The guard for MMA

[brianspinaltap]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50ee_bM99ME

[Keith Kavanagh]

I've held some big sweaty fuckers in my RG without tights before. I get what he's saying but I still think the RG is the way to go. Not just for posture but for methodically getting that sub without giving up space or risking him escaping mid transition. Just my white belt theory though! I tapped out a purple belt over the weekend and I could see that helpless look in his eyes as I went from mission control, double bagged, chill dog, invisible collar, pumped the arms in and took the arm bar. Not always the case but I find the RG one of the best methods for me personally to get the finish.

[brianspinaltap]

I hear you - like anything, it depends how much you've practiced it.

Rickson was talking about a Vale Tudo guard in the podcast with Eddie - I think he meant something like in the video here.

[David Rosado]

9/10 times a guy says they don't like RG is because they failed a couple times with RG. And yet they'll put in 1000 reps of berimbolo until they get it right. Silly logic.

Until I know that a guy has put in the reps and learned the system, I can't take their opinion on rubber guard serious.

Coach Zog told me about when he first started using it. Told me that guys would smash through. Guys would pass easily. And this is a man with decades of grappling experience. But he put in the work to get it right. That's how things work. Put in the work. Don't just drop it because it didn't work perfectly the first time.

[Keith Kavanagh]

9/10 times a guy says they don't like RG is because they failed a couple times with RG. And yet they'll put in 1000 reps of berimbolo until they get it right. Silly logic.

I agree 100%. It's as if someone breaks their RG the first time so they hop on the anti-rubber guard band wagon. Laziness and ignorance!

[Elisha J Baker]

So, first he argues that rubber guard isn't secure enough to hold a sweaty shirtless guy. Then he demonstrates a control position that is much less secure. Obviously he said he isn't into clinching but this doesn't reaaaally solve much. Guy on top is going to be a lot more mobile, his way. I figure that's more or less doubling the opponent's potential ways to pass. Chances of backing out completely are even better.

If you want to play a totally distance-based guard game, that's cool. People have made it work. But you need to pray the other guy isn't much better than you at striking. I think that was a lot of Eddie's point when he was talking with Rickson.

I'd prefer butterflies anyway if I were doing that...

[Jason Mallory]

Funny how this comes out after the podcast with Rickson. Rickson didn't say to clinch and he didn't say create distance. He said to be in the range that is most appropriate to the situation. If the guy promotes smashing and close contact then you clinch and if the guy insists on creating distance to strike then you have to create enough distance while you are striking them so that you don't get hit.

What Eddie always says is still valid. You have to have game from the clinch. But if you cannot control the guy then you have to create space and strike from the bottom so that you can get up as Rickson said.

[Wancarlos]

9/10 times a guy says they don't like RG is because they failed a couple times with RG. And yet they'll put in 1000 reps of berimbolo until they get it right. Silly logic.

I love you man...

[gene k]

Probably a good idea to have something like this in your tool bag along with the rubber guard.. either keep them too close, or too far away. But if they want to keep it standing and you want to keep them down.. rubber guard.

[Elisha J Baker]

I guess the real question is, are we gonna see someone in the modern MMA big leagues prove that you can pull guard and hold down a guy who doesn't want to be there with an upper body clinch?

We've see leg-lock guys like Palhares pull guard and dominate with lower-body work, but I guess this is still kind of an open question for the 10th planet style.