Frankie Edgar (Photo/Chris Unger, Getty Images)Along with the UFC, Bellator MMA is now up and running and in full swing in terms of promoting mixed martial arts events despite the difficulties presented by COVID-19. It's a welcome addition to the combat sports world and one that we should be excited for as Bellator has a rich stable of former high-profile wrestlers on its roster.
Both of these industry leaders held events this past weekend, and between them there were four former wrestlers with impressive resumes in action. Including each event's headliner. Each fight functioned nicely as a showcase for where each athlete currently stands. So what did we learn?
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Frankie Edgar
What we learned: Intriguing as it is to finally see Frankie Edgar competing against guys his own size (for probably the first time since high school), cutting the extra weight is a fine move, but not one that will result in another UFC belt. Not that Edgar will be unsuccessful at 135 pounds; he won this fight against No. 5-ranked Pedro Munoz, and he will win more than he loses in subsequent fights. However, he will likely experience the same result should he stay at 145, or perhaps even return to 155 pounds where he began his MMA career and captured the UFC title.
A New Jersey high school state runner up, NHSCA Senior Nationals finalist, and four-time NCAA Division I national qualifier for Clarion, Edgar made his bones on the strength of his super-slick, super smooth, highly technical wrestling and a speed advantage that was nearly impossible to nullify. The Toms River native was not your typical MMA wrestler armed with a good double leg, weight-cutting expertise, and the ability to stall out for the win. Not by a long shot. Edgar was hitting hip tosses, throws from the body lock, he was faking singles to create openings for his punch combos, he was pulling off exciting reversals in transition, and he was shooting takedowns with backup attacks loaded in the chamber. In short, he was effectively chain wrestling, and via his varied takedown assault, was finding his way to all kinds of dominant positions.
Having such an assured takedown threat and being hell on wheels from top position allowed Edgar to develop, and largely work behind, some very clean boxing ability. And while his punching prowess rarely resulted in a finish, it was stylish, made his wrestling more effective, and was impressive to judges as he racked up the wins. Sound Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a bit of a mean streak was added to his wrestling and ground fighting repertoire along the way, and the results speak for themselves. Heading into this weekend's fight, Edgar can boast a four-fight title reign at 155 pounds, three title shots earned at 145 pounds, 10 performance bonuses, and a 23 (now 24)-8-1 overall record.
Edgar won this weekend's fight by being busier, scoring enough takedowns, and by being tough as nails in sustaining this approach despite eating a whole lot of very effective low kicks. His lead leg was a mess but he never so much as grunted. Edgar won, but it was close. In many ways this fight was typical of what we've seen from him the last few years. Which brings us back to whether or not cutting to 135 pounds is a worthwhile endeavor. So, the good news? Edgar won his 135-pound debut against a highly ranked opponent. The weight cut didn't seem to affect his performance. And, his chin held up under fire. The bad news? He was unable to control his foe after the takedown, his punches were only slightly more damaging than before, and his speed advantage is minimized at this weight. Something not aided by being 38. After a long and successful career, Edgar should explore this division. However, he needs to focus on ground control and cut loose with more punching power if he is to seize any advantages created by dropping a weight class.
Ryan Bader and Vadim Nemkov at weigh-ins before Bellator 244 (Photo/Bellator)Bellator 244
Ryan Bader
What we learned: Despite being on a real tear as of late, the limitations in Bader's game that have hindered him in the past are still present and were exploited violently by Vadim Nemkov. Though he may be a bit more refined, more comfortable, and likely more skilled as a mixed martial artist, for the most part, Ryan Bader in 2020 wins fights with the same basic weapons he used since the start. Now, as the Bellator MMA heavyweight champ and the now former light-heavyweight champ, we are seeing just how a far powerful double leg and a couple powerful punches can take a fighter. The answer, as we've learned, is pretty darn far, but the clock is ticking and the sun setting on that reality.
Bader was a highly touted MMA prospect back in 2008. He was a two-time Nevada high school state champ, a Fargo All-American in Greco-Roman, and had a stellar collegiate career at Arizona State University that resulted in three conference titles and two All-America plaques. His wrestling was great for MMA too, especially for a young buck. His takedowns were powerful and aesthetically pleasing, and his explosive shot lent itself well towards developing a huge right hand. Eventually Bader added a nice left uppercut and some good knees in close, he took some losses that seasoned him, and he soldiered on.
On Friday night we saw that some good old-fashioned Division I wrestling will always be good enough to take down just about anybody. We just didn't see enough of it, and Bader paid for that. Bader is and was still very formidable. But his standup skills are just not where they'd need to be to defeat this new breed of fighter like Nemkov, a fighter that can match Bader's brawn and horsepower while also having the fluidity and comfort everywhere to make every single attack appear flawless.
Chris Gonzalez
What we learned: Chicago native Gonzalez is progressing nicely and has a tremendous amount of potential as an MMA fighter. A while back, we named Gonzalez a former wrestler to watch for, and thus far he has not let us down. At this point in his development, the highly accomplished Greco-Roman star (two-time Fargo All-American, JUCO All-American, 2016 world team member, etc.) is undefeated (5-0) and beginning to really dial in his fighting identity.
In this most recent outing, Gonzalez was very physical and athletic, looked to land powerful punches, and was a monster on the inside (no surprise there). He also moved forward and stalked his foe for much of the fight, something judges reward greatly. Matched up with a very tough Russian foe in Vladimir Tokov, Gonzalez flashed some of the Greco prowess that won him bronze and silver medals at the 2017 Dave Schultz and the 2018 Bill Farrell respectively, using that uncanny core strength and ridiculous upper body squeeze. Gonzalez' frame and style made for effective use of range striking with the straight left hand, but I'd like to see him unleash some more left high kicks and straight punches to the midsection. Expect Gonzalez to show a new wrinkle to him game with each successive outing.
John Salter
What we learned: After failing to make his mark in the UFC back in the beginning of the decade, Alabama native John Salter has slowly and steadily made himself into one of the sport's most effective grinders currently fighting. Those aforementioned early setbacks led Salter to double down and embrace his athletic limitations, choosing to lean heavily on his fantastic wrestling and some miserable topside submission grappling.
Salter defeated a tough opponent on Friday night, out-wrestling and eventually choking out a guy who had knocked out Mo Lawal in his last fight. An Alabama high school state champ who went on to win an NAIA national title at Lindenwood University, Salter employed his no-frills, straight forward wrestling to perfection. Salter's game is largely built around the following sequence; flash some rather underwhelming striking to lure foes in, time the level change and penetration perfectly, takedown, pass the guard, hunt for submissions, rinse and repeat (if necessary).
Now finding himself in the top end of Bellator MMA's 185-pound class, Salter will likely get a chance to see just a far his skills can take him.
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