Good evening. Have any questions regarding MMA?

Well, the problem with more traditional martial arts is that by themself they're very ineffective in a real fight or an MMA fight. The most effective fighting style was proven to be Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. However, once fighters in other disciplines started to understand what was happening, they gained an advantage. This forced BJJ stylists to learn Muay Thai and Boxing techniques (both of which are the two most potent forms of striking styles) and thus you get a Mixed Martial Artist.

Judo and Karate by themselves are not effective. Karate moreso then Judo. However, once you augment one's knowledge of Karate (as Machida has done with amazing results) with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, with wrestling, boxing, Muay Thai...then you gain a different perspective on what's happening in a fight and you can then use certain karate techniques (or Judo) correctly and in the correct time.

And I think it's Quintin Jackson and a few others that have said that. That's their mentality, and while I don't agree with it, I can't particularly hate them for it. Similar to how some boxers are not the most traditional of martial artists, you'll have that same effect in MMA where you have a greater variety of fighters from different cultures and economic classes. Different types of people. (Thankfully, we have at the top, true martial artists)

I, personally, adhere very strictly to the code of ethics taught in more traditional martial arts such as honor and respect. If others don't, I feel it's their loss as it should be about improving yourself as a person, and not necessarily as a fighter. I learn to fight so I don't have to. (Except in competition)

 

Most likely, what you saw was one of his first fights. If you look at his more recent fights (against Thiago Silva and Rashad Evans) you'll see a highly technical fighter who seems to stymie everyone he fights.

Clearly when you're first starting out you'll have large skill gaps and it'll show through incomplete technique. But, as I said, if you watch his more recent fights, you'll see he's done very well in avoiding damage and dealing considerable damage to his opponents. He augments his traditional MMA skill sets (Muay Thai, Boxing, Wrestling, Jiu Jitsu) very well with his family styled Karate.

 

Well, if you want to draw a relative comparison to boxing (as another combative athletic sport) then I would simply say that boxing has been around for quite some time and has had time to establish itself in the mainstream audience.

The problem, as I've said many times, is people are woefully ignorant to MMA and it's techniques and applications. (In particular, the ground fighting) Once people understand that, more generally, MMA will, I believe, soar in popularity.

And ESPN isn't the greatest source for MMA based knowledge. They're taking a very reserved approach to this sport because of how "controversal" it's perceived.

 

Interesting...

And no, I do not.

 

Yes, it is.

He's using a very nice combination of boxing/Muay Thai with Karate tactics. Probably not shown there as that seems to be the end of the fight. However, if you view the fight in it's entirety, you'll see (if you're looking at it without bias) that he's using very effective evasive techniques and striking as well as body positioning and leverage in the clinch.