Eliminating closed guard in MMA...

[kayoss]

OK so there is all this talk on multiple forums about boring lay and pray fights that go to decisions.

There are 2 popular proposed solutions to this:

1. Allowing Knees and stomps to a grounded opponent (like in pride)

2. Changing the way the fights are judged

Both of those are very viable solutions but I would like to introduce a 3rd...

At first thought, eliminating closed guard seems like a dumb idea that would favor wrestlers even more.

Think about it though, as soon as the fight goes to the ground there is going to be instant action, it will encourage the BJJ guys to go for more subs, faster. Instead of seeing the bottom guy close his guard up, you will see him getting those legs up high for triangle/armbar attempts. There would be much more scrambling on the ground and it would make for much more exciting fights.

Lay and Pray would be virtually eliminated. Wrestlers will be trying to pass guard much more often and the bottom guy would be sweeping, scrambling, trying to get up and getting those legs up high for subs.

Bottom line, the stalling is caused just as much from the guy in bottom position using closed guard as it is by the guy in top position.

What do you guys think?

[Gorilla Dogs]

OK so there is all this talk on multiple forums about boring lay and pray fights that go to decisions.

There are 2 popular proposed solutions to this:

1. Allowing Knees and stomps to a grounded opponent (like in pride)

2. Changing the way the fights are judged

Both of those are very viable solutions but I would like to introduce a 3rd...

At first thought, eliminating closed guard seems like a dumb idea that would favor wrestlers even more.

Think about it though, as soon as the fight goes to the ground there is going to be instant action, it will encourage the BJJ guys to go for more subs, faster. Instead of seeing the bottom guy close his guard up, you will see him getting those legs up high for triangle/armbar attempts. There would be much more scrambling on the ground and it would make for much more exciting fights.

Lay and Pray would be virtually eliminated. Wrestlers will be trying to pass guard much more often and the bottom guy would be sweeping, scrambling, trying to get up and getting those legs up high for subs.

Bottom line, the stalling is caused just as much from the guy in bottom position using closed guard as it is by the guy in top position.

What do you guys think?

Thats jus insane


PErsonally, G Dog thinks ground and pound to the head should be banned since there is no give against the ground

[kayoss]

Thats jus insane


PErsonally, G Dog thinks ground and pound to the head should be banned since there is no give against the ground

Thats exactly the reason most guys in mma know NOT to lay there head on the ground while punches are coming in. You bob and weave just like in boxing.

[Gojira]

knees and stomps to the head will never be allowed because of the controversey it will create and would be a step back in the growth of mma

[Clegg]

I think it's a bad idea that would greatly disadvantage the fighter on the bottom.

It may lead to more submission attempts, but these would be reckless and in desperation, not skillful or well-timed. Just because you are forced to go for something doesn't mean that it's anymore likely to work.

Another issue is that you need a closed guard for certain submissions, at the very least to control your opponent's posture. If your opponent is sitting up and your guard is open, it can be hard to position him so that you can apply a submission, even if the submission in question doesn't end with you having a closed guard.

I disagree that boring LnP fights are as much the fault of the bottom guy as the top guy. A lot of wrestlers position themselves and follow tactics that are designed to nullify BJJ techniques rather than inflict damage. They have the option to be more aggressive, which would create better fights and more finishing opportunities for both guys. The guy on the bottom however has less power to be aggressive or open things up.

[Gorilla Dogs]

Wrestling will be in MMA as it was at the start...no stoppin em now

[American_Ninja]

Change the scoring system, if anything.
Other wise if it aint broke don't fix it.

[TBEC2]

OK so there is all this talk on multiple forums about boring lay and pray fights that go to decisions.

There are 2 popular proposed solutions to this:

1. Allowing Knees and stomps to a grounded opponent (like in pride)

2. Changing the way the fights are judged

Both of those are very viable solutions but I would like to introduce a 3rd...

At first thought, eliminating closed guard seems like a dumb idea that would favor wrestlers even more.

Think about it though, as soon as the fight goes to the ground there is going to be instant action, it will encourage the BJJ guys to go for more subs, faster. Instead of seeing the bottom guy close his guard up, you will see him getting those legs up high for triangle/armbar attempts. There would be much more scrambling on the ground and it would make for much more exciting fights.

Lay and Pray would be virtually eliminated. Wrestlers will be trying to pass guard much more often and the bottom guy would be sweeping, scrambling, trying to get up and getting those legs up high for subs.

Bottom line, the stalling is caused just as much from the guy in bottom position using closed guard as it is by the guy in top position.

What do you guys think?

No what will happen is the bottom fighter will get his guard passed and the lay n prayer will lay n pray from side control. It will change nothing.

[Steven Adams]

I been to a few local mma shows where the bottom dude was able to pull guard.. not effectively yet get a 10 count.. then they would stand up the fighters... even tho the person on top was still working away with his gnp.

[kayoss]

I been to a few local mma shows where the bottom dude was able to pull guard.. not effectively yet get a 10 count.. then they would stand up the fighters... even tho the person on top was still working away with his gnp.

A 10 count? What org uses a 10 count?