High-level judo fighters propose unique problems for fighters that aren't prepared for it. Look at the Condit vs. Miura fight, for example. Lots of fighters whose main striking style is boxing are very successful, including Rampage, Rashad, Marcus Davis, just to name a few, plus a plethora of others.
Truly, you can find top fighters that use each discipline as their main threat in a fight. So what discipline separates itself from the rest of the pack?
Let's consider Randy Couture's greatest strength. No, not wrestling, but imposing his will. Imposing your will is something very important, and that is ultimately what wrestlers do best. B.J. Penn can keep a fight standing up against almost anyone if he desires to, because of his amazing takedown defense.
Georges St. Pierre has the ability to take a fight to the ground against any fighter if he doesn't want to try his hand at the stand-up game. Wrestling is the best combat discipline for MMA because it has the ability to decide where a fight takes place.
Liddell likes to fight on the feet, Tito likes to ground and pound. Randy likes to control from the clinch, and Frankie Edgar likes to hit the switch.
Any fighter can avoid their weakest spot in a fight if they are better wrestlers than their opponent. Jiu-jitsu fighters may be forced to have striking matches against fighters they can't take down. Boxers and Muay Thai fighters may be forced to fight off their back if they lack necessary wrestling, neutralizing their entire gameplan.
Derek Bedell
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