However, a million dollar question arises; does MMA make a formidable defense system? Analyzing street encounters of a few MMA fighters and the number of incidents coming across the news feed, one can give a resounding “yes” as an answer. Someone trained in MMA has the advantage over their oponents should they find themselves needing to defend themselves, in the street, ally or any where else you may run into agressors.
So what does make MMA such a lethal and effectual form of martial arts? Listed below are the top 10 reasons that will provide you an in-sight into the techniques and forms of MMA that reinforce your self defense mechanisms. Amateurs and professionals alike should tweak their training approach when it comes to self-defense.
1. Realistic Techniques Training– During a street fight mostly the opponent is non-compliant and aggressive therefore is only focused on bringing about maximum damage to you only. This is where the MMA training gets handy and the exposure to a controlled environment trains you for real life scenarios. A combat athlete practices his or her kicks, blocks, punches, takedowns and grappling techniques in the ring and can easily exploit an overly aggressive opponent.
2. Superior Strength and Training – As MMA is a full contact combat sport, competing and winning a fight requires you to be in top-notch shape. The stress factor against other competent fighters is intense during a fight and only fighters with superior levels of strength, speed and determination can endure this pressure. This trains those individual for real life situations where essential element to survive a violent encounter is being faster, stronger and outlasting your opponent.
3. MMA fighters are mentally prepared – Fighting is a rough business and often it takes a physical and psychological toll on the people engaged in a fight, whether in ring or out on the street. Therefore, repeated exposure of an MMA fighter to these stressful situations prepares him to handle pressure more effectively. As MMA fighters train in a regulated environment, they are more experienced and have a distinct advantage over in-experienced people when dealing with real life, full contact violence.
4. Guarding yourself when attacked – Before engaging in a fight, it’s highly likely that you are attacked and the first to fall. Therefore, it’s essential to know how to guard and restrict any damage to yourself. Techniques such as Arm Bar from closed guard position, Kimura from Jiu Jitsu art form and Guillotine are some highly effective techniques when executed properly by a MMA fighter. They tend to cause muscle, tendon and ligament damage and even dislocation of bones – truly lethal in self-defense.
5. Giving you an upper hand over the aggressor – Watching a UFC fight, it’s highly likely to see a fighter grab his or her opponent’s leg and simply take him down. The MMA fighters practice this particular technique and when executed in a street fight, it can end you up in a better position than the aggressor. From this ending position, you can go for other BJJ techniques such as anaconda, peruviana and others.
6. Self Defense Against Punches – Unlike boxing and kickboxing, in real life situations you don’t have any gloves to protect yourself against the punches. MMA fighters are therefore trained to evade being hit. Dodging the punches by leaning to the sides and back is effective when dealing with an aggressive opponent. This drains down his energy giving you substantial advantage over him, a punch to the jaw then can be fatal.
7. Self Defense against Kicks – Self Defense kicks are crucial to keep the aggressor away from you. While hitting a high kick can be extremely effective but an oblique kick is equally useful. Practicing this technique in the gym and rehearsing it repeatedly would automatically enable you put up a decent street fight. Wearing shoes can increase the power of the strike substantially.
8. Defending yourself against Knees and Elbows – An attacker wouldn’t really care about safety precautions and in close combat, a kick from the knee or elbow may tear the skin off the body producing heavy bleedings. MMA fighters are familiar with such life threatening situations and they can maneuver through them by stepping back or dodging.
9. Techniques are safe to apply – Most techniques in other forms of martial arts are low intensity and can be injurious to your own self without the protective gear on. However, in MMA fighters are trained to deal with more real life situations and hence be more effective in a real violent encounter.
10. Techniques applicable for a range of situations – Real attacks by an adversary are chaotic, sudden, and unexpected. Therefore, countering techniques that match a specific attack are likely to fail. MMA fighters are prone to such attacks and apply conditioned responses in such situations.
Mixed Martial Arts & Muay Thai Kickboxing are the most recommended and widely used martial arts technique for self-defense. It not only equips you with the knowledge and skill-set for defending yourself but also trains you as an individual against violent fights. However, it’s recommended that you perform these techniques in a controlled and regulated environment before stepping into the real world. OutFox MMA has been training complete beginners, intermediate students and even professional competitors. We offer intro classes, intermediate classes and advanced classes. Contact us today to find out how you can get started with your 30 Day Free Trial.