Physically, definitely. Technically though, Angle won a HW gold medal as a small HW. The level of technique of a typical NCAA national champ is miles away from from that of a gold medalist. Also most of Brock vs Angle was probably going for takedowns from standing, which would slightly favor the Freestyler vs the Folkstyler. Regardless though, Angle just has perfect technical skills.
I still think there is an aspect of him, actually showing signs of being an amateur. So, lets get the obvious amateur things out of the way, the stage freight, not there for Brock, he is used to performing in front of big crowds, used to the attention and stardom, he deals with it his own way.. What I'm concerned with is how he reacts when he feels he is in danger. He really showed no fear in there against Herring, he wasn't afraid, or really even too wary of being hit. All of a sudden that he is aware of guys punching abilities, it seems like the very moment he gets hit, he turns into a nervous wreck. I think guys like Karo get it from the pressure to perform, Brock seems to get it merely from the threat of being hit, it seems. This is what I was trying to explain. This is more fight psychology.. I'm just trying to understand the beast known as Brock. So far, this is what I have observed.
Great match for analysis, it looked Brock wasn't confident to go through the motions with Velasquez. Brock came out madman aggressiion and wanted to finish quick. It wasn't coming off, Cain was calm and confident defending then it seemed Brock basically gave up when it wasn't working. Watch when Cain escapes being pressed against the cage, Cain is ready to fight and Brock stance is he didn't want to be in there. I thought something was fishy but maybe something in his camp made his technical skill go Gaga. Brock is better fighter than that match.
I think the strangest thing is when Cain had Brock on his knees and kind of had his back, Brock did nothing except eat some punches. He made absolutely no attempt to get up whatsoever. Also Brock looked really wobbly at about 2.30 of the fight (when he throws a back hand) from what appears to be a semi stiff jab, his legs look like jelly.
The real problem is that any intelligent analysis goes straight out the window with Brock, if he loses he's a complete chump, if he wins he's an unstoppabe viking god. Seriously go back and watch Randy/Lesnar and tell me that the way the wrestling went with Cain was unexpected. Brocks a good wrestler but not a level above many others we've seen in MMA and his ability to hold guys down has always been questionable.
Thats down to the calibre of opponent. Herring is shot. His heyday was a long time ago in PRIDE. That said Brock isnt used to being punched in the face. Every time he throws a shot he instinctively turns his head. Thats a man that hasnt done alot of sparring. Brock needs to get in the ring with some decent boxers and just spar. His CV will improve. His standup will improve. And most of all he'll get used to being hit.
The question mark as far as im concerned was always there. But too many bought into the hype because of his performance vs Mir. The Mir performance flattered him somewhat. But mainly because Mir never knows what to do when on his back and taking punishment. Brock tooled him in a devastating display. But alas it was Frank Mir. And im afraid he's just not a good enough barometer for measuring anyone's abilitys.
I would've loved to have seen Kurt Angle at his prime in a MMA fight just to see how quick his takedown would be. He seems so fast with it, from what I've seen in videos. He's amazingly agile and flexible.
Its always difficult to imagine these kinds of match-ups. As although Angle had/has a great base in wrestling and was an Olympic Gold medallist as well as an NCAA D1 Champ with great wrestling credentials, MMA is a different kettle of fish. Angle could have been similar to Randy Couture maybe. Or he could have gone the way that Coleman Kerr and Randleman did. By all accounts taking into consideration Angles insane competitiveness he would have had quite a bit of success.
Go back and watch the second Mir fight again and you'll see that the warning signs are there aswell. In the second round Frank lands some good shots on Lesnar standing and Brock starts to look very panicy before he gets an easy out with that ill judged knee from Mir.
Brock has paper skin and cuts way to easy. He just does not have the skin to be a MMA fighter. I bet you could slap him and it would cut him.
I think Scurla hit it on the head that Brock needs to increase his sparring. Schaub all but pointed that out when he openly complained that Brock's camp was only focused on wrestling. I think people are starting to underestimate Brock now by saying he is glass chinned. He took a brutal pounding from heavy handed Shane Carwin and rallied to win the fight. People are also underestimating Cain Velazquez' kickboxing ability. The way he put his combinations on Lesnar made me think Julio Cesar Chavez would have approved. He was deadly precise with his shots. He stayed calm throughout and took Brock apart like an assassin. Cain is the real deal and for the moment the best heavyweight on the planet. He may have a weakness in terms of submissions that someone could exploit - but If he makes it past Dos Santos I think he will sit atop the heavyweight division for a long time.
It's a good point, look at Karam Garber, the best Greco Guy in the world at the time, he went out throwing arm punches at Fujita like a school yard fight.