Good technique that can cost you...
Before I start with our normally scheduled newsletter, let me just say that I haven't heard anything from Funker Tactical regarding my challenge... other than this screenshot of someone's conversation with Doug Marcaida, who is unsurprisingly preoccupied.
We can't all be specialists in silliness.
Further updates will be posted on the bottom of the ol' newsletter from this point forward, but I honestly don't expect we will hear anything...
Trav's relatively unsurprised face:
For today...
I recently caught this exchange between Kevin Holland and Jacare Souza... which is phenomenal on multiple levels.
Jacare is often regarded as the best Jiu Jitsu fighter in the UFC.
This is why you'll hear Daniel Cormier saying, "It is wayyy to early to be on the ground with Jacare," after Holland suffers an early takedown.
But, Holland remains squirrely and Jacare makes a mistake that I usually see Jiu Jitsu guys make when they're first transitioning into MMA... and it costs him badly.
In Jiu Jitsu, when you're in your opponent's guard, you can attack it with posture. He wants to use his legs to keep your bodyweight forward, so he can control it... making you easier to sweep or submit via arm-bar, triangle choke, etc.
But, when you posture up (and back), YOU control your own bodyweight, and you actively challenge the clamping power of the guy's legs... which will help to tire him out, and fatigue his 'guard'.
This is great form... in Jiu Jitsu.
But, it's problematic in MMA because posturing creates SPACE, and space leaves room for bigger strikes to be thrown.
This is why much of Jiu Jitsu in MMA involves a lot of close-quarters smothering, and mild aggravation inducing strikes like these:
And yet, in that first clip, Jacare postures up like he doesn't have a care in the world...
Holland lands a beautiful hook from his back, which rapidly spins Jacare's head, thus creating the perfect recipe for a knockout.
Further carnage ensues...
So what the heck happened here?
Jacare is no stranger to MMA... in fact he's really good, so this seems like an odd mistake.
Trav's theories on what, precisely, the heck happened:
1. Perhaps Jacare's training partners stopped throwing hard strikes from their backs during training.
Little MMA gloves damage faces, so they held back. As such, maybe Jacare "forgot" exactly how vulnerable he can be in this ultra-common Jiu Jitsu position, since he's able to get away with it in training.
If no one is actively hurting you, you lose the fear.
2. Perhaps Holland's incessant 'trash' talking had a desirable effect.
You can hear Holland yelling "Nice one Jac'!" ...each time he's hit with a big shot.
Moments before Jacare gets caught, he's is posturing up with a big goofy grin on his face, perhaps overindulging in the interaction.
He only covers his head once he's been badly hurt.
Stay focused, big fella. The end is always nigh until fatigue has softened the blows.
3. I had a third theory, but I forgot it.... and now I'm going to go make a sandwich.
Oh wait! Maybe it was just a perfect / lucky punch.
Yep. Could be.
In any event, definitely check out the video... it's a nice little nugget of MMA.
In any event, have a fantastic weekend!
Trav