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+--- Thread: Mixed Martial Arts (/showthread.php?tid=1973)
RE: Mixed Martial Arts - JWFITZ - 07-16-2008
I disagree completely with the cockfighting business. Here's why.
You simply cannot become proficient in the sport, at the level demanded today, without being a serious student, and a very compassionate team player. The most human, empathetic people I've ever met I have through the martial arts. I know the TV image does not support that, and they have an image, but inside the sport the guys are very solid, not hotheads at all.
If you want to meet a lot of mean, hot headed a-holes, looking for a fight, go to a poetry reading. I'm not kidding.
You cannot get ahead in MMA today if you are not cool, collected, smart, and play well with others. If you are not:
People will refuse to train with you. That means spar. Which means you will get no practice, and you will never get better.
You will get hurt. You're going to be a jerk and pull that armbar a little too far. Someone is going to remember that and break your wrist.
It's a fact. A meritocracy like few others, and I'm very glad to see the outlet available to the young guys like Penn.
At the school I used to train BJJ, one of the best, we had a core class of perhaps 8. More like 5, really. We'd get perhaps 15 or more a week guys coming in to learn the style. All tattoos, all big, all attitude, motorcycles, the works. They'd get their butt handed to them by a 114 pound girl(BJJ purple belt, which means something.) who would go on to explain that they shouldn't lead with their head like that and, well, would you like to try again? You'd never see those guys again.
She did it to me too, all fit 6'3" 185lbs, and it was the worst schooling of my life. What I came away with that was--jeez, cool! this stuff works! Size does matter, and it wasn't 6 months later before her technique could not keep up with my extra 60 lbs, but nonetheless, in reality, I'm sure she'd kick the average guys butt in seconds.
Like in anything, only 1 in 100 people actually learn anything about much. It's the same here.
RE: Mixed Martial Arts - JWFITZ - 07-16-2008
It's about the rules. The rules create the sport, just like in everything else. Make no mistake about the fact that sport is no substitute for combat, but that sport can train one for combat.
Not to talk all bad and stuff, really, it's just the way it is. I'm not in any kind of shape to be posturing about all that. On the other hand, I have been, a couple of times, before I got hurt(LOL) repeatedly, and I do know what it takes. I'm not too intimidated by guys who obviously haven't put in their time either, with that paunch hanging out and all that. Seriously, it's really worth anyone's time to dedicate a year of a couple times a week.