Boxing, not wrestling, is the best base for MMA today

The old rule says wrestlers decide where the fight happens, so wrestling is the best base. That was true in 2005. Today every fighter drills takedown defense from day one, and a wrestler who can't strike gets picked apart on the feet.

Most fights now start, and a lot of them end, standing. Distance, timing, head movement and a real jab decide the rounds that never make the highlight reel. Those are boxing skills, and they take the longest to build.

Meanwhile, you can teach a good boxer enough wrestling to stay standing faster than you can teach a wrestler to see punches coming.

Khabib and Islam would like a word, I know.

If you were starting MMA at 18, which base would you pick, and why? Wrestling fans: make your case.