I'd like to think that my Judo Chop on Brock Lesnar's impressive technical display of top control would have closed this issue, but clearly it hasn't. Last week, UFC welterweight Anthony Johnson joined the chorus of those demeaning Brock Lesnar's performance at UFC 100. Clearly more needs to be done.
Here's Lesnar's jiu jitsu trainer Rodrigo Comprido talking to Tatame.com about his student's performance:
I started to work with Brock after his first fight against Frank Mir. I personally follow the trainings and the guy learns very easily, when you see him fighting you can notice that he’s evolving a lot. I think his ground is strong, solid. We’re managing to make him confident in all areas.
Here's Lesnar trainer Erik Paulson talking to Sherdog:
"He stuck exactly to the game plan. We knew Frank was going to jump that half-guard as soon as he could on the ground," said Paulson. "The whole objective was to control him on the ground, control his hips. As far as the half-guard, it was to put him flat in the half-guard, not let him get on his side and get under your leg."
And if you don't believe Brock's coaches, perhaps his victim opponent Frank Mir carries more weight:
"It wasn't just because of his size that he was able to nullify my technique, but he used his size. He knew how to position his hips, and block my hips, and hold my arm. He did things that I didn't really expect because of his reach. I think I went in with too much of a gameplan, and I wanted it to go one way, and I tried to force it that way."
Sure Lesnar has many obvious physical advantages, but to me the scary thing about him is his discipline and willingness to learn. That makes him a truly scary force to be reckoned with.