So, Should We Hate Or Love What Ryan Hall Did At The TUF Finale?

So not too far back you probably came across an article that stated how traditional martial arts is the future of mixed martial arts. It’s an opinion that I still stand by wholeheartedly. The distance management, the selection of strikes, the variety and movement, traditional martial arts striking has all the factors needed to bring a fighter’s game to the next level. Brazilian jiu-jitsu wizard Ryan Hall is one fighter who has embraced the idea of traditional martial arts bolstering his game.

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So not too far back you probably came across an article that stated how traditional martial arts is the future of mixed martial arts. It’s an opinion that I still stand by wholeheartedly. The distance management, the selection of strikes, the variety and movement, traditional martial arts striking has all the factors needed to bring a fighter’s game to the next level. Brazilian jiu-jitsu wizard Ryan Hall is one fighter who has embraced the idea of traditional martial arts bolstering his game.

At The Ultimate Fighter finale Ryan Hall showed new wrinkles in his game against the veteran Gray Maynard in a match that ended up feeling decidedly disjointed. When the fight was contested on the feet, Hall demonstrated exactly what he’d been working on since teaming up with karate masters Ray and Stephen Thompson.

You could see the similarities in their styles from the way Stephen Thompson and now Ryan Hall bounced in the southpaw stance, circling and cutting angles and utilizing long range kicks of different variety to keep their opponent guessing. The biggest difference in their approach: where Thompson looks to knock out his opponent, Ryan Hall is looking to use his strikes to set up his grappling game.

That’s what the fight with Maynard so frustrating.

Hall consistently threw kicks that landed flush, particularly the hook kick that smashed into Maynard’s grill almost at will. The problem is right when Maynard chose to counter back with strikes of his own Hall was diving for the legs in hopes of catching the veteran in a submission. While it may be a smart and effective approach, the fact that it slowed down the action was more than irritating to observe. The crowd at the Palms didn’t appreciate the tactical approach to Hall’s game, and even when it was quite obvious that his strategy was working, it took the whole fight out of fighting. Yes, not all fights are going to be barnburner slug fests, but the point of fighting is to prove you are the superior combatant. Hall proved that his striking is effective, but when he faces someone who has equal parts striking and grappling, he’ll have to learn to bite down on his mouthpiece and endeavor to trade blows.

What did you think of Ryan Hall’s performance?


Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.

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Stephen Thompson ‘Not At All’ Concerned With McGregor At 170 Pounds

While UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor may have stolen the show at UFC 205 earlier this month in Madison Square Garden, the match that kept everybody at the edge of their seats took place in the evening’s co-main event in the welterweight title war between champion Tyron ‘The Chosen One’ Woodley and challenger

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While UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor may have stolen the show at UFC 205 earlier this month in Madison Square Garden, the match that kept everybody at the edge of their seats took place in the evening’s co-main event in the welterweight title war between champion Tyron ‘The Chosen One’ Woodley and challenger Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson.

The bout was razor close throughout its 25-minute progression, as both men showed dominant periods throughout the contest. In the end Woodley would remain champion as the fight was ruled a majority draw.

After the bout UFC President Dana White confirmed that the rematch between Woodley and Thompson was the fight to make next, despite Woodley having stated that he must first talk to his management to discuss his next options. ‘Wonderboy’ recently spoke to Submission Radio earlier this week to discuss his match with Woodley, and showed some concern over how the bout was judged:

“I knew he won the first round. He ended up taking me down off that lazy kick. He was very strong on the ground, so I knew I couldn’t get up from that position, so I knew I had to wait it out. I knew I won the second and third round, that fourth round was obviously him and the fifth round was mine as well.

“So I figured I pulled out enough to win. But you know what, he is the champion, man, and of course they gave him I think the 10-8 in the fourth – I think one judge gave him 10-8 fourth round, one judge gave him 10-8 first round, which I don’t see that on the first round. But it is what it is, and it’s gonna make this second fight even that much better when I bring that title belt back home.”

After the bout’s conclusion some controversy arose regarding the score cards as announcer Bruce Buffer first called it a win for Woodley, but would leave the cage and return to announce that it was in fact a majority draw. Thompson detailed his confusion inside the cage during the incident, stating that Dana White told him to stay inside the Octagon because it was ‘definitely’ a draw:

“In the beginning, I really didn’t see Bruce Buffer kind of go in the cage, go back out of the cage, so I was just sitting there, talking to my coaches and of course he announced that Tyron won the fight. And then I’m sitting there like what the crap? I knew I won the second, third and fifth round, I’m like going through my head. And then I look at Dana White and he’s like, “no dude, stay up in here, it was a draw, it was definitely a draw”. I’m like, okay, crap, yes man, this could definitely happen, we could definitely get another fight out of this.

“And so all those emotions were going through my head, thinking I won the fight, and then I didn’t win the fight, and then going to, hey, this is a draw, we can end up fighting again. It was chaos, to be honest with you. It was all crazy in my head. But the final judgement was that it was a draw, which means we are gonna be able to fight again. And I think the fans enjoyed the fight. I think they loved it, it was very exciting. So dude, I am so down to do it again. We’re looking at February, hopefully, to get this next title shot going.”

6038584092262400[1]Thompson isn’t the only one who is being considered for the next shot at Woodley, however, as Conor McGregor has discussed moving back up to welterweight to challenge ‘The Chosen One’ for the 170-pound strap. Despite these rumblings Thompson remains unconcerned with the Irishman’s desire to enter the welterweight title picture, as he believes the UFC knows he is deserving of the next opportunity:

“Not at all, man. To be honest with you, I think the UFC knows that I deserve that title shot, that I deserve that rematch. And you know what, I think that Conor McGregor’s gotta defend the 145 and the 155 title and I just think he’s too small for the 170 division. I mean, he’s walking around right at 170, maybe a little bit less. I don’t think it would be a good division for him to step up to.”

“I think it would be a good fight no matter what. I mean, he is one of the best fighters out there and that’s what we’re out to do. We’re out to fight the best fighters in whatever division, whoever steps up. We’ll take on any challenges and I think that’s what fighters do. If you’re a champion or not, you should take on all challenges and I think it would be a good fight. I think the fans would tune in to see who would win.”

Although he doesn’t think the SBG Ireland product belongs in the talent-stacked 170-pound weight division, he does credit ‘The Notorious One’ for laying the groundwork for a possible feud with Woodley in the future:

“I think it’s very smart, very intelligent for him. I mean, he’s already out there talking trash to Tyron and doing his thing, doing what Conor McGregor does. I mean, just think about it – a few years ago, he was living in his car, he had no money. Now he’s a multi-millionaire. Hats off to that guy.

I’m happy for that guy. A lot of people look down on people who are successful, but Conor McGregor is successful because he runs his mouth and he knows how to put on a show. I mean, look at his press conferences. I mean, come on. People show up just to see him just act nuts. Hats off to that guy, he’s a very intelligent, very smart guy.”

Thompson is looking to take some time off to recover from his five round war with Woodley, and hopefully return in February to get his rematch with the welterweight champ. You can check out ‘Wonderboy’s’ full interview with Submission Radio here:

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Stephen Thompson: UFC Looking At February For Championship Rematch With Woodley

stephen-thompson-presser

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQiqowbCsQY[/embed]

Stephen Thompson and Tyron Woodley were both left feeling unsatisfied after UFC 205.

Woodley left Madison Square Garden with the UFC welterweight title still intact, but the end result was a majority draw for both fighters.

Now, “Wonderboy” is targeting early in 2017 for a rematch with Woodley.

“The final judgement was that it was a draw, which means we are gonna be able to fight again,” said Thompson, during a recent interview with Submission Radio. “And I think the fans enjoyed the fight. I think the loved it, it was very exciting. So dude, I am so down to do it again. We’re looking at February, hopefully, to get this next title shot going.”

Thompson, who bested Rory MacDonald and Johny Hendricks to earn his shot at the belt, doesn’t believe the UFC would let Conor McGregor jump him in line. McGregor is currently the UFC featherweight and lightweight champion.

“We haven’t heard anything yet from the UFC. That’s just kind of what we’re thinking about healing up time, getting these lacerations on my nose fixed. I don’t have a broken nose, there’s just some little lacerations that we need to get healed up and get back in the swing of things. And to be honest with you, it’s a short turn around, but UFC haven’t said anything to us yet,” he said. “I think they’re just waiting for me to heal up, for both of us. I know Tyron is shooting for a shorter date. I know he’s calling out Conor McGregor, but I think you know I deserve it, man. You know, us going out there and it being a draw is like we never fought at all. It’s a tie, basically. So we gotta go out there and we gotta settle this and we’re gonna settle it hopefully here pretty soon.

“To be honest with you, I think the UFC knows that I deserve that title shot, that I deserve that rematch. And you know what, I think that Conor McGregor’s gotta defend the 145 and the 155 title and I just think he’s too small for the 170 division. I mean, he’s walking around right at 170, maybe a little bit less. I don’t think it would be a good division for him to step up to.”

stephen-thompson-presser

Stephen Thompson and Tyron Woodley were both left feeling unsatisfied after UFC 205.

Woodley left Madison Square Garden with the UFC welterweight title still intact, but the end result was a majority draw for both fighters.

Now, “Wonderboy” is targeting early in 2017 for a rematch with Woodley.

“The final judgement was that it was a draw, which means we are gonna be able to fight again,” said Thompson, during a recent interview with Submission Radio. “And I think the fans enjoyed the fight. I think the loved it, it was very exciting. So dude, I am so down to do it again. We’re looking at February, hopefully, to get this next title shot going.”

Thompson, who bested Rory MacDonald and Johny Hendricks to earn his shot at the belt, doesn’t believe the UFC would let Conor McGregor jump him in line. McGregor is currently the UFC featherweight and lightweight champion.

“We haven’t heard anything yet from the UFC. That’s just kind of what we’re thinking about healing up time, getting these lacerations on my nose fixed. I don’t have a broken nose, there’s just some little lacerations that we need to get healed up and get back in the swing of things. And to be honest with you, it’s a short turn around, but UFC haven’t said anything to us yet,” he said. “I think they’re just waiting for me to heal up, for both of us. I know Tyron is shooting for a shorter date. I know he’s calling out Conor McGregor, but I think you know I deserve it, man. You know, us going out there and it being a draw is like we never fought at all. It’s a tie, basically. So we gotta go out there and we gotta settle this and we’re gonna settle it hopefully here pretty soon.

“To be honest with you, I think the UFC knows that I deserve that title shot, that I deserve that rematch. And you know what, I think that Conor McGregor’s gotta defend the 145 and the 155 title and I just think he’s too small for the 170 division. I mean, he’s walking around right at 170, maybe a little bit less. I don’t think it would be a good division for him to step up to.”

Demian Maia Reveals UFC Offered Him Huge Fight

After their amazing title clash in the co-main event of UFC 205 last week (Saturday November 12, 2016), UFC welterweight champion ‘The Chosen One’ Tyron Woodley and Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson may be meeting inside the Octagon for the 170-pound title once again, as their Madison Square Garden brawl ended in a draw. One man who

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After their amazing title clash in the co-main event of UFC 205 last week (Saturday November 12, 2016), UFC welterweight champion ‘The Chosen One’ Tyron Woodley and Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson may be meeting inside the Octagon for the 170-pound title once again, as their Madison Square Garden brawl ended in a draw.

One man who will be forced to wait for a shot at welterweight gold of his own is jiu-jitsu whiz Demian Maia, who is currently riding a highly impressive six-fight win streak against the elite of the UFC’s 170-pound weight class. Maia recently spoke to MMA Fighting in Brazil, however, to reveal that the UFC has actually offered him a fight with former champ ‘Ruthless’ Robbie Lawler to pass some time while he waits for the situation with Woodley and Thompson to sort out:

“They offered me Robbie Lawler, actually they offered not me but Eduardo my manager, yesterday. I don’t understand what is happening because Dana said right after the fight that I could — that I was next, I could wait if they do the rematch with Woodley and ‘Wonderboy’ — sit and wait or get another fight. I don’t understand what’s happening. I believe in Dana’s words, also ‘Cowboy’ says he needs to fight me. So first they need to do the rematch.

“Let’s see if they do the rematch or not. If they really want to do the rematch, okay we can think about another fight, but if we need to fight again it would be great to fight on the same card as ‘Wonderboy’ and Woodley, because maybe somebody got hurt and I can jump in or even if nobody gets hurt we are in the same cycle.”

Demian Maia vs. Ryan LaFlare HighlightsOne fight that does interest Maia is a rematch from over six years ago, where the Brazilian suffered a unanimous decision loss to the great Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva for the middleweight title at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi. Maia would want the bout to be at a catchweight, however, as he does not want a potential loss to ‘The Spider’ to affect what he has going on at welterweight:

“Anderson at a catchweight would be interesting because I think it is a fight people would like to see. That is the most fight that i remember most in my life, after that fight I changed as a fighter and a catchweight would be good because even if I lose I don’t think it would interfere too much in my welterweight division. And ‘Cowboy’ also, Cerrone, he asked to fight me so if he think he can beat me let’s do it. Let’s do it, not now, let’s do it if they don’t book my fight for the title.”

If Maia does indeed decide to wait for his title shot, he may be waiting for a while as UFC featherweight and lightweight champ Conor McGregor has found his way into the conversation for possible welterweight title challengers who are next up for Woodley. With Thompson also in the mix alongside Maia, the UFC’s 170-pound title picture is beginning to shape up rather interestingly.

Who do you think is next in line for a shot at welterweight gold?

You can check out Maia’s full interview with MMA Fighting here:

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Stephen Thompson ‘Definitely’ Wants Tyron Woodley Rematch Next

UFC 205 produced some of the most entertaining fights that combat sports fans have had the pleasure of witnessing in quite some time, as three title fights rounded out the historic card form Madison Square Garden in New York City. In the co-main event of the evening the UFC’s welterweight title would be on the

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UFC 205 produced some of the most entertaining fights that combat sports fans have had the pleasure of witnessing in quite some time, as three title fights rounded out the historic card form Madison Square Garden in New York City.

In the co-main event of the evening the UFC’s welterweight title would be on the line as champion Tyron ‘The Chosen One’ Woodley would look to make his first career title defense against elite striker Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson. The 170-pound title contest proved to be one of the most entertaining bouts of the year, where Woodley nearly ended the fight on multiple occasions, however, Thompson’s heart and will would prevail to see the contest go the distance.

After much confusion from the judges and their score card readings, the contest was declared a draw and ‘The Chose One’ would remain the division’s champion for the time being. During the post-fight press conference following the event’s conclusion, ‘Wonderboy’ stated that although the result was disappointing he is still looking forward to sharing the Octagon with Woodley once again:

“It was better than what it was in the beginning. Having him win the title and then they came back and said it was a draw. I take it,” Thompson said (courtesy of FOX Sports). “It’s not a win, obviously, so it’s definitely disappointing but hopefully we can do it again.

“Hopefully we can get this fight happening again. Getting up, getting ‘Fight of the Night’ that was exciting, I know the fans loved it.”

In the fourth round of the contest Woodley landed a vicious overhand right that put Thompson on the mat, to which ‘The Chosen One’ would eventually lock in a deep guillotine choke that seemed to spell the end for ‘Wonderboy’. Thompson would instead fight his way out of the hold, closing out the round in top position while reigning down a few shots before the closing horn.

Adam Hunger for USA TODAY Sports
Adam Hunger for USA TODAY Sports

Despite almost being finished in the fourth round by Woodley, Thompson believes he still took home the second, third, and fifth rounds to win the contest:

“Ended up getting my head out and threw a few shots right after that and the bell rung. In the beginning, (the choke) was very close, yes.”

“I thought I pulled it out in the last round just by out pointing him,” Thompson said. “He definitely took the first round. He took the first round that was it. Busted me up with a few good elbows, few good shots, I was a little hesitant during this fight.

“I knew he liked to explode in and throw that big right hand. Hit him with a few jabs. I knew how strong he was in the clinch position, which led me to be a little more hesitant closing the gap and I shouldn’t have done that. I should have let it all out.”

Now that the dust has settled on the controversial majority draw decision, Thompson is ready to jump back inside the Octagon for round six with Woodley in effort to capture his first career UFC title:

“I think the fans and everybody were really excited. I think they were entertained,” Thompson said. “Definitely want to do that again.”

While Thompson may want to get his rematch at the welterweight title next, recent circumstances have now landed UFC featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor as a possible opponent for Woodley next. With Demian Maia also waiting in the wings for his title opportunity, will ‘Wonderboy’ get his wish and get the immediate rematch with ‘The Chosen One’?

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Conor McGregor And Stephen Thompson Show That Traditional Martial Arts Are The Future

UFC 205 is in the record books and it was an event for the ages. We saw Conor McGregor become the first fighter in UFC history to hold two belts in two different weight classes at the same time. It’s quite the accomplishment to say the least and though the Irishman may talk a whole lot of trash, he’s able to back it up with an excellent overall game. Stephen Thompson also acquitted himself well in the co-main event against champ Tyron Woodley. What do all three of these men have in common?

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UFC 205 is in the record books and it was an event for the ages. We saw Conor McGregor become the first fighter in UFC history to hold two belts in two different weight classes at the same time. It’s quite the accomplishment to say the least and though the Irishman may talk a whole lot of trash, he’s able to back it up with an excellent overall game. Stephen Thompson also acquitted himself well in the co-main event against champ Tyron Woodley. What do all three of these men have in common? Their fighting styles all have influences from traditional martial arts.

McGregor’s decimation of Eddie Alvarez wasn’t simply captured by swinging his left hand and hoping for the best. It took timing, distance, anticipation, all traits of traditional martial arts like karate and taekwondo. McGregor’s style and movement can be directly linked to boxing and karate or taekwondo and you can see that in his movement. Conor McGregor is unique in his striking style because his footwork allows him to get in and out like karate, but his boxing skills allows him to strike in the pocket with comfort and ease. McGregor’s movement allows him to appear like he’s there to be hit, but a quick transition to his traditional movement sees him shooting out of range and returning with blistering fast combinations ala karate. But Conor McGregor isn’t the only man to infuse traditional arts into their style.

Stephen Thompson’s entire game is based on point karate. The bouncing, the in and out movement, all of it stems from karate. But where Conor McGregor was originally a boxing who mixed in karate into his striking style, Thompson is a karate stylist who learned how to box and box well. Karate can be very in and out on a linear plain. What Thompson has done is utilize that blitzing skill and learn to exit on another angle in order to counter his opponent. When he’s in the pocket, uppercuts, hooks and crosses are all in his arsenal making him as much a threat at short range as he is at long range. But Tyron Woodley also showcased that he has a bit of karate skills himself. His ability to close the distance with his own blitz showcases his own skills that can be traced back to traditional martial arts.

Karate is all about hitting and not getting hit and while that may not be the case at all times, the men involved in the main and co-main event of UFC 205 have been able to demonstrate just how effective that blitzing style can be. Muay Thai kickboxing still has its place in the sport and always will. But I’m a sport where constant movement and footwork could be the difference of being taken down or staying on your feet, traditional martial arts movement and skills is going to play a major factor going forward and could be the remedy for success in the future of MMA competition.

What’s your thoughts on karate and other traditional martial arts?


Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.

 

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