Ufc 60

[Coach Larson]

A decisive victory for Matt Hughes over Royce Gracie . . .
Any thoughts/analysis about this by anyone?

I am far from a subject matter expert here but it is interesting to reflect how the UFC/MMA has evolved over the years. From the beginning Gracie showed the world the importance of grappling and the genius of the BJJ system. Ironically this fight was decided on the ground with the younger fighter out-grappling the master. Before the UFC no one knew nor cared much about BJJ but now it seems to be a core ingredient along with stand-up striking skills for the complete MMA fighter.

[Scott Sonnon]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zmgbFTe2Iw&eurl=
The Gracie / Hughes fight

Matt really impressed me with his comprehensiveness, relaxation and focus.

I had expected Gracie to win, but the one dimensional 'long' game has been usurped by the multi-dimensional 'short' game. This is a hallmark of a changing era. MMA will never be the same.

[tapuout2]

It was two great fighters but from diff eras. Royce came from a no time limit era so the pace was not as fast as it has to be today. I fight in MMA and we do 5 min rounds which is not that much time, so you have to be alot more agresive so it does not end up in the judges hands. I thought the fight with the Kingfisher in it was the best all night nice flying knee...

[Connie Brown]

I'm a new Matt Hughes fan. In my ignorance I thought Gracie wasn't going to win even at the interview stage, when he said, "give me enough time, I'll submit you." As if he was saying it was irrelevant that the rules of engagement at UFC don't guarantee you "enough time"?

However, that said, I didn't understand how Hughes ended up so dominant on top that Gracie quit doing his slithery escapes and got pounded. Aren't they both great on the ground, strong and good endurance and all that? Why did Gracie stop, or that's how it looked to me?

Also it was so clear that Gracie was not going to be tapped out on that armbar! talk about iron will!

[Jarlo Ilano]

However, that said, I didn't understand how Hughes ended up so dominant on top that Gracie quit doing his slithery escapes and got pounded. Aren't they both great on the ground, strong and good endurance and all that? Why did Gracie stop, or that's how it looked to me?


He stopped because there was no where to go... He was a step behind from the moment they hit the ground. In Rmax terms, he was on the downward spiral and struggling to catch up to Hughes.

It was interesting to see that Matt wasn't just stronger and faster , he was actually a better technician last night...

[Scott Sonnon]

Jarlo,

That's what impressed me the most about Matt. You cannot be a better technician that Royce unless you are a better technician at your sport. MMA has become a distinctly a different creature than Jiujitsu. That was made obvious now. It only took 15 years. That's fast evolution all things considered.

[SAB]

Most people knew it was going to be bad for Royce but I was depressed at how easily Hughes took him apart.

I'm a huge Hughes fan as well, but it would have been nice to see the legend do a little better before going down....

[sames]

I thought that armbar had him. Royce is a trooper. He showed no emotion at all and that had to hurt. It was pretty clear at that point he wasn't going to grant a submission. If Matt wanted to end it early it'd have to be pure knock out or the ref calling it.

In the early days of UFC the Gracie's made it know that you had to know Jujitsu. Its not suprising at all that the guys on top today learned that lesson.

[Fairbanks]

Great respect for both fighters! Marvelous Athleticism and skill.
Matt Hughes dominated side position and showed the wrestlers skill for maintaining dominance and position.

Those hooks were deep!

The only thing that I didn't like was the hype the media was slandering on about; to say this fight being a defining moment in MMA is wrong. My feelings are that the evolution happened years before this fight. Any other thoughts on this?

How Dean Lister's awesome rubber guard?

[Scott Sonnon]

Jesse,

I do see your point. Many versions of the combustible engine were attempted, some successfully, before Henry Ford... but his application of the technology became a defining moment of the Industrial Revolution. The same is true of the Wright brothers and flight. (Of flow - with RMAX.)

This fight will be the one remembered, in my opinion, because it involved the man who started it all 15 years ago.

[Vbrown]

I suspect that Hughes stated what his advantage was in the UFC60 pre-hype show.

He pointed out that he had 6 world class coaches to learn from every day. Royce was training with people he was, for the most part, better than already.

I'm not sure how true that is, but it's a very powerful POV to hear from the dominant middle weight champion.

That might be the evolution in a nutshell?

[Cody Fielding]

Hughes did an amazing job no doubt, I don't have lots of personal respect for him in terms of how he felt the need to be disrespectful to Royce (pre-fight).

My take:

Huges is a world class Athlete and fighter, Royce is a world Class GJJ guy.

Huge is far stronger, notice in the early stages Royce tried a few holds and Huges muscled out of them like they were not there.

The BJJ factor is now woven into MMA and is no longer the level of threat given that it's now part of Basic Training in MMA.

I was heavy of heart to see Royce loose - yet, he was gracious in defeat.

With that said, Royce could use some Clubbell training..;)

C-

[el chief]

Not to change the idea behind this but I think some credit should be given to Sakuraba for beating the Gracies at their own game including Royce.