Technique and skills vs. power and athleticism. Which one is truly better?

Question

Elaborate your answers.

Answer 1

To give you a prime example that Technique and skills are better, go to YouTube and check out the fight between Bernard Ackah vs. Johnnie Morton. Johnnie thought that because he was fast, powerful and athletic he could make it in MMA. Bernard Ackah is a taekwondo stylist with a very good technique and it didn't take much for Morton to go down. Check out the video and let me know. Also, if you can find it look for the Royce Gracie vs. Dan Severn fight in UFC 4.

Answer 2

Both can be lacking if not containing the other. You can be strong and quick but the moment you mess up and are on your back those things don't matter any more. Skill and technique are nothing if you can get within range to utilize it. But skill and technique come for practice and experience if you hone those you will have to increase your power and athleticism. But if I had to choose between skill or power I would go with skill. Because there are something that take forever to get right and if you do them it definitely gives you an advantage.

Answer 3

Easy!
Technique and Skill any day over power and athleticism.

WHY? easy, you can NOT keep power and athleticism your whole life you eventually get old and can not do what you once did, NO ONE CAN, yes others can for longer than some but eventually we all give into time. SO with that said that stands to reason the only thing you can count on NOT going is your Technique and Skill as long as you practise and adapt as you get older.

That is my answer and why!

Answer 4

Isolating technique and skills (skills imply experience also) in a match vs a powerful athletic person (which you imply has a lack of experience and/or technical proficiency).
It all comes down to can the skilled fighter time the perfect technique (whether strikes or joint locks/chokes) before being overwhelmed by the strength and athleticism of his unskilled opponent.
Let's say the super technically proficient fighter who is a virtual encyclopedia of fighting techniques is only in good enough shape to perform one or two moves before getting tired or cannot perform anything explosively (usually a prerequisite for a technique to work in combat) then he isn't much of a warrior. And the converse where someone is super athletic but has no timing or technique in combat and can only win through attrition (wearing his opponent down) he too is not a warrior.
So to answer your question neither is better, they are both half useless as a fighter.

Answer 5

In my way of thinking-technique and skill is better! Without those power and athleticism are somewhat blunted. Technique will often times allow a good athlete to come out on top as opposed to a better athlete who relies mainly on his athletic abilities and is poor in technique. Not only that but while technique is not the same as experience you usually don't acquire good technique without having an understanding of what it is you are trying to do and the ability to make adjustments. With power and athleticism you are also to a great extent relying on physical abilities and strength and those have a way of dissipating as an athletic contest progresses. Technique and skill don't dissipate near as much and remain with you to rely on and utilize to your advantage.

Answer 6

None, they are equally important.

You could have the best technique, but if you are out of shape you might not last enough to apply it.

Power and athleticism can get you far, but skill and technique can potentially neutralize it.

Answer 7

it goes back to an old kung fu saying
"One power..suppresses 1000 techniques".

This mean that if you posses a 1000 techniques but you are weak and lack power. Thy mean nothing. That is why you see so called "black belts" who dont train hard get whipped by common street thugs. You have factors like fight experience,stradegy,and courage....but generally if you get a weak out of shape guy who is a 3rd degree balck belt, a weight lifter can probably beat him (in america anyway)


On the other hand, if you get a guy who is a 3rd degree balck belt, got some fight experience,works out pretty decent, but isnt extremely strong...vs a extremely strong athlete with no fight experience....the fighter has a great chance at winning.

As long as all your attributes are decent.....you have a good chance

Answer 8

All of those are physical attributes, and while necessary, and held by most of the top Athletes in the world. What matters more than these is Spirit. If you don't give up, no matter what, you don't often lose.

Answer 9

You need both. They compliment each other.