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Closed Guard Is Dead?

February 8, 2010
11:10 pm

Dr Sick

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I came across this at http://www.lockflow.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..DOjbivkKfE

It's an interview with Jon Fitch where Mr. Fitch claims "that the closed guard is dead in MMA."

I completely disagree. But I'm interested to see what you guys think and why.

March 18, 2011
6:30 pm

j s plaha

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Didnt see the interview as its probaly been taken off by now! I think the closed guard is good to rest in, but it is not dynamic as butterfly, half butterfly and x gaurd. I hardly use it now days

March 19, 2011
12:28 am

bio-chem

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ask chael sonnen or anderson silva if they think the closed guard is dead? I don't think it's dead by any means. I don't think it has the place it did when the UFC started, but it's still an effective tool for those who utilize it properly. The problem I think is too often in MMA guys are using it as a place to rest from. which makes it kind of boring from a fans point of view.

this is being said based solely on the first thoughts that came to my head. i've not been able to see the fitch interview

March 19, 2011
1:20 pm

TCMAG

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I really think that it is the person pulliung it off. I think that a low closed guard isn't smart in a MMA setting simply because of the extreme striking disatvantage. A high closed guard is still very effective if used in conjunction with hip motion and wrist/elbow/head control. Grappling is constantly evolving, and I think that better things have come along, but the closed guard is still the grand daddy.

March 20, 2011
9:47 pm

Sterling

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Jon Fitch recently destroyed BJ Penn's closed guard. I'm a huge Penn fan, but have to give Fitch credit for proving what he claims.

And Shogun took a beating off his back from Jon Jones.

I remember quite awhile ago watching ADCC champ Dean Lister getting beat up from a vicsious ground n pound.

Looks like even for some of the best submission grapplers in the world, the guard is ineffective against top wrestlers w/ good technical ground-n-pound.

March 21, 2011
10:15 am

bloodhound

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No way the closed guard is dead! The closed guard (like any technique) is only as good as it's employer. It's value is also determined greatly by the matchup. I often disagree with the use of the closed guard in recent MMA bouts but welcome to a freestyle sport. If GSP were to take you to the mat, would you really think about unlocking your guard for a second? Why don't you ask him what he'd want you to do?

March 21, 2011
12:48 pm

realzatoichi

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I think one thing we have to remember is that these are extreme examples. These are some of the greatest fighter/athletes in the world. On a more Human level I think BJJ in itself is very effective, but maybe not as effective against super athletes but then again what is.

March 21, 2011
1:20 pm

Sterling

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realzatoichi said:

I think one thing we have to remember is that these are extreme examples. These are some of the greatest fighter/athletes in the world. On a more Human level I think BJJ in itself is very effective, but maybe not as effective against super athletes but then again what is.

Good point. I do think that is what Fitch meant in that interview. His statement was regarding high-level MMA competition (what he's doing).

He wasn't saying closed-guard is dead for self defense, grappling tournaments, etc.

On another note, one of the best examples of defense to ground-n-pound was Chuck Liddell in his prime. He refused to stay on his back and worked to get up immediately. When BJ was doing well against Fitch in first two rounds, he didn't play guard much and popped back up as soon as possible. When he got beat up 3rd round, it was because he wasn't able to get back up to his feet. Will be interesting to see if there is a trend towards grapplers using guard to setup escape back to feet rather than hanging out trying to sub from back.

March 21, 2011
11:09 pm

stay in alpha wave

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it says the video is privet

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