Mixed Martial Arts vs. Street Fighting
Televised bouts of "no holds barred" or Mixed Martial Arts fighting such as Ulitimate Fighting Championships, WEC, or Pride matches have done wonders for raising the awareness of self defense beyond the traditional karate class down at the corner strip center.
This "new" way of fighting was termed "mixed martial arts" because when it came to REALLY winning a fight, contestants found that they needed a combination of skills from jiu-jitsu, wrestling, boxing, muay thai and any of a bazillion other martial or combat arts systems.
There's no doubt that mixed martial arts competitors are some of the most highly skilled combat athletes on the planet, and some of the best athletes on the planet.
- They train combat 4-6 hours a day 5-7 days a week
- Spar on a regular basis
- Need to proficient in all ranges of combat
- Their strength and conditioning levels need to be extremely high
- And their mind needs to be ready to fight
But how would they fare in a real street fight against a real street FIGHTER?
Of course we could debate this topic until we're all blue in the face with "My master can beat up your master" nonsense.
In the end, we'd all be idiots if we didn't acknowledge that it really comes down to the fighter's experience (among other things of course) that will determine the victor.
So let's talk about that "experience" for a minute because this is where I want to make my point...
While even the earliest, bloodiest forms of mixed martial arts competitions were pretty raw...
...there are NO RULES in a real street fight!
Learn the "Illegal" Techniques of Cage for the Street
Law enforcement and military units have learned that you'll perform on the "battlefield" as you train...and that's WHY you train.
Same goes for fighting.
- Mixed martial artists may train for a "submission"...criminals "train" for life or death.
- Mixed martial artists may train for 5 minute rounds...criminals fight for 5-10 second devastation.
- Mixed martial artists are not allowed to pull hair, bite, hit or kick the groin, or stomp on the head of a grounded opponent...
...the street criminal has learned that these are ALL valuable tools to destroy your opponent in the shortest amount of time.
Yes a MMA fighter is better prepared for combat, but when going up against as hardcore street criminal, gang member, or some who has done serious hard time in prision - you're not fighting your average douche-bag in the bar anymore. And we are not concerned with the drunk guy who's done too many bicep curls, we're talking about the gang who's invading your house, stealing your car, wanting your wallet, wanting your girl - we're talking about the guy who's putting your life in SERIOUS danger.
Now the answer to preparing for this kind of violence is NOT to begin walking into biker bars, or walking down the the hard streets of LA and shouting out that they all need training wheels and then fine-tuning your skills in the back alley.
BUT, if you're only training for mixed martial arts type matches and ignoring the implementation of more brutal (and street valuable) attacks, then you may one day find yourself going for that arm bar while your attacker sticks a finger deep in your eye or motions to his friend to begin stomping on your head.
Combine the conditioning and versatility of mixed martial arts with a street-ready arsenal of options and NOW you have a virtually undefeatable self defense program!
More to check out:
- Street Fighting Techniques
- Hand to Hand Combat Techniques
- Mixed Martial Arts Techniques
- Reality Combat Training Articles
***Highly Recommended Book: Street Fighting "Uncaged"***
Jeff Anderson is a 10 year veteran of the U.S. Army, a Master Instructor of Close Quarters Combat self defense, and President of the International Society of Close Quarter Combatants. A full time self defense author and instructor, Jeff has trained military, law enforcement, and civilians in advanced close quarter combat tactics for “real life” self defense. Get weekly close combat videos and other “reality based” training at Jeff’s website Street Fighting "Uncaged" .
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