Martial Arts Thread

I don't think this thread has been done before, either that or I suck at searching. Please excuse me

Well, main reason I decided to create this thread because I have a couple of questions for possible martial artists to help me out, and to generate some MMA talk, since the popularity of that sport is on a pretty big rise and I'm starting to get a little bit into it (wrestling is getting a little stale for me these days ).

But anywho, my questions. Does anyone take Aikido here? I'm thinking of taking that up. Is it difficult? How is it's effectiveness for self defense compared to other martial arts? How come Aikido isn't prominent (if at all) in MMA competition?

As far as I know, Aikido is one of the most effective methods of self-defense, since it uses leverage and momentum to deal damage and incapacitate assailants. However, it's only effective to those who've mastered the art--since the moves require such timing, fluidity, and precision, it takes longer to learn and much more skill to pull off effectively in a real situation.

If you're looking into learning self-defense, you might as well take boxing and maybe some wrestling/Judo since most street-fights start with fists and end with grappling on the ground.

Incidentally, among all martial arts, Taekwondo is one of the most impractical in a real self-defense situation or a real fight, since kicks (the staple of TKD) are much slower than punches (though more powerful). I take TKD, and I have to agree with that assessment. All that kicking isn't going to win me many fights (not that I plan on fighting on a regular basis).

If you're looking into learning self-defense, you might as well take boxing and ...

When you're defending yourself in a street or whatever, if you're smart you wont look to your "boxing" skills. They are useless anywhere except in a boxing ring with boxing rules.

actually, boxing will increase your strength, power, hand speed, precision, punching technique and defensive blocking abilities. In a street fight, since people use their fists, isn't boxing a great weapon?

Anyways, my friend is blackbelt karate and even though he's a small dude (someone you'd try to mug) he can easily crack a few ribs with a single punch.

i've always wanted to learn kendo or swordsmanship (is that a word?) like they do in The Last Samurai.

I say go with boxing. Martial arts are extremly hard and take a very long time to learn. Most people dont become good at them unless they started very young.

actually, boxing will increase your strength, power, hand speed, precision, punching technique and defensive blocking abilities. In a street fight, since people use their fists, isn't boxing a great weapon?

If somebody runs at you with a knife, are you going to put your fisty cuffs up? If there are 3 dudes surrounding you, are you going to challenge one of them to a punch off?

Improving your fitness and strength is definetly a good thing. But using boxing as grounds for self defense isn't a good thing. The technique does not suit real life. Usually people will just run at eachother and go at it.

One punch from a boxer could knock out any mugger, if you're able to avoid being stabbed.

Everybody in MMA trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu these days, which is highly effective but unfortunately somewhat homoerotic in practice.

Boxing is more effective since other techniques you might learn in other traditional self-defense martial arts are too difficult to pull off. Throwing a good punch (with correct footwork and technique) is a lot easier to master than even a simple wrist lock into a restraint.

The advantage that Jiu-jitsu or Aikido and Hapkido have is that their techiniques allow you to restrain your opponent with minimal effort and damage to the opponent. Of the self-defense arts, it is the most compassionate.

Boxing, on the hand, like Muai Thay or Karate/Taekwondo, are much harder--they aim to break bones and maim your opponent. Which is fine since in a fight, anything goes, but it might lead to unfortunate consequences, i.e. lawsuits, criminal charges.

But if you're really stuck in a fight, like a real fight, the goal is to hit the other person as hard as you can with the biggest object you can find.

or kick them in the balls....that works too

The last comment makes me ask this...how many fights have you been in?

If any, do they run to you with their legs spread?

I'm thinking it was a bit of a joke, going by the smiley face...calm down...

Calm down...? O...kay. Perhaps I should've written my post like this then.

The last comment makes me ask this...how many fights have you been in?

If any, do they run to you with their legs spread?

Does that translate in to calmness? I wasn't even agitated.

Here Eugene posts a nice post, and then comes the utterly hilarious "joke". Yeah, I would've died of laughter...if I was 5.

I'm not saying it was a funny joke, only that it didn't need to be analyzed and refuted.

I was also trying to subtly comment on your recent string of inflammatory posts in GT without being confrontational about it.

The advantage that Jiu-jitsu or Aikido and Hapkido have is that their techiniques allow you to restrain your opponent with minimal effort and damage to the opponent. Of the self-defense arts, it is the most compassionate.

I was watching Aikido clips on YT and thought it looked really cool, how effortlessley the Aikido practitioner just threw his opponents around... in a real life situation, that must be downright embarrassing for the opponent. But in my case, I'm planning on becoming a cop after I graduate from university, so I have about 4-5 years to master (or realistically, get really good at) an effective self defense.

Boxing, on the hand, like Muai Thay or Karate/Taekwondo, are much harder--they aim to break bones and maim your opponent. Which is fine since in a fight, anything goes, but it might lead to unfortunate consequences, i.e. lawsuits, criminal charges.

After watching Tony Jaa's movies, I was totally inspired to learn some Muay Thai. I think Aikido and Muay Thai can be a deadly mix, maybe with Brazilian Jiujitsu thrown in the fray as well, but it already takes quite a hefty amount of dedication and time to master one, it'll be a total pain just to balance school, work, life and martial arts all at once. Sigh, I should've considered this when I was still a lil lad But yeah, thanks for the insight Eugene, I definitely appreciate it

Oh and also, this still hasn't been answered yet but how come Aikido isn't prominent in MMA competition? Surely such an effective self defense art like Aikido would be part of some fighter's repetoire.

I'm not saying it was a funny joke, only that it didn't need to be analyzed and refuted.

I was also trying to subtly comment on your recent string of inflammatory posts in GT without being confrontational about it.

I don't think you understand. You must never disrespect Lord Jackal. He will dispute anything you say against him, right or wrong.

Hehe, Nick trying to be funny, we haven't seen that one before. No siree.

If my posts are that inflamatory and you're that concerned, there are people there to handle that. Without it being confrontational. Might I suggest you actually talk to them?

I'm not saying it was a funny joke, only that it didn't need to be analyzed and refuted.

I was also trying to subtly comment on your recent string of inflammatory posts in GT without being confrontational about it.

I don't think you understand. You must never disrespect Lord Jackal. He will dispute anything you say against him, right or wrong.

I do understand that and I think you've attempted to remind me of that before .

I just find it tiring when the top five threads in GT have turned into arguments between Jackal and a random forum member, and I really don't think that warrants me whining to a moderator.

Arguments? I call them discussions. First you called them inflammatory. I didn't even flame anyone, hell, I didn't even post something rude regarding Nick's hilarious post in this thread.

Show me a post that's "inflammatory" and I'll say sorry.

I'm not saying it was a funny joke, only that it didn't need to be analyzed and refuted.

I was also trying to subtly comment on your recent string of inflammatory posts in GT without being confrontational about it.

I don't think you understand. You must never disrespect Lord Jackal. He will dispute anything you say against him, right or wrong.

I do understand that and I think you've attempted to remind me of that before .

Have i? I don't remember that. Well i'll be damned.

Hehe, Nick trying to be funny, we haven't seen that one before. No siree.

How did i do? Did i do okay? Do you rate me? Please accept me!

Better than any iPod? Are you on crack or something?

The iPod is a fashion statement. Piss off with your Apple cocksucking, there are better MP3 Players out there that don't force you to work with iTunes.

I think that qualifies as a flame rather than constructive criticism.

I like the principle behind jeet kune do...which is as art tailored for each individual. A guy my size can never be able to do van damme kicks and tumbles.

The last comment makes me ask this...how many fights have you been in?

no "street" fights if that what you mean.......but if i was, it's anything goes. If i got the chance i'd deffinately kick in the balls, eye gouge, punch the kidneys and perhaps even break a knee cap or some twisted shit like that.

You see, over here street fights are mostly initiated by groups (mostly of ages 8-22) who are looking to beat people up. Believe me they don't stop when your on the ground unconcious bleeding...they'll still kick your head in. They don't care that your 50, or that your walking with your GF or minding your own business. There's been a few deaths because of bashings like this.

I like the principle behind jeet kune do...which is as art tailored for each individual. A guy my size can never be able to do van damme kicks and tumbles.

yeah so do i. it has its roots in Bruce Lee, who always liked the philosophy of being like water:

Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water my friend.

Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way round or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.

It's more about taking what your opponent is giving you and using it to your advantage.