If you could only train in 1 martial art for a fighting match, what would you choose?

[Terzo]

Inspired by the Taekwondo thread. Let's play what if.

Here is the scenario. You have accepted a challenge to fight a person in a cage match in 3 years time. Rules will be whatever UFC uses. Assume that you and your opponent will be equally matched physically. You each have no prior fighting experience, and are allowed to train in one martial art.

What would you choose? I don't really understand mma as it is, but I get the impression that grapplers had it easy against strikers until both learned to cross train. Due to that, I'm guessing top choices might be BJJ or wrestling. I also expect to see a lot of Muay Thai, Judo, certain styles of Karate, Krav Maga, and Boxing. Probably some others I'm missing.

I assume I'll hear TKD as well, but quite frankly it seems that most fighters give it little or no credence as a usable fighting style.

 

[guyver01]

Jeet Kune Do.

When i trained, we learned grappling, weapons combat as well as martial arts combat.

 

[joesmoke]

Jeet Kune Do.

When i trained, we learned grappling, weapons combat as well as martial arts combat.

actually, this exactly

 

[Perknose]

FuckYew, the ancient occidental art of verbal abuse.

 

[guyver01]

actually, this exactly

my instructor was badass... he was trained by Danny Inosanto.

When we started Kali training, he told us:
"With the strikes i will show you, always aim for a point between a joint. If the opponents arm is broken.. he cant punch you. If the opponents leg is broken.. he cant kick you. If the opponents jaw is broken... he cant tell you to stop"

 

[TheNinja]

BJJ. Haven't you watched the early UFCs? Royce knew BJJ only, had HORRIBLE standup. Yet took on people from other arts like kickboxing, wrestling, or karate. Granted many opponents were hand picked, but still. I would not just want a standup art like boxing, b/c many fights end up on the ground. Or maybe wrestling. You can control the guy on the ground. Without any striking knowledge at all most people still know how to punch someone else from full mount.....school yard style

 

[Terzo]

I don't really know much about JKD, but it sounds like a damn good answer. From some quick researching it sounds like MMA as a style.

 

[Russwinters]

Well, I already have pretty good experience with Jiu Jitsu, and kick boxing.


So I would probably go with Sambo.

 

[zinfamous]

Jeet Kun Do?

what do I win?



whoa! I'm late!

 

[KeithTalent]

FuckYew, the ancient occidental art of verbal abuse.

Is that Scottish? :hmm:

I always thought Jiu-Jitsu sounded cool.

KT

 

[joesmoke]

my instructor was badass... he was trained by Danny Inosanto.

When we started Kali training, he told us:
"With the strikes i will show you, always aim for a point between a joint. If the opponents arm is broken.. he cant punch you. If the opponents leg is broken.. he cant kick you. If the opponents jaw is broken... he cant tell you to stop"

now thats practical application!

nice. mine was the student of one of Inosantos students. it defnintely produces badasses, and brings out the "badass in you" in record time. my first class after he explained some of the basic principles behind it then had me apply them while sparring him... i was hooked. has definitely changed the outcome of a few "sticky situations" ive been in.

actually, the only problem with jkd in the ring is that a lot of those heavily trained movements (eye jab, scoop kick, etc) arent allowed.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

Krav Maga

 

[TruePaige]

Vulcan.

I go for your neck. You are dead!

 

[ElFenix]

FuckYew, the ancient occidental art of verbal abuse.

You know, Scotland has its own martial arts. Yeah, it's called Fuck You. It's mostly just head butting and then kicking people when they're on the ground.

..

 

[dennilfloss]

Krav Maga :sneaky:

 

[BoberFett]

You know, Scotland has its own martial arts. Yeah, it's called Fuck You. It's mostly just head butting and then kicking people when they're on the ground.

 

[mattpegher]

Sort of an artificial question because brazilian ju-jitsu, which has been winning all the ufc, is a mixed martial art by history. JKD was also not a classic style, as it evolved from Lee's experimentation with the art.
Clearly the history of UFC has shown that for open hand techniques, grappling is important, as are joint locks. Weapons would certainly not play a role in any approved match as it is impossible to spar openly without serious dangers. (Matioshi Kobu-jitsu is the only formal weapons style that I have run into that teaches weapons the same way as open hand techniques are taught).
As for ancient styles, Aikido and Kung fu are a few of the first to formalize grappling in an attempt to kill or mame.(wrestling styles were always taught only to subdue).
If I had to choose for a ring match UFC style I would mostlikely go for brazilian ju-jitsu, but again that is not an ancient style, and has been modified specifically for sports not self defense.
For self defense, I prefer a mix of Ishenryu, Matioshi Kobu-jitsu, and Aikido, because of the formal teaching style and the bunkai.

 

[Spineshank]

Okinowan Kempo (which I am a black belt in anyhow). Reason being is because its very well rounded.

Id be interested in taking Krav Maga though.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

BJJ or Sambo if it's a match in a cage. Stand up is important but most matches end up on the ground. Especially if you're in a cage. You can't move around like you would on an open mat or use the ropes in a ring.

I'd go with Krav if you're going for straight self defense.

 

[thecrecarc]

gun-fu

 

[Greenman]

I challenge you to a duel!
Choose your weapon!

Hand to hand combat in three years!


Should have just told him "tampons at five paces".

 

[sourceninja]

This is an impossible task. I would need to know who I was fighting to know what to train.


For example, if I pick bjj, what if my opponent was a top ranked bjj player. In 3 years I won't even come close to having the skills to beat him.

Assuming equal skill and a unknown fighter I would pick wrestling. Sprawl and brawl is the top working tactic in most low end pro and high end amateur mma today. I've probably judged at least 100 fights by now and I've watched every single UFC, Pride, dream, kotc, wec, ifl, etc match and every local show in driving distance and that is what works the most.

 

[waggy]

This is an impossible task. I would need to know who I was fighting to know what to train.


For example, if I pick bjj, what if my opponent was a top ranked bjj player. In 3 years I won't even come close to having the skills to beat him.

Assuming equal skill and a unknown fighter I would pick wrestling. Sprawl and brawl is the top working tactic in most low end pro and high end amateur mma today. I've probably judged at least 100 fights by now and I've watched every single UFC, Pride, dream, kotc, wec, ifl, etc match and every local show in driving distance and that is what works the most.

this. A good wrestler can nulify a good BJJ and striker. nto to mention stay on top do some GNP.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I'd just go train with some navy seals... :sneaky:

 

[Cattlegod]

Rex Kwon Do