That sounds about right considering that you expended some stamina escaping RG. Why not deny their RG attemot then posture up or go to power stacked from FG postured down when you have GA?
My understanding of ground defense is that it dictates how easy/hard denials are relative to your opponents OTB or TG stats.
The difference between your opponents OTB or TG stat and your ground defense stat dictates how easy denials are. I think Denials are made easier/harder by shrinking/expanding transition speed based on the said difference between GD stat and OTB/TG stat.
Something I'll test when I get on the game tonight.