Denny Prokopos Vs Nathan Orchard EBI-2 Finals

[John Mejia]

Double guard pull flying friends adventure time was crazy

I honestly think Denny pulled this to get Nathan to pull guard. It looked like he's practiced that Maneuver before. Either way it was an amazing match to watch!

[Martin Harris]

I honestly think Denny pulled this to get Nathan to pull guard. It looked like he's practiced that Maneuver before. Either way it was an amazing match to watch!

I would love to hear Denny's perspective but I doubt he wanted to be in Nathan's guard. His guard is sick, Denny is one of very few people to survive in it. Huge props to Denny for surviving and escaping.

I wish Denny would have been a little more aggressive offensively, it almost looked like his strategy was to survive until OT where he knew he would be given a dominant position.

Huge respect to both guys, just my thoughts.

[Eddie Bravo]

So damn mutha fuckin proud to have these 2 beasts on the ends of the lightweight bracket. They will have those spots as long as they can walk :-)

[john harris & sons]

Dear sweet newborn jiu jitsu baby Jesus that was one of the SICKEST matches I've ever seen. Both you guy are baaad muthafuckas!!! RESPECT

[Damian J]

Great to watch these two battle. Congrats to both of them on a great tournament.

[DENNY PROKOPOS]

So damn mutha fuckin proud to have these 2 beasts on the ends of the lightweight bracket. They will have those spots as long as they can walk :-)

Thank you Eddie

[Tim Bruhn]

I say this with nothing but love and want EBI to succeed more than anything and just trying to be constructive

BUT

am not sure that final match really achieved what Eddie is trying to. As fans of BJJ etc yeah it was entertaining to us, but for the wider 'UFC audience' what was the total time on the ground maybe? 25% of that match.

I felt the same as I did after watching Saulo and Comprido in in M3, it needed more ground action.

I've heard Eddie say something along the lines of before some EBI matches 'ok no fucking around someone pull guard, don't want any of this handsies on the feet shit' and I hate to say it but that is what I felt like we got watching this.

If I want to watch BJJ I want to see 90% of the match on the ground not 25%, I know it's the final and it's only natural that people want to win etc, but if the purpose of EBI is to attract the mainstream it has to be submission heavy.

Please don't take this as me being disrespectful, I'm just trying to be honest and help EBI to succeed.

Would a rule if after 2 minutes it hasn't hit the ground there is a coin flip and someone takes top, someone bottom help? Just trying to brainstorm, anyone can say it needs to be fixed, but just trying to give an answer to the 'issue'.

Congrats to both Denny and Nathan for everything they have achieved and will achieve. Have nothing but respect for both of you, but being honest after watching that (besides the overtime) I felt a little 'blah'.

Much love.

[Ben Eddy]

I think the key is ref involvement. Eddie said there are stall cards, I believe, but these must actually get used. The ref should be very involved in pushing the pace of the match. The difference between wrestling and jits, for aggressive action vs positional play, is the difference of how involved the ref is in pushing the action with stall calls. In wrestling I've watched heated matches lost in the last 30 seconds because multiple stalls were called on an opponent trying to just stall/survive while ahead on points. You must always engage in wrestling, always be working to better your position. I realize there aren't points, but getting DQ'd is the penalty. Though admittedly it will be real hard for the ref to make that third (or whatever amount it is) stall call for the DQ and will always cause controversy on the matches it's called or not called. It's hard because there is a purposeful slow art to jits in some situations that is different than wrestling.

You could do something where if the match hasn't made it to the ground after x mins, a coin is flipped and one opponent is started in guard. But then do you not allow that opponent to stand? only stand during sweep attempt? There are a lot of randoms there that would be hard to control and I think it might feel awkward to stop the match and force someone to start in guard. Could be something that changes the pace though, a TV audience will lose attention after 2 mins max in the same position.

Ultimately Eddie wants to keep the ref out of it though. Introducing more active stall calls or forcing guard pulls will again bring in a controversial ref involvement. Eddie's idea for the solution without ref involvement is with prize money for subs. No sub, no money. Right now that incentive isn't in play, but that is the goal and the current plan to encourage constant action. With that sub money not on the table right now, we can't really see how it will affect action.

btw, not at all saying this because I didn't enjoy the match between denny and nathan. Just offering a response to the topic of stalling or purposely playing it safe that Tim brings up.

[DENNY PROKOPOS]

My Perspective.


The Truth is that I absolutely LOVE and RESPECT NATHAN ORCHARD to death and I DID NOT TRY TO TAP HIM in regulation. All I wanted was to WIN and NOT TAP HIM and that's what happened Denny why would you do that? It's a very complicated situation he is my team mate and I genuinely view him as a successor of mine. I inspired and helped make that beast and I just would have rather not publicly executed him. Some will understand others will not, I don't care I DID WHAT I THOUGHT WAS RIGHT and everyone is the family is SUPER TIGHT

[Andrew Alexander]

My Perspective.


The Truth is that I absolutely LOVE and RESPECT NATHAN ORCHARD to death and I DID NOT TRY TO TAP HIM in regulation. All I wanted was to WIN and NOT TAP HIM and that's what happened Denny why would you do that? It's a very complicated situation he is my team mate and I genuinely view him as a successor of mine. I inspired and helped make that beast and I just would have rather not publicly executed him. Some will understand others will not, I don't care I DID WHAT I THOUGHT WAS RIGHT and everyone is the family is SUPER TIGHT

I respect that. that was great match, you guys BOTH ARE AMAZING true thugs