| One of the most heard claims of the various | | | | 1) Develop street awareness skills that teach you |
| martial arts systems and styles is the devotees | | | | and your students how to recognize potential |
| claiming that their system provides realistic self | | | | danger so that you can either avoid them or be |
| defense techniques and, in many cases, even | | | | prepared to deal with them. |
| claiming that there system is the best for self | | | | 2) Develop a "non-victim" mind-set and body |
| defense. A very bold claim considering the often | | | | posture so that a potential attacker identifies you |
| unpredictable nature of the street thugs attack | | | | as a dangerous target and that they would be |
| methods. | | | | better seeking out another victim. |
| The emergence of mixed martial arts as a | | | | 3) Include adrenal stress training so that you do |
| fighting system (working on the assumption that | | | | not "freeze" when a potential assailant "interviews" |
| we accept this mixed martial arts as a distinct | | | | you. This is an aspect of self defense that the |
| fighting system like Karate or Jiu Jitsu) has led to | | | | majority of martial arts schools do not address. |
| debate about whether it is the best system for | | | | The "butterflys in the stomach" effect before a |
| self defense. | | | | mixed martial arts or Muay Thai match is similar |
| Certainly, in respect of the techniques that we | | | | but not the same as here the fight conditions are |
| train in mixed martial arts, and the attributes that | | | | not controlled and the effect of adrenal stress |
| we develop in our drilling and sparring, it is the | | | | can be much greater. |
| closest that we will get to train and spar at a | | | | 4) In addition to the fighting skills trained be sure |
| safe contact level with methods that will be | | | | and train eye gouges, palm heels, throat grabs, |
| effective in a real street fight. | | | | groin and knee strikes son that the confrontation |
| However, as with all systems of martial arts it is | | | | can be dealt with as quickly and efficiently as |
| still training for a controlled fight scenario that the | | | | possible. |
| combatants have both agreed to and prepared | | | | 5) Develop effective strategies for standing back |
| for. There are also rules that forbid us using the | | | | up if the fight goes to the ground and for dealing |
| most effective weapons against the most | | | | with multiple assailants - don't kid yourself this is |
| debilitating targets, and a referee to enforce | | | | tough even if you are a seasoned fighter. |
| them. In addition, it is a guaranteed one on one | | | | 6) Street effective pre-emptive offensive "gap |
| fight, usually between opponents closely matched | | | | bridging" and broad-spectrum defensive cover |
| in weight and experience, with no weapons | | | | techniques that enable you to engage the |
| involved. | | | | opponent with a high probability of establishing |
| Learning mixed martial arts will certainly provide | | | | control. |
| us with techniques that will increase our chances | | | | In summary, mixed martial arts will provide you |
| of prevailing in a street self defense situation, as | | | | with a very effective technique and fight attribute |
| we are exposed to a wide range of potential | | | | base for self defense, however, you must |
| attacks in both standup and ground situations. | | | | compliment your training with self defense specific |
| We must, however, compliment this with | | | | striking tools and a fear management |
| components that address those areas that occur | | | | psychological mind-set. |
| in the self defense situation but are not | | | | Most systems of martial arts will provide some |
| adequately prepared for when learning mixed | | | | degree of ability in self defense but only if they |
| martial arts. I would also add that these areas | | | | address the real conditions of a street situation |
| should be addressed in all martial art systems that | | | | and this pertains to whatever system you |
| want to responsibly provide their followers with | | | | undertake when learning martial arts. |
| an effective self defense methodology. | | | | |