Martial Artists Agree, Wonderboy Lost the MSG Woodley Fight... What the Hell Happened to the "Mastery of Distance...."
Here, in a nutshell was what happened...
Actually, though, we have to be truthful. Officially, Wonderboy fought Woodley to a draw. Not a unanimous one, I might add. And Stephen Thompson has had remarkable success against all make & manner of MMA opponents. A Champion Kickboxer. Tremendously gifted athlete.
Now with all the salutations out of the way... how do we intelligently broach the issue of Stephen's upset "loss" to Tyron Woodley?
I. A TECHNICAL REASON.
The technically-oriented MMA analysts & pundits will have all sorts of observations. I want to start out by making a technical point myself. This is one of the great weaknesses (& @ the same time, great strengths) of sport karate. And what is that? That is the dependence, the reliance on the traditional reverse punch.
The reverse punch is so standard, so popular for a whole host of reasons. Like a boxer's cross, I presume. I won't go into here. Anyhow, let's continue with presumption that the reverse punch is a great, effective strike to build one's competition karate style around. And Stephen Thompson fits this conventional competition-kumite mold to a "T."
The problem with the reverse punch tactically (or I should say a large drawback), is that it is thrown from the reverse or rear position in a typical front or fighting stance, variation or transition thereof. So it has longer (a longer path of travel) distance to target. So to be in proper, effective position for the reverse punch to land... one must be relatively close to the opponent... easily within counter range by numerous punches. This gives rise to much of the vulnerability of sport karate players who adopt or adhere to the conventional popularity of the the reverse punch.
So to summarize, the reverse punch is utilized by sport karate competitors (traditional karateka fighters too) for it's many advantages which make it very effective. The other side of the proverbial coin is that the relative closeness of the stance needed to execute the reverse punch travel to target... creates a serious vulnerability to counter (and grappling maneuvers as well). SUCH IS THE CASE WE SEE IN THE OP img.
II. A PHILOSOPHICAL REASON.
You know, Shotokan karate I say makes a great textbook karate to learn traditional martial art principles. The ones Rogan & Co. ignore in their MMA podcasts / commentary. Well, Shotokan karate has 20 what I will call philosophical precepts. These are guiding rules of conduct in the successful & fruitful practice of traditional karate. It's reported that Stephen Thompson is kempo-karate stylist... I don't know what philosophies are exactly aligned with his kempo style. Maybe a TMMAC member could contribute on that.
All traditional karates, which are actually a descendant of traditional kempo styles (again, I defer to the karate genealogy authorities) hue to the same overall, underlying martial principles. The Shotokan 20 precepts then are a code which seeks to embody the character of these principles... which also are flavored by a moral code, a societal value set. Rather than try to upstage Shotokan karate's founder, Gichin Funakoshi who authored these through study of a number of Okinawan karate styles,,, I want to single out just one right now.
No. 13. Make Adjustments According to Your Opponent...
There are more than one interpretation to the Japanese literal writing originally set down. The one above I feel is more along the lines of a more sophisticated implication of the more common translation for this No. 13 precept. IN fact, there is both great breadth & depth in this statement... once you start to build an understanding of the workings of the karate curriculum... But enough pontifica-tory bullsh_t.
In MMA, one practical interpretation is game planning for the specific opponent. Tape watching, taking notes, coming up with observations about how the opponent acts... skills... weaknesses, habits, etc. AND then developing ways to use those characteristics to approach with your own winning tactics. The example shown above... and which proved out to be just what everyone thought, a dangerously deadly explosive power right hand. We all know Tyron can use this in devastating, if not fight-ending action.
Two characteristics besides the amount of physical strength Woodley can put into this strike, which make it so effectively dangerous for the opponent, are (1) a springing / leaping forward action while moving into solid stance from which to power the strike; (2) a well-coordinated & controlled over-extension of the body & striking arm which adds forward momentum & speed to the punches trajectory. Woodley has excellent body mechanics in his power right strike... and so the punch carries muscular power from his very strong frame... not just the arm & shoulder... magnified by the body mass behind his forward momentum which also then whips into his strikes. Unbelievably strong tactically, not just physically.
So to the traditional karate philosophical punch-line. So what did Wonderboy do differently or uniquely @ UFC 205 to quell this deadly, dangerous fighting-ending technique possessed by Woodley? ANSWER = NOTHING. Better yet, what unique or high-level karate skill did Wonderboy apply to remove or diffuse the threat of Woodley's capability to use that power right hand. ANSWER... replied to Woodley with that same ole karate-trusty reverse punch, when also rightly exposes you to a strong counter,,, which = NONE. Wonderboy has been clipped driving him back into pure defense... even dropped by counters several times before. And yet he applied his routine striking basics against a one-punch skilled-drop you guy, having absolutely glaring vulnerably to such a tactic.
Karate traditionalist catch a lot of flack for latching on to all the philosophical, let's feel good about ourselves, hugs & kisses we in a nice club, etc. touchy-feely syndrome... and that's often true. OTOH, that's not what the masters (Okinawan) intended. These guys were scholars & others practitioners who devoted their entire lives to the study and practice of traditional martial arts, namely karate. The stuff they spew out is meant for people who want to reach for the highest level of personal development in fighting arts that one can humanly achieve. So the implication is take what they say seriously (VERY). Figure it out the best you can and then try & apply it.
No. 13. Make Adjustments According to Your Opponent. Make THE ADJUSTMENT. Make the PROPER ADJUSTMENT. MAKE THEM ALL. The one who followed the teachings of Gichin Funakoshi between Woodley & Thompson @ MSG 205 is the one who still holds the belt.
Here, in a nutshell was what happened...
Actually, though, we have to be truthful. Officially, Wonderboy fought Woodley to a draw. Not a unanimous one, I might add. And Stephen Thompson has had remarkable success against all make & manner of MMA opponents. A Champion Kickboxer. Tremendously gifted athlete.
Now with all the salutations out of the way... how do we intelligently broach the issue of Stephen's upset "loss" to Tyron Woodley?
I. A TECHNICAL REASON.
The technically-oriented MMA analysts & pundits will have all sorts of observations. I want to start out by making a technical point myself. This is one of the great weaknesses (& @ the same time, great strengths) of sport karate. And what is that? That is the dependence, the reliance on the traditional reverse punch.
The reverse punch is so standard, so popular for a whole host of reasons. Like a boxer's cross, I presume. I won't go into here. Anyhow, let's continue with presumption that the reverse punch is a great, effective strike to build one's competition karate style around. And Stephen Thompson fits this conventional competition-kumite mold to a "T."
The problem with the reverse punch tactically (or I should say a large drawback), is that it is thrown from the reverse or rear position in a typical front or fighting stance, variation or transition thereof. So it has longer (a longer path of travel) distance to target. So to be in proper, effective position for the reverse punch to land... one must be relatively close to the opponent... easily within counter range by numerous punches. This gives rise to much of the vulnerability of sport karate players who adopt or adhere to the conventional popularity of the the reverse punch.
So to summarize, the reverse punch is utilized by sport karate competitors (traditional karateka fighters too) for it's many advantages which make it very effective. The other side of the proverbial coin is that the relative closeness of the stance needed to execute the reverse punch travel to target... creates a serious vulnerability to counter (and grappling maneuvers as well). SUCH IS THE CASE WE SEE IN THE OP img.
II. A PHILOSOPHICAL REASON.
You know, Shotokan karate I say makes a great textbook karate to learn traditional martial art principles. The ones Rogan & Co. ignore in their MMA podcasts / commentary. Well, Shotokan karate has 20 what I will call philosophical precepts. These are guiding rules of conduct in the successful & fruitful practice of traditional karate. It's reported that Stephen Thompson is kempo-karate stylist... I don't know what philosophies are exactly aligned with his kempo style. Maybe a TMMAC member could contribute on that.
All traditional karates, which are actually a descendant of traditional kempo styles (again, I defer to the karate genealogy authorities) hue to the same overall, underlying martial principles. The Shotokan 20 precepts then are a code which seeks to embody the character of these principles... which also are flavored by a moral code, a societal value set. Rather than try to upstage Shotokan karate's founder, Gichin Funakoshi who authored these through study of a number of Okinawan karate styles,,, I want to single out just one right now.
No. 13. Make Adjustments According to Your Opponent...
There are more than one interpretation to the Japanese literal writing originally set down. The one above I feel is more along the lines of a more sophisticated implication of the more common translation for this No. 13 precept. IN fact, there is both great breadth & depth in this statement... once you start to build an understanding of the workings of the karate curriculum... But enough pontifica-tory bullsh_t.
In MMA, one practical interpretation is game planning for the specific opponent. Tape watching, taking notes, coming up with observations about how the opponent acts... skills... weaknesses, habits, etc. AND then developing ways to use those characteristics to approach with your own winning tactics. The example shown above... and which proved out to be just what everyone thought, a dangerously deadly explosive power right hand. We all know Tyron can use this in devastating, if not fight-ending action.
Two characteristics besides the amount of physical strength Woodley can put into this strike, which make it so effectively dangerous for the opponent, are (1) a springing / leaping forward action while moving into solid stance from which to power the strike; (2) a well-coordinated & controlled over-extension of the body & striking arm which adds forward momentum & speed to the punches trajectory. Woodley has excellent body mechanics in his power right strike... and so the punch carries muscular power from his very strong frame... not just the arm & shoulder... magnified by the body mass behind his forward momentum which also then whips into his strikes. Unbelievably strong tactically, not just physically.
So to the traditional karate philosophical punch-line. So what did Wonderboy do differently or uniquely @ UFC 205 to quell this deadly, dangerous fighting-ending technique possessed by Woodley? ANSWER = NOTHING. Better yet, what unique or high-level karate skill did Wonderboy apply to remove or diffuse the threat of Woodley's capability to use that power right hand. ANSWER... replied to Woodley with that same ole karate-trusty reverse punch, when also rightly exposes you to a strong counter,,, which = NONE. Wonderboy has been clipped driving him back into pure defense... even dropped by counters several times before. And yet he applied his routine striking basics against a one-punch skilled-drop you guy, having absolutely glaring vulnerably to such a tactic.
Karate traditionalist catch a lot of flack for latching on to all the philosophical, let's feel good about ourselves, hugs & kisses we in a nice club, etc. touchy-feely syndrome... and that's often true. OTOH, that's not what the masters (Okinawan) intended. These guys were scholars & others practitioners who devoted their entire lives to the study and practice of traditional martial arts, namely karate. The stuff they spew out is meant for people who want to reach for the highest level of personal development in fighting arts that one can humanly achieve. So the implication is take what they say seriously (VERY). Figure it out the best you can and then try & apply it.
No. 13. Make Adjustments According to Your Opponent. Make THE ADJUSTMENT. Make the PROPER ADJUSTMENT. MAKE THEM ALL. The one who followed the teachings of Gichin Funakoshi between Woodley & Thompson @ MSG 205 is the one who still holds the belt.
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