Is Machida an anomoly having success with a karate backgound

[Luke]

He's had great success in the UFC coming from a striking background. Brandon Thatch is the only other guy that I can think of with a karate background that has a lot of potential. So is a karate background something that can propel you to the title or are these two guys outliers and karate isn't that successful in MMA? Should people stick to boxing and Muay Thai instead?


Thoughts?

[edman5555]

Kikuno just used karate to beat quinn mulhern.

[Mr. IWS]

So is a karate background something that can propel you to the title

I dont think so. I think of all the disciplines, it is the weakest. Muy Thai and boxing is much better IMO for striking, which is why You rarely hear a guy thats any good with a karate background.

I think Machida is a rarity, He has had success, but I think his other disciplines (grappling, sumo, etc) is what makes him a top fighter.

I dont even know who the fuck Brandon Thatch is so...........

[Luke]

Kikuno just used karate to beat quinn mulhern.

Who and who?

[Luke]

Thatch is the guy that recently killed Paulo Thiago in Brazil . I think he matches up well vs guys like Condit and Rory

[Svino]

I think most fighters are going to improve much faster training MT compared to training karate. A couple things to consider though:

1) There's always the advantage of being different. Just using a style their opponents won't be as familiar with may be enough to "support" a few talented fighters with unconventional approaches.

2) It seems that MT emphasizes more powerful shin strikes, while karate emphasizes faster (less hip rotation) and longer foot strikes. The more a fight turns on scoring "points", the better the second technique will be compared to the first since landing matters more than damage. Also consider that more and more fights are going to decision as fighters are more evenly matched and we introduce lower weight classes. So I could imagine a trend toward more fighters, especially the lighter ones, picking up some more karate style kicking techniques.

[Mr. IWS]

The more a fight turns on scoring "points", the better the second technique will be compared to the first since landing matters more than damage. Also consider that more and more fights are going to decision as fighters are more evenly matched and we introduce lower weight classes.

Thats a pretty valid point. I hate this point fighting shit, but its the name of the game anymore.

[poopoo333]

Are you trying to lure SPX back?

[Mr. IWS]

Are you trying to lure SPX back?

LMAO! He's actually popped in the last couple days

[trotterz]

Gsp comes from a karate background. Stephen thompson as well