Mixed Martial Arts
MMA Today
Mixed martial arts, or MMA, primarily consists of boxing, Thai boxing, stand up wrestling, and Brazilian jiu jitsu, the best sport based martial arts in existance. But it's much more than that. MMA is a complete system that seamlessly integrates punching, kicking, knees, elbows, throws, chokes, locks, holds, and more. In addition to the complete mix of techniques, the training methods used in modern MMA are top notch. MMA can be compared to a sport version of Jeet Kune Do.
MMA vs. TMA
MMA owes much to the individual styles it draws from, but if the styles are to be complete as martial arts or systems of self defense, they also have a lot to gain from absorbing the most effective elements of MMA. What makes MMA so excellent is the realistic training necessary for competition. Many TMAs avoid sparring, claiming their techniques are too deadly for anything but prearranged drills. As a consequence, these TMA practitioners are most often easily beaten by the much better trained MMA practitioners, even if there are no eye gouges, groin kicks, and the like in MMA. This proves the fact that training methods are just as important as techniques.
MMA & Self Defense
As complete as MMA is for competition, it is not a self defense system. Although pure MMA fighters would likely do very well against unarmed attackers (and even less skilled armed attackers), there are weight classes in MMA, and the techniques that fall within the rules of the game are limiting in self defense. Eye strikes will likely work better than the boxing jab, and groin kicks will likely work better than Thai kicks in self defense.
Anyone who wants to learn realistic self defense needs to practice MMA. They need to know how to punch and avoid being punched, kick and avoid being kicked...they need to be comfortable in stand up wrestling and on the ground. They need to train against uncooperative opponents. But, they also need to add the self defense techniques that take away most size and stength advantages.
To learn the techniques and training methods that make up MMA and how to add techniques that are better for self defense, see our self defense ebook:
