Jeet Kune Do vs MMA

[thewhip]

Is it necessary to study a particular style intensively before picking up MMA? I've done a year of Muay Thai, and about 6 months of grappling, but wonder if a more solid base (jeet kune do, wing chun) would be necessary. Or how helpful?

[Balo]

I beleive a solid base is essential if you want to be good a Mixed Martial Artist. This can be in either a stand up style or grappling art. But I would not pick JKD or wing chun for MMA. Try staying with your wrestling or do BJJ, Judo or Thai boxing. Personally I like wrestling arts and find this base essential.

There are clubs that do mma training and provide a chance for crosstraining, but make sure you find a good club, who has a variety of instructors that each specialise in grappling or standup arts and where fighters are actually training to compete. (do not pick a club with 1 instructor teaching you the lot) as chances are he will not be highly skilled in any.

[thewhip]

Thanks. Out of interest, why would you not pick JKD? From what I've read (admittedly not much) it has similar ideas behind it - in terms of incorporating different aspect of martial arts, stand-up and groundwork.

[aseepish]

If you are interested in competing in the ring sport known as MMA, a "good base" would be Muay Thai, BJJ, Wrestling, Shooto, or boxing. You seem to be on the right track already.

JKD is about being functional in all ranges of combat in all situations. This includes weapons, multiple attackers, situational training, that sort of thing. If your goal is to be the next UFC champion, you want to focus on the attributes and skills required for that.

JKD and MMA are complementary - MMA training can be a big part of JKD training - but they are not the same thing.

As far as Wing Chun is concerned, trapping is very difficult to pull off against a boxing/Muay Thai structure. I'm not saying that it can't be done, but you are better off investing your effort elsewise.

And "elsewise" isn't a word. I just made it up.

[Ghost]

JKD wouldnt represent a solid base would it. a base even in JKD terms is studying a complete system thoroughly. that would be your base then you progress from there using JKD concepts. you cant use JKD as a base. doesnt make any sense.

[aseepish]

Originally Posted by Ghost

JKD wouldnt represent a solid base would it. a base even in JKD terms is studying a complete system thoroughly. that would be your base then you progress from there using JKD concepts. you cant use JKD as a base. doesnt make any sense.

Agreed. Jun Fan is the base of JKD. Where you take it from there is your own business.

[Ghost]

Originally Posted by aseepish

Agreed. Jun Fan is the base of JKD. Where you take it from there is your own business.

actually it isnt, i worked with bob breen and dan inosanto and some under them and i can assure you it is not the base art, it forms the base art at some schools.

there is no base to JKD its just a set of principles to train by.

to be an instructor in JKD you become and instructor in 2 separate systems.
or you can go through a school and get your "belts"

JKD is separated quite distinctly into 2 lines. regular classes and system contributors.
the system contributors are the true JKD practitioners.

I had no idea of this till i got to work with the top level guys ( i dont mean at seminars) in the JKD training philosophy.
Not trying to have a go at you but you should be aware that its not how the top guys get there. generally.

[thewhip]

Sorry. That is a good point. I guess I was referring more to Jun Fan, or any form of Kung Fu, as well as other martial arts which have greater exposure such as karate. I think that pretty much clears it up though. Would you suggest focusing on one system (such as Muay Thai) and establishing a base there before even considering competing in MMA type competitions?

[Ghost]

Originally Posted by thewhip

Sorry. That is a good point. I guess I was referring more to Jun Fan, or any form of Kung Fu, as well as other martial arts which have greater exposure such as karate. I think that pretty much clears it up though. Would you suggest focusing on one system (such as Muay Thai) and establishing a base there before even considering competing in MMA type competitions?

personally yes, ive seen many MMA guys(not mentioning gym names) enter the thai boxing ring and get smashed to bits in their stand up game.

No doubt they do well on the ground, and MMA is fantastic. after 9 years of MT im seriously considering it now.

If you train in a base system and then move into MMA you will be at an advantage as your stand up game will be better than alot of the guys you come up against.

Doesnt have to be MT, plenty of good systems to choose from. Most MMA guys arent all that great at stand up COMPARED to those that have it as a base art, as you would expect.

make your own choices.

[wsdddoa012]

Originally Posted by Ghost

actually it isnt, i worked with bob breen and dan inosanto and some under them and i can assure you it is not the base art, it forms the base art at some schools.

there is no base to JKD its just a set of principles to train by.

to be an instructor in JKD you become and instructor in 2 separate systems.
or you can go through a school and get your "belts"

JKD is separated quite distinctly into 2 lines. regular classes and system contributors.
the system contributors are the true JKD practitioners.

I had no idea of this till i got to work with the top level guys ( i dont mean at seminars) in the JKD training philosophy.
Not trying to have a go at you but you should be aware that its not how the top guys get there. generally.

Agreed, however I never knew that in order to become a JKD instructor you had to become an instructor in two other systems?

[Ghost]

Originally Posted by wsdddoa012

Agreed, however I never knew that in order to become a JKD instructor you had to become an instructor in two other systems?

you dont have to, its one other way. alot of people try to follow the belt route. but if you reach a high level in two systems you can be granted an instructor title in JKD as you are seen to have mixed and matched and then you can instruct in those systems at a JKD school.

The guys i train with that are JKD instructors(as well as in their base system(s))
have been made instructors without ever attending what you would regard as JKD classes.

The system evolves by gaining instructors with solid grounding in base arts( ie whole systems) and then bringing in these instructors to develop what is known and share techniques as whole systems are obviously more complete in THEIR element.
if you want to learn to box youd go to a boxing gym not JKD school, the point of the JKD school is a place to bring the techniques together, has been someone lost as a principal over time.

[Balo]

[QUOTEWould you suggest focusing on one system (such as Muay Thai) and establishing a base there before even considering competing in MMA type competitions?[/quote]

Yes I definately would recommend it, In regard to what style to pick for MMA, I would refer you to my original post. However most people are either natural grapplers or strikers, (ie when in a fight they prefer to wrestle, submit and Gnp or they are happier on their feet striking. I would therefore pick the style you prefer, as this base style will be what you will rely on when things get tough in the ring/cage.

Obviously you will eventually need to study both aspects before competing in Mma. If I was going to recomend either standup or grappling, I would pick grappling as a base. My reason being that this provide you with better balance, strength and knowledge of how to control an opponent on the ground and in the clinch/takedowns.

I don't meen to inflame the standup guys, as you need good standup also to be any good, but successful mma athletes more often than not have a wrestleing or grappling art background.

[aseepish]

Originally Posted by Ghost

actually it isnt, i worked with bob breen and dan inosanto and some under them and i can assure you it is not the base art, it forms the base art at some schools.

there is no base to JKD its just a set of principles to train by.

to be an instructor in JKD you become and instructor in 2 separate systems.
or you can go through a school and get your "belts"

JKD is separated quite distinctly into 2 lines. regular classes and system contributors.
the system contributors are the true JKD practitioners.

I had no idea of this till i got to work with the top level guys ( i dont mean at seminars) in the JKD training philosophy.
Not trying to have a go at you but you should be aware that its not how the top guys get there. generally.

You learn something new every day.

[Ghost]

Originally Posted by aseepish

You learn something new every day.

well, just saying, i take it you mean wing chun kung fu being the base as is usually the theory.