Best Friend Face-Off!!! (Karateka/Boxer vs Tai Chi/Ninja)

[Alpha One Four]

I didn't think this could go in another forum, so here it goes:

I'm going to see my best friend here in a few weeks for Thanksgiving. We have been buds for about 11 years, and we fought one time. It was before we became friends in about 4th grade. He punched me in the eye, and we never finished the fight because my mom broke it up. He has FINALLY agreed to finish it with me in an actual sparring match with UFC rules in Karate sparring gear, minus the boots. We had to compromise a little...

I have been doing Kuk Sool Won for 10 years, Boxing for 3 years, and karate for 1 year. He got a brown belt in Kuk Sool, but stopped about 15 years ago. He started Tai Chi 2 years ago, and he recently started Ninjutsu. I believe that was at the beginning of the year.

Now, I have a size advantage. I'm at 6'2" 205lbs with a 76" reach. He is 5'10" 175 with a 72" reach. I also have a lot more sparring experience. He only finally mentioned sparring about two months after starting Ninjutsu... That raised my concern.

Should I be worried? It appears I have some major advantages, but I feel as if I am missing something. Am I?

[evergrey]

How far are you planning to take this, and what do you want to accomplish with it?

[JusticeZero]

Most (not all but most) taijiquan schools don't do anything with resisting opponents, or often any opponents. Also, ninjutsu schools are leery of sparring because they like to attack the joints in various ways that they don't want new students tossing carelessly. If there were any ninjas around they could probably comment more on the thread on sparring problems. You aren't missing anything much. Watch your joints and knock them around lightly, since they probably can't find anyone else to do that for them in either school and likely feel the need for some idea of how force actually interacts in practice. Then tell them what they're doing right, since if you out-experience the heck out of them, they might feel disheartened by the lack of effectiveness.

[Kuma]

I don't see this accomplishing much to be honest. When you spar with a friend, it's just sparring, not a competition. If you make it a competition, you risk losing a friend over pride. Not a good choice.

[darksoul]

I don't see this accomplishing much to be honest. When you spar with a friend, it's just sparring, not a competition. If you make it a competition, you risk losing a friend over pride. Not a good choice.

I completely, 100% agree with this. Are you sure you want to do this?

[MasterPain]

Do you really get what"UFC rules" entails? Why not just set up a sanctioned MMA fight?

[Dobbersky]

I don't see this accomplishing much to be honest. When you spar with a friend, it's just sparring, not a competition. If you make it a competition, you risk losing a friend over pride. Not a good choice.

I completely, 100% agree with this. Are you sure you want to do this?

I TOO agree with this, a friendship to me, is more important than "who can beat who!?!"

[bushido_man96]

I don't see this accomplishing much to be honest. When you spar with a friend, it's just sparring, not a competition. If you make it a competition, you risk losing a friend over pride. Not a good choice.

I completely, 100% agree with this. Are you sure you want to do this?

I TOO agree with this, a friendship to me, is more important than "who can beat who!?!"

I agree with these concerns, to an extent. But, I've also fought with my brothers in our yard before, giving one of them a nice bruise along his cheek bone. We're still family, though... I'm curious as to whether you and your friend are going to carry on a friendly sparring session to learn, or are the two of you planning to fight it out and intend to win by the score cards or knockout at the end?

If its the latter, then I think MasterPain brings up a good point:

Do you really get what"UFC rules" entails? Why not just set up a sanctioned MMA fight?

This would be the way to go. You'd have a referee to make sure the rules are followed, at least. Maybe each of you could sell tickets to family, friends, and training peers from you schools to raise money for some kind of charity along the way.

Also, I'd say know the rule set, and train for the rule set from now until the fight.

[Alpha One Four]

I don't see this accomplishing much to be honest. When you spar with a friend, it's just sparring, not a competition. If you make it a competition, you risk losing a friend over pride. Not a good choice.

I completely, 100% agree with this. Are you sure you want to do this?

I TOO agree with this, a friendship to me, is more important than "who can beat who!?!"

I agree with these concerns, to an extent. But, I've also fought with my brothers in our yard before, giving one of them a nice bruise along his cheek bone. We're still family, though... I'm curious as to whether you and your friend are going to carry on a friendly sparring session to learn, or are the two of you planning to fight it out and intend to win by the score cards or knockout at the end?

If its the latter, then I think MasterPain brings up a good point:

Do you really get what"UFC rules" entails? Why not just set up a sanctioned MMA fight?

This would be the way to go. You'd have a referee to make sure the rules are followed, at least. Maybe each of you could sell tickets to family, friends, and training peers from you schools to raise money for some kind of charity along the way.

Also, I'd say know the rule set, and train for the rule set from now until the fight.

I recognize everyone's concern. He and I are like brothers. My real brother is 18 years older than me, and he doesn't have a real brother. I would say we are a lot like the Dukes of Hazzard. Can't separate Bo and Luke.

We are going to fight at my my Goju/Kenpo dojo. My usual sparring partner said he would ref.

As far as the Tai Chi. It is more of a combative style. He used it when he got mugged last year and got away safely. He said his teacher actually teaches practical uses.

[bushido_man96]

Well, I guess go after it and have a good time.