Hi everybody. I chose to post this in the BJJ section because it seems like there are people on this forum that have a lot of knowledge and have been around a while.....Anyway my question is why is MMA evolving so much right now? Hasnt there been vale tudo fights going on in Brazil forever? I read alot of people on here say that they cant wait until the "new breed" of fighters start fighting. The fighters that have been training MMA their whole lives. Well, dont we already have that? Like I said, hasnt MMA been around in Brazil forever? What is different between those guys and the guys in Brazil that have been doing it their whole lives. I hope somebody understands what im trying to say.....
There are many on here that know more than me, but my take on it is, MMA is evolving to fit the current rules.
Vale Tudo the old Gracie way was much different. The fighters were not stood up when things got boring. They didn't wear gloves etc.
With MMA rules you have to be good at standing strikes, take downs and ground work. Some of the fighters now have been working jiu jitsu, boxing and wrestling their whole lives so they are becoming more rounded and prepared for todays rules. IMHO to be really good at those three sports you have to start young.
My guess would that rather than staying confined to one style, fighters in America as well as internationally, are more willing to implement multiple disciplines.
The past fighters from Brazil belonged to one discipline such as "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu", "Luta Livre," "Karate" etc. The vale tudo back then had more to do with pride in one's discipline, school, or instructor rather than as a pure profession.
Modernly, MMA fighters are trying to make a profession out of the fight game and could care less about whether their style of fighting is superior to another. As such, they cross-train in multiple disciplines and train at different camps (for example, Quinton Jackson training with Couture for the Henderson fight), hire professional coaches in conditioning, nutrition, supplements, etc.
Anyway, that's my take. I could be completely incorrect.
New rules primarily are behind any evolution. Plus more people training means more gifted athletes training. More people training also means more human brain power focussed on figuring out the best way to train.
I bet you Maeda would beat 98% of the "new breed" fighters under old school vale tudo rules.
"New rules primarily are behind any evolution."
Correct as usual my old friend...
boxing, judo, wrestling..
sad to say it but it's because Dana and co put TUF on a free to air TV channel bringing in a large viewership in a desireable demographic, the advertisers followed the viewers leading to an influx of money.
Fighters followed the money therefore being able to switch from part time to full time training. Also allowing most of the top fighters to compete in one organisation.