WolverineGuy

I didn't, my school was closed for the holidays...wish I'd been able to though. Oy I hate missing.

I was in eighth grade...got into a fight, got my butt whooped, and my mom shoved me into San Chin Ryu. Been with one MA or another ever since.

Never too old to start. And since you already have some background, that makes it even better. Welcome to the forum.

Well...you could look at it that way, but you've got to make it accessible as well

Agreed. I have been in quite a few different MAs, and none have had bowing in any context other than respect to the instructor/master instructor.

Agreed. I have been in quite a few different MAs, and none have had bowing in any context other than respect to the instructor/master instructor.

Its a good thing, then, for Sakuraba, that you and your fourteen year old self aren't in PrideFC. The gracies, once again, don't make any such claims. They have a great self defense system, they've proven it on the street and in the ring. I find it wonderful how certain people on this board seem to think that they could take an awful lot of these fighters who are considered among the top in their games...especially the people on this board that have yet to have an MMA match.

There are styles which will better prepare you for the situations than others though. It all depends on the completeness of the art. BJJ succeeded so much because, while there was a gaping hole in their striking game, the strikers were not used to fighting on the ground at all. This gives the BJJ student an advantage in two out of three phases of fighting: the clinch and the ground. Grappling specific arts such as BJJ aren't superior to, say, karate, but they did open the door for other arts to see what they were lacking.

While I'm usually going to side with the grappler in that scenario, that is not always the case. I've seen quite a few instances where a striker simply pounded on the grappler. Filopovic of the PrideFC is a good example of a pure striker who is almost unbeatable (he did lose his last fight to a grappler). But he's knocked out SEVERAL. So the grappler does not ALWAYS have the advantage...its whoever has the best timing and strategy.

there's turning the other cheek, and then there's defending yourself and family. Big difference.

My point exactly.

Let me put it to you this way: a karateka would not fight a BJJ student in a grappling tournament, nor would a BJJ student fight in a karate tournament, because its playing to the OTHER'S strengths. Neither tournament is well rounded. To say that a BJJ student isn't well rounded because he isn't going to win against a striker is absurd, because the karateka focuses more of his time on that aspect of fighting. The same holds true for the opposite. A no holds barred tournament, while still not a self defense situation due to the rules of the sport, is still a better playing field for who is more well rounded, because only the well rounded fighter is going to win.

Kewl...I was thinking 30 or 40. Thanks for the input...anyone else?

But NHB is certainly a better judge than a karate tournament, because more techniques from all sides are allowed than in the karate tournament.

What do you think would be fair to charge per month for two classes per week?

I'm not quite sure what that story had to do with the question... But you're not too old.

I know that in Michigan, you are required to retreat if possible, unless you are at your own home. As for what is considered self defense, it was covered earlier...you need to have reasonable cause for any damage you do to your aggresor. (2 g's. )

So you're saying YOU could take Sakuraba?

Filopovic is probably the best kickboxer (I think that's his name...he fights in Pride). Rickson Gracie is a badass too. I dunno, lotsa guys can make a pretty good claim for it, but it all depends on the rules with which they fight. I assume you mean MMA fighter, that is currently at the top of his game, not someone from the past.

Jesus guys, chill out.

Backfist reverse punch...that's probably what I score my most points on. Inward Crescent kick/Side kick with the same leg is good, but don't use it TOO often.

The Gracies beat Team Japan at Pride: Bushido. And the pro wrestler that you speak of was a prominant submission artist. He's a good fighter. I'd like to see how well you would fare against any of the Gracies. The fact that you know so little about what you are talking about is laughable.

Well, the point sparring is hard to say...I've judged a few tournaments, and sometimes you miss things. As for the kata...apparantly your judge was a bit misinformed about what kind of tournament it was...sad state of affairs indeed. Ah well, don't get discouraged, its happened to everyone

*LOL* Where the heck was THAT at?

Happy holidays everyone!