Fisto - About two years ago at the 10th planet headquarters in Hollywood
Rio - I think Eddie would agree with your points. Getting on top and submitting is always the goal. However, as an mma fighter, eventually you'll run into some NCAA beast who's wrestling is good enough to take you down at will, so its necessary to have a guard that's good enough to win you the fight if you are forced to fight off your back. He used to be part of the production team for UFC events, and would always tell us about good up and coming mma fighters who could never make it off the non-televised undercard because they couldn't handle being lay and prayed.
Additionally, in an mma fight, there are 2 offensive options. Attack standing or initiate a takedown. Having an elite guard gives you a 3rd option. If you're fighting someone who's killing you standing and has elite takedown defence, you can pull guard as a LAST DITCH effort to try and salvage a win.
Rio - I think Eddie would agree with your points. Getting on top and submitting is always the goal. However, as an mma fighter, eventually you'll run into some NCAA beast who's wrestling is good enough to take you down at will, so its necessary to have a guard that's good enough to win you the fight if you are forced to fight off your back. He used to be part of the production team for UFC events, and would always tell us about good up and coming mma fighters who could never make it off the non-televised undercard because they couldn't handle being lay and prayed.
Additionally, in an mma fight, there are 2 offensive options. Attack standing or initiate a takedown. Having an elite guard gives you a 3rd option. If you're fighting someone who's killing you standing and has elite takedown defence, you can pull guard as a LAST DITCH effort to try and salvage a win.