"You're a great guy though, Greg."
In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani from MMA Fighting, Cesar Gracie had this to say on fellow "coach" Greg Jackson:
"He's more of a coordinator where he puts things in perspective," he said. "And he's great at what he does. Training's at this time, let's go run the mountain or something. Let's go train with this guy. He's more of a motivational speaker possibly, but as a true sense of the word 'coach,' he's not on the same page as great coaches of the world. He's not."
Gracie also went on to contrast Jackson to Dan Lambert from American Top Team, saying "He (Dan Lambert) doesn't get in the limelight" and that "great coaches are in the background."
Not too surprising to hear this from the gentlemen over in Stockton. but Cesar Gracie does have a pretty valid point here, at least as it pertains to the career of GSP. St. Pierre himself said that he only spends the tail end of his camp at Jackson's, "putting it all together". Is Cesar right, and is Jackson getting too much credit here? He doesn't train his striking with Jackson, he trains it with Phil Nurse. He doesn't train his grappling in New Mexico, he trains it with Roger and Renzo Gracie. So why does Jackson get so much credit for this? It's most likely a matter of public perception. When the camera pans to GSP in the introductions for UFC welterweight title fights, who is in his corner? Greg Jackson is pretty much a brand at this point, and is without a doubt the most well-known coach among casual fans of MMA. It's understandable he would get more credit than he should. Jackson himself never hesitates to mention that he doesn't oversee the technical aspects of GSP's training.
This might also be perceived as an attempt to hype the future GSP/Shields fight coming up at the end of April, but I'm not sure this is the case. This is probably just Gracie speaking his mind. However, I would not be surprised to see this issue mentioned in one of the UFC's title fight hype attempts, such as a Joe Rogan analysis or something along those lines. And don't be surprised to see Helwani bring this up with Greg Jackson the next time those two speak. That's why he's my hero. I love that guy.
Gracie maybe dealing with a hint of jealousy here. There is a reason GSP chooses Jackson to be in his corner.
ReplyDeleteThis I find telling ;
Gracie also went on to contrast Jackson to Dan Lambert from American Top Team, saying "He (Dan Lambert) doesn't get in the limelight" and that "great coaches are in the background."
What does that say about you Gracie?
Ariel has won me over too over the years, but don't trip, based on the sounds of things he'll be needing a new gig pretty soon. Maybe he'll be the next addition to the UD.
Jealousy might be a factor. Cesar is also almost surely a member of the "anti-point fighting" camp, ala the Diaz bros. and Cole Miller, and with GSP's rash of decision victories he might have felt compelled to hate hate hate on some fools.
ReplyDeleteGracie makes some great points, but it's the end part that he is missing that makes Jackson the best coach in MMA.
ReplyDeleteHe puts everything together.
He's like Bill Belicheck. He let's his coaches do their jobs providing tutelage in their expertise areas, and when it comes close to game time he provides the final tweeks and the master plan.
He's not a great BJJ coach (actually I heard he is pretty good). He's not a great striking coach. He's not great wrestling coach.
What he is is the best strategist in MMA. He knows how to maximise everyone of his students skillsets to the utmost, while simultaneously exposing weaknesses of their opponents.
If that doesn't describe a great coach, then I don't know what does.
This is right. There is a reason Gracie's boys are big fish in a little pond and Jackson's are big fish in a big pond. Not to sound like a Gracie or Strikeforce critic, because I like both. Just stating the truth. Also, Gracie maybe stirring the pot since his boy is finally fighting GSP.
ReplyDelete