Do martial arts make you a better fighter?
This may seem like a naive question, but today the question popped in my head.
Sure they make you more disciplined and give you a techinque, but can they build on what's is or isn't there?
A person is born with an inherent fighting ability that grows and matures based on their experiences, is it wrong to believe that a terrible fighter can take up Muay Thai, Wrestling, and BJJ and suddenly become the greatest fighter ever? Sure the techniques there, but it's how you use it right?
I'm posing this question because, well I've honestly been thinking about it and I'd like to get some other views.
It's my belief that superior technique can truimph over a good fighter on occassion, but if you put the best natural fighter in the world against the guy with the best fighting technique but with a "wimpy" mentality, who wins?
I see where your getting at. We were having a similar discussion the other week. You can learn every technique in class and perform it perfectly, but in a real situation could you do the same? Its like having that "warrior's spirit" or the "killer's instinct", you either got it, or you don't. That being said those that dont have that should have even more reason to train, so they stand some chance when push comes to shove. The ones that do have that, AND train, are the ones who become the great fighters in the world.
Reminds me of a story, I cant remember who told me or what it was aboout, but I do remember the story lol... there was some black belt, cant remember what style, in an argument with some other guy. It got heated and to the point where they were about to fight. The "BB" asked the other guy what made him think that he could beat him, and the other guy said "over 100 street fights and I'm still here." The "street fighter" ended up making mince meat out of the BB and went on his way.
So I do believe there are definitely people whoo have that natural ability to fight, and some that don't. But like I said before, its the ones with that natural talent, who receive proper training, that become some of the best fighters in the world.
I also liked what Kyle said, "you need to think about what technique is and isn't before you even consider the question." That is definitely something to think about.
-Jimmy
martial arts training can only enhance what is already there. If you are gun shy (or as my football coaches used to say "chicken sh!t") any amount of MA or MMA training is more than likely not going to change that.
Are you a better fighter than you were, yes. But still a chick..um...gun shy.
And, some people are just tough. Trained or not, they are tough.
Repetitive training of good technique can allow someone to survive in situations where they might not. I do understand where you are going with this question. I honestly believe it's less about being a natuaral fighter or a technical fighter, but more about being able to control your fear when confronted by another person trying to impose their will on you. If you can make sensible decisions in a chaotic time, you will do better. Fear is one of the factors that creates the fog of war/conflict.
as greg jackson puts it, toughness can be trained. some are tougher than others this is true, but toughness is not something that if you are born without you are doomed to getting your lunch money taken for the rest of your life
i believe participating in martial arts, whether it be boxing, bjj or grueling wrestling practices are definitely some of the best ways of putting your body through enough to acquire that toughness or mindset.
Do martial arts make you a better fighter?
- Two days of Tai Chi ... no
- Six years of Thai Boxing ... yes
obviously someone who fights more will be better than someone who fights less. also i think ma training can bring out the killer instinct that might not have been there before, it definitely does wonders to ones confidence...
I have always wondered if steriods would make the difference of a mma fighter winning or loosing the fight.
technique and skill versus pure adrenaline and furious agressivness.
Steroids can't make you a better fighter. Training makes you a better fighter. Steroids can just help you train harder.
11th dan in Parnes Jiu-Jitsu, it's one more than Ransom's. Real PJJ goes to 11!
I've trained in both traditional ma and modern kickboxing & mma.
I've fought some traditional guys that've kicked my ass, and some mma guys that couldn't punch their way out of a wet paper bag.
The technical stuff you get from most traditional clubs is valuable so long as you realize that you don't need to be an expert in all of the stuff you learn there. What's nice about the traditional training is that you experience a whole lot more, angles, techniques etc (even if you never use it).
But, keep in mind that the nature and purpose of traditional training is limited in that there are more rules, etiquette, etc, etc, and when you look at the original purpose and culture that the styles were created, they are a bit out of date.
Still, anyone can train a roundhouse and with 1000/day & have a great, fast, powerful kick. If I throw a blindfold on, I won't be able to tell if it was a traditional or modern fighter who kicked me.
"If I throw a blindfold on, I won't be able to tell if it was a traditional or modern fighter who kicked me."
thats an awesome quote!
-Jimmy
I really like the mentality that is taught in the well respected traditional MA schools. Muay thai trainer mark dellagrotte trains his guys with the attitude of the old school tradition MA mindset. much respect to that!
I have some street fighting experience from my younger days and I have fought martial artists and beaten them. But street fighting and sport fighting are two completely different ball games. In a street fight you will use anything at your disposal to finish the fight because your survival may depend on it. Its a very different form of motivation.
Now I have been training MMA for a few years and left my street fighting days behind me but I still have that instinct that I can use in an MMA fight. That being said with the restrictions of sport fighting, I get my ass handed to me regularly.
But I still fight with my friends without those restrictions and now I almost always come out on top with technique alone.
So in answer to the question. Yes. But you have to be a fighter (have that warrior spirit) to become a better fighter. If you're a whimp with a killer right hook or high kick but your too scared to use it it's not going to do you any good.
martial arts training is very important. while you still can be very sucessful with out any training.
Do I think that martial arts make you a better fighter? Yes and no. Sure knowing more than the person you’re fighting can and probably will help you. I think it really comes down to the individual person though. If you can keep your cool and wits about while under pressure then you stand a better chance than someone who can’t.
Hey some people learn how to handle stressful situations by training MA. I have seen people who used to lose control when they first started training learn how to deal with it and remain calm. I have also seen people put a lot of time and effort in training and still not be able to control themselves while under pressure.
There are people that I know that train and don’t train that I wouldn’t want to mess with. I can also say the opposite though. Like I said before, it really comes down to individual person.
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To answer the question, you can have perfect technique and be the number one ranked pad hitter in the world, and Wanderlei will still stomp your head in, but you need to think about what technique is and isn't before you even consider the question.