New to MA, is MT for me for self defense?

[bigred389]

Yeah, you can even see hard ass trained MMA fighters get dropped by a good low kick.

A good MT gym is still better than a crappy boxing gym to start off. And even a good TKD school can be better than a crappy MT gym. Go with whoever you think is offering the best, most enjoyable training program.

Not everybody has the opportunity to train with Pat Miletich or one of the Gracies, so take the best you can get.

[Little Apple]

Well put both of you!

They're right: Do what works for you and your body, and remember that keeping yourself safe, and knowing how to fight, are different concepts.

[jaymackz]

Yah.....when doing whatever it is you are doing whether it is MT/boxing BJJ or any other art......you MUST be happy with what you are doing..if not......you are basically wasting time when you could've done other stuff that you enjoy more.....glad you're enjoying MT..stick to it and be the best you can be even if you arent good...and in time....you'll become great.

[Slavez3ro]

Also, during 5 strike combinations (for example jab-cross-hook-cross-round kick) I find myself hesitating and getting confused and momentarily forgeting what comes next. Is this normal for a new student?

New_guy - Don't be in a hurry, get the MT techniqes right make sure u practice each punch/kick/elbow/knee to perfection then when u down with that u can concertrate on the combinations.

Combinations is the Main event of any style if u will.
Think of it as a setup[the combinations] the left Jab/cross/hook sets up the right hook/cross/rondhouse.. so must alwas do combination so they compliment the other side.
Think of it as normal movement techniqes left/right - left/right -left/right
Sometimes throw a Jab, your apponent moves away so u need another Jab to close the Gap at the end u in range then throw the combination.How that will work is Jab[left]/Jab/cross[right]/hook[left]/roundhouse[right] - now u see all of them has been setup by the previous Jab or cross.
U must remember MT is a Flowing art[like all the others] every move u make flows into another move.

Styles for self defense
Good question what style to do ?
Which style complements my body type ?
My speed ?
My willingness to fight the aggressor ?

I have been through the same, i have done a couple of styles but got irritated with the low stances and funny tricky ways of taking a guy down and curl him this way and all that BS.... [personal oppinion]
So i sat one day doing nothing watching movies and my one friend took out Gorgeous - Jacky Chan because we love fighting movies.Just there and then i decided to find a Kick boxing club and start on that because it is the most natural relaxing style i have seen in a long time since Bruce Lee could not find one close to me but found a MT club just the same i reconned but yes tougher and more serious.
So i have been doing MT for 2 years now i must say to u that u need to Just keep doing it it will become part of u...

Hope that helped...