With the proliferation of MMA schools all over the world, combative sports are becoming more and more popular. Boxing gyms have been negatively impacted by MMA's growth. Traditional systems like Karate, Tae Kwon Do and Judo have also been negatively impacted by the rise of MMA. MMA has quickly changed the way that many people view the martial arts and it is good for the growth of the sport.
However there is an under current that I have noticed within the MMA community. While the explosion of MMA has been great for the growth of the sport there are many fans and practitioners of MMA that believe that what happens in the ring is similar to what happens in a violent street encounter. The truth is, the two could not be further apart. If you go into a violent encounter thinking sport and the attacker is thinking combat and violence, you are going to get killed.
The differences between sport fighting and violent encounters is vast and on so many levels, very unique. Combative Sports have rules. The presence of rules or an agreed upon code of conduct between two combatants automatically makes the fight sterile. Those who have been in a real violent encounter know that there is nothing sterile about violence. In fact violence is organic. It changes from second to second. It is not at all predictable and there are major factors that contribute to its unpredictability.
The presence of rules means no weapons! No weapons in a street fight? According to the F.B.I. and Department of Justice weapons are used in 70% of all violent encounters. That means that in 7out 10 altercations a weapon is deployed. When was the last time you saw an MMA fighter bring a weapon into the cage? In fact they are literally patted down prior to entering the cage. So the MMA fighter/practitioner is not at all concerned about a weapon being deployed and will not have trained his/her senses to expect and anticipate when the weapon is deployed.
MMA gyms do not train their fighters to be concerned with multiple attackers. Why? Well it's against the rules. When was the last time you went to a bar by yourself? When was the last time you went to a social gathering by yourself? Imagine you are at an event with a friend and you leave to get a refill of your favorite beverage. When you return you see that your friend is in a fight. What do you do? Do you start yelling out instructions to him like a good corner man? No. You jump in. You help your friend and you put boots to the guy that he is fighting with! Well what do you think your opponents friend will do to you? Again you will never see this in the cage.
There is a difference between combative sports and defending yourself against a person who is hell bent on causing your great bodily harm or even trying to kill you. The next time that you watch an MMA fight ask yourself one question. Which one of the fighters is actually in a homicidal rage and is trying to kill the other fighter? You won't be able to identify him because despite all of the bravado and the chest thumping, neither combatant really wants to kill the other. Neither one of the fighters will use any dirty tactics. Neither one of the fighters is hopped up on a drug or alcohol. Neither one of them are armed. Do you see how different sport is from combat?
There is nothing wrong with training in MMA. Your fighting skill and fitness level will certainly be improved greatly. But do not make the mistake of overestimating your skill level and underestimating the importance of understanding the commitment level of your opponent in the street. Studies have shown that criminals are far more prone to using violence than their victims are. No surprise there right? Additionally they are much better at committing violent acts than most people are at defending and neutralizing the threat.
The training must mimic the actual event. You can't practice two hand touch football and think for one second that you will be able to step into a full contact football game without experiencing a completely different sensation and level of violence.
In conclusion you can train in MMA and for that matter traditional martial arts both pursuits have their strong points. But you should never confuse those sterile environments with the organic nature of combat. If your training does not include dealing with an unknown factor you must upgrade your training now. Your training must include training empty hand vs weapons. You are more likely to run into a violent armed attacker than you are to run into a psychotic MMA figher. Where should spend your time?
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Excellent article, Donavin. When my wife and I moved to Las Vegas last summer, I visited several of the top MMA schools in town. I had the intention of enrolling in one of them, as I am a huge MMA and have trained in Muay Thai in the past. However, after visiting Las Vegas Krav Maga last September, I had what one would call a "Come To Jesus."
ReplyDeleteBasically, I'm 37 years old. My love for mixed martial arts notwithstanding, I don't see myself competing in an MMA environment anytime soon. At my age, I wanted to learn self-defense/fighting skills that would be practical for me on the street; skills that I could use in a "no rules" situation that would protect me and my family if the situation required it. After taking my free introductory class at Las Vegas Krav Maga, I knew then that krav maga was for me.
Like many, I am a fan of other martial arts forms. At the same time, if some thug or would-be attacker tries to assail me or my family on the street, I want to know that my training has equipped me with the knowledge and confidence to deal with said attacker swiftly and severely, while keeping me and my family safe. Brazilian jiu-jitsu can't do that on the street, but krav maga can.
This is a good article Donavin. As you know, I had a a-ha moment when I first came to Krav coming from Jui Jitsu. I often find myself getting into discussions about this topic with people that take Martial Arts. I usually just ask them, so what would you do if a gun was in your face? Would the Martial Art that you practice help you get out of that? Most of the time, the answer is no. I believe that Martial Arts is a discipline, competitive fighting, not self defense. I hate to admit that I didnt always think that but now I do since I been at Krav. I also get others that tell me I am crazy because I practice Krav or that Krav itself is crazy. I usually just shrug my shoulders at those people. I love Krav and I will practice it until I cant anymore.
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ReplyDelete*Applause*
ReplyDeleteThank you for tackling this subject with the Donavin approach we know and love. Great point.
There is also a lot to say about trained violence. In the wrong hands, the amount of damage it can inflict may not be overcome. American Cinema has idolized bullies with their suave, care-free, rebelliousness. We praise the freedom employed by bank robbers and outlaws who live by their own rules. Now with all the MMA fights televised and the MMA TV shows, the mentality is shifting to more of a “Tough Guy” fad. It’s going from a sport that ATHLETES train to better themselves, to a forum where bullies can learn how to fight. Many are not satisfied with the structure of the sport so they take the fight to the street...
I had a friend who was recently jumped in the parking lot of a bar by a group of amateur MMA fighters. As he was leaving with his girlfriend around 11pm, he saw three guys with their shirts off and he, being a joker, mumbled to his girlfriend “Oh, tough guys”. Well one of them heard him and they approached him as the fourth unseen attacker came from behind and choked him out. When my friend was passed out on the ground, the 4th guy punched him in the face breaking his cheek.
I’m learning the benefits of Krav Maga that teaches people to counter hostile situations such as these by first recognizing potentially threatening people and circumstances. MMA teaches only nearsighted objectives. Kravists are trained to be like hibernating bears… Hungry, cold, easily disturbed, hibernating bears. MMA fighters are trained to turn on their switch only when it benefits them or only when ready. A Kravist’s switch is always on. We sleep with one eye open.
I heard a great quote in an old Kung Fu Movie. It was said to a student who was frustrated he wasn’t seeing enough action “When you devote your entire life to training the art and you go your entire life never having to use your skill, then my son, you have truly mastered the art of self-defense”