Initially had that view too but seems defending champs and grudge matches in general where tapping out is just not an option
Yeah, let's just look at the floor and blast straight into the olympic judoka's clinch right off the bat. A flawless plan.
Tate also had some very nice transitions, kept back control for quite some time and she did escape the first armbar attempt. Which prob explains the late tapping in the second armbar.
I think it's the way she positions her legs for the armbar. Tate probably thought she was OK right up to the point she wasn't.
iv been wondering about this since the fight, why didnt she pinch her knees it would have finished tate much cleaner and quicker, did she do it that way deliberately cos they don't like each other ?
I don't know. Could be she didn't feel she needed to because she had Tate securely in that lock. I know more than once I'd not tap to keylocks because I didn't feel any pain then abruptly wonder why my serratus just tore.
They cross the legs to control the far elbow. And flairing the knees keeps them relativly flat. Its good for quick armbar attampts. Some bjj schools do the same, most dont.
I'd say that while crossing the feet does lose some control of the elbow and make the arm harder to straighten it also increases the security of the overall position (especially when someone is bucking and turning to get out). That could make a real difference in a fight where a loss of position would/could be more costly than not finishing the armbar. Although to be honest the day I can critique Rousey's armbars is the day I give up martial arts.
Theres pluses and minuses for both ways. feet on floor uncrossed and everything pinched in is better for overall control, but you would be a fool to suggest she changes sonething that is a pivotal part of her A game. For me I find the feet crossed style to weak laterally, if they stack in and try to cut an angle.