You know this debate about standup vs. grappling skills in a mulitple opponent scenario is missing one thing…(albeit I didn’t read all the replies…so I may be wrong here…) the fact that grappling has standup techniques that can be used to quickly control and overcome opponents, and yes…even multiple opponents.
Grappling is the paramount of “close quarter” fighting…you can’t get much closer then that, and keep in mind a grappler doesn’t have to be on his back to use effective techniques. Keep in mind also that just because someone is a grappler it doesn’t mean they can’t punch or kick as well.
I alluded to the fact that grappling != groundfighting in my post, as did MP, but it would appear that some need have it repeatedly spelled out in single syllable words before it starts to sink in.
WC has some grappling and restraint techs, though they ain’t going to cause an accomplished greco or freestyle wrestler or BJJ person much grief.
Also IMO WC concentrates on infighting and trapping with single opponents, and IMO also the forms reflect this to a significant degree. Other styles like CLF emphasise multiopponent applications to a greater degree, though whether not any KF style (or any fighting style at all not involving automatic weapons) would work reliably against superior numbers in the real world is pretty suspect.
IMO, if three guys that aren’t complete wimps or totally unco, want to put you on the ground, and you haven’t run away yet, the probability of you ending up on the ground is overwhelming.