Paul Sass - (Flying Triangle off the cage included)

[Wanderlei]

So what are everybodies thoughts on Paul so far ?

I must say, I can't help but be impressed with this guy, his Jiu-Jitsu is a joy to watch. He has a purple belt in Luta Livre and a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but by all accounts, he taps Black Belts regulary in training. I was always concerned about his stand-up, he certainly isn't the smoothest on his feet, and he needs to work that area, but when the fight hits the deck, it's a wrap.

I actually bumped him to him in the MGM Grand, he was very unassuming, almost shy, but very polite. It was if he hadn't quite got his head around the fact he is becoming recognisable. I got the feeling I was the first person in Vegas to recognise him though, and he looked a little shocked that someone actually knew who he was. Definitely a guy that will always have his feet firmly on the ground, no matter how successful his career may or may not pan out.

I thought Volkmann would cause him a few problems, he is definitely the most savvy fighter Paul has faced to date, but he handled him brilliantly. I got the impression that Volkmann was trying to prove that he had nothing to fear from the Sass ground game, and was more than happy to stay in Paul's guard, as if to prove a point. Bad mistake.

I think it would be a little unfair to label Paul a one-trick-pony, even though his Triangles are so damn impressive, but it's hard to see the other sides of his game when he finishes almost all his fights in this manner. I've caught all of his UFC fights, and he always seems to able to get his opponent to the mat, whether he scores the takedown, or is at the other end of it. His persistence in this regard holds no boundries.

At 13-0 with 9 Triangles and 3 Heel Hooks, you would expect his next opponent to learn from Jacob's error and keep the fight standing for as long as possible. I would suggest that is where the advantage clearly lies. I'm keen to see how that scenario would play out, because at the moment we haven't really seen much else from Sass. What we have seen though, is arguably one of the most ardent ground practioners in the UFC doing exactly as he pleases.

I don't think it will be long either, before we see him pull off this attempt in the Octagon.

[Buckery]

Personally very impressed with Sass. Watching Volkmann with his dangly long arms I knew and bet last going off on Sass (he was +165 against Volkmann).

He's very impressive, now it's just a matter of how his standup comes along. A sub game alone isn't going to take you to a title. I do enjoy watching guys who are this slick on the ground just as much as I enjoy slick standup though. Sass isn't just a triangle trick the guy tried a couple of different subs on Volkmann. The one he finished him off was a combination of a triangle and armbar.

Very impressive submission fighter

[Wanderlei]

Personally very impressed with Sass. Watching Volkmann with his dangly long arms I knew and bet last going off on Sass (he was +165 against Volkmann).

He's very impressive, now it's just a matter of how his standup comes along. A sub game alone isn't going to take you to a title. I do enjoy watching guys who are this slick on the ground just as much as I enjoy slick standup though. Sass isn't just a triangle trick the guy tried a couple of different subs on Volkmann. The one he finished him off was a combination of a triangle and armbar.

Very impressive submission fighter

Same here, in fact, probably more so. It's a long time since I've seen the type of grappling showcase that the likes of Karo and Nick Diaz produced in their fight. That was incredible.

It also winds me up to see fighters like Maia and Gonzaga neglecting their obvious strengths in favour of alternate disciplines. It's such a waste. I appreciate this is MMA, but at the same time, the most successful fighters in MMA history have been successful due to the fact they stuck with what they did best, first and foremost.

It's refreshing to see fighters like Paul focusing on their strengths and putting them into practice. I didn't realise Sass was +165 unless I would have definitely put some money down on that as well.

[tyrannor]

I think he is like Palhares. Sooner or later someone with enough submission defense will blanket him.

[flarg]

I think he is like Palhares. Sooner or later someone with enough submission defense will blanket him.

When has Palhares ever been "blanketed"?

Palhares' problem is that he's mentally unstable. He fizzled against Marquardt and Belcher as soon as things didn't go his way and got KTFO. Hell, he looked like a completely different fighter against Dan Miller after his embarrassing early celebration debacle.

[tyrannor]

I meant he is extremely good at just one thing like Palhares. Getting blanketed is how I think he will lose by.

[Duncan]

Same here, in fact, probably more so. It's a long time since I've seen the type of grappling showcase that the likes of Karo and Nick Diaz produced in their fight. That was incredible.

It also winds me up to see fighters like Maia and Gonzaga neglecting their obvious strengths in favour of alternate disciplines. It's such a waste. I appreciate this is MMA, but at the same time, the most successful fighters in MMA history have been successful due to the fact they stuck with what they did best, first and foremost.

It's refreshing to see fighters like Paul focusing on their strengths and putting them into practice. I didn't realise Sass was +165 unless I would have definitely put some money down on that as well.

I'm a big fan of Paul Sass and my greatest worry is not that he will be blanketed, but that he will abandon his strengths like Maia did after the loss to Silva. Maia won five straight fights by submission after he entered the UFC and earned him self a title shot with very little striking ability. Since then, Maia hasn't submitted a single opponent and, though he has shown improved boxing, no longer seems to pose a threat to his opponents. Why would one of, if not the best jiu-jitsu practitioner in the UFC engage in boxing matches with his opponents?

I hope Sass continues to use his strengths and improves his weaknesses in order to make his opponent play his game.

[ParallelCactus]

yeah that always bothered me with maia. every time i see him fight now im like wtf are you doing man? sass is a beast though and i have a lot of respect for his game. loving when guys that good on the ground are around. one of the many reasons i love this sport so much.

[HugeMMAFan]

Same here, in fact, probably more so. It's a long time since I've seen the type of grappling showcase that the likes of Karo and Nick Diaz produced in their fight. That was incredible.

It also winds me up to see fighters like Maia and Gonzaga neglecting their obvious strengths in favour of alternate disciplines. It's such a waste. I appreciate this is MMA, but at the same time, the most successful fighters in MMA history have been successful due to the fact they stuck with what they did best, first and foremost.

It's refreshing to see fighters like Paul focusing on their strengths and putting them into practice. I didn't realise Sass was +165 unless I would have definitely put some money down on that as well.

I somewhat agree, but also disagree. The problem isn't just abandoning his strengths, but he also focused on the wrong things. Instead of focusing on striking, he should have focused on wrestling and setting up wrestling to compliment his BJJ. That's what they should have done. BJJ grapplers that can't get it the ground are stuck standing.

[tantryl]

He's sassy. I like his sass.

Someone had to do it.