he may be right-because most people in mma are grapplers/wrestlers and they don't respect standup, they don't learn how to really box or kickbox or muay that. Alot of them learn a version of it modified for mma; an the guys they train w/are not the best in the nation much less in the world.
while all the strikers are training w/bjj blkblts, mundial champs, national champs, olympians, brazillian, european, canadian wrestling/judoka/bjj/sambo champs. So they are learning how to counter/def/escape takedowns from the best or some of the best in their country and in some cases the world.
not just that but the strikers learn how to apply subs/takedowns/throws against lower tier grapplers-u see strikers like edwards sub mishima and def subs/takedowns from serra a top notch blkblt... Cro cop has def takedowns fron sak, nog, barnett, he tapped randleman....(which is tough for a striker)
grapplers don't learn or understand the stanup game-they fall back on their ability to apply their grappling... example hughes v pierre-he could not check a leg kick for christ sakes
strikers are learning the grappling game-completely, not focusing on one thing and assuming that makes them prepared for mma. They learn the entire game, knowing that is wht it will take for them to be competitive and bring their standup to bear.
everyone works w/the best wrestlers/grapplers-noone works w/the best standup guys and that is why they have the holes in their game...the area noone really focuses on. An its not just learning how to strike its understanding the timing/angles/range/footwork and philosophies so that u learn how to correctly setup or complete the takedown when facing a guy who is capable at def subs/takedowns and applying standup.
if that was the case- then tito would not have shot so far out, or he would have understood that the best way to land a takedown is the same way to land a ko, in an exchange. When an opp is in an exchange they are more open to a shoot/throw/trip. If tito knew or really got striking he would have saw through chucks strategy of potshotting and using footwork and angles to stay away so tito cant set his feet or gauge the dist to shoot/close.
the strikers know ur game and philosophies and strategies and tech-they are training w/the best grappling instructors/competitios and preparing for the worst case scenarios; the grapplers arent doing that, they assume they will get it/keep it or finish on the ground. They still learn to strike to setup takedowns, an a real strikers recognizes when ur not commiting ot just srtting up the takedown..which makes it easier to def the takedown..an makes the grappler a target.