Guards in MMA, not as effective?

**bitparity** · Posted On: 10/03/2007 8:22pm

In plain BJJ, we have the heirarchy of positions, with them centered around the guard position, which is like the base attacking position. If you're in someone's guard, conventional wisdom is you shouldn't attack until once you pass that person's guard.

But whenever I watch an MMA match, a person in someone's guard can punch, elbow, and rain down a crap load of punishment, while the other guy holding someone in the guard is frequently more defensive, and only rarely attacking from there.

Does this mean most MMA fighters aren't good guard fighters, or is the guard itself, weaker in MMA than plain old BJJ? Would like y'alls thoughts.

**Wolf** · Posted On: 10/03/2007 8:40pm

your guard has to be better in MMA. Guys with good guards in MMA are especially good at using the guard to control the hips of their opponent to take away power in the strikes.

**Teh El Macho** · Posted On: 10/03/2007 8:49pm

Originally Posted by bitparity

In plain BJJ, we have the heirarchy of positions, with them centered around the guard position, which is like the base attacking position. If you're in someone's guard, conventional wisdom is you shouldn't attack until once you pass that person's guard.

But whenever I watch an MMA match, a person in someone's guard can punch, elbow, and rain down a crap load of punishment, while the other guy holding someone in the guard is frequently more defensive, and only rarely attacking from there.

Does this mean most MMA fighters aren't good guard fighters, or is the guard itself, weaker in MMA than plain old BJJ? Would like y'alls thoughts.

If that person is in someone's good guard, he may be able to throw strikes that are annoying but with diminished power. Elbows may still cut, but a good guard will robe you the ability to put some powah behind your punches. OTH, if all the guy on bottom does is wrap his legs around his opponent, he'll be into a whole world of pain.

**hoodedmonk** · Posted On: 10/03/2007 8:51pm

I think the gi plays a big part.

***Cassius*** · Posted On: 10/03/2007 11:49pm

Originally Posted by bitparity

In plain BJJ, we have the heirarchy of positions, with them centered around the guard position, which is like the base attacking position.

Who taught you this?

**Vince Tortelli** · Posted On: 10/03/2007 11:53pm

Originally Posted by hoodedmonk

I think the gi plays a big part.

Bravo nutrider. Royler demands rematch!

**Hedgehogey** · Posted On: 10/04/2007 2:11am

Rock your Adidas

**RobT** · Posted On: 10/04/2007 4:42am

In MMA you have to attack constantly, you can't afford to rest as maintaining grips is not as easy. Once you grip the gi it takes a lot to remove those grips, whereas holding the wrists is easy to break and even under or overhooks can be slipped out of if you just try to hold on and don't attack.

Breaking and controlling posture is even more important in MMA. In a BJJ match, even if your opponent postures they still have to work to open your guard. However, with MMA as soon as they are postured they have a good position to strike from.

**UpaLumpa** · Posted On: 10/04/2007 5:15pm

Originally Posted by Cassius

Who taught you this?

It is why most tournaments award pulling guard with more points than hitting sweeps.

**namaste** · Posted On: 10/04/2007 9:33pm

Originally Posted by Wolf

your guard has to be better in MMA. Guys with good guards in MMA are especially good at using the guard to control the hips of their opponent to take away power in the strikes.

I know this sounds incredibly stupid, but this has never even entered my mind. When I have someone in my guard, my main tactics are to throw random armbars and triangle attempts, lock down and try and work a sweep, or cover up and EBI EBI the **** out of there back to my feet.

I can add that to the multitude of reasons as to why I suck hard!