Where are the young prospects of MMA??

Also, I think the actual pedigree's are going away. Why be a kickboxing beast when there are so many gyms that offer standard MMA?

Instead of people who specialized in certain martial arts, more and more people are coming in having specialized in MMA. IMO it is less entertaining, but it is also the ultimate direction the sport is heading..

The only things that can really change are the ingredients of MMA teachers..

If MMA is a soup, then it seems that a combination of BJJ and Wrestling is going to be the base by default, whether one or the other is emphasized should be dictated by a fighters natural abilities, unless they were brought up wrestling in high school and college, or were competing in bjj matches in brazil.

Next is going to be the striking, Muay Thai seems to be great because it is a well balanced mixture of punching, kicking, knees, and the sometimes overlooked category of the standing clinch.. It covers A LOT of ground, and is quite effective..

Otherwise, you have to learn some mixture of styles, like kickboxing and Judo, or Boxing and Judo.

An interesting combo I would like to see, is somewhat like what Jackson has.. Boxing, Wrestling, and Judo. It presents two weaknesses, basically if you end up on your back, and vulnerability to kicks. But on paper, it seems quite solid as a base of styles, very controlling compilation that lends itself to someone who is naturally strong with good balance..

If its someone who isn't strong, but very flexible, tall and lanky, it would be bjj and muay thai.

 

I don't believe Rampage has much Judo experience.

 

Yeah true, most of the youngsters the UFC do have mainly come through TUF. Not saying these two are good prospects but it was good to see the UFC give a chance to two youngsters Tom Egan (20) and John Hathaway (21) on the Dublin card. There is also Judo gold medalist Satoshi Ishii, its going to be interesting to see how he does when he does make his debut.

 

Your right, I mean if I were to create the ultimate style for a fighter like rampage, I would include Judo in his game.. Rampage is dominant at close range and is very strong on the inside, but he's eaten knees before. Judo is the standing clinch work I would give such a fighter to neutralize muay Thai. It also acts as a great counter to any would be takedowns.. Someone as powerful as him would be able to force opponents into positions so that he could take advantage of throws. He would be alike a garbage disposal once anybody gets within punching range or closer.

 

Beebs, do you agree, or are my observations wrong about prospects?

Doesn't seem to be many coming into MMA from striking disciplines, which usually equate to entertaining dynamite, clean knockouts.

I watch Evan's KO of Liddel, and while it was well timed and everything, the punch itself was ****ing disgusting/not a pretty form, just sort of a flail with a fist at the end of it..

He just seems to throw like that.