UFC 98

[Nascent Dynamics ( )]

Machita outclassed Evans with his martial arts. Can you believe it? Karate is back!!!

This is huge for mixed martial arts because you are seeing an evolution of the sport and fighting knowledge. However, for the most part, very few legitimate martial arts masters outside of jujitsu have been in the game. For a while it became all jujitsu with Gracie. Then it became defense of takedowns and solid ground defense by wrestlers who could ground and pound. Then you saw an evolution to stand up fighting because MMA fighters could defend everything else. Now you are seeing it come full circle with the likes of St. Pierre, Andersen Silva, and now Lyoto Machita. These guys are well rounded enough to do everything most other fighters do, but also have an advanced understanding of martial arts that gives them an even better edge.

Pretty exciting for me. I recognize most of the things they are doing. I studied and even taught Shorin Ryu which is very similar to the style Machita comes from. I thought Evans simply didn't understand what he was up against. What he has is a boxer's talent which he has discovered above his already established wrestling. I think he should stick to it, but needs the help of someone who understands advanced martial arts- especially the footwork aspects of timing, distance, and balance which Machita obviously capitalized on with his own.

Who knows, martial arts is one of my business lines I am personally developing. Maybe I will put together a seminar or perhaps even an analyses of the fight.

Best,

Anthony

[Marie Tucker]

That would be cool Anthony :), thanks for sharing your thoughts on the subject.

[Nascent Dynamics ( )]

Hey Marie,

You are so cool! I think the fact you share this personal interest of mine with enthusiasm puts you in a great position to help me with the project then.

The first thing I pay attention to is the footwork. If you watch Anderson Silva go through his feeling out process, he's always starting with exploring the different ways he can set his feet in advantage of his opponent. By the time he starts increasing pressure, and attacking, he's just trying out some ideas he's formulated.

I'm also a personal fan of boxing footwork. From a martial arts perspective, Bruce Lee was one of the first to look at the science of it. In mixed martial arts, the contemporary idea has been a combination of takedowns, takedown defense, and kick boxing. Evans had been showing what a gifted athlete and solid MMA mind can do. However, the problem with even great boxing is it neglects the standard of delivering one decisive blow without receiving one...to win immediately in one moment when it matters the most. At the same time, it just takes a minor focus adjustment to consider how boxing can be used to set up a close. Just need to view it in a microcosm of an instant.

Evans has a talent for this kind of footwork. Believe it or not, you find some even better examples from international fighters from places like France and so on. They have this background appreciation for footwork in soccer, so that one on one talent is a matter of art to them- with footwork being key. To improve footwork, there's nothing better than soccer. However, what Evans probably needs is to play full contact soccer...lol!

Best,

Anthony

Marie Tucker said:

That would be cool Anthony :), thanks for sharing your thoughts on the subject.