Asses in seats by and large prefer knockouts over submissions. In fact, the crowd seems to love most of all those crazy, crazed exchanges where both fighters look like nothing so much as a couple of those wacky, waving, inflatable, arm-flailing Airdancers, in a high wind.
It is fun to watch as anything could happen in that chaos. But for the fighter, not so much fun.
The #5 UFC welterweight, former ADCC champion, and 4th degree black belt Demian Maia once articulated why he prefers submissions over KOs.
Jiu-jitsu is my origin, so I will always look for the submission and to control the fight,” he explained. “In this martial art we love so much, we look to tap our opponent out, not hurt him with strikes. Of course I’m there to win, but this mentality is completely intertwined with me. I will hardly try to hurt my adversary rather than submit him. That’s a part of jiu-jitsu and that’s why it’s the best martial art in the world. As an athlete, I must improve that… I want to show jiu-jitsu to the world, and show to the people that you can win the fight without hurting your opponent.
During a recent fan Q&A, the #3 ranked Rose Namajunas voiced the same preference, but for a different set of reasons.
“Definitely submissions,” she said, smiling. “I appreciate both… The feeling of a KO is definitely more exciting – your adrenaline spikes way higher.
“But the submission, I definitely feel it’s more reliable to go for a submission. Because it’s safer. You can get in and get out. You can take somebody down, and submit them. It’s a a quicker fight, if you have that tool. And I definitely look to use it.”
The other fighter in the Q&A was Mike Chiesa, and he agreed.
“For me, if you look at my record, I obviously don’t have a ton of knockout. So I obviously don’t know the feeling of just one shot, and the guy… Like she said, I am sure it is very exhilarating.
“The thing I love about submissions is, there is no luck. You always hear about ‘lucky punches’ and ‘lucky kicks’ and and ‘luck’ involved with knockouts. There is no luck involved in a submission.
“So any time I submit a guy, I display flawless technique. (It’s more like chess). Any time I am on my feet exchanging, it is more like a poker game – ‘lucky’ punches. But there is no such thing as a lucky submission. It’s just a full display of proper technique.”
And Rose has the final word.
“I guess what he’s saying is ‘if you submit someone, you pretty much own them,’” she said. If you knock them out, it’s ‘you got me, you caught me.’ But if you submit them, you own them.”
Namajunas submitting Kathina Catron via Flying Armbar in just 12 seconds of Round 1, at Invicta FC 5.
It makes her pretty happy!
Gif courtesy of Zombie Prophet.
