Analysis highlights strikers' failure to use wrestling threats in modern MMA

An analyst expressed surprise that strikers in 2026 still fail to utilize wrestling threats as part of their striking game. The post references Al Iaquinta's fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov, where despite being outmatched in grappling, Iaquinta successfully used the threat of wrestling twice to land strikes. The analyst explains that even false level changes force automatic defensive reactions from opponents, creating windows of 0.2-0.5 seconds to land strikes. Using Jiri Prochazka as an example, the post argues that a fighter who struggles with safe distance closure should incorporate wrestling threats, especially against fast counterpunchers like Carlos Ulberg. The analysis notes that even elite striker Petr Yan attempted 65 takedowns in the UFC, questioning why other strikers don't employ similar tactics. Prochazka's limited wrestling attempts (only 5 takedown attempts in UFC) are highlighted as a missed opportunity.