At UFC last night Rodolfo Vieiro gassed and lost by submission. He is arguably one of the greatest grapplers in the last 10 years...7 world titles. He fought at 185 but according to people i know he was just under 220 fight time. He definitely takes advantage of testing policies where you are good if free test is under 1200.
Clearly to me the size game hurt him...the big muscles used way too much oxygen and he could not sustain the pace...as he owned and out classed the guy for the first 4 minutes of the fight and then faded fast. I truly believe he would have been better conditioned for this fight if he walked around at 195-200 and cut to 185. The extra 20 lbs 200 to 220 is just not necessary.
Thoughts...can you be big and have stamina? I don't know of an example where this is true from any sport. Strength is an advantage but only to a point.
Clearly to me the size game hurt him...the big muscles used way too much oxygen and he could not sustain the pace...as he owned and out classed the guy for the first 4 minutes of the fight and then faded fast. I truly believe he would have been better conditioned for this fight if he walked around at 195-200 and cut to 185. The extra 20 lbs 200 to 220 is just not necessary.
Thoughts...can you be big and have stamina? I don't know of an example where this is true from any sport. Strength is an advantage but only to a point.