A Gigantic Proposal: How UFC's Tallest Veteran Wants to Redefine Real Fighting

The world of mixed martial arts is constantly evolving, but few proposals have sparked as much intrigue and debate as the latest from one of its most towering figures. Stefan "Skyscraper" Struve, the colossal Dutchman who once stood as the tallest fighter in UFC history, has unleashed a blueprint for a truly radical transformation of the octagon – one he believes would bring the sport closer to the raw, unpredictable essence of a "real fight."

Known for his incredible reach and often grappling-heavy style, Struve's insights into combat sports run deep.

Now retired from active competition, his voice carries the weight of experience. He's not just suggesting minor tweaks; he's advocating for a fundamental shift that could reshape strategies, increase finishes, and reignite the passion of purists yearning for more authentic combat simulations.

At the heart of Struve's vision is the demand for a significantly smaller fighting area.

He argues that the expansive current UFC cage sometimes allows fighters to disengage too easily, leading to stalemates or less frenetic action. A tighter enclosure, he posits, would inherently force more engagements, putting fighters in closer quarters and making evasive tactics far more challenging.

This isn't about eliminating strategy, but about ensuring constant, high-stakes pressure.

Perhaps the most controversial of Struve's suggestions revolves around ground and pound. Imagine a scenario where ground strikes are only permitted once an opponent is genuinely hurt or compromised. This radical departure from current rules, where G&P can be used to control or set up submissions from the outset, would dramatically alter the dynamic.

It would potentially incentivize more stand-up exchanges and force fighters to truly "earn" their ground superiority before unleashing a barrage of blows.

And for those who remember the wild days of PRIDE FC, Struve takes it a step further. He proposes reintroducing some of the most visceral and often debated strikes: soccer kicks and stomps to a downed opponent.

While modern MMA has largely moved away from these for safety reasons and broader appeal, Struve believes their reintroduction, perhaps under specific conditions, would significantly enhance the "real fight" feel, adding another layer of danger and excitement that's currently absent.

Struve's core motivation is to move away from what he perceives as a sanitized version of fighting.

He believes that by introducing these elements – forcing engagement, making ground and pound more impactful, and allowing for a broader range of finishing strikes – the sport would better simulate the unpredictable, high-impact nature of actual confrontations. This isn't about making it a street brawl, but about crafting a competitive environment where strategic decisions are amplified by the constant threat of a decisive finish.

Such drastic changes would undoubtedly ignite fervent debate within the MMA community.

Fighters would need to adapt entire skillsets, coaches would re-evaluate game plans, and fans would either embrace a more visceral spectacle or lament the departure from current safety-conscious rules. Stefan Struve's proposals are not just food for thought; they are a direct challenge to the status quo, urging the UFC to consider a future where "real fighting" isn't just a marketing slogan, but a foundational principle.