[@BloodyRed]

I understand the position perfectly, that armlock is a popular one in Japanese wrestling. I really wish I knew exactly what to call it, might you know? Your above post also showed me what the primary issue likely is. In the first sentence of my last post Kull [b]totally did[/b] bend his elbow before he was grabbed.

You also can't base the timing of my attack off of my description of Red's actions, as I already stated when it would occur. I did describe Red taking his half step, but that's just that, a description of what Red's doing. Kull began his counter as soon as he was grabbed. You also stated that Red slid his other foot into place to be parallel with Kull and pull him into the punch, far more bodily motion and commitment than the act of reaching to grab a finger.
It's rather unlikely that in the time it takes to turn a palm up, someone can take your flank and throw a punch practically fated to land. If that were the case, there wouldn't be a single fighter in the UFC who could avoid or deflect a jab. Independent from velocity, finding the shortest path of least resistance is a determining factor in these things.

The post states that Red was not throwing the punch as he stepped, though it does mention that he maintained his momentum, so it was undoubtedly a fluid counter. Still, to throw a punch with that force you need to have your feet grounded to power the blow, and Red wouldn't have finished getting into position by the time Kull counter-grabbed him as I see it. The distance Kull's right hand had to travel should be comparable to Red's, but the train that leaves the station first will also arrive at its destination first. Kull went for the thumb a few actions before Red threw his punch.


Regardless whether or not the punch actually lands, whether or not I have a practical answer for it has yet to be determined. It all depends. I deal out one move at a time so I don't get ahead of myself and write a lot of stuff that might get retconned by an early counter.
Speaking of which, Red never got to assume his stance. I interrupted that sequence of events with the nose crank, and as a result Red reacted with a counter before having begun the other actions he'd have performed in the ten seconds that never were. Just means he isn't in his stance.