Joe Warren...mma and greco

http://www.themat.com/section.php?section_id=3&page=showarticle&ArticleID=23038

I find the above article pretty interesting. Not only does he explain his intentions on trying out for the 2011 US World Team and then the Olympic team in 2012, he has also stated that he plans on continuing with mma during these next 20 months despite his active wrestling schedule and plans to drop down to 135 lbs for mma, since he will be wrestling at 132 lbs. I find this to be one of those situations where Warren might be able to keep winning in mma, while not particularly focusing on it, because of the organization he is in. If he were going against the UFC 135 lbs'ers, doing it part time would likely not suffice. What are your thoughts on fighters competing in individual disciplines at the highest levels while competing in mma (other then combat sambo like Fedor does since that is so similar to mma)? Is there time for both or does it just really depend on the quality of the organization and its stable of fighters? Personally, I think Warren can do fine while competing in Bellator, especially at 135 lbs, but if he wants to move up one day and fight with the UFC, it will have to be a full time comittment. Plus, he is 34 years old now, which will make him 35- 36 after the 2012 games, dependning on what month he is born in. Time is ticking.

Well a few things that it will do for him. It will keep him in shape and put him in a more ideal weight class. It will also keep him focused on his bread and butter, his wrestling. But at the same time it might take away from his progression as a complete fighter. But at his age focusing on his strengths might be the thing to do anyways.
Interested to see how this all plays out for him. I don't have a problem with guys competing in two seperate sports like Reem in K-1, Roger Gracie BJJ and Warren with his wrestling. The more active they are the better.
What do you think jimbo?

I agree with you. I am all for these guys competing in their respective backgrounds along with mma. My only concern is that it will hinder their ability to ultimately get to the top in mma, though that might not be his goal. But, you did bring up a good point that I didnt consider. With him being up there in age, especially for the weight class (the lighter the weight, the more speed and youth become factors usually), his best bet just might be focusing on what he does the best and not losing some of that in order to gain in other portions of his game that he wouldnt have the time to fully develop anyway. I think its a good idea and I was always wondering why he didnt fight at 135 lbs.

With Roger Gracie, do you think he will ever develop into a well rounded enough fighter to compete with the top heavyweights in the world? He strikes me as someone, who like Warren, might be more focused on his individual discipline then mma. Its a fine line these guys tread and very few can pull it off.

Well Roger Gracie isn't quite as old as Joe, although 29 isn't that young I think he still has the time to develope his game. Also Roger has developed a great relationship with GSP and GSP has been helping him train. GSP has said Roger is a true mixed martial artist and not just a BJJ guy, but that could just be GSP being nice.
Also Gracie is now a LHW and not a HW, which is good because at 6'4 he is now a decent size LHW instead of a small HW. I don't however expect Roger to reach the top level, but I think it is possible.