The UFC 130 welterweight fight last Saturday night between Thiago “Pit Bull” Alves and Rick “The Horror” Story showed what true MMA fighters of the 21st century are made of: a complete game and gameness in all areas.
Never mind if it didn’t end with a finish, with a unanimous decision to make for a happy Story.
Story respected but did not fear Alves’ more extensive striking background; it not deter him from exchanging strikes with the latter in various phases of their three-round fight.
Story respectably landed his own solid missiles and kept his composure when at the receiving end.
Alves knew that Story was the more accomplished wrestler, but he succeeded in his own takedown attempt and ably rose to his feet (a folkstyle wrestling specialty) on the occasions when the former Southern Oregon University wrestler tried to take and keep the fight on the ground.
In between, he managed to defend against Story’s persistent takedown attempts more often than not.
They were both armed with a complete skill set and were game enough to engage in the other’s strongest point. (Akin to Nick Diaz‘ duking it out with Paul Daley, and knocking out the more respected striker.)
We’re a few months removed from the 18th anniversary of UFC 1, which was held on that night of November 12, 1993.
All human beings born that fateful night, assuming they are still blessed by God or nature with life, are now nearing major and legal age. (Well, in most societies, that is.)
If they are also gifted with functional reproductive health, in a half-year they can choose to procreate and do their part in perpetuating humanity. (Not that I advocate young parenthood and unfettered population growth.)
Likewise, our sport has grown exponentially and phenomenally across the globe—along with the awareness and practice of what it takes to reach the zenith of MMA fighting.
Concomitantly, martial arts gyms must be giving birth to complete fighters before their baptism of fire in professional MMA events.
This not about pure grappling.
This is not about pure striking.
And, no, this is not about pure wrestling.
Learn them all, train in them all and show them all. Neglect one at your own risk.
We are already riding on the second decade of the third millennium A.D.; the world did not end last May 21.
And this is Mixed Martial Arts.
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I think we have Manny Pacquiao’s future MMA equivalent lurking here somewhere…for those interested in Philippine MMA, check out here the official Web site of our country’s premier MMA organization, the Universal Reality Combat Championship and our top MMA online forum at PinoyMMA.com.
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