Woodley talked about it like they are world's apart but today we saw a div 2 champion manhandle a div 1 champion. Is there really such a difference? Or is it that the div 1 guy rests on being that good and the div 2 guy works extra in that time to close the gap ? I'm Australian so I don't really understand how the divisions work lol
This is MMA not wrestling
Taylor27 -This is MMA not wrestling
Yeah good point but so many guys talk about their wrestling pedigree. I mean besides that it's mma .
Woodley was not a D1 champion
Jamie nove -Woodley was not a D1 champion
Oh right, I thought he said that in an interview. But regardless if he was a champion or not . Is there a big difference ?
I don’t think the right Woodley showed up to that fight. I think he takes in a rematch just my opinion.
Snakey89 -Jamie nove -Woodley was not a D1 champion
Oh right, I thought he said that in an interview. But regardless if he was a champion or not . Is there a big difference ?
When they are in their wrestling careers, yes.
After years of MMA training, it’s all about the MMA grappling, not NCAA. GSP (TKD fighter turned MMA fighter turned aspiring gymnast) embarrassed NCAA champion Josh Koschek in MMA grappling. It doesn’t make someone a better wrestler, it makes someone a better MMA fighter.
SmerkABewl -Many d2, d3, and juco guys are phenomenal wrestlers. The champs of those can easily all American at d1. Grades usually keep the top notch guys back in d2 and they just continue the career their.
overall d1 is superior but every now and again you’ll find a d2 champ that could have easily aa’d or even won d1
What makes one All American?
Woodley hasnt been a proactive smothering wrestler in MMA for years, since his early Strikeforce fights against Mein and Daley
Usman on the other hand goes out there to impose his will on guys every single fight
Hell I know D3 wrestlers that went to big national tourneys and placed or won. The spread isn't as big as in other sports, IMO
You'd never see this in football or basketball, for instance. D3 teams would get wrecked playing D1 teams.
For the most part top division 1 guys maul d2 and what not. But Kamaru was a way above average d2 champ and focused on wrestling solely years after college. I’m sure he also still trainings pure wrestling way more often than Woodley.
Yes, there is a huge difference. But clearly Usman has improved since college and is far above D2 level now.
I’ve seen top level club wrestlers beat low level D1 guys but the top D1 guys are a different level.
BonedByPicograms* -Bilge Water -SmerkABewl -Many d2, d3, and juco guys are phenomenal wrestlers. The champs of those can easily all American at d1. Grades usually keep the top notch guys back in d2 and they just continue the career their.
overall d1 is superior but every now and again you’ll find a d2 champ that could have easily aa’d or even won d1
What makes one All American?
Place at nationals.
But D1 AA > D2 et al.
Also, when I wrestled in college, I could’ve sworn champs in D2, DIII, (NAIA?) and Juco we’re invited to the dance.
Is/was that true or did I make that up?
Not since the 80s/early 90s do the d2/3 champs get invited to the d1s.
Too much stock gets put in to being a “d1” wrestler. All that that means is that you’re on a division one team, you could have been a benchwarmer or a shitty starter but not that great.
Basically, the best guys in the other divisions are better than the majority of d1 wrestlers, just to clarify.
Wasn’t Jon Jones a Juco champ?
I think Usman made it to the Olympic training center... that’s impressive no matter what
For a non-US person, how does D1, D2 etc works?
SmerkABewl -Many d2, d3, and juco guys are phenomenal wrestlers. The champs of those can easily all American at d1. Grades usually keep the top notch guys back in d2 and they just continue the career their.
overall d1 is superior but every now and again you’ll find a d2 champ that could have easily aa’d or even won d1
Exactly. Jon Jones was a juco wrestler. Cormier was an Olympian.
Woodly has always had the tendency to wait and get himself behind on the score cards, but typically can hit the nitrous button and take the fight in a split second. Gotta be frustrating for his corner to watch though.