Nothing in MMA resembles pure anything, if that's the case. It's not pure boxing/kickboxing when you have to tweak your stance in order to defend TDs and kicks. It's not pure BJJ when you have to adapt your guard to defend GnP. Etc...
Sure, a Russian Tie isn't nearly as useful (as you're exposed to strikes if done haphazardly in MMA), but knowing how to herd your opponent into a shot, level change properly, and use their momentum against them to achieve a TD, are all part of the setup. This applies also on the defensive end.
I don't think Chael is entirely wrong here. Just that he went a bit into nonsense territory, trying to impress upon us that he was revealing something secretive.