Peacedog wrote:Hand conditioning is going to become important. This means some of the iron palm guys could start making some real money training pro-fighters.
Expect a lot more fights to end early due to cuts on the face/head.
Protecting the head will become really important due to the above reason as well.
I'd assume fewer jabs thrown and more selectively thrown power punches. Mainly due to the risk of damaging your hand and losing the fight that way.
Since most fights will end by knockout, I'm not sure if this will help with the long term trauma to the brain or not.
Excerpt from "Bec Rawlings discusses UFC regret, preparation for Bare Knuckle FC,"
https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/6/2/17 ... knuckle-fc:
Marc Raimondi Jun 2, 2018 wrote:In preparation, Rawlings said she has been trying to strengthen her hands. She’s been hitting pads without gloves and gone through iron-palm training, an ancient Chinese martial arts method that involves rubbing of herbs on her hands when she’s done.
“We’ve gone real old-school on this,” said Rawlings, who arrived in Cheyenne on Sunday.
Excerpt from "Bobby Gunn highlights Bare Knuckle Fighting debut,"
https://www.newsday.com/sports/boxing/b ... 1.18894226:
Ryan Gerbosi on June 1, 2018 wrote:Bobby Gunn punched his bare fists downward into the table in front of him, rattling glasses and silverware while getting the room’s attention at a New York steakhouse.
“I’ll take my knuckles to a hardwood floor for 20 minutes maybe,” Gunn said. “Break all the calluses out, which for me they already are. . . .”
BKFC will use a ruleset different than the London rules but designed to retain the purity of those fights of old. Boxers are not permitted any covering on the knuckles, but can tape their wrists and thumbs for stability. Bouts will take place in a circular boxing ring unique to the promotion and are scheduled for either five or seven two-minute rounds with nine rounds scheduled for championship fights. Each round begins with both fighters standing three feet apart at the ring’s center. Punches are the only offensive weapon permitted, but clinch fighting and holding the back of the opponent’s head is allowed with referees breaking the action if there is three seconds of inactivity.
Some thoughts: At the moment, I enjoy watching gloved boxing more, as the skill level is higher. Early stage fighters are not highly ranked in their sports. Current, highly ranked MMAist or boxers can beat them with standard techniques. If the sport survives, specialized techniques may surface.
Without gloves, blocking with the forehead may become effective, punches slip through the guard easier, vertical punches may be effective, fear of breaking hands can influence targets and how hard to punch. The skilled bare-knuckle fighter can land his weapons in much smaller openings. Under the armpit. Between the V of the elbow. Behind the guard. More cuts and blood leading to more TKO stoppages. Cuts may influence recovery in between fights and longevity of a fighter.