MMA vrs Traditional Martial Arts
MMA punched, kicked and grappled its way into the Martial Arts world when the Gracie family launched the UFC on TV in the 1990's. It rocked the martial arts world and it certainly grabbed my attention. It made the public at large take notice of the martial arts again. In the early 90's I believe the martial arts was on the decline and becoming somewhat of a joke to many people in contact sports like hockey, basketball, football etc. Martial Arts schools were so commercialized and many were run by unqualified and inexperienced instructors out to make a quick buck. Black Belts were churned out a dime a dozen without really knowing what it took to be one and worse, what it meant to be one! They could not hit effectively nor could they take a hit, but they strutted around with their black belts. The only good thing the black belts were good for, was to keep the pants up!!!
Try playing a forward driving sport - football, hockey, soccer, rugby, basketball, etc. You not only have avoid losing ground but need to consistently gain ground in order to achieve victory. If you understand that, you are probably better equipped for a REAL self-defense situation than 90% of "black belts" out there today. To win in forward moving sports, you have to gain ground and at the same time prevent your opponents from doing the same. Players understand physical resistance and contact. Martial Arts on the other hand became less and less physical with students getting black belts without really knowing what it was like to hit or to be hit hard in return!
So...what made the MMA juggernaut so formidable, to capture the imagination, excitement and passion of so many and topple the flagging popularity of traditional martial arts? It was the "absense of doubt" that it worked!!! It destroyed the illusion of the effectiveness of many traditional technics. It was not that martial arts technics did not work (MMA uses martial arts technics!). Martial arts technics did not work if you could not execute it fast, strong and effectively. In MMA, you had to be very conditioned and strong. Attack technics were powerful and was backed up with a barrage of follow up technics. At the very same time the fighter had to be prepared to take punishment and to continue fighting which is the very essence of "Bushido".
It is important to be able to distinguish fake technics from traditional technics, which are designed for coordination. fluidity of movement and artistic content. I have the highest of respect for the great Masters of yesteryear who greatly inspired me not only with the beauty, grace, speed and power of their techniques but also their ability to fight. I also appreciate how hard the numerous champions of the fight circuits like K1, UFC, Cage Fighting etc. trained, and their ability to take all the punishment neccessary to become champion.
In my opinion, the difference with the Masters and the Champions of the MMA is the "DO". With the Masters it was a "Discipline and a Way of life" with the philosophy of "winning over oneself" with "Honor" being foremost. With the MMA fighter, his only objective is in winning over his oponent which is the sole and ulimate goal. My students, have in the finals of a tournament concede the match to his senior as a gesture of respect.... this is "DO"
Do not forget that MMA fighting is still not combat and the mantra of "going to the ground" may not be that sound when there are no mats to cushion your fall or that your opponent has a couple of buddies that will happily kick your head in when you are busy rolling on the ground trying to apply a submission or choke hold. There has been times at the MMA fights when the fighter in the process of taking down his opponent, is himself knocked out when he lands heavily on the ring. Imagine what if it had happened in the parking lot.
That said, without a doubt it is clear that a knowledge of ground fighting is essential. This includes knowing how to stay on your feet when your opponent wants to take you down to the ground and knowing how to fall without being seriously hurt. A determined ground fighter will take you down if you cannot disengage or neutralize him. With this in mind, Ooi's Taekwondo has started to incorporate basic grappling and groundwork into our training regimen. We must be able to recognize instantly if the fight is heading for the ground and take evasive and defensive measures and if all fails, be familiar with fighting on the ground.
The MMA fighters we see on TV are professional fighters or at the very least semi professional. They train very hard and with that kind of conditioning and attitude, they already have 90% of the battle won against the run of the mill martial arts practioner. Note the term "practitioner" as fighting is not the sole purpose in martial arts training.
Ultimately the Martial Arts community can only take responsibility and blame for it's lack of unity in monitoring and mantaining quality control. Shame on the "phony masters" who knowingly teach something that they don't really know but worse still they convince their students that they can defend themselves!!! How they continue not just to exist, but even flourish, baffles the hell out of me!
The one thing that I am truly against the MMA is the culture of fighters, fans and promoters that are foul mouthed with attitudes to match. The spirit and essence of the martial arts is just not there. Touching gloves and raising your opponents hand at the end of the fight does not mean you have the "DO"! You may be a better fighter than me, but I sure am a better man than you!
