I used to watch UFC when it was style VS style, in the Gracie-Shamrcok-Severn-Taktarov era, but not so much when they began to use the composite styles. My questions are, how many of thse guys still throw kicks, how effective are they, and how necessary is it to have a good stiff kick in the repertoire? I just ask out of personal curiosity. I was a wrestler myself, and can't image any grappler voluntarily leaving a strong base when he can just wait for the other guy to do it and shoot on him. Thanks.
Kicks seem to me to be more of a strategic thing. They're pretty risky against a good wrestler but guys like say, Machida, still make them work. Useful for attacking a lead leg or throwing a guy off his rythmn. I'd say it is never a bad thing to have another tool in the bag.
