jkd in mma

[Thai Bri]

The proble with so called JKD guys it thatm, firstly, there are many off shoots of it, and they don't agree with each other anyway and, secondly.... it means wehatever someone wants it to mean.

[tel]

well said tim. people who say things like paulson sucks. don't have any idea. they are blind to what he has to offer, also human nature is to be negative against things they don't understand

[Tim McFatridge]

I have trained in JKD since 1994 and I am an instructor under Larry Hartsell and Mike Keller (certified under Dan)...please do not take that as me trying to name drop. just trying to let everyone know where I am coming from. I have competed in NHB/MMA/Kickboxing and Grappling tournaments at the local level but never had any desire to pursue a carreer in it. My reason for stepping in the ring and out on the mat was to prove to myself that what I was doing worked. I used it as a testing ground to judge the direction I was going and so I used it as a learning experience for my training and my fighting. Now like many of you I have also had far to many street fights, bar fights etc (in my younger days-- 36 now) and now that i am older and more mellow I will always try and choose the peaceful way out. If I have to then I will fight. I think most JKD practioners prefer to train for reality and have little if any desire to step into the ring.

By the way Macko...Erik Paulson can't suck to bad if he is the former undefeated Light Heavyweight Champion of Shooto.

Also, one of you bagged on Stickboxer for being rude or posting a negative reply...did you not read what he was replying to? By saying that JKD is "fancy kicks and yells" tells the knowledge of the person posting that comment.

I would suggest going out and training with Erik Paulson personally for a few days before saying he sucks...and would also suggest stopping by a few JKD schools and checking them out and talking to them then make a comment based on your personal experience.

[Stringer]

JKD is mostly concerned with street effectivenes, thus the lack of emphasis on sport applications. That is why there pretty much no JKD "champions".
JKD embraces a Taoist philosophy, in that it eschews an approach that satisfies ego like that found in winning a belt or tournament. Thus, again a lack of JKD "champions".
JKD stresses a higher learning approach, and a higher learning curve. And that is, to surpass typical human limitations. JKD is supposed to be distinguished by solid athletic ability, calm under pressure mentality, and refined tools to finish the fight.
While JKD tools and combat principles can be applied to the street, and mdified to a degree, in the ring, very few practitioners actively seek to prove themselves in the ring. Because they wish not to o so is not a moral failing, nor does it show a lack of confidence in themselves or the systems.
Also, I'd like to add that many JKD schools, commercial or private, usually have a "Fight Night" in addition to regular sparring with protective gear. And many JKD instructors try to instill the physiological and psychilogical, and environmental factors in their students. To what degree is it stressed is up to the individual instructor, and that, as we all know, is completely his choice.

[Tom Yum]

Kinda.. Fancy kicks, punches and yells wont do much in a fight..

Uh...that's not what Eric Paulson teaches....

[tel]

From what I understand of Bruce Lee and JKD, it seems to be something like the spark that started all the cross training and MMA competitions. However I never see any JKD fighters in MMA competition.

I have some ideas of my own as to why this is, but I feel it would be better answered by students of the art itself.

erik paulson, is a top jkd man and he used to fight in mma

[ITceman]

My ma experience only consists of 2 years tkd in college and currently working on one year in Jkd, so forgive me if i'm restating something obvious, but quite a bit of what we're learning wouldn't be legal in mma. Eye gouges, head butts, groin kicks, are all used in significant measures ..

[Stringer]

Bruce Lee frowned on sport competition for JKD, and those who practice his "style" tend to share the same attitude.

[Stickbxr]

13ang - Criticize? Hmmm...I guess my response was a critique of Makos answer. I assumed for the most part the readers are JKD enthusiasts and would understand what I was getting at. But let me clarify 4 you...the fact that he describes JKD as "fancy kicks, punches and yells" speaks for itself - being more specific I'm referring to its effectiveness in a fight - I'm talking about a street fight.
Theres nothing "fancy" about it...the curriculum provides the student with an assortment of strikes, counters etc while emphasizing conservation of movement and simplicity. Although not currently training, I've been a student/instructor with Richard Bustillo for over 20 years and have, as Im sure we all have, had my share of bar fights, street fights in which I've faced larger opponents and, in two situations, more than one opponent. The worst damage I received was a scratch above my forehead. I'm not claiming to be a badass - just that my training was effective against my opponents in the circumstances I've faced.
Now I can't answer why or why not you dont see more JKD enthusiasts in MMA competitions, I can only speak for myself. I train and condition for my own personal satisfaction and, when necessary, to defend myself. I'm not an aggressive person and haven't felt the need to prove to others what I'm about. I prefer people don't know what I'm about when confronted in the street.

P.S There is more than one school out there that is authorized to teach JKD

[ZeroAquaduct]

Good question. This is something I always wanted to know as well.

Bruce Lee emphasizes striking, ground fighting, and trapping in JKD. This is basically what is known as "MMA" today (except for trapping).

I can't speak for other cities, but I think the availability of JKD programs has something to do with it. I live in Vancouver, BC, Canada and there are several schools that teach Muay Thai, boxing, BJJ, and submission wrestling (your typical MMA styles). However, when it comes to JKD, there's only 1 school that teaches it AFAIK.

[13ang]

stickbxr, its very easy to critisize... however I am yet to hear anything that shows me that you know what your talking about. That sentance was one big useless insult. Rather than saying "your stupid" try backing up your point. Alot harder to do I know, but in my book well worth the effort.

[Stickbxr]

Voice of Ignorance

Mako -Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt. I am guessing, based on your comment regarding fancy punches, kicks and yells, that your "knowledge" of JKD is limited to possibly having seen a few articles, pictures. I can't help but be reminded of a guy a friend of mine was talking with regarding various martial arts...and on the subject of JKD..he started mocking how effective could the "stance" be..mimicing a "bong sao" posture..clearly showing that he, like you, had no idea what he was talking about!

[Mako Victim]

Kinda.. Fancy kicks, punches and yells wont do much in a fight..

[WildWest.]

So are you saying the style is at fault?

[Mako Victim]

Erik Paulson's a JKD guy.

No wonder why he suck's