Perhaps a related question to ask is, how many times in history have striking and groundfighting been taught in a unifed manner? Is historically accurate to assume that they were often taught together in great preponderance (ie; did a "split" ever really occur)?

Oldman, you said exactly what I was thinking, only more eloquently of course

Ground-fighting didn't go anywhere- it was still being trained successfully by Judoka, Brazilian Jujitsu fighters and others. The big difference was in the opportunities offered to strikers in terms of professional combat sports, compared to those offered to grapplers.

Let's face it, the biggest thing for any grappler to become part of is the Olympics, and those who compete are generally amateurs, i.e. they have another job. Other than that, what does a collegiate wrestler do when he comes out of college? There isn't much in terms of career opportunities for him.

The UFC was hugely important, because it gave wrestlers, judoka and jujitsu fighters a place where they could use their skills in a professional combat sport. Therefore, we got exposed to grappling arts through the medium of television. I think it is less a case of ground fighting disappearing, more a case of ground-fighting disappearing from the TV.

I'm not talking specifically about BJJ or submission holds. I'm talking about the ability to manage the situation in order to get back to your feet quickly should you be taken down. If you're in an SD scenario, you would know (hopefully) that multiple opponents are present, or at least possible. Thus, if taken to the ground, your first priority is to get back up. Ground skill, I believe, would make that more likely.

Two quick answers to the original question.

1. Tournament/competition

2. For Karate- being brought into the educational system

The 2 are interrelated and if you trace the changes in tournament sparring over the years, you'll see the path to gradually leaving more and more techniques of different kinds out (takedowns, back leg sweeps, throws, etc).

When you include grappling and ground techniques in a match with a system heavy in striking or kicking, there is a much greater chance of injury. Why do you think judo doesn't allow striking in tournaments?

The 2 types of arts went in opposite directions with what they removed for competition based on the focus of their art.

I believe that part of the equation is as you mentioned competition and making it safe and the school yard system that already had a ground base as thing went on even in Japan they grew futher apart. A prime example is Wado-ryu it almost lost its Jujitsu base because of competition and whats allowed and not allowed. Wado-ryu was Shotokan and Jujitsu mixture until recently it looked like Softer Shotokan with more sweeps.

I believe combat schools have always ground fought but they didn't do it long, and I have to admitt not to the level of the present day practictioners. We would tap out quicker to avoid injury but lost the option to fight out of locks or chokes.

I'll also add that as a form entertainment striking is more exciting to watch unless you really are a fan of equal Grappling. Now Grappling is exciting the way Royce use to doing it bc it looked like he was getting creamed and he'd pull a rabbit out of the hat ie.. Kimo and Severnson fight.
So when the other guys don't know how to finish, Grappling is exciting. Its also exciting to see two skilled Grapplers go counter after counter but that don't last long carrying another person weight burns you out quickly.

And big striking organzations are better organized I don't think boxers are no better athlets then wrestlers, overall I'd say a wrestler in better shape power and fitness wise. But boxing has a serious pro contention and probably more exciting to watch.

Striking is more exciting to watch and understand. Unless one guy don't know what he is doing.

"Ground-fighting didn't go anywhere- "

I think the point of the question is it did go somewhere, and now it has come back.

Do you deny that ground fighting is far more prevelent today then it was before 93?

I don't see how you can. Ground figting existed but as a percentage most MA's either didn't train in it or trained very little. Today virtually every MA either trains in it or agrees they need too.

So there has been a shift, grappling and ground figting has surged over the last 10 years.

I don't think changing the question is helpful or accurate.

John makes a good point regarding the internet. Kimo, did you have a timeframe in mind for this question? Within the past 20 years? 75? 100? I think that there needs to be some sort of timeframe to make answers more relevant.

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I think the point of the question is it did go somewhere, and now it has come back.

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How can you say that? Wrestlers have been wrestling for centuries. Judo has been practiced for a LONG time. Catch-wrestling has been around in various forms for centuries.

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If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it.... When some people are not aware of something, they assume it doesn't exist.