In an urban combat environment you don't have the luxury of going to the ground in full battle rattle, often times weighing in excess of 50 extra pounds, not to mention the fact that the guy you are trying to apprehend has a buddy ready to hop out of his vehicle or from out of the next door waiting to kick your head in. You are not in a fenced-in octagon with a ref!
The fact is that ground fighting is more controllable, safer and quicker to teach large groups of fairly inexperienced troops than teaching the stand up concepts. In addition, it is a great workout and develops self-confidence and the "Warrior Ethos" much quicker. As my students learn, what is taught on the ground can be applied up top and vise-versa, so the training is very helpful with my advanced students for practicing full speed and power.
