[quote]Nikiforos wrote:
FirestormWarrior wrote:
Nikiforos wrote:
FirestormWarrior wrote:
In an interview in april 2001 Rickson Gracie said that “… Just being big and well-prepared is already a great advantage for him. That makes the smaller guy the underdog no matter what he does.”.
Although we all know this is true to some extent, size alone doesn’t win fights. Just look at how Akebono and Bob Sapp got punished by much smaller guys at K1.
However, considering Mariusz’ background in BJJ, Kyokushin and Boxing, I wouldn’t underestimate his fighting game.
I’m half polish myself, so one part of me would like to see him compete. On the other hand, I despise the fact that K1 is dominated by guys like Semmy Schilt who dominate only because of their size and power…
Anyways, MMA is a technical, mental and a of course a very physical game, so if a fighter is just so much fitter and stronger than the other guy, then more power to him, right? At least, that finishes the discussions about wheter or not the art XYZ can deal with physically superior adversaries or not. Step in the ring/octagon, take on Pudzian and prove it ;).
Schiilt’s “power” and “domination”? We must watch a different K1.
Probably. In the K1 I’m watching, Schilt won the Grand Prix like 3 times and the Super-Heavyweight Champion somewhere along the way 2007.
The fact he’s 2m12 doesn’t hurt that. Neither does the fact he’s weighing in at ~130 kg. For me, he’s one of the biggest, heaviest fighters in K1. As for technical skill… he’s probably better than I am, because he’s holding 3 Grand Prix titles, whereas I am not. However, compared to other fighters, there’s musch for Semmy to learn when it comes to how to throw a kick or a punch.
Anyways, that’s the K1 I’m watching. Maybe it’s different over in the US. Don’t think so, though. 
Hrm. Well, I don’t really think you can call him a dominant fighter at this very moment. He’s one of the most accomplished for sure, but it’s not like he rules K1 because of his amazing power and athleticism, he is a distance fighter that uses his reach and size to win decisions and outpoint people. The comparison with Mariusz is… well, puzzling to me. Anyway I’ll let this thread blow up in flames like it is shaping up to…![/quote]
Well… I’m not comparion Schilt with Pudzin, really. I said in my first reply that IMHO Pudzianowski is quite accomplished in the fighting game. Look, as I said, Schilt isn’t that bad technically, but looking at how he wins his fights I dare say he wouldn’t be winning them at like 1m80.
As an example, his knee strikes aren’t comparable to those of Remy or Buakaw. They work because with smaller opponents, it’s enough for Semy lo lift that knee to his stomach-level to land a headshot. His boxing just doesn’t compare to Badr Hari’s and his kicking skills are no match for the likes of Feitosa. Schilt doesn’t really excell in any area other than being big, strong, and able to take a good punch.
That’s my honest opinion. On the other hand, you know what they say about opinions…