MMA without the ground game? Instinct Fighting has arrived
By Brandt DeLorenzo on Mar 13, 2010
“No ground, just pound” is proudly displayed on the fight poster for the upcoming Insticnt Fighting event, the newest creation spawned from modified rules of Mixed Martial Arts. No, it’s not kickboxing and it’s most definitely not tag team MMA, it’s “professional stand-up fighting”. Yep, everything except wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, or any other form of ground combat is allowed. Once a fighter is thrown, the fight is stopped and everything starts over again. This sure sounds a lot like a modified form of karate, doesn’t it?
The weight classes and round lengths are similar to the unified MMA rules and small 7 ounce gloves are used, but with the lack of the ground game, this is nothing like MMA and more like kickboxing with trips. You can catch the action at the Essex County College Sports Center in Newark, New Jersey on April 17th if you’re interested in the latest form of combat.
I won’t go too in depth of how ridiculous I think this is, you can check out Instinct Fighting for yourself over at their web site. Will this last? Maybe for a couple events until people realize that this isn’t the “ultimate fighting” they see on Spike TV.
Filed Under: Opinion
About the Author: Brandt DeLorenzo started MMA Opinion in June of 2007 and began working as a MMA photographer shortly thereafter. He enjoys being cageside at regional events or just watching the fights. His favorite fighters are Frankie Edgar and Gegard Mousasi.














I love that they’re trying to pass this off as something new and exciting.
K-1 has been doing this kind of stuff for a long time, and its existed in Thailand for even longer.
sounds like sanshou sans the boxing gloves. agreed it’s a joke that they are trying to pass it of as something “new”.
It reminds me of the guys who say “a fight never really goes to the ground” or something like that. Whatever it is called some people will watch it.
Bill