Many little things bother people for various reasons. To some people, putting you're elbows on the dinner table during meal time is sacrilege. To others, using the lords name in vein is the highest of personal sins.
To me, one simple phrase drives me up the wall, as well as my blood pressure.
"I do MMA."
It's a phrase that has seemingly ingrained itself into our culture. It's a phrase that says so much, and so little, at the same time. It's a phrase that bears no direct comparison to what Mixed Martial Arts actually is.
What does MMA actually mean? MMA is short for Mixed Martial Arts. It's the culmination of knowledge in a person that manifests itself in how they fight, how they train, even so far as how they live. Being a true Mixed Martial Artist is a lifestyle, a subculture. Something that when you go deep enough, it symbolizes you, and what you live for.
As my username suggests, I am a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. However, I also train/have trained in Boxing, Kick Boxing, Judo, Aikido, and Wrestling. Among those, however, Jiu Jitsu is easily my most advanced, and favorite, form to practice and train in.
I have done it for many years. It's something I live and breath. It's a background on my desktop; it's a poster on my wall; it's a tattoo on my arm. It's something that has melded itself into my lifestyle, as well as many other forms that I have trained in in the past. Melding all of these together has given me the ability to call on separate forms and arts when needed. Did I just get pushed to the ground? Better try a leg sweep. Am I going to get punched here? Better get ready to cover and block.
So what is MMA perceived like from the average person who doesn't train in a specific Martial Art? I've talked with people who have a view on it from the outside, so I understand the general opinion. What what is it when you sign up for an "MMA Class?"
Pretty much a cardio workout.
Sorry to bust you're bubble. But that's what it is. I've been involved with one "MMA" class my entire existence, and i've rolled with people that have "trained MMA." My old supervisor at work, the Lieutenant of my shift, had trained MMA for 10 years, and was a "Brown Belt" in this particular teacher's system. I submitted him in two minutes. Without a gi. I asked him later how close he was to getting his Black Belt. He said he had to show a few techniques and write an essay.
I hear it all too often. "I train MMA." "I do MMA." MMA Classes teach you the basics alright - about enough to go out and actually get you're ass kicked on the street. People walk around tall, with their chest puffed out, thinking they are big and bad because they have done MMA Classes. It actually upsets me, and, I think, gives actually artists a bad name.
I think it best to put a story so that I can help get my point across.
When I was 18, I started working at a bar was a doorman. I was full of piss and vinegar. Young, 18, just out of highschool, ready to fight on the world. I loved the adrenaline of getting into fights, of throwing people out the back door. It was one of my favorite jobs in the world.
I started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for the wrong reasons. I trained so that I could kick more ass and take more names. I soon realized that that wasn't what it was all about. I learned that just because I had the ability to beat someone didn't mean that I had to, and trying to avoid the violence was better then trying to instigate it. In the instances that violence DID happen (and it did happen, many times still occurring through my young adult life) I am able to handle it with a clearer mind and clearer ability.
I don't know how someone in "MMA Classes" would handle that same situation. They might think the same way, actually, that violence could be avoided. But I know that I would feel much safer next to someone who trained in different Martial Arts and incorporated different parts of them then someone who went to MMA Classes twice a week and learned how to do what that entails.
My advice to you? If you want to learn Mixed Martial Arts...learn Mixed Martial Arts. Go out, find a good instructor, and learn the different arts that can combine into something that you can use no matter the situation. Don't go to a school that offers "MMA" and let them take you're money.
Great writeup, I feel that what you say about MMA can be applied to many other martial arts that people are encouraged to learn, like karate. They are just not practical enough to be useful, and it's better to simply find a quality instructor and be trained rather than going to a place that advertises itself as being "MMA".
I think this is also similar in sc2 -- there are people who walk around and brag about how "look how damn good I am with my micro! i'm a good player!" but then they're really lacking in fundamentals like macro, or are paying attention to the wrong things.
Great post. I've found that a lot of martial arts schools nowadays don't really train their students well. I learned MMA from a teacher who was fresh out of the marines, and even though I was really young at the time (7-13) he pushed us quite hard. We weren't trained to win tournaments, we were trained to take down our opponents. After my family moved and I started going to a new school nearby, I found that I was on even footing with their adult black belts, even though I was only 14 and had less years of experience. The other school didn't teach control, they didn't even use proper technique, and they didn't teach you the correct mindset. Before moving, I had to use what I'd learned several times, both in fighting and avoiding fights. Those experiences really reinforce the idea that you must train the way you will actually fight, since in the heat of the moment you act purely on instinct. You don't have time to think consciously. I never got to a very high belt, despite over a decade of learning, but I know that the color of your belt doesn't really mean much. I could mop the floor with most so-called "black belts", even those significantly stronger than I am.
EDIT: There are MMA classes that teach you how to fight and aren't just a workout. They're probably rare, though.
The ability to remain calm under stress and to defuse potentially violent situations are things you also don't learn at most places, but luckily, I did.
Guys that brags loud about how they train MMA and looks for fights on a friday night or any time just in general are most of the time just sad wannabes without any real skill and all they want is to impress the "bros" they watch UFC with or some chick from the club. I've seen these people fight outside clubs and shit a few times and most of them get owned 1v1 and then their friends will jump in and help. It's sad really.
I feel the same way. Ive been training in BJJ for 2 years now. People would walk up to me and ask me if they could "do" MMA. I agree with you, it's a lifestyle. I train 5 days a week and alter my whole diet around it. People who think its just some thing to beat people up on the streets are idiots. It's an art.
I've done martial arts for 12 years now and I can say the one thing that makes me so mad is not when people say "I do MMA." But when people go "Oh yeah, I do UFC" OH REALLY??? You do a fighting league?? No, you mean to say "I do MMA" which in this case if you say you "do" UFC then im guessing you don't even do MMA. gtfo! People brag about these things and think theyre all swoll and tough and cool but no...I have a black belt in karate and taekwondo and i've trained/currently train in 5 different types of kung fu from a guy who studied with a shoalin monk in china for 15 years, boxing, kickboxing, muay thai, and BJJ. And still I don't go flaunting around telling everyone I know and trying to make myself look like such a badass. People these days.... :/
I know that feeling, I've been involved (watching/training MMA) for around 10 years now and now that its finally caught up in popularity its kind of annoying to see all these people. I think the worst part was some years ago before it got popular when no one had any idea at all what MMA was and whenever someone asked what I did for a hobby I just had to say "I do martial arts" and they always thought I was some kungfu master.
I did muay thai for a couple months but had to stop due to school but i would gladly go back to it. I had some of the most fun of my life boxing there. I play tennis regularly but due to my tendinitis i can't play as much as i would like to. Personally i trained at an "MMA" gym but really i found that BJJ wasn't much fun for me because i'm small and that muay thai was more fun.
That annoys me as well. One of the first things I was taught in Kung Fu was not to flaunt what you know or can do, since by my sensei's reasoning "Why give up a weapon willingly?". Anyone serious about what they do would never parade it in public, since if they had a teacher worth his salt, they would have a good dose of humility, and know that any man can fall on any given day.Then there is the people who think their art is better than others and that they are automatically a better fighter since they do said 'Art", when in reality there is no superior Martial Art, just superior Martial Artists.
Hmm.. I'm sensing a lot of elitism in this thread. You somehow think that when someone says "I do MMA", that they are stealing your thunder. This is your ego saying, "I'm better than you!". I bet you are, but why are you so insecure?
MMA is a sport. It is also entertainment. Do I have anger if a bronze noob in sc2 says, "I play sc2"? Nope. Do NFL players get angry when someone they know claims to play football on the weekends? Probably not.
If someone is a poser, I can understand the anger. They are representing themselves as something they are not. But if someone does MMA twice a week for an hour and claims, "I do MMA", they aren't posing. They are being honest. They probably suck compared to you anyways. Be happy.
MMA sounds like a sport to me, while the more traditional martial arts all have a mental respect/way of life aspect to them that perhaps the recent MMA trend lacks.
Judge each club/school by it (and its instructors) own merits, not by what they call things. Especially when there are sooooo many places out there that have "MMA training" that are extremely legit.
Your anecdotes are ridiculous examples of isolated incidents held up as proof of some overarching theme that just doesnt exist.
There are people trying to cash in on everything that is popular, there always will be. Whether that is McDojo TKD or Karate clubs or MMA gyms ran by the previous owners of said gyms that re-branded in an effort to rake in more money as the tide of popularity ebbed on, it doesnt much matter - bullshit is bullshit regardless of name, painting all MMA gyms as being "most likely not worth your time", is ignorant.
On March 05 2012 05:54 Liquid`Jinro wrote: Really, really dumb post.
Judge each club/school by it (and its instructors) own merits, not by what they call things. Especially when there are sooooo many places out there that have "MMA training" that are extremely legit.
Your anecdotes are ridiculous examples of isolated incidents held up as proof of some overarching theme that just doesnt exist.
Way to be active in the TL community, Jinro! Your posts lately in Blogs as well as SC2 General make me respect you more and more as a player and more inclined to support your stream and your play during matches.
Off-topic, I was wondering if this was a rant on Terrans following MMA playstyle....lol.
On topic,
Mixed Martial Arts is exactly that, and can be taught as an introduction to many styles of martial arts at its core. Think of a general psychology 101 class, it gives us a view of "mixed psychological sciences" to let us pursue a few specializations or simply know it all in some way. Many programs require a "MMA" lesson requirement to at least study the basics of discipline, each general style, and weed out people who are not serious about martial arts (and bring in more people to experiment in them).
Let me say one anecdote.
I was a wrestler in middle school and high school. I was not a very tip-top tier one, but I stuck to it and trained for meets and I got in shape doing so. Little did I know I was learning how to kick a "bar fighters" ass any day of the week, despite not being the most muscular guy myself. Over my six years of experience I learned traditional, greco (sp?), and freestyle wrestling with the heaviest influence in traditional. When I was in my first semester in college my roomate was trying to rough up on me (and being the person I am, I roughed back and it escalated). I had left wrestling to die, in my conscience mind, but the knowledge and instinct persisted. My roomate came in with fists and I promptly deflected them with no harm, moved to be behind his back, suplex, and pin him within five seconds. As a benchmark of strength, I am a 140 teddy bear that can hardly bench 120 anymore and my roomate was 175 benching in the 200s.
Just because I was a wrestler I was able to respond very favorably to this engagement despite being at a "numbers" advantage in overall strength. Brute strength is the street/bar fighters strength. Throw punches until they can't muster a fight any more and hope to god that you don't run out of strength first.
MMA will always tend to make you a better streetfighter because you will learn about weapons, disarmament, many styles of fighting that come in handy more than others. (See: wrestling is great when you're up close and just trying to disable a hostile who let you in close. Other forms of martial arts are better at O SHI WE ARE GONNA FIGHT NOW situations IE calling someone out from across the street)
On March 05 2012 05:54 Liquid`Jinro wrote: Really, really dumb post.
Judge each club/school by it (and its instructors) own merits, not by what they call things. Especially when there are sooooo many places out there that have "MMA training" that are extremely legit.
Your anecdotes are ridiculous examples of isolated incidents held up as proof of some overarching theme that just doesnt exist.
There are people trying to cash in on everything that is popular, there always will be. Whether that is McDojo TKD or Karate clubs or MMA gyms ran by the previous owners of said gyms that re-branded in an effort to rake in more money as the tide of popularity ebbed on, it doesnt much matter - bullshit is bullshit regardless of name, painting all MMA gyms as being "most likely not worth your time", is ignorant.
Interesting way to put it. For the record, I do judge each gym by it's own merits. However, when you spare against an "MMA School" that produces generally a bunch of assholes who think it's "legit" and they are the real deal, there's a problem.
There are McDojo's in everything. There are McCollegeDegree's by places like University of Phoenix that will get you a degree in less time it takes from a generic school. The draw of McDonaldization of things comes from one main aspect - time. People want things fast.
McDojo's are places that are reputed as being able to give you a belt in a certain time. "I got my yellow belt/blue belt/ect.ect. in 3 months there!" Does that mean they understand the art? Not at all. It's simply the aspect that it's quicker in getting it, and since people want to see a return on investment, it's more business oriented that education oriented.
The main draw in MMA Schools is that. They don't focus on one aspect of fighting. They can teach you ground fighting, grappling, boxing, ect. by wrapping it all together and offering it in one bundle package. That's great. It's also a watered down version of what the actual art teaches you. Does that mean it's not legit? No. Does that mean someone is a Mixed Martial Artist? In my opinion, absolutely not. People who re-brand to make more money have a reasonable business angle for doing it - but the sport of MMA is something that takes years upon years to master, by learning different martial arts. Not by taking six months worth of classes and thinking they got what it takes.
My anecdotes are ridiculous? Do you think all my real life experience associated with this is ridiculous as well? Yep, that's one isolated incident. It's also not the only incident. Don't think that because I type one out makes it automatically the only story I have that is associated with my post.
@thedeadhaji:
100% agree that MMA is generalized as the overall sport. The thing that irks me is when you start getting into these MMA Schools. Again, some are legit. Just like everything, there are diamonds in the rough.
@VampireHoliday:
I don't think I could have said it better. Really good response.
On March 05 2012 05:32 docvoc wrote: I did muay thai for a couple months but had to stop due to school but i would gladly go back to it. I had some of the most fun of my life boxing there. I play tennis regularly but due to my tendinitis i can't play as much as i would like to. Personally i trained at an "MMA" gym but really i found that BJJ wasn't much fun for me because i'm small and that muay thai was more fun.
I did Muay Thai as well. I stopped because I realized my instructor was only interested in money and not actually training me shit.
Does anyone actually know where to find, say, a few examplary high quality MMA matches from relevant and recent tournaments? Didn't really know what to look for on youtube and I'm having trouble finding complete matches instead of just news summaries.
On March 05 2012 06:50 Zvenn3n wrote: At first, I thought this was a blog about sexual fantasies involving SLayerS_MMA, now I just feel stupid.
ahahahaha ^^ OT: I took TKD for a little while and absolutely loved it. I was extremely fortunate to have absolutely fantastic lessons, nothing but respect for MMA fighters.
MMA is a sport with regulations and rules and ref stoppage. People should never learn MMA just to get into street fights because it's just a whole different animal. No rules, more feral. Sure BJJ is great for 1on1 self defense, but what happens when you're arm-barring someone and his boy sledge hammers you with a cinderblock.
On March 05 2012 05:54 Liquid`Jinro wrote: Really, really dumb post.
Judge each club/school by it (and its instructors) own merits, not by what they call things. Especially when there are sooooo many places out there that have "MMA training" that are extremely legit.
Your anecdotes are ridiculous examples of isolated incidents held up as proof of some overarching theme that just doesnt exist.
MMA will always tend to make you a better streetfighter because you will learn about weapons, disarmament, many styles of fighting that come in handy more than others. (See: wrestling is great when you're up close and just trying to disable a hostile who let you in close. Other forms of martial arts are better at O SHI WE ARE GONNA FIGHT NOW situations IE calling someone out from across the street)
What, MMA doesnt teach you about weapons or disarmamaents. MMA is basically a sport form. Its a sport that mixes different martial arts into one competition style. I think you take the words Mixed Martial Arts to literal.
Grumbels
Does anyone actually know where to find, say, a few examplary high quality MMA matches from relevant and recent tournaments? Didn't really know what to look for on youtube and I'm having trouble finding complete matches instead of just news summaries.
The tournament style is obsolete and no one really uses it anymore (medical safety issues mostly). I think unless youre willing to shell out for PPVs just google some good highlight reels of MMA on youtube. I love watching some old PRIDE highlight reels everyonce in awhile to refeel that nostalgia from watching those events.
Grumbels Does anyone actually know where to find, say, a few examplary high quality MMA matches from relevant and recent tournaments? Didn't really know what to look for on youtube and I'm having trouble finding complete matches instead of just news summaries.
The tournament style is obsolete and no one really uses it anymore (medical safety issues mostly). I think unless youre willing to shell out for PPVs just google some good highlight reels of MMA on youtube. I love watching some old PRIDE highlight reels everyonce in awhile to refeel that nostalgia from watching those events.
Thanks, I actually know nothing about MMA, but I'm kind of interested in it. Didn't know they didn't have tournaments, for some reason I was imagining, like, fight-to-the-death+single-elimination tournaments prospering. :p
I certainly respect the OP's opinion on the matter. But I have to disagree on the basis that those persons taking "MMA Classes" are probably being introduced to various forms of martial arts. On that alone I disagree with the OP's opinion about persons who take those classes as being somehow less in terms of a martial artists than a person who practices in soley 1 or even 2 martial arts. I think the difference between MMA and the majority of martial arts is, as was mentioned earlier, that it is an introduction to multiple forms. I also think the OP may put too much emphasis on the class as it is taught, rather than on the length of time and experience that the students he has come across have engaged in.
For instance, I myself have taken some (and I treat the word "some" as being an introduction in a short amount of time) Krav Maga instruction as well as Jiu Jitsu instruction (which I am currently in). I personally do not consider myself a badass, and more often than not I am getting my ass handed to me in class (granted the class is filled with people who already have a heavy martial arts background in other forms such as judo and/or wrestling). But despite that daily struggle to overcome my immediate opponent, I am not training for that. Rather I am training for a career that will more likely than not put me in danger (law enforcement), and because I am uncomfortable in a close quarters fight I am training for that should the situation arise (God willing it does not).
I think the intention of a person to learn to defend themselves is a reasonable reaction to the dangers they perceive in the world. Their outward attitude and discipline may not please you as you were taught, but in the end should a conflict ocurr if they are prepared to defend themselves than allow them the comfort of knowing they know something about the chaos that is a fight.
On March 05 2012 09:37 noobcakes wrote: How are these people supposed to know that they are being ripped off, when they don't know anything about MMA but still being taught?
Usually people will write blogs/reviews about them. Yelp. People from other schools will tryout the open mat and see what's up. Word will get around.
This blog and the replies I have read in it are pretty stupid.
The only thing people should be arguing about is if a statement like this..:
On March 05 2012 04:22 Jitsu wrote: Everyone has pet peeves, right?
Many little things bother people for various reasons. To some people, putting you're elbows on the dinner table during meal time is sacrilege. To others, using the lords name in vein is the highest of personal sins.
To me, one simple phrase drives me up the wall, as well as my blood pressure.
"I do MMA."
..Should be able to warrant stupid generalizations like this..:
On March 05 2012 04:22 Jitsu wrote: "I do MMA."
It's a phrase that has seemingly ingrained itself into our culture. It's a phrase that says so much, and so little, at the same time. It's a phrase that bears no direct comparison to what Mixed Martial Arts actually is.
What does MMA actually mean? MMA is short for Mixed Martial Arts. It's the culmination of knowledge in a person that manifests itself in how they fight, how they train, even so far as how they live. Being a true Mixed Martial Artist is a lifestyle, a subculture. Something that when you go deep enough, it symbolizes you, and what you live for.
So, does putting a disclaimer about /rant blog incoming warrant stupid elitist generalizations to be stated as fact rather than opinion? That's the talking point here, if there even is one, IMO.
I think looking at it from the point of me being an elitist is pretty stupid generalization in it's own right. I already know I am not the first person to think this way. Saying you go to an MMA School and take classes, and actually study and train in various Martial Arts is NOT the same thing. It's more the spirit of the entire sport and art as a whole.
How about coming to the stupid generalization that I haven't been around in the Martial Arts community in my area, and various areas that I have traveled, to have some idea of what i'm talking about and feel safe to make a blog post about it? How is being a true Mixed Martial Artist not a lifestyle? Is it a job? A hobby? Sure, it can be. It's a lifestyle change, and people who are into MMA Schools or not, i'm sure, can agree on that.
So the fact that you are pointing out that, specifically, is frustrating, not only for the fact that you have taken the entire context of what I was saying and threw it out the window, but because it leads me to believe that you didn't even understand what I was saying.
On March 05 2012 05:54 Liquid`Jinro wrote: Really, really dumb post.
Judge each club/school by it (and its instructors) own merits, not by what they call things. Especially when there are sooooo many places out there that have "MMA training" that are extremely legit.
Your anecdotes are ridiculous examples of isolated incidents held up as proof of some overarching theme that just doesnt exist.
There are people trying to cash in on everything that is popular, there always will be. Whether that is McDojo TKD or Karate clubs or MMA gyms ran by the previous owners of said gyms that re-branded in an effort to rake in more money as the tide of popularity ebbed on, it doesnt much matter - bullshit is bullshit regardless of name, painting all MMA gyms as being "most likely not worth your time", is ignorant.
Was going to say something like this.
MMA has actually become it's own martial art.
There are places you specifically can go to train it and say, "I train in MMA". Some of the most young and newest talented fighters in the UFC are actually a product of this. The new generation.
And within traditional martial arts there are tons of McDojos.
Also in regards to what you said above about them teaching watered down version of the art, that's not true. As I said MMA now it's own martial art and a hugely evolving one. The grand father of this would be Bruce Lee, with his Jeet Kune Do. The philosophy of style without style, about using the most effective moves in any given situation. And there's alot of useless moves in alot of arts. MMA has debunked alot of myths about fighting and it's about learning what really works in a fight. It's not a watered down version of anything, the same way Jeet Kune Do isn't. It's it's own evolving martial art that takes the most effective fighting techniques wherever it can find them without discrimination. Combining them all in a way to form a new art, MMA.
there are 2 different points of view that i hold (done judo for years, bjj on and off to suppliment my judo. done some standup, but bleh, i'm terrible)
first point of view is that if a gym is not putting fighters in cages at local events. they probably aren't worth training with. (from a practical point of view)
the second point of view is just getting people and kids active and doing a sport that they like. If people go to a "MMA" place with no intentions of learning how to fight. but just general fitness and because they enjoy watching UFC. Thats 100% fine. thats like playing social soccer. Its fun, it keeps you in shape and you can derp about and not hurt anyone.
The main problem i have is when they ADVERTISE "we teach you how to be safe on da str33t" but they are more of a boxercise club. That shit sucks.
On March 05 2012 05:54 Liquid`Jinro wrote: Really, really dumb post.
Judge each club/school by it (and its instructors) own merits, not by what they call things. Especially when there are sooooo many places out there that have "MMA training" that are extremely legit.
Your anecdotes are ridiculous examples of isolated incidents held up as proof of some overarching theme that just doesnt exist.
There are people trying to cash in on everything that is popular, there always will be. Whether that is McDojo TKD or Karate clubs or MMA gyms ran by the previous owners of said gyms that re-branded in an effort to rake in more money as the tide of popularity ebbed on, it doesnt much matter - bullshit is bullshit regardless of name, painting all MMA gyms as being "most likely not worth your time", is ignorant.
This is a really intelligent post. I myself do Tae Kwon Do, so I have some martial arts training (2nd degree Blackbelt). I've been to MMA studios/gyms lots of times with a group of my friends, and their particular program is really intense and well formulated. They do train using methods from a variety of "Mixed Martial Arts". It's as literal as you can get. And it gives them results. That school teaches many regional title holders. You can't dismiss that for any reason. OP is just ignorant.
jumping on jinros bones because its jinro there theturk?. i dont think you know anything about fighting whatsoever and so by your own "logic" which you love to post on so many things, you have no ground to stand on. if you wish to dispute a point you must actually have evidence to go with it.
where is your many years of training. he claims as such. it seems hes more concerned with the sanctity of the sport more then anything else. hes saying you cant learn true MMA at one place if you really wish to be and he used the word an "artist"
I believe everyone has this feeling about their passion. Is it not great that so many want to share your passion with you... it sounds like you want it all for yourself or at least limit it to the People you believe are "worthy" . The amount of people jumping on the MMA band wagon, is that not ultimately a good thing for the sport? This may not be the case but you just come of kinda elitist and butt hurt.
personally I dont like grappling and ground fights so I stuck with Kickboxing for the last 6 or so years. The lucky thing for me was that the first trainer I had was a really good one who managed to pound every essential technique into me. After that place closed down I was struggling to find another trainer who was as good as my first one.
The biggest reason I see for most martial arts is that they need time and someone who looks after you and watches what you do and corrects you. In my current training place there are around 30 or probably even more people in one 1,5h session for kickboxing and only 1 trainer. The trainer is awesome with muay thai and kickboxing professional experience but there is only so much he can do.
So it pains me every time I see people there who train for over a year and still have problems with basics like how to place your feet when kicking and so on. And even if you try to help and explain to the people they dont take the advice.
So what a good training facility needs is small groups, a competent trainer and some experienced people who can help out with new guys. But try to find a place like that, sadly it's really hard.
MMA I feel is a questionable thing to train. If you really want to make a good MMA fighter you have to start with basics like boxing and kicking which you can learn at any decent kickboxing place. After that you have to continue to ground fighting techniques.
So in order to become decent at MMA you allready have a road you have to go along more or less but I feel that most MMA places tend to teach everything at once and thus produce people who cant do anything right.
and on a side note I think that belt systems are silly. You can do something or you cant, no point bragging about with your silly belt.
Grumbels Does anyone actually know where to find, say, a few examplary high quality MMA matches from relevant and recent tournaments? Didn't really know what to look for on youtube and I'm having trouble finding complete matches instead of just news summaries.
The tournament style is obsolete and no one really uses it anymore (medical safety issues mostly). I think unless youre willing to shell out for PPVs just google some good highlight reels of MMA on youtube. I love watching some old PRIDE highlight reels everyonce in awhile to refeel that nostalgia from watching those events.
Thanks, I actually know nothing about MMA, but I'm kind of interested in it. Didn't know they didn't have tournaments, for some reason I was imagining, like, fight-to-the-death+single-elimination tournaments prospering. :p
It was common back in the day to have single day tournaments, but back then there was no real sanction over it. Japan had a bunch of great ones and they also went on to have great tournaments that spanned over a few months. Strikeforce recently tried the same style but its been nothing but a disaster with dropouts and a seriously delayed grand finals.
The UFC had tournaments back when it was still run by the Gracies, but today they abide by the athletic commissions rules and as far as I remember they havent had any tournaments since.
Bellator is another tournament running the tournament style championchip alot, they're considered a level bellow everything else though (even though that is all subjective really, the UFC while holding a pretty big monopoly, especially in America, dont necessarily make the best fights imo).
Grumbels Does anyone actually know where to find, say, a few examplary high quality MMA matches from relevant and recent tournaments? Didn't really know what to look for on youtube and I'm having trouble finding complete matches instead of just news summaries.
The tournament style is obsolete and no one really uses it anymore (medical safety issues mostly). I think unless youre willing to shell out for PPVs just google some good highlight reels of MMA on youtube. I love watching some old PRIDE highlight reels everyonce in awhile to refeel that nostalgia from watching those events.
Thanks, I actually know nothing about MMA, but I'm kind of interested in it. Didn't know they didn't have tournaments, for some reason I was imagining, like, fight-to-the-death+single-elimination tournaments prospering. :p
It was common back in the day to have single day tournaments, but back then there was no real sanction over it. Japan had a bunch of great ones and they also went on to have great tournaments that spanned over a few months. Strikeforce recently tried the same style but its been nothing but a disaster with dropouts and a seriously delayed grand finals.
The UFC had tournaments back when it was still run by the Gracies, but today they abide by the athletic commissions rules and as far as I remember they havent had any tournaments since.
Bellator is another tournament running the tournament style championchip alot, they're considered a level bellow everything else though (even though that is all subjective really, the UFC while holding a pretty big monopoly, especially in America, dont necessarily make the best fights imo).
mostly the tournament style kinda sucked if you did not have "balanced" sides.
fighter A would have three 20 minute bouts, have a black eye that he cant see through very well. and has a 5 minute break before the final fighter B would have three very fast knockouts or submissions with a 30 minute break before the final.
Even if fighter A is an amazing fighter and fighter B just got supreme lucky tonight. Chances are that Fighter B will take home the title. That kinda made for shitty viewing
My advice to you? If you want to learn Mixed Martial Arts...learn Mixed Martial Arts. Go out, find a good instructor, and learn the different arts that can combine into something that you can use no matter the situation. Don't go to a school that offers "MMA" and let them take you're money.
Do it right.
~Jitsu
From most of the gyms I have been too they actually usually have independent art nights taught by independent teachers, then they have open mat time and MMA class...
MMA classes/practices is where the combination comes together for example, without cross training how would a wrestler learn to position his head during a single/double leg to avoid a gullitone choke from a grappler. How would the submission artist learn to be more active from the bottom with things like throwing elbows etc. How would a boxer learn to check kicks? How do you think these MMA gyms developed? With many different people who had different outlooks on the sport coming together to share knowledge and cross train....
And furthermore for everyone saying some are little more than a boxercise class, I would much rather fight someone that can throw a few basic combos but with HUGE cardio then someone who is a little bit more experienced but will gas out asap.
I think one of the main things with martial arts is everyone still has that pride in their own art, or their own dojo, and everything/everyone else is crap, I have a buddy who will only root for a fighter simply because he did karate (he attributes ever victory and knockout to these fighters.) Drives me nuts! Lol that is a bit of a little side rant though.
EPT
