MMA News Forums - Gonzaga not impressed with level of BJJ in UFC's heavyweight division

MMA News Forums (http://www.mmanews.com/forums/)

- General MMA Forum (http://www.mmanews.com/forums/general-mma-forum/)

- - Gonzaga not impressed with level of BJJ in UFC's heavyweight division (http://www.mmanews.com/forums/general-mma-forum/61512-gonzaga-not-impressed-level-bjj-ufcs-heavyweight-division.html)

Gonzaga not impressed with level of BJJ in UFC's heavyweight division

Gonzaga not impressed with level of BJJ in UFC's heavyweight division - Mixed Martial Arts News

http://img.mixedmartialarts.com/meth...9-1-48-343.png

Quote:

“Actually I thought it was going to be better. Because when the years go by the people start to develop more skills. But I think the heavyweight division, the people don’t have ground game skills how the other divisions have. Every single different division has a really high level black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu showing their skills there except heavyweights do not having good ground game skills.

Mark Hunt yesterday showed a lot of mistakes in [his] ground game. Brendan Schaub’s last fight too with.. I forgot his name, didn’t show too much of ground game. They improve a lot in wrestling game to put the guys down, to throw the guys to the ground, that improve a lot but the ground game is still a little bit far from the other divisions.”

GG,Mir,Big Nog and Nelson have the best BJJ skills at HW, but it drops off hard after that. I can see what he is saying and while I love the ground game,it rarely looks good at HW.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GL Jeff (Post 1012645)

GG,Mir,Big Nog and Nelson have the best BJJ skills at HW, but it drops off hard after that. I can see what he is saying and while I love the ground game,it rarely looks good at HW.

You left out Werdum and he is your sig!!! get with it man.

Quote:

Brendan Schaub’s last fight too with.. I forgot his name, didn’t show too much of ground game.

I don't disagree with the statement seeing how Schaub really didn't put Johnson into much trouble, though Gonzaga couldn't finish Schaub in that UD loss against him.

I have the feeling this was in response to a question, and was taken out of context. He's not commonly a shit-talker, I think he was probably asked about the progress in grappling development in the division.

That said, Hunt would DESTROY GG, and I say that as a fan of both fighters. He's talking about Hunt like he should have a great ground game, when Mark is a world-class kickboxer...it's like saying GG should have developed better striking and standup defense, coming from his grappling background. Hunt's grappling has improved more than Gonzaga's standup, as far as I've seen...but both are focused more on being adequate to supplement their original, go-to skill set.

I'm curious to see how GG fares Browne, it could be telling for both fighters. I do think GG beats Schaub 6 times in 9 rematches, however. I think fighting with jitters because of the memory of JDS's brutality. He's a more complete, far more dangerous fighter than Schaub, in my opinion...

...but I'm curious how Browne reacts to having his hype-bubble lose a bit of air and if the pressure gets to him...or if he comes in collected and focused.

rh

if hes not impressed why dont he use it more often?

Yea come on GL Jeff.. Got Werdum in ur sig and he's arguably the best BJJ practitioner in the HW division. But I'll let it slide this one time!

Quote:

Originally Posted by rivethead (Post 1012675)

If GG went in with the sole purpose of getting Hunt down, GG has a great chance. All he has to do is speak the mantra "straight armbar" in his head.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniggles (Post 1012696)

If GG went in with the sole purpose of getting Hunt down, GG has a great chance. All he has to do is speak the mantra "straight armbar" in his head.

I don't think GG has great takedowns, and I think Hunt has really worked to be better at defending, and to work his way back up. It's a bit academic, but with GG's chin, I can't see him getting Hunt down before Hunt finds the magic button that sends him to dream land. Or in Struve's case, to the wost. ambulance. ever.

rh