STAB
Red Zone
Die Less Often
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Ground work can be a piece of it, but it isn't the first option. Just like in anything, the ground work makes your game complete, but isn't always the first option.
A lot of those guys were ending up on the ground because they were making small mistakes in the upright. Also if I recall, not too many of those guys were coming out well when it went to the ground. What I got out of it was to learn to disarm a knife from the ground, but if you make it your best option, you are in trouble.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THW-c6E5nvs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_ZO17yWi7I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvF_iDurNEk
just a few examples of what is going on in the real world
It's Kali and JKD from Insanto.
The basic core method used my the DBMA and the Carl ( Stab) and the REDZONE guys is "catch and control" from a position that neutralizes the armed opponents "free hand".
The strikes come after.
It is by far the most effective way to deal with the typical "machine gun" or "sewing machine" attacks that one will face from a motivated armed assailant.