MMA, a natural progression...

Great Sage · 04-15-2003, 02:52 PM

Some thoughts on the Martial Arts.

For the person who really wants to understand self-defense and real fighting, it is a natural progression to seek out various martial arts. To become as complete as possible is the goal of many martial artists today.

It’s a far departure from the days when someone who held a Black Belt status was automatically regarded as “dangerous.” The mixed martist is more concerned with efficiency, technicalities and functionality. No more mystical theories, reverse punches that once killed or flowery forms.

For all the bickering against MMA, all these traditional arts can accommodate are point sparring, pre-arranged sparring and forms competition. For instance, not too long ago, kung-fu underwent a transformation into Muay Thai, calling it San Shou (I don’t recall the correct spelling). This became a necessity, because in the past traditional kung-fu just didn’t cut it in Thailand. Hence, in China, they practice traditional Wushu for show and San Shou for fighting.

Some martial arts, like Tae Kwon Do, have gone in the opposite direction. Moving away from realistic fighting. They employ the idea of “mind over matter.” If you don’t mind getting tied into knots while executing a roundhouse kick, it doesn’t matter. These organizations embellish themselves with high ranks, 9th dan, 15th dan etc...Yet, none of these Grand Masters have ever proven themselves in a fight. None of them can really fight. TRUE STORY: My college TKD instructor declined to spar anymore after I humiliated him on more than one occasion. He was a 6th Dan Black Belt, but had never gotten into any real skirmishes. I’m not saying that every instructor needs to prove their worth in the streets, but at least prove your worth in the classroom.

For the serious martial artist, understand your weaknesses so that you can improve them. Find your strengths so that you know your abilities. Most of all, keep an open mind about learning.

Cain · 04-15-2003, 03:05 PM

http://www.shootfightingstockholm.co...icles.asp?ID=1

read that one!

Cain · 04-15-2003, 03:07 PM

http://www.shootfightingstockholm.co...icles.asp?ID=2

Great Sage · 04-15-2003, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cain
http://www.shootfightingstockholm.co...icles.asp?ID=1

read that one!

My thoughts exactly... great article!!!

Szczepankiewicz · 04-15-2003, 03:14 PM

Quote:

It’s a far departure from the days when someone who held a Black Belt status was automatically regarded as “dangerous.”

And when exactly was this???

Quote:

For the serious martial artist, understand your weaknesses so that you can improve them. Find your strengths so that you know your abilities. Most of all, keep an open mind about learning.

This is an excellent statement. A first for you I think?

Spanky

04-15-2003, 02:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Great Sage Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Nowhere, USA... Posts: 510	MMA, a natural progression... Some thoughts on the Martial Arts. For the person who really wants to understand self-defense and real fighting, it is a natural progression to seek out various martial arts. To become as complete as possible is the goal of many martial artists today. It’s a far departure from the days when someone who held a Black Belt status was automatically regarded as “dangerous.” The mixed martist is more concerned with efficiency, technicalities and functionality. No more mystical theories, reverse punches that once killed or flowery forms. For all the bickering against MMA, all these traditional arts can accommodate are point sparring, pre-arranged sparring and forms competition. For instance, not too long ago, kung-fu underwent a transformation into Muay Thai, calling it San Shou (I don’t recall the correct spelling). This became a necessity, because in the past traditional kung-fu just didn’t cut it in Thailand. Hence, in China, they practice traditional Wushu for show and San Shou for fighting. Some martial arts, like Tae Kwon Do, have gone in the opposite direction. Moving away from realistic fighting. They employ the idea of “mind over matter.” If you don’t mind getting tied into knots while executing a roundhouse kick, it doesn’t matter. These organizations embellish themselves with high ranks, 9th dan, 15th dan etc...Yet, none of these Grand Masters have ever proven themselves in a fight. None of them can really fight. TRUE STORY: My college TKD instructor declined to spar anymore after I humiliated him on more than one occasion. He was a 6th Dan Black Belt, but had never gotten into any real skirmishes. I’m not saying that every instructor needs to prove their worth in the streets, but at least prove your worth in the classroom. For the serious martial artist, understand your weaknesses so that you can improve them. Find your strengths so that you know your abilities. Most of all, keep an open mind about learning. __________________ The sage experiences without abstraction, And accomplishes without action; He accepts the ebb and flow of things, Nurtures them, but does not own them, And lives, but does not dwell.

04-15-2003, 03:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cain Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 388	http://www.shootfightingstockholm.com/articles/articles.asp?ID=1 http://www.shootfightingstockholm.co...icles.asp?ID=1 read that one! __________________ any given fighter can beat any given fighter on any given day.. so.. what are you waiting for Rickson, I'm here..

04-15-2003, 03:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
Cain Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 388	this one too: http://www.shootfightingstockholm.co...icles.asp?ID=2 __________________ any given fighter can beat any given fighter on any given day.. so.. what are you waiting for Rickson, I'm here..

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