. Quite the opposite: the contestants developed an almost brotherly and sisterly camaraderie, and every time someone was cut, it was sad for the group as a whole.
Since watching that show, I've gained a weird respect for what pro wrestlers do, despite the sordidness and ridiculousness that haunt the spectacle. The Rourke film offers a portrayal that isn't far from what I saw on "Tough Enough" (the MTV series also dealt, at least peripherally, with performance-enhancing drug issues); both visually and emotionally, the movie rang true.