I like this, your words have given me alot to think about. When I see me teachers and they tell me that I'm wrong, I will be more grateful for this advice as that is why they are teaching me...to learn and get better
We stand on the shoulders of giants that have gone before us. When we identify issues/ mistakes/ training errors of the past generations then we should remove them for future generations so that rather than repeat the errors we correct them. Just like our predecessors did for us.
Sparring or free-fighting is a training method widely used in martial arts, but it's a training method. It's not actual life or death combat, although I've seen people get seriously injured and known people who got killed (albeit unintentionally). That can happen when the "players" are over enthusiatic and lack proper control, or by an unlucky set of circumstances. I spent 15 years of regular intense sparring when I was younger, there are many benefits to that type of practice, e.g. developing stamina, conditioning the body to withstand several types of hard hits, testing techniques learnt in forms or similar routine practices, improving speed of movement and balance on the move; above all the development of listening skills to "read the intent" of your opponent.
I know him in person and I can tell that he is very effective. One time he bit me up with one hand while he was just giving and explanation. I like to feel how he can control my body. I felf completely out of control when I felt his power. The thing is that he practiced the right way.
MMA as a "self-defence system", is that when you are on the ground in a "non-tournament" situation, there is no referee to prevent anyone else from interfering - AND if a guy has a hidden blade or such, it is difficult to avoid getting cut or stabbed in such close quarters.
I agree with the idea that masters need to exchange information BUT a very big mistake is to have an intellectual and verbal criticism without being able to back it up physically. That weakens and dilutes martial arts. Have your opinion but be able to show that it has merit.
Sparring is a training method and nothing more than that. It is fundamental to training especially if you want to use your martial art as a method of real fighting and defence However - Only real is real and training is training for real
Something happened there... it was supposed to start: the biggest weakness of MMA as a "self-defence system". It stands to reason that other martial arts, have other weaknesses. That being said; it is often brought up that this or that MMA superstar could beat, this or that martial artist. I don't see the point, however.. these guys train much more extensively and intensively that most anyone else involved in "fighting art", so obviously they have an edge right there.
I am so glad he said that about Ground Fighting. I always carry a gun and an automatic knife I would love to see a guy try to fight me in the ground. Even if I know the law and I know that I have a license for that I would avoid the fight but I wouldn't lose my life for not defending myself. The opponent want to kill me or hurt me really band. I am not even a good fighter compared to George Xiu. Compared to him, I am a 8 year old girl.
Groundfighting is important, in this day and age - always, for self defence purposes. But it wasn't so important for conquering neighbouring states. And really, if we're being really honest, if MMA was genuinely no rules, its flaovur would be quite different - no one would stand and grapple if they could help it, because of the dangers. Sure, many fights go to the ground in the 'street'- but maybe only because the participants are either too useless to avoid it - or take advantage?
If there were modern day communities or tribes of people, who trained different styles/schools of martial arts, with the sole purpose of killing others in melee combat, or be killed themselves - then, maybe, these "Fighter X vs Fighter Y" types of scenarios would have some hypothetical value, but in my immediate opinion: nobody today trains melee figting for the sake of dedicating their lives to mortal combat, in some form or other. So the last "step" is always an extrapolation-i.e. speculation
Mixjourneyman, first of all, you shouldn't compare a massive, muscled, UFC fighter with a tiny slender Asian fighter, because that's silly. It tells you nothing about the techniques. If you make it slender UFC figher v slender Asian fighter, then the odds change considerably. Then if you make it genuinely no rules, well, sure, either one could gauge or nut kick - but would you be so sure of betting your mortgage on the UFC fighter? Would you be completely certain he must win in that scenario?
Good interview!!! He told a lot of TRUTH!!!
I like this, your words have given me alot to think about. When I see me teachers and they tell me that I'm wrong, I will be more grateful for this advice as that is why they are teaching me...to learn and get better
Number one most important thing is one needs a good teacher. He is correct!
We stand on the shoulders of giants that have gone before us.
When we identify issues/ mistakes/ training errors of the past generations
then we should remove them for future generations
so that rather than repeat the errors we correct them.
Just like our predecessors did for us.
What he says about sparring is what I think about Chi-Sao. Thank you for the insight.
Sparring or free-fighting is a training method widely used in martial arts, but it's a training method. It's not actual life or death combat, although I've seen people get seriously injured and known people who got killed (albeit unintentionally). That can happen when the "players" are over enthusiatic and lack proper control, or by an unlucky set of circumstances.
I spent 15 years of regular intense sparring when I was younger, there are many benefits to that type of practice, e.g. developing stamina, conditioning the body to withstand several types of hard hits, testing techniques learnt in forms or similar routine practices, improving speed of movement and balance on the move; above all the development of listening skills to "read the intent" of your opponent.
I have trained with master Xu many times....and you are correct 100%
I know him in person and I can tell that he is very effective. One time he bit me up with one hand while he was just giving and explanation. I like to feel how he can control my body. I felf completely out of control when I felt his power.
The thing is that he practiced the right way.
MMA as a "self-defence system", is that when you are on the ground in a "non-tournament" situation, there is no referee to prevent anyone else from interfering - AND if a guy has a hidden blade or such, it is difficult to avoid getting cut or stabbed in such close quarters.
Scott,you studied with George Xu? That's cool
Why did you move out of S.F.? How's Greg doing?
I’ve noticed that sparring too early cements bad habits 🎃
I heard someone said , in South Africa, the teller of truth has no friends
Wise council indeed.
great master very open minded very good =)
I agree with the idea that masters need to exchange information BUT a very big mistake is to have an intellectual and verbal criticism without being able to back it up physically. That weakens and dilutes martial arts. Have your opinion but be able to show that it has merit.
Sparring is a training method and nothing more than that.
It is fundamental to training especially if you want to use your martial art as a method of real fighting and defence
However - Only real is real and training is training for real
Something happened there... it was supposed to start: the biggest weakness of MMA as a "self-defence system".
It stands to reason that other martial arts, have other weaknesses. That being said; it is often brought up that this or that MMA superstar could beat, this or that martial artist. I don't see the point, however.. these guys train much more extensively and intensively that most anyone else involved in "fighting art", so obviously they have an edge right there.
I am so glad he said that about Ground Fighting. I always carry a gun and an automatic knife I would love to see a guy try to fight me in the ground. Even if I know the law and I know that I have a license for that I would avoid the fight but I wouldn't lose my life for not defending myself. The opponent want to kill me or hurt me really band. I am not even a good fighter compared to George Xiu. Compared to him, I am a 8 year old girl.
Groundfighting is important, in this day and age - always, for self defence purposes. But it wasn't so important for conquering neighbouring states. And really, if we're being really honest, if MMA was genuinely no rules, its flaovur would be quite different - no one would stand and grapple if they could help it, because of the dangers. Sure, many fights go to the ground in the 'street'- but maybe only because the participants are either too useless to avoid it - or take advantage?
If there were modern day communities or tribes of people, who trained different styles/schools of martial arts, with the sole purpose of killing others in melee combat, or be killed themselves - then, maybe, these "Fighter X vs Fighter Y" types of scenarios would have some hypothetical value, but in my immediate opinion: nobody today trains melee figting for the sake of dedicating their lives to mortal combat, in some form or other. So the last "step" is always an extrapolation-i.e. speculation
Mixjourneyman, first of all, you shouldn't compare a massive, muscled, UFC fighter with a tiny slender Asian fighter, because that's silly. It tells you nothing about the techniques. If you make it slender UFC figher v slender Asian fighter, then the odds change considerably. Then if you make it genuinely no rules, well, sure, either one could gauge or nut kick - but would you be so sure of betting your mortgage on the UFC fighter? Would you be completely certain he must win in that scenario?
he would certainly have a better chance of winning than before.