Unsurprisingly there are a lot of criticisms towards traditional martial arts coming from those involved in MMA and other competitive mindsets. Today I will address why both MMA and Traditional Martials Arts don’t work.
First and most important of all, you have to understand the mindset of what you are training to do. Most traditional martial arts are centered in self-defense practices and building good stewardship in the community. Combative Sports is an industry. Street Fighting is something entirely different from the other two, but at the same time has similarities from both, such as egocentrism from MMA and the practice of lethal strikes from traditional arts.
Self Defense
Most traditional martial arts tent to focus on self-defense. Some traditional arts like Taekwondo and Karate have evolved into their own respective competitive sports. Perhaps all combative sports have their roots in original systems geared towards self-defense. There are many reasons self-defense oriented martial arts tend to under perform in the ring or cage, but here are a few that I strongly believe in:
- Its not the style its the training, most traditional martial artists are not athletes.
- The focus is generally to neutralize the aggressor quickly rather than survive another round in a ring.
- Practitioners typically focus on lethal strikes which is not legal in sports.
- Some arts are based on relaxation, which is harder to do in an arena screaming for blood.
- You should at least be familiar with ground fighting.
- Move, don’t just stand there in a Kung Fu Pose.
- Protect your head from “head-hunters”.
- Practitioners haven’t adapted or created the correct mindset to their craft to prepare for the ring.
Combative Sports
Sports by their very nature is competitive, which can appeal to the ego, and boy, does the ego loves trouble! People in MMA and other combative sports should be aware of the following before using their craft outside of the ring:
- Your ego is your greatest enemy (The Art of Fighting without Fighting).
- Be at least familiar with “lethal strikes” and how to engage with them.
- Your hands are not in a glove and your wrists are not wrapped.
- Your element of surprise shouldn’t be in flashy move, but rather acting first in physical violence.
- Think twice before going to the ground.
- Be mindful of what’s going on around you like other aggressors and what their hands are doing.
- Get away from the scene quickly and safely.
Street Fighting
Street Fighting is similar to MMA as it involves the ego. A street fight can be a declaration to fight at a specific place and time between two egos, but they usually happen in the moment in a bar or outside in the public sphere. There is no referee and pretty much anything could happen with multiple attackers, knives, and guns. The whole goal of self-defense is to stay out of a street fight.
Summary
I believe the framing around “MMA and Traditional Martial Arts don’t work” should actually be: “How to make MMA and Traditional Martial Arts Work”. My answer to that question is how would you train for any of those scenarios? Try a free online consultation with me, I’d love to hear from you and learn about your fitness goals. Comment below and share what you think.
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