To me the hands-down thing has always been off-putting for self-defense--I know people say they'll fight differently on the street vs. sport, but I'm of the mind that you should train how you'll fight (unless you're in it mostly just for the sport, which is great).
For the record I didn't mean you I have a fair bit of respect for you from talking to you here, I know you can "walk the walk" regardless of whether you agree with me
I'm sure part of it is how I think, but imo it's the better way to approach striking. I don't differentiate between sport and martial art.