Watch UFC 110: Cain Velasquez doesn't believe the guard is dead

Count out UFC heavyweight Cain Velasquez as a non-believer in the closed guard.

The 27-year-old American Kickboxing Academy product on Wednesday broke from welterweight teammate John Fitch's recently stated position that the fundamental jiu-jitsu position has no place in modern MMA.

"I wouldn't say that because everybody has that chance to submit people, and this game has grown so big that (you have to be) good in every area of MMA," Velasquez told reporters during a media teleconference promoting his fight with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 110 on Feb. 21 in Sydney, Australia.

After he watched Chael Sonnen beat up Nate Marquardt from the guard this past Saturday at UFC 109, Fitch, a former NCAA Division I wrestler at Purdue University, told FOX Fight Game that the position was only reserved for decorated submission grapplers.

"I think the closed guard is dead in MMA right now; unless you are Demian Maia or Shinya Aoki, forget about it," Fitch said. "You are either getting up or getting on top. Forget pulling off submissions from your back nowadays. Strong wrestlers like Sonnen will just pound you out all day long."

Velasquez wasn't even aware Fitch had made the comment when asked for a response.

"Where did that come from, that the bottom game is dead?" Velasquez asked.

When informed it was Fitch, he needed little time to think about a response.

"I don't believe that," Velasquez said. "I believe everyone's dangerous, especially Nogueira on the ground."

Indeed, the Brazilian Nogueira is one of MMA's most respected submission grapplers and holds a laundry list of victories netted from the guard position.

Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic, Bob Sapp and Mark Coleman are just a few fighters who can testify to that.

Velasquez, a former All-American wrestler at Arizona State University, said Nogueira's mat prowess won't prevent him from using his wrestling, but dismissing the former PRIDE and UFC champion's submission skills would be at his own peril.

"For me, it's the same game plan as I've always been doing," Velasquez said. "I just have to fight a smart fight."

Velasquez (7-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) has seen a meteoric rise in the UFC heavyweight division since his debut at UFC 83. In his most recent appearance, he stopped longtime veteran Ben Rothwell in the second round of a co-main event fight at UFC 104 this past October.

And in case anyone wonders, Nogueira agrees the guard is not dead.