Who isn't really MMA?

[Kaptain KnicKy]

After watching the Shields/Kampmann match I want to ask you guys this - who does NOT seem like a true MMA guy?

Shields, even though his ground game was pretty fucking epic, couldn't stand and trade for shit. Despite his current win streak, I don't really consider him a MMA, due to that (as Rogan himself said) he's a "specialist" on the ground.

Can you think of any guys who might need to work on other aspects of their game, such as Shields and his striking? They don't have to be crap fighters, I mean if Shields can get a guy to the ground and dominate him there, that's great - I just want to know who else hasn't got most of the aspects of a fight covered, in your opinion.

 

[pumpt73]

Bro, Shields is MMA all the way. Don't let that performance fool you. People forget that Jake has been competing at 185 for the last part of 2 years. He came to the UFC from Strikeforce as their 185lb champ, but Dana brings him in and makes him go to 170. A division he has fought in since October of 2008 when he defeated Paul Daley. His next cut will be a lot easier on him. Not to mention, his first fight at 170 wasn't against some shmuck. He draws Martin Kampmann, who's a straight up UFC 170lb title conteder!!! Sorry bro, but I don't care what level of knowledge you have when you go into any promotions cage/ring. If you're working your butt off and training for your dream to be a fighter, you're MMA all the way. Some guys may not be as complete as others, but that doesn't matter. Every fighters takes a loss sooner or later. You will see better from Shields, I promise.

 

[Kaptain KnicKy]

Yeh sorry man. I didn't mean to sound like he isn't MMA, I'm pretty sure I worded it awfully. I meant well rouonded, but to a more extreme extent. I can imagine how insanely good Shields would've been if he hadn't had to make the cut, and I imagine he'll put on some much more solid performances later. Just he does seem to be VERY biased to his wrestling.

 

[pumpt73]

I know what you mean bro. Shields always gets questioned. He's just one of those guys who gets decisions. I think these are the most dangerous type of fighters. Workhorses who just don't tire out. That means your punching may not be phasing him. Once his conditioning is back on track for 170, he'll be fine. Thing is, now he's got to train for a 5 round bout as he's got the winner of GSP vs. Kos.

 

[Colin Gimp]

Shields wanted to bang and with that he looked better then Kampann standing. His boxing was true Diaz style, as not a strike could be telegraphed which made him able to impose anything he wanted including his elite style wrestling. next time with better conditioning we;ll see him be able to really show his rhythm and see his submissions. The guy was just fighting a thick guy in dan henderson. No shit he was dead tired and no shit he didn;t want to do anything more then positional offense standing game that led to takedowns.

His camp is underrated and all of them involved are some of the most dangerous minds in mma. Shields, Diaz;s Gracies are MMA. and I guess even Gilbert since he was coaching Shields inbetween rounds

 

[Kaptain KnicKy]

Yeh I don't know, about the fight. Maybe I'm not remembering it as well as I think, but his striking seemed awful. A bit of that though was just due to his weight cut, and exhaustion. I think his takedowns were pretty damn good, but I can't say I was remotely impressed by Shields' striking. On that note tho, I'm looking forward to seeing his future fights, hopefully being more comfortable at 170 and being able to go a better pace for three rounds. I am REALLY keen to see him fight again.

 

[Switchy]

Shields stand up is average at best, he is a grappler at the end of the day and chances are he's never going to be able to stand with the top guys but he knows enough to be able to survive against guys like Paul Daley and then use his grappling skills to beat them. Guys like Shields don't often face people with equal or superior grappling and therefore don't need to work too much on their stand-up until something happens to change that (See Demian Maia Vs Nate Marquardt), however he will need to evolve as a Mixed Martial Artist a lot for his fight with GSP. Of course the cardio/weight cut was a problem but his stand up has never been anything special.

As for what this thread is about which is any other guys who need to evolve their games, my opinion is that most of the Brits have to work on their wrestling if we ever want to have a world champ, while Brock needs to work on his stand-up.