Martial Arts versus Prize Fighters
Folks,
Now I hate to lay this on you so late. After all, I am writing this post with my Homer Simpson pajamas on. But what can I tell you, I keep it old school!! I will give you ten points if you can tell me what Homer Simpson's middle name is.......Okay that is off topic. I am here to speak on this whole traditional martial arts versus boxing and mixed martial arts debate. Now, to me this is kind of a no-brainer. But to the newbies out there, or mixed martial artist wanna-bes, I got something for you. Just for you actually. Aww heck, why dont I throw in something for the close minded traditionalist as well :)
The fact is, this a ludicrous debate. While some people are in love with the sweet science, others are just as passionate about the traditional martial arts. Some martial artists say that boxing is nothing more than a fighting style, while boxers can tell you that boxing made them better people outside of the ring. So who is right? They both are.
While the mixed martial arts competitions are gaining popularity, it is still a niche sport. It is still seen by most of the American public in the same light as the X-games, or other types of extreme sports. That is just fine with me. The fact is that the term mixed martial arts can be misleading. Martial artists are often seen as people who are looking to improve their life using the benefits of the traditional martial arts. While that does fit SOME of the mixed martial artists in competition, it is the exception to the rule, and not the rule itself. Most people who get into mixed martial arts are sports competitors. With the aggressive marketing by mixed martial arts companies, their is the allure of money,fame, and (dare I say) ample attention from the opposite sex. In short, these folks are prize fighters. Those who exhibit the traits of traditional martial artists are far and few in between. Some examples would be: Anderson Silva, Rich Franklin, Frank Shamrock, Kazushi Sakuraba and Randy Cotoure. Now I realized that there are others, my bad if I didnt mention your name. I said that to say that most people who get into mixed martial arts now where former competitors in other sports. A huge number of mixed martial artists are ex wrestlers, rugby players etc.
Now, boxing on the other hand is a different animal. While the politics of boxing have turned many people off, it is still a THRIVING business. Let me explain. In 2007, boxing had a RECORD year in terms of revenue, and salaries paid. While admittedly, it lacks big names like Tyson,Holyfield,Leonard or Hearns, boxing is here to stay. With names like Mayweather, Jones, Trinidad, Hatton, Cotto, Calzaghe and others, boxing is still chugging along. And more importantly, boxing has history. Most people still feel that boxing champions are the baddest men in the world at their weight. While mixed martial artists scoff at the idea, the public's perception is the public's reality.
Let me show you how it all gets messy. Mixed martial artists often claim that traditional martial arts are being rendered obsolete. They claim that since no traditional martial artists are winning mixed martial arts titles, that the traditional arts dont work. Traditional artists say that there is a WORLD of difference between fighting to see who gets the belt, and who is fighting to go home to their loved ones. Traditional artists then mention that EVERY SINGLE technique that is being used in mixed martial arts comes from a traditional system. More importantly, the main 4 arts used in mixed martial arts are at LEAST 100 years old. The mixed martial artists are not superior, they are just devoting all of their time to win using certain rules.
Mixed martial artist get a little huffy and say, " Oh yeah? You can look on the internet and watch as mixed martial artists MOP THE FLOOR with your traditional guys. If the techniques are the same, why are the matches so one-sided?" Martial artists counter with"Well, once again, these are matches and not fights. Those internet matches are where two guys agree to meet at a certain place and time to fight each other. In that context the advantage lies with the mixed martial artists. Because they usually are more athletic than your average martial artist with a 9-5 job. If your entire livelihood is in fighting, you practice more than I do."
That is about the time that traditionalists jump back with this: Yeah well Anderson Silva, Georges St. Pierre and Lyoto Machida all give credit to their traditional arts backgrounds. And last time I checked, all of them are either a champion, an ex champion,and an up and comer in the ranks. So this is just another rung in the tall ladder of "mine is better than yours."
Come on folks, knock it off. If you have an athletic background, and fame, glory and notoriety havent been knocking on your door, you still have hope. If you KNOW that hitting and being hit doesnt bother you, sign on up. If you have the discipline to learn more than what you currently do, give it a try. If you can take everything that you think you know, and start over, MMA may be for you. If the roar of the crowd and the admiration of thousands make you quiver, this might be your gig. Good luck. Fame and fortune may await you!!!! You can be an MMA prizefighter.
If you are looking for something to change in your life, it is your turn. If you are looking for a path that will work your muscle and your mind, you may know just the thing. If you want to involve yourself in a fraternity/sorority that has included poor men and presidents, slackers and samurai, check out the traditional martial arts. You may not win fame and glory, but the gains can be life lasting. I have nothing but respect for anyone who partakes in a legal, sanctioned competition. Combat sports can be grueling to say the least. But they are just that, competition. While the skills learned there CAN be applicable to real self-defense, you should know the difference between real fighting and prize fighting. Prize fighting involves a referee and time limits. Real fights can involve tire irons and knives. A prize fighter knows that someone in the ring with him will not allow him to take undo punishment. A real fight can involve you and the emergency room, or worse yet, the morgue. Know the difference folks. Take your sport life seriously. Take your self defense skills even more so. One love folks!!!
Now I hate to lay this on you so late. After all, I am writing this post with my Homer Simpson pajamas on. But what can I tell you, I keep it old school!! I will give you ten points if you can tell me what Homer Simpson's middle name is.......Okay that is off topic. I am here to speak on this whole traditional martial arts versus boxing and mixed martial arts debate. Now, to me this is kind of a no-brainer. But to the newbies out there, or mixed martial artist wanna-bes, I got something for you. Just for you actually. Aww heck, why dont I throw in something for the close minded traditionalist as well :)
The fact is, this a ludicrous debate. While some people are in love with the sweet science, others are just as passionate about the traditional martial arts. Some martial artists say that boxing is nothing more than a fighting style, while boxers can tell you that boxing made them better people outside of the ring. So who is right? They both are.
While the mixed martial arts competitions are gaining popularity, it is still a niche sport. It is still seen by most of the American public in the same light as the X-games, or other types of extreme sports. That is just fine with me. The fact is that the term mixed martial arts can be misleading. Martial artists are often seen as people who are looking to improve their life using the benefits of the traditional martial arts. While that does fit SOME of the mixed martial artists in competition, it is the exception to the rule, and not the rule itself. Most people who get into mixed martial arts are sports competitors. With the aggressive marketing by mixed martial arts companies, their is the allure of money,fame, and (dare I say) ample attention from the opposite sex. In short, these folks are prize fighters. Those who exhibit the traits of traditional martial artists are far and few in between. Some examples would be: Anderson Silva, Rich Franklin, Frank Shamrock, Kazushi Sakuraba and Randy Cotoure. Now I realized that there are others, my bad if I didnt mention your name. I said that to say that most people who get into mixed martial arts now where former competitors in other sports. A huge number of mixed martial artists are ex wrestlers, rugby players etc.
Now, boxing on the other hand is a different animal. While the politics of boxing have turned many people off, it is still a THRIVING business. Let me explain. In 2007, boxing had a RECORD year in terms of revenue, and salaries paid. While admittedly, it lacks big names like Tyson,Holyfield,Leonard or Hearns, boxing is here to stay. With names like Mayweather, Jones, Trinidad, Hatton, Cotto, Calzaghe and others, boxing is still chugging along. And more importantly, boxing has history. Most people still feel that boxing champions are the baddest men in the world at their weight. While mixed martial artists scoff at the idea, the public's perception is the public's reality.
Let me show you how it all gets messy. Mixed martial artists often claim that traditional martial arts are being rendered obsolete. They claim that since no traditional martial artists are winning mixed martial arts titles, that the traditional arts dont work. Traditional artists say that there is a WORLD of difference between fighting to see who gets the belt, and who is fighting to go home to their loved ones. Traditional artists then mention that EVERY SINGLE technique that is being used in mixed martial arts comes from a traditional system. More importantly, the main 4 arts used in mixed martial arts are at LEAST 100 years old. The mixed martial artists are not superior, they are just devoting all of their time to win using certain rules.
Mixed martial artist get a little huffy and say, " Oh yeah? You can look on the internet and watch as mixed martial artists MOP THE FLOOR with your traditional guys. If the techniques are the same, why are the matches so one-sided?" Martial artists counter with"Well, once again, these are matches and not fights. Those internet matches are where two guys agree to meet at a certain place and time to fight each other. In that context the advantage lies with the mixed martial artists. Because they usually are more athletic than your average martial artist with a 9-5 job. If your entire livelihood is in fighting, you practice more than I do."
That is about the time that traditionalists jump back with this: Yeah well Anderson Silva, Georges St. Pierre and Lyoto Machida all give credit to their traditional arts backgrounds. And last time I checked, all of them are either a champion, an ex champion,and an up and comer in the ranks. So this is just another rung in the tall ladder of "mine is better than yours."
Come on folks, knock it off. If you have an athletic background, and fame, glory and notoriety havent been knocking on your door, you still have hope. If you KNOW that hitting and being hit doesnt bother you, sign on up. If you have the discipline to learn more than what you currently do, give it a try. If you can take everything that you think you know, and start over, MMA may be for you. If the roar of the crowd and the admiration of thousands make you quiver, this might be your gig. Good luck. Fame and fortune may await you!!!! You can be an MMA prizefighter.
If you are looking for something to change in your life, it is your turn. If you are looking for a path that will work your muscle and your mind, you may know just the thing. If you want to involve yourself in a fraternity/sorority that has included poor men and presidents, slackers and samurai, check out the traditional martial arts. You may not win fame and glory, but the gains can be life lasting. I have nothing but respect for anyone who partakes in a legal, sanctioned competition. Combat sports can be grueling to say the least. But they are just that, competition. While the skills learned there CAN be applicable to real self-defense, you should know the difference between real fighting and prize fighting. Prize fighting involves a referee and time limits. Real fights can involve tire irons and knives. A prize fighter knows that someone in the ring with him will not allow him to take undo punishment. A real fight can involve you and the emergency room, or worse yet, the morgue. Know the difference folks. Take your sport life seriously. Take your self defense skills even more so. One love folks!!!
posted by Anthony, freestyle kenpo teacher | 9:48 PM
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