Wanna Get Serious In Ma, But Not Many To Choose From...

[MinisterofDeath]

yeah, intense muay thai would be fockengrooven.

[aseepish]

Originally posted by Crash Stitches


I've read many articles where experts in Muay Thai have stated that you can become adept and effective at Muay Thai with 6 months of hard training. I think Vut Kramnark (sp?) said it, but I'm not too sure.

I think 3 months of Thai-style training should make one adept and effective at Muay Thai. But that's training full time, two sessions per day, plenty of cardio. I don't think this is an option for most people.

Kyokushin/BJJ sounds good to me too. It's a shame that your hours conflict with those of the Kali class.

[Ice Phoenix]

conach, there was no particular reason I wrote that other than to follow along with what Crash Stitches said!

'Combat Effectiveness' is exactly as it sounds; skills that are successful in 'real-world' fighting, not sports competitions, dojo sparring or demonstrations, etc.

A Kyokushinkai-BJJ cross sounds great! A nice blend of powerful stand-up striking and grappling! If possible though, a few Judo throws thrown into the mix would be useful too, but not vital!

By the way, I thought Gerard Gourdeau was a French Kickboxer? Maybe I'm wrong, it was a long time ago...

[MinisterofDeath]

I think the Kyu-BJJ combo sounds good. Being a dedicated student, training hard, and having a good instructor will make you a great fighter. Just pick something that makes you happy and go with it. If you train something that someone suggests and yuo dont really like it, you wont be learning much.

As for the mantis kung fu, if its southern style, then its petty damn similar to wing chun, but again, if KF is not your thing then stay away 'cause it will just delay your progress as a fighter.
Anyway good luck bro, and most of all have fun.

[conach]

Ice: why train Judo and Kickboxing for a year and then move to BJJ? Why not do BJJ right away and cross train with Kickboxing or another MA? Is there a particular reason for you to write this?

Crash: unfortunately Kajukenbo is not accesible for me. The dojo is far away from where I live. I also have a Mantis Kung-Fu gym nearby, but I honestly don't feel attracted to Mantis. The only style of Kung-Fu I would practice if I had the opportunity is Wing Chun, but no WC here. I have practiced Kyokushinkai karate and I am considering training again. I remember Gerard Gourdeau kicked some ass (and knocked out some teeth out of a Sumo wrestler) in UFC I.

There's another interesting point Ice brought up and that is "combat effectiveness". Could you define this and what MAs are considered as "effective"? Maybe other people in the forum can add some to this.

I am considering a Kyokushinkai-BJJ cross. What's your opinion on this?

[MinisterofDeath]

Don't generalize when it comes to kung fu. There are over 2000 styles and I would bet that not all of them take 30years to learn. Wing Chun takes 2.5-3 to learn. About 6 months to defend yourself.

[Crash Stitches]

Originally posted by MinisterofDeath
training an art for only 6 months? uhh I don't think so

No? I've read many articles where experts in Muay Thai have stated that you can become adept and effective at Muay Thai with 6 months of hard training. I think Vut Kramnark (sp?) said it, but I'm not too sure. I know it has been said. And 6 mo. in Judo is plenty of time to learn a few throws well, as I have been told. Other than that, like IP said, you get too deep into sport techniques that mean jack for fighting. Besides, would you rather study groundwork in Judo or BJJ?

Just because you hafta do kung-fu for 30 years before you learn that it's worthless doesn't mean that there are other arts you can learn in 6 mo. and be able to kick an ass.

(No diss to Kung Fu)

[Ice Phoenix]

If you train as Crash Stitches suggested I'd do Judo and Kickboxing 1 year maximum, otherwise you get too intricate at throws/footwork and finer details that don't mean shite for combat effectiveness! And then move on to BJJ!

I wouldn't do them one after the other though, I'd permanently cross-train all 3, so then you don't forget the skills you learn!

[MinisterofDeath]

training an art for only 6 months? uhh I don't think so

[Crash Stitches]

oops, I didn't see that you had kickboxing available. in that case, kickboxing, Judo, BJJ. Go to the kickboxing gym for 6 months, Judo for 6 months, then enroll in BJJ to stay, and be sure to train standup with friends to keep those skills sharp.

juss a pair o' pennies from me....

[Crash Stitches]

Here's what I'd do. Go to the school that lets you SPAR a lot, so you don't just learn the techniques, but you know how to apply them on a resisting opponnent. By nature, Judo and BJJ have this format. They will do a lot to get you used to dealling with a live, resisting body. I'd crosstrain Judo for throws, BJJ for grappling, and kajukenbo for outright standup, provided that they spar.

[Fighter]

There was a movie called something like 7 commandments of Kung Fu it had some Mantis in it not to sure of its authentisity but it was OK.

[MinisterofDeath]

What kind of Praying Mantis was it? I dont know much about Northern, but southern has many similarities to Wing Chun, and in my opinion, Its extremely effective.
Just my .02

[Fighter]

Its true I did Aikido for a few years and It was CRAP because the teacher did not teach it in a "real" way it was all co-operated. So try to find a school that spars. Sparring is very important.

[SweepEm]

We can all talk about what the best martial art is but it comes down to the actual instrucion and the teacher, who will be the best for YOU.

If you are looking for street defense, talk to each instructor to ask them how they teach this and what practial applications you will get out of their instruction for you to have the knowledge to defend yourself in a real life situation.