I was wondering if i'm the only one who's like this...I love getting into the ring/cage...but for some reason, I'm not the biggest fan of full contact sparring. I do it, but it's not something I enjoy most times... just wondering if that's just me?

I have found that those with poor conditioning have a particularly hard time enjoying or simply preparing properly for a fight. Does that make sense? I'm not saying by the way that applies to you. Just sharing an observation.

Personally I thoroughly enjoy sparring but am not surprised by your comment as I've known others who feel the same way.

Interestingly, I find that preparing for a fight or a competition is infinitely more grueling than the fight itself. I happen to like the pain.

Edited July 26, 201412 yr by Archimoto

I was wondering if i'm the only one who's like this...I love getting into the ring/cage...but for some reason, I'm not the biggest fan of full contact sparring. I do it, but it's not something I enjoy most times... just wondering if that's just me?

Haven't really been in a competitive fight (apart from a small, friendly grappling tournament that I don't think really counts), so I can't tell you how much I like fighting, but sparring is my favourite part of training. The harder the more fun I have because I can really just let go and rely on instinct. however I'm also very apprehensive about sparring hard and so don't do it often. Might that be why you don't like it? from what I've heard, the medical problems that (retired) fighters experience have more to do with the hits they take during training than in the ring, so maybe you don't like it because it worries you?

Edited July 26, 201412 yr by guird

Competition gets you amped up and floods your body with adrenaline and endorphins, so you're partially numb. Sparring is nowhere near as high-stress, so you feel those kicks and punches a lot more. Honestly, we only spar medium-contact or less, and save heavier contact for competition--it cuts down on injuries, and gets more people to spar more often. I'm not terribly fond of sparring, myself, but I understand its value, so I do it anyway.

I was wondering if i'm the only one who's like this...I love getting into the ring/cage...but for some reason, I'm not the biggest fan of full contact sparring. I do it, but it's not something I enjoy most times... just wondering if that's just me?

I'm guessing the adrenaline plays a factor?

Personally, I love sparring in class and sparring hard. In the ring not so much. I love competing... right up until that point the referee says go then the adrenaline dumps and I feel sluggish and out of shape and I can't wait for the minutes to be up

I don't think that you're alone in your feelings. Many factors will play into your decision(s) as to which one you prefer. If it's one or another, or if it's in both, than that's your decision to make, and for that, I respect your choice because it's a personal choice, and it's your MA journey.

I love BOTH!! I've been accused of being "strange that way", and it's because while I might get "scored" upon, hehehehehe, I will get a turn!! I'm a junkie that way when it comes to ALL aspects of kumite/sparring/fighting/etc; the more intense, the more I want it!!

You're fine in how you feel!! Now, go train hard!!

...I'm not terribly fond of sparring, myself, but I understand its value, so I do it anyway.

What Wastelander says here is the key to sparring of any kind (not cage fights like you mentioned). Understanding the value/purpose of sparring will change your disposition towards it at least a little bit and hopefully enhance your sparring experience, as well, so that you get the most out of it.

The primary concepts taught through sparring are distancing and feeling what it's like to have a moving target in front of you that strikes back. One thing you may want to do if you haven't learned already is ask your instructor what the purpose of sparring is in your dojo.

I don't think you can have one, sparring, and not have the other, fighting. One compliments the other while one's training in one or the other, imho.

İ thing kyokushin karate mixed whit wrestling and boxing will be the best style ever... Mma... İ don't like it when 2 man are on the ground.

İ thing kyokushin karate mixed whit wrestling and boxing will be the best style ever... Mma... İ don't like it when 2 man are on the ground.

Welcome to KF; glad that you're there!!

I understand what you're saying, however, many fights end up on the ground. Ground work, imho, needs to be paid attention to by MAists of all styles of the MA.