Respect in MMA?

[lordtariel]

You know, you get those kind of people an any art you choose be it MMA or Traditional. Odds are, if you get a bad instructor, he's going to ingrain those habits and views on his students. If you then only have that one MMA gym in your city then it's easy to assume that everyone is that way. It's very easy to generalize.

[Treebranch]

Sorry to hear that Okimura. Ignorance is bliss and the person you spoke to is just that. Don't assume all MMA guys are like him, but I will agree that there are lots of MMA practitioners that do think that way. Let them think what they want. You should study there anyway. Learn what they have to teach and keep your good habits and philosophy that you have acquired from you previous MA training. You'll discover that you can learn what they teach quite quickly and have fun.

[bushido_man96]

Sorry to hear that Okimura. Ignorance is bliss and the person you spoke to is just that. Don't assume all MMA guys are like him, but I will agree that there are lots of MMA practitioners that do think that way. Let them think what they want. You should study there anyway. Learn what they have to teach and keep your good habits and philosophy that you have acquired from you previous MA training. You'll discover that you can learn what they teach quite quickly and have fun.

That's good advice, now that I think about it. Usually when someone comes across that way, we tend to immediately shut them out. But training under them anyway is kind of an interesting idea. I think it is a good one.

[CheekyMusician]

I've never really met many MMA guys/girls, but I've met some traditionalists who seemed to have an attitude like this guy. I met an Aikido teacher who told me Shotokan was pointless and no use in self-defence and I've even met a Shotokan instructor who told me that anyone who trains Shotokan outwith the association he is part are not proper karate-ka.

I think its best to take what people say with a large pinch of salt. I trained under that Aikido guy I mentioned and he turned out to be a bit of a plonker and so I stopped training with him, but when I trained under the Shotokan guy he turned out to be an amazing instructor, even if some of his views did seem a bit radical.

So yeah, I think you should give this guy a chance even if he seems a bit disrespectful. He might turn out to be a complete prat, but he might turn out to be a great teacher, and he's worth giving a shot despite your initial impressions, I think.

[okimura]

What you're saying is propagating an incorrect stereotype that I have yet to experience for myself.

First of all, many instructors in many styles market their particular style has the best. That's been that way for as long as anyone can remeber. Is it right? Not really, but it isn't something to get upset about.

As for respect, I've experienced nothing but respect from 99.9% of the mixed martial artists/jiu-jitsu players I've worked with. I wish I could say my experience with traditional arts has been as good.

The difference is MMA/jiu-jitsu guys don't have a lot of formalities. That doesn't make it any less respectful!

Before every sparring match in my school, we touch gloves or shake hands. At the the end, we laugh about what we did wrong and give eachother advice. Heck, pro guys usually hug after a bout! It's all very open. There is no artificial respect built into the mixed martial arts, but there is very genuine respect present.

Now I didn't mean to stereotype. I'm not saying that all MMA people are like this. I'm saying, the ones that I have encountered have made a bad impression on me.

Anyway, having started in an aikido dojo where etiquette was emphasized, I consider it very important. If you don't respect your partners, they definately won't want to train with you. Touching gloves, shaking hands, bowing, whatever the gesture, I'm sure you'll agree, should still be there.

The MMA guys that came to my old gym, some would use one of these gestures and some wouldn't. One guy in particular stands out, let's call him George. He and I were sparring. Now I don't even know why my instructor put us together, because George was bigger, stronger, taller, and much much more experienced. And this guy punished me. He really unloaded on me. There wasn't much I could do. My instructor kept shouting at him, "George, keep it light! Keep it light!" but he didn't. This is the lack of respect I'm talking about.

[Jacob]

Sounds like George and his instructor were using you for a practice dummy.

IMHO, I would say go with your instincts and avoid those instructors and dojos that give you a negative feeling. There are many nice people in the martial arts for you to discover.

[bushido_man96]

Jacob: There are many nice people in the martial arts for you to discover.

You are correct, and there are a lot of them here.

[superfighter]

in my opinion, and there are always exceptions to the rule.

Its the sport Martial arts guys, eg Judo, muay tai, boxing, BJJ that have less of an attitude than say the traditionalists.

Reason being, the sport guys, spar on a regular basis.

We know our limitations, our weaknesses, our strengths. Theres also something humbling knowing that your not as tough as you thought you were. theres always someone who can kick your butt

Point sparing or no sparring, yes ive already said there are exceptions to the rule, but the traditional arts usualy involve one or the other. It is becasue of this that in my opinion. these arts lose a sense of reality. Ive heard claims of ridicolus feats which can only be achived in comic books.

Karate black belts that are always looking for fights, walking with a swagger that can only be described as pathetic.

Theres no point denying it, as martial artists, we all have a hidden desire to use the skills we have learned, to put it simply.we want to kick but.

Sport martial artists have the best of both worlds, we get our butts kicked and we kick theres aswell. Yes there are idiots aswell, some guys know there tough, and do adopt that persona. Since traditional arts are predominatly point sparing, the question always remains what if?, what if i hadnt pulled back that technique?, would it have done damage?

As a former student of Tae kwon do, i used to ask myself this everyday.

In general, sport MA guys dont need to go around proving thenmselves the whole time, we do that everyday in the gym. who cares if the local tough guy doubts what we can do?

the traditional guys dont always get that chance....

[jaymac]

Honestly, it doesnt matter what this guy thinks of the training you have. If you are interested in the Art, give it a try. If you really feel you have a bad feeling about this training hall and/or instructor, do not train there. You will find it hard to give respect and be respected.

[FunSPE]

I read posts about this and to be honest it makes me sad. There are good and bad apples in every art and I belive you ran into one of the bad ones. I think some of the bad attitude comes from an extreme level of confidence. Personally I really dont like the bad attitude or sometimes "thugish" nature of MMA. I believe that martial arts should give you the ability to fight and also make a positive difference in your life. MMA is no exception. At our school, we always preach being "one of the good guys". We are always nice and polite and we always show respect. Whenever I travel, I often stop by martial arts schools just to watch. I can't tell you how many times that a head instructor has asked me what I train in. As soon as I say "bjj, muay thai, fma and mma" I can almost hear their inner voice go "oh no, not one of these guys". Funny thing is, after we are done talking they have totally changed their initial opinon of me.

About a year ago I was at a resort in Colorado. There was one martial arts school there so I stopped by just to take a peak. It was a kung fu school and though I didnt have any intention to train I just wanted to watch. After class, I introduced myself to the instructor and we had a plesant chat. He even commented that he was impressed that I didnt have that "typical mma/bjj'er" attitude. I guess he too got that same attitude from others.

There are plenty of great MMA schools out there that foster good attitudes as well. Hell, when you meet these guys who fight, about 99% of them are world class human beings. Ive met scores of fighters and they have always been class acts. Just keep looking around.

Robert Soliz