Miller in Pearson’s way to the elite
“They [the critics] are not wrong. Once the guys hit the top level, they’re getting stuck by the wrestlers and…
“They [the critics] are not wrong. Once the guys hit the top level, they’re getting stuck by the wrestlers and I think the only way they’re going to change that is by doing the things that I do like going over to America and training with the wrestling camps or bringing them over here for your camps. That’s how it’s going to develop.
Many gyms and fighters are taking heed, and that can be seen in the development of wrestling games in such fighters as Michael Bisping and John Hathaway. Bellator FC fighter ‘Judo’ Jim Wallhead is also known for his prowess in the clinch and takedown defence, and Pearson has spent time with current UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar, something he credits for his development. I’ve been out to train with Frankie Edgar and the guys out there. I train wrestling twice a week and I think I adapt my wrestling training well to MMA. We’ve got great guys in the gym like Judo Jim, who has some of the best takedown defence I’ve ever seen and he’s been passing on his knowledge to me.
“A lot of this camp has been based around his aggressive Jiu Jitsu, Pearson revealed, gesturing towards Miller’s eleven submission victories. It’d be stupid of me to think I’m going to come in and grapple with this guy. In this camp I’ve not learnt one submission; why try and play the submission game with this guy that’s ahead of me in that way? We’re fighting an MMA fight, it’s not a Jiu Jitsu comp.”