I think what you may have seen was a Vale Tudo class, my school teaches BJJ, Submission fighting and Vale Tudo. But I think that Gi and no Gi, Jiu Jitsu/submission fighting is a great place to start then move on to Mauy Thai, or kick boxing, I feel the former is more effective. I don't think it is effective to kick above the waist in a street fight or in the cage. There is just too much that can go wrong.