How Wrestlers Lose in MMA: Sean Salmon

by Kid Nate on Jan 29, 2008 2:48 PM EST in Technique Comment 12 comments

While he's no legend of the sport (and really seems like a great guy), Sean Salmon has unfortunately epitomized the career path of wrestlers who don't adapt to modern MMA. Here's a clip of him eating a high kick (aka "doing a Mark Coleman") and a knee. Don't have any vids of Sean falling into a guillotine choke, but he's known for that too.

While Lesnar's not likely to fall prey to a Mir high kick or flying knee, he might want to watch out should he get in the ring with...oh, Gonzaga, Werdum, Cro Cop, Herring or Kongo. They're waiting for you Brock, will you be ready?

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Re: How Wrestlers Lose in MMA: Sean Salmon

Hopefully Luke can provide me with some technical analysis of this:

What would you say Sean is doing wrong in these two knockouts? In the Rashad fight, it seems like he keeps his hands too low, thus leaving himself open for the kick. In his fight with Jorge Santiago, it seems like he tries to shoot in without setting up the takedown. My guess would be that his striking is so poor that he is unable to set up takedowns. With a wrestler that you know is just going to run in like that, you can easily set up those flying knees.

Would you say that is a fair assessment? Just looking for some more technical opinions on Sean Salmon's game. I really liked the guy but he has never been able to get it together.

by holden636 on Jan 29, 2008 3:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: How Wrestlers Lose in MMA: Sean Salmon

I'm not Luke...but here's the deal as far as I can tell.

Against Rashad he does have his hands low, but the mistake that cost him was reaching down thinking it was going to be a body or leg kick. Salmon reaches down to grab the leg and transition to a takedown. With the hands going low and bending at the waist he basically moves his face right into Rashad's kick.
Against Santiago he doesn't really even shoot, he looks like he wanted to anticipate again thinking Jorge was going to just run at him and right into a takedown. So again he bends at the waist, leaves his head exposed...and bam.

by Brent Brookhouse on Jan 29, 2008 4:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: How Wrestlers Lose in MMA: Sean Salmon

Thanks Brent. Just what I was looking for. So in both fights, he simply bends at the waist and drops his hands. What would a wrestler like him need to do to improve? Lots of work on his striking? Quicker reflexes?

I am curious because Salmon is a fighter that has always perplexed me. Reading all of his articles on MMAjunkie you were able to get a sense of his training and personality. Then when he stepped in the cage, nothing worked. I think that his lack of athleticism may have something to do with it (e.g., compare the way Josh Koscheck's athleticism allowed him to make the transition to MMA much better).

by holden636 on Jan 29, 2008 6:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: How Wrestlers Lose in MMA: Sean Salmon

In the fight against Evans it was his cardio that was killing him -- he was gassed and leaning over to catch his breath when the kick came. He made things worse by assuming it was a leg kick and reaching for it.

by Kid Nate on Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: How Wrestlers Lose in MMA: Sean Salmon

He needs to realize that at the higher levels of MMA you can't guess. Sure there is always a degree of trying to think one step ahead. But when you start guessing and putting yourself in the wrong position because of it you end up getting the lights turned out.

His striking isn't anything to write home about, but it isn't really that his stand-up is failing him...just the mental side of the game. At least in my opinion.

by Brent Brookhouse on Jan 29, 2008 6:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: How Wrestlers Lose in MMA: Sean Salmon

Brent is as right as I can see.

I saw the Rah fight live on TV, and no one knew Rah had that weapon in his arsenal. Much like CC vs Zaga, or France vs Germany, he tried to block the wrong the weapon.

Vs Santiago, he looked like he was trying to sprawl, and oops, up came the knee.

Nothing really technical about it. He just fucked up. It happens. No shining jewels here like Liddell and his dumbass long range body shots. Meet Mr Right Hook.

Salmon has that interesting genetic fault that I have talked about before. Some ppl's brains just cant take being slammed against their skulls. I've read its from higher than normal level of cerebral spinal fluid or acute excess intake of water.

Look at Nog, he's been hit by, ehhhmm, a truck before and not gone out, yet, Salmon, Grove, Sapp, and Cole Miller have all been knocker OUT by far less potent strikes.

by MoreThanUFC on Jan 29, 2008 5:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: How Wrestlers Lose in MMA: Sean Salmon

I think Big Nog is about to prove you wrong again.

by Kid Nate on Jan 29, 2008 5:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: How Wrestlers Lose in MMA: Sean Salmon

I think you are dead on about the susceptibility to being knocked out. Not exactly a recipe for a champion.

by holden636 on Jan 29, 2008 6:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: How Wrestlers Lose in MMA: Sean Salmon

Kid Nate, I love ya, and if and when we meet, I'll buy the first round. But, youre an asshead. ( Hope that's funny and not insulting... ). Crocop couldn't, Fedor pounding his head into the canvas and couldn't, and Herring hit him with a Salmon-type KO kick, and what? Nothing. He lived through it all, but Poopie Pants will? Put the crack pipe down and step away.... :)

by MoreThanUFC on Jan 29, 2008 10:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re: How Wrestlers Lose in MMA: Sean Salmon

we'll see on saturday mi amigo.

by Kid Nate on Jan 29, 2008 10:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: How Wrestlers Lose in MMA: Sean Salmon

Herring had him finished had he not inexplicably chosen to give him time to recover and let him back up.

by Richard Wade on Jan 30, 2008 2:49 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Re: How Wrestlers Lose in MMA: Sean Salmon

No, Herring had him STUNNED but wasn't getting the KO with hammer fists and was afraid to linger on the ground with Big Nog, and for good reason. Herring's seen the Sapp fight, he's also been subbed by Nogeira so I can see him wanting to finish it on the feet.

by Kid Nate on Jan 30, 2008 7:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs