I'm going to keep this as "less-hasteful" as possible...
Well actually, since you obviously have not read my introduction to "Martial Talk", i've been studying martial arts for over 16 years, beginning with traditional JuJitsu and have been in the US Military.
Yes, hand to hand fighting is something that we must learn, even though most military systems are garbage compared to other things; but also keep in mind that us military guys get into a LOT, and I mean, A LOT of fights with each other, and with the locals getting angry and froggy because we either just stole their woman away from them or have all the women wanting us and not them.
I didn't get involved with the bar scene, but I do think that it is quite hilarious that these 'pros' try to get antsie before getting knocked on their *** and getting slammed under a bar-stool, before getting their 10-20 buddies involved, just before we get nearly our entire unit or unit supports involved. It's a game that the locals' have never been able to win.
I earned my 1st Dan in Jujitsu at age 16. I've never used it in the ring, and don't really plan on it either. With that being said, I've been practicing martial arts and fighting since I was 5 years old, and now have over 16 years of experience with it.
I don't know your life story, but i'm assuming that because of where your profile says that you live, you've been in some real street brawls yourself.
Well, I have as well. I haven't been in "500 fights" or nothin, but I do have my fair share. Believe me.
I've been in many street encounters (fights) where i'd only used the little I learned from Okinawan Karate, and the rest that i'd learned in Jujitsu, boxing, and judo and have not lost a fight by doing so.
I tried to forget all of that when I was in boxing, tried to use boxing-only, and got my *** handed to me by those smaller and those much, much bigger. Actually, when I was 15, I fought a 17 year old that was 6'5 and some-300lbs. Let's just say that because I used boxing-only, I should have gone to the hospital... but didn't.
Thankfully, what i've learned in EPAK, i've never had to use...
Again, I do resent that comment, as you really do not know my entire life story as I do not know anything about yours.
Sure, I competed in ring events when I was a teenager growing up; but it's not my bread and butter. Actually, growing up, my life consisted in backyard redneck fights where there were no rules (except for the old, "Just don't kill each other! speech". No police were there to get involved (the closest 'police officer' was about 5+ miles away). Getting the police involved was considered 'taboo' and if anyone would've done so, they would've been outcasted and picked on their entire child hood. Hell, the police from where I grew up, at the time, didn't really care about us 'being boys'! We actually had a club growing up called, "The Redneck Fire Club"; obviously a private fight club. Keep in mind that this wasn't just a 'white boys' club; this was a club for us kids of all races. We didn't care what color skin you had, as it's was and is still irrelavent to WHO YOU ARE.
Most of the kids involved were the kids around the block, and from our football teams. In fact, many of the ol'boys from the old "Redneck Fire Club" still gets together and dukes it out during drunken nights of sitting infront of the old fire pit. Keep in mind that we didn't even know about UFC or any other sports event when we were kids, except for professional boxing. We emulated the old timers from many different era's (that we knew about by watching what our fathers wanted to watch with only 1 TV in the house) from Lennox Lewis, Oscar De La Hoya, Roy Jones, Evander Holifield, to watching old films from Jack Dempsy, Rocky Marciano, Muhammad Ali, and the liking. A lot of times we'd wear gloves, but of course, we were too poor to constantly afford a good pair of gloves (hell, barely running water for that matter), never had the proper protective equipment (such as headgear) except for the mouthpieces we'd get in football.
If we got kicked, we got kicked. If we got rabbit-punched, we got rabbit-punched. If we got head-butted, we got head-butted. If we got some teeth knocked out, or a bad cut.. well, you know the rest.
A lot of our fathers would actually watch us while drinking and would even bet on who would win with real cash. They'd even fight against each other over mere competition, or because of the fact that they were butt-hurt that their son lost. What a funny sight THAT was..
My father would actually whoop my *** given that I lost the fight, or especially if I refused to fight. It was non-negotiable.
When we were kids, if we lost a fight, we'd keep coming back for more until we finally won a victory; whether in the street or in the back yard, it didn't matter and we didn't care WHO you were. If you're Chuck Liddel, or Brock Lesnar, expect to get knocked out
eventually. We're all the same way we used to be when we were kids, except for the fact that we're men today, and are far more 'laxed.
The biggest difference from then to now, is the fact that when we were growing up, 'the gloves' came off many, many times... I think i'll let you figure out what i'm saying.
I know for a fact that if I face someone on the street today that doesn't have at least the same amount of training and experience as I do and doesn't have the same aggressive drive and motivation in a fight (such as us poor boys do); I will hold my own in a fight. Also, take into account that I grew up in many bad areas (New York isn't the only place that has a HOOD), such as the projects, and was quite a very daring wild child. It's a wonder why I don't have a criminal record.
As I have learned that fighting is a last-resort thing, it's a reality that we all must face eventually. If you don't, then more power to you (really); but I would prefer to be better prepared for it.
Now back to the origional topic. In an attempt to correct everyone.. from what i've seen and heard; Machida has developed his own Karate system that has been approved by some japanese organization on Karate (I do forget the name), and is about to open up a school in Los Angeles (from what i've heard). Yes, it's based on the Shotokan system.
This could be me falling for false advertisement.. but what if it's not?
If not, i'm going to be studying under ANOTHER MMA Legend.
I've been very fortunate when it comes to training under legends and superstars. Some find that it's such a 'great deal'; but once you do it, it really isn't.
I've trained under the Gracies, under the Machado family, under Saekson Janjira, under Mark Hatmaker, Eddie Bravo, and have trained with Chuck Norris. Living in Dallas, Texas has plenty advantages
especially when you're in the Security/Law Enforcement field.
So the book that's out (Machida-Do) is only a gimmic to the real thing.
I'd accuse it as being simply, 'an advertisement'.
If anyone else has something to say, please provide some reason/justification and/or proof. :shrug:
Thanks!!
