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Old Forum MMA Training - for self-defence and overall fitness

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Telegramsam

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I thought I would ask here as there are people from a range of arts backgrounds ere who can feed-in.

My brother and I had an altercation a few months ago which could have got physical. While we were not scared, neither of us would have had any confidence that we would have been able to defend ourselves well, had it got to that stage.

A facility near where we live which specialises in MMA training has got classes for beginners. I know that discussions of 'is x art better than y art for z?' are futile - horses for courses and depends on the athlete.

But from those of you who know MMA - would it help us, if we trained judiciously, to help ourselves if the situation ever repeats? Even if only to allow us to make an escape?

And he is VERY fitness orientated (he is a recreational runner, but ine who has built up impressive mileage on his own) - will the training involved in practicing the sport itself (rather than the fitnes drills in such classes) help to elevate overall cardio fitness?

BTW - buying and learning to use a gun for self-defence is never going to happen - we're in the UK.
 
Hi Sam, there was a time I would have said 'any martial arts/fight training would help'. Sadly this is no longer necessarily the case as many martial arts have become purely commercial ventures leaving their practitioners no more well equipped for  an altercation than the typical man on the street. Proper martial arts/fight training will help you to defend yourself if required but, and it's a big but, there are very few disciplines that still offer this type of training.

With regards to fitness, any discipline that involves regular stand up and groundwork will help your fitness massively.

I am UK based and train in what I believe is one of, if not the best martial arts in the country. Email me on birvineg@yahoo.co.uk

Keith
 
Hi Sam, sure if there's live sparring it is going to build your confidence and fitness... Just make sure to check out the instructors lineage/ credentials. Make sure it isn't some type of mcdojo with a taekwondo or karate teacher that's all of a sudden a MMA expert. Nothing against TKD or karate I've just seen many schools in my area that were once TKD or karate schools become MMA schools overnight.
 
Keith - where are you based? We are just outside the West Mids.

James - it seems legit and they have produced competitors http://www.utcuk.com/

Thanks for your input, both!
 
I am sorry - I am going down the road I said I wouldn't comparing art against art. But my bro-in-law is trying to get us down the muay Thai route.

So, for fitness and self defence: MMA or Thai boxing...? (with apologies...)
 
Sam,

Regarding self defence - know the law as it applies in the UK.  It's pointless learning some 'spec ops' skills if they land you in court, or prison.

http://www.iainabernethy.co.uk/article/problems-street-fighting

Recognise your inner monkey and the 'Monkey Dance' as Rory Miller would term it...

http://ymaa.com/articles/violence-dynamics.

Just my opinion as a middle-aged guy who has worked in a custodial setting.

 
 
Like with success in most areas of life, winning in this area starts in the mind.

Read Principles of Personal Defense by Jeff Cooper.  It is not specific to any one weapon or martial art.  It deals with the mindset you need to survive and win when attacked.

Also look into Tony Blauer's materials for more on the proper mindset and some discussion of specific techniques as well.

Your biggest benefits will come from adjusting your mindset and learning the human behaviors (or pre-contact cues) that lead up to an attack.  Technique and weapons are a distant second priority.

You are already at the right place for your fitness needs.

 
 
Sam, realize that MMA is for sport, not self defense. There are many similarities, such as the actual strikes, but it's not designed for truly defending yourself. In a self defense situation, it would be ridiculous to try a spinning sidekick or any other showy moves. Think eyes, throat, and groin; MMA gyms don't focus on stuff like that. But like David said above, it would be best to not even put yourself in such a situation.

Don't get me wrong, though: if you practice Muay Thai or BJJ, or any other decent art, you're going to be much more likely to be able to hold your own (unless they've brought a weapon). And Muay Thai is huge on conditioning - be prepared to throw a bunch of roundkicks and knees!
 
MMA vs Muay Thai? It all depends on the instructors. Like everything else. Are the gyms producing fighters and competitors? Do you think these competitors would be able to hold their own in a self-defense situation? Do you think the instructors would be understanding if you had no desire to compete but only wanted to learn to able defend yourself?  Also in my honest opinion in street fight my money is always going to be on the accomplished Muay Thai, BJJ practitioner, boxer, wrestler etc. over some self-defense guru that teaches eyes pokes and groin shots.
 
early ufc and vale Tudo taught us all we need to know about this subject. Wrestling, judo, boxing, may Thai, maybe a few others, yes.

more ground than stand up.

ninjitsu, systema, Krav maga, not so much.

maybe some filiino knife fighting added  in,

 

 

 

 
 
Listen to James, he knows whereof he speaks. And, if we're talking about self-defense, do your best to not get into an altercation in the first place (I know, not always avoidable, but often people get into it because they can't keep their ego in check). And if you do get into one, try to get away as soon as possible.

Instructor and school is most important. MMA is certainly a very viable choice, but for self defense purposes judo (there's a lot of great judo in the UK) and boxing (Thai or English) will do just as well if not better, and probably be a lot cheaper. Alive training (read, actual sparring/rolling against fully resisting opponents) is the most important thing; you're not going to learn to defend yourself if the entirety of your training is compliant drills of supposedly deadly techniques; that's rubbish.
 
You should check out the MMA school. It depends very much on the trainer, but also on the group. You should look if they are nice and if they are good. if that is the case it means the trainer can teach.

 

 

 
 
Although I deifinitely recommend to join a reality-based self-defense club (in UK I can recommend Lee Morrison & Urban Combatives - http://www.urbancombatives.com), please remember the following formula:

"It is better to avoid than to run; better to run than to de-escalate; better to de-escalate than to fight; better to fight than to die. "

From "Meditations on Violence", highly recommended reading.

99% of "self-defense" is avoidance, escape and de-escalation.
 
Sam, if I was in your place, I would simply ask around.  To me, the teacher is more important than the discipline.  If there is a teacher with a very good reputation in your area, that is who I would put at the top of my list.

-S-
 
Sam, you've got alot of good answers here.  Even though I'm a karate guy, I'd like to add my thoughts.  First try several different schools(dojo, gyms whatever) and find the one that you like the best.  There is a big difference between sport and self defence in the martial arts but some sports carry over quite well to the street.  whatever you choose, just know that it can take years to reach a decent level of skill in the martial arts.  Also Strength and Speed will always be King in self defence.  So if you choose the MMA and they only focus on the technique and sparring, get yourself some kettlebells and get strong at home.  whatever you do, just make sure you're having fun too.

Al
 
Some interesting thoughts, thanks to you all for your thoughtful replies.  I also agree wholeheartedly that many fights are caused by ego. I have no problem at all with walking away and/or talking my way out of trouble (this is what I did the last time). It was just that at one point it didn't look like there was to be any alternative.

My bro-in-law won't forgive me if I don't do Thai boxing so I will give that a go. The gym he uses is definitely the best in the area and one of the most known in the UK so the teaching should be very good. I also have someone on tap to ask questions of!

Allan - believe me, I use KBs! :-D In fact, I have got my brother in law on them, to help with his muay Thai in a role reversal.

 
 
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