UseoForce

But a samurai who used modern training methods would be better than the other samurai. Case and point: Kano's judo defeated jiu-jitsu in countless challenges. Why? The training methods. I'd also like to add that MMA fighters win street fights all the time. Do a few internet searches, see for yourself. I'm not saying Bruce would have won or lost, I'm saying the logic you used to get to your initial conclusion was flawed.

This has been debated many times and has proven to be incorrect. I would suspect your lack of faith in MMA comes from inexperience in MMA training, and you probably haven't watched very many fights. That's okay. A lot of people start out that way. I did. But I learned Even when these rules did not exist, traditionalists did not fare well in early UFC or Brazilian Vale Tudo. The early UFC's only banned gouging and biting, and vale tudo often had no rules. It has nothing to do with these "vital points." Traditional arts would (and do) do great in the UFC if they adopt modern, hardcore physical training methods (limited rules heavy-contact sparring and grappling). Think about it: Kickboxing contains the techniques of many traditional martial arts, but it remains highly effective in the Octagon because of its rigorous training methods. The same basic principle applies to boxing, Thai boxing, wrestling, BJJ, Judo, and Sambo. These arts are all effective in the Octagon because of their tough training methods. This is the paradox of martial arts few people understand. The effectiveness of a martial art in combat is not determined by its techniques, but rather by it's training methods. It doesn't matter if I know 1000 ultra-deadly techniques. If I can't apply them against a resisting opponent under pressure, they are useless. The only way to be sure of your ability to apply these techniques is to practice them against an actively resisting opponent. This does not mean that vital point strikes are useless, but their effectiveness and decisiveness is highly exaggerated. I been hit in the groin, bit, and eye gouged while sparring and have yet to be debilitated by any of these. Furthermore, a grappler (wrestler, BJJ player, judoka) used to fighting with an actively resisting opponent will be able to put himself into a position where he is invulnerable to most of these foul techniques while being able to apply them to his opponent at ease. By the way, Bruce Lee was the antithesis of a traditionalist. He believed as I believe. Read the Tao of JKD. In his 16 Facts of JKD: "9. All-out sparring and actual contact training on moving targets."

Bruce could punch through a wall, his punches were so good. I don't think the gloves would hurt him much. lol at punches being affected by MMA gloves. Watch some UFC fights, you may want to rethink that.

6'6'' ! Cool

I THINK I'm somewhere in the 26-28in range.

Wouldn't this be inaccuarte? This is wingspan, not reach, correct? Wouldn't the torso width affect the measurement? You could have short arms but a barrel chest and still get a high measurement.

Yes, amateur wrestling is good. The lack of strikes is not a big deal, it's easy to add your own striking later. The big strength arts like BJJ, Judo, boxing, kickboxing, and wrestling have over most other martial arts are their hard-core, rough and tumble training methods. You'll learn what an actual fight FEELS like. Besides, you WILL get hit in amateur wrestling. It won't be legal and it won't be pretty, but you'll get hit with heads, shoulders, hands, feet, everything in the book. I'll even generalize and say MOST (not all) amateur wrestlers are more accustomed to getting hit than MOST karatekas. Still, I'd look for BJJ, Judo, or Sambo. If you can't find any of those, go for amateur wrestling.

Yes! If you are training for self-defense ("sticky situation") it is not an "option" to train in grappling. It is absolutely essential! I can't emphasize this fact enough. Again, I say: You MUST train in grappling (stand up and ground) if you want to be able to defend yourself. Otherwise, you'll get taken down by a grappler and he will beat the tar out of you, and you will be helpless. I'd be happy to help in any way in your style selection or whatever.

That's why it wasn't reinstated. Arvantis said there would have been too many rules and pankration would have been diluted. However, that was before the UFC became popular, so in the future in might have another chance.

Well deserved indeed, if a bit belated...

What are yours?

It should also be noted that there is modern pankration/pancrase, and also historical pankration. My original post referred to historical. The modern sort is very similar to MMA with a few different rules.

Do all sorts of internet searches, that's how I found the school that I'm at now.

lol

I knew these would come up in this thread eventually...

We can also backtrack from the evolution of many medieval styles which we have ample documentation about.

I love Pankration, though I have never had the oppurtunity to practice it for myself. It is the style of of fighting practiced by the gladiators of ancient Greco-Rome. Specifics of the style vary by region, but it would have resembled modern MMA closely. In fact, historical evidence (paintings, writings etc.) depict pankraists (I think that's how you say it, can't quite remember) using Jiu-jitsu style grappling (including a "guard" type position) and striking similar to kickboxing/ Muay Thai. Many historians, and myself, believe that pankraists from Alexander the Great's armies spread the seeds of classical Asian martial arts. The technical similarities are incredible.

Personally, I think handshakes or glove taps or more than sufficient.

The advantages and disadvantages of certain types of bowing...? Personally, at my school, I'm head up. NEVER take eyes off opponent. But it is very trivial in the grand scheme of my school/art.

Basics of Losing Weight: -Find your base metabolic rate and create a calorie deficit. If you don't know what the heck I'm talking about, Google will explain it nicely -Eat more SMALL meals throughout the day rather than 3 big meals. This keeps your metabolism high, prevents you from gorging, and prevents catabolism of your muscles. - Shoot for something like 40% Carbs, 30% Fat, and 30% Protein (in terms of calories). Since your lifting weights, I'd say 40% Carbs, 40% protein, and 20% Fat. The exact percentage is not a big deal, just get away from the 60% Carbs, 30% Fat, 10% protein that I'd figure the average American is at. - Do cardio often and for at least 15 minutes. During the first 10 minutes or so of cardio, your body burns glycogen, not fat, so you want to make sure you spend some time in the fat burning zone. - DON'T DRINK CALORIES! Drink water, or some sort of LIGHTLY flavored water if you have to. - DON'T DRINK POP!!! It is useless high-density sugar. You'll notice after quitting pop (after a week or so) you'll start to feel better. At least I did. Pop made me feel like crap. -Don't eat any empty calories. Basically, don't eat anything that is pure sugar or pure saturated fat. Before you eat something, ask yourself, "Is this going to provide me with nutrients I need?" - Keep lifting weights. In your present condition, you may be one of the lucky people who can gain muscle while losing fat. Even if you can't, lifting weights will slow the loss of muscle tissue. - Get some whey protein you can use to add to your meals whenever you need more protein. -Here's the good part: Once a week, have a meal where you cheat. Eat like a huge bowl of ice cream or have a milshake. Sorry, I'm craving ice cream right now! -NEVER GIVE UP! I used to be overweight and I lost 30lbs, and now have gained some weight back in the form of solid muscle. I feel great, and every one of my efforts has been worth it.

The only thing Chuck has to be worried about is being overconfident/unfocused. Chuck is an incredibly gifted fighter (But don't tell Xyience that). He used to have poor cardio, but that's not a problem anymore. People say he is weak on the ground, but is totally unsubstantiated. Just because he chooses NOT to fight there doesn't mean he CAN'T fight there. I've said it time and time again: It's Chuck's amazing counter-grappling skills that make him an awesome striker. He can throw bombs without fear of being taken down. Chuck's own ground/wrestling skills are top notch, and as long as Chuck stays focused, he has nothing to fear.

I'd have to disagree about Sapp beating Sylvia, but other than that, you're right on Sohan.

Well, Bruce Lee was a mixed martial artist, but the idea of being confined by rules wouldn't sit well with him, IMO. It's hard to imagine him doing something he didn't really believe in. As for anyone else, the same rules apply to them as anyone else: OFFICIAL KEYS TO SUCCESS IN MMA -Knowledge in all 3 types of fighting (free movement, clinch, ground) -Realistic training methods -Physical conditioning/nutrition -Desire, focus, and general mental conditioning ...I think that's about it! If you neglect any one aspect, you will lose, and the "old legends" are no exception.

I just recently read an interview of a Machado (can't remember which one) and he spoke very highly of Norris.

Just "getting bigger" won't help low back pain. In fact, it will probably make it worse. I suggest good mornings and deadlifts.