That super fight was awful and a big reason why ppv buyrates took a big nosedive after ufc 5.. i remember Ken’s dad shouting from
The corner “god damn it Ken, do something!” lol
I like Ken but his strategy/game plan and performance in that fight was very odd and underwhelming
Not really.
At the time I found it very interesting.
It’s not very re watchable though lol.
Ken did bust Royce up in the OT though.
At that point, Royce had nothing for him.
I have stated many times in the past that Steve Jennum was the FIRST MMA prototype
Why?
Smooth JapaneseStyle Grappling Takedowns(Jiujitsu/Taijutsu)
JapaneseStyle Submissions(JiuJitsu/Taijutsu):
combined with some decent(for the time) Moden Striking/Movement blending Elements of Old(Taijutsu Stance/Defense) with New(Boxing Defensive Movement)
just to note: Taijutsu = Body Movement and does have a lot to offer the average person not training as a CHEMICALLY ENHANCED FULL TIME Professional Athlete
There were guys before Jennum who trained striking, grappling, and submissions.
there were dudes B4 him which displayed his COMPLETE impression in the UFC? After him it was Marco Ruas and then Don Frye but Jennum was the FIRST to show a COMPLETE level of MMA skill in SMOOTHLY combining striking, throws/takedowns, grappling
He was too paranoid about getting caught and submitted again. He fought not to lose. At that time just getting a draw against Gracie was a huge win and that’s all he wanted.
Guys like Funaki, Suzuki, and Ken in Pancrase.
Pat Smith used striking, takedowns, G&P, and submissions.
Jason Delucia as an alternate, he trained everything.
All before UFC 3.
Not saying your observations about Jennum are incorrect.
But I wouldn’t call him the first MMA prototype.
He planned to wear Gracie out over like an hour. The time limit thing was a last minute addition.
Had it kept going, he would have stopped Royce. Royce was done.
So seeing him play it safe and then beat up a tired and vulnerable Royce late, kind of justifies that his game plan worked.
That being said I think he could have done more. But with Royce having submitted every one he faxed up till then, including Ken – I can see why he would be cautious.
The Gracie Family and UFC were the Inspiration for the EVOLUTION in Martial Arts and MOST people would MOST LIKELY still be BELIEVING & practicing Antiquated “ART” as “effective” Self Defense…and Pancrase SLAPPING, No Striking on Ground, was still not COMPLETE and not Globally KNOWN and from what I understand it was near to the realm of ProWrasslin’ in “is it REAL or is it a STIFF WORK”?
The time limit was 30 minutes. When that was reached Rorion and Royce asked Shamrock’s team if they would be willing to do a 5 minute overtime and Ken accepted. That’s when Royce took the most damage.
Ken & Yoji Anjo got a lesson in REAL FIGHTING when they came over from Japan to Test their Skills
You said he was the “first MMA prototype”.
You didn’t say anything about it having to be in the UFC.
Regardless, I gave you the example of Pat Smith. Better striker than Jennum, who also won fights via submission and G&P.
Demonstrated all three elements prior to UFC 3.
Pancrase was founded to be shoot.
During the growing pains there were some works. It’s a cultural thing.
But there weren’t that many and they went away – and we generally know which ones were worked.
Right, which was added the day of.
Correct.
Yeah…
Because Ken didn’t know about “real fighting”.
Lol
I don’t recall Pat displaying the COMPLETE skills in a SMOOTH MANNER that I observed in Steve Jennum which also INCLUDES the “TaiSabaki” element of “TaiJutsu”
Oh ..ok
You’ve changed my mind.
I’ll add Steve Jennum to MMA’s Mt. Rushmore.
Thanks.