now that mma is here ?

Question

Now that some of us have embraced mma, why are "one style" martial arts still around. Other than for something to do there useless. My view, and I know that most wont fell that way. I guess that's why there still around. There usefulness is over in real life application. They lead us to mma, there old and useless now. There like a really old person in America, they taught us what we need so we can now put them in a home.

Answer 1

I agree that MMA is the most effective technical way of dealing with an unarmed engagement in a limited environment. Even if we just focus on this limited application of martial arts/ways the usefullness of traditional martial arts/ways is in specialization. This goes for all disciplines in the world...we have specialists. I trained in several martial arts, composites, and MMA for years. Training solely in MMA will never give you the sensitivity of an Aikido master, the striking power of Sumo, the flexibility and flow of Systema, the raw power of Shotokan or Muay Thai, the combination skills of boxing, the ground skills of ne waza/BJJ/or wrestling. Most MMA train in many of these areas to a degree in addition to other methods like weight training. Spending sometime in the specialists world of power lifting could give you an edge in that area. Beyond the limited application of the MMA ring the other disciplines deal with weaponry, stealth, battlefield formations, language, art, and culture. Modern MMA is extremely one dimensional, and maybe that's what I respect about it as well.

Answer 2

Most MMA schools teach a combination of some form of Jujutsu, and a standup style like Muay Thai or Kyokushin Karate.
Now... I'm not going to stand here and say MMA is not effective (Because I know for a fact that it is), BUT... Any combination of ground and standup fighting (Or a hybrid style) will do for self-defense and/or competition: The styles do not matter. The person is what makes the style. You can defeat someone from another art, but you can't defeat all practitioners from an art (Even if your style is meant for that). It's physically impossible.
I know I have pretty good standup fighting, but I know that:
A. I'm fit, but I could be in better condition.
B. Whether I go through all of my standup styles and get fifth degree black belts and hundreds of medals: There's always room for improvement.
C. I need more grappling experience.
There's a place that teaches MMA on occasion where I live, but I don't plan on going (At least not at the moment). Why? Because I know what I've already learned will help me, and I know what I plan on going towards will also help me. I am planning on taking Muay Thai or Kyokushin Karate (Just because I think they are great standup styles that would add to what I already know), and then some grappling, but am I going to throw out all of my previous striking experience? No. Building on what I've already learned is the best thing.
The problem these days isn't with styles, but that a lot of schools from various styles are doing away with things such as sparring and similar things that get people ready for real situations. That's the kind of stuff that gets in the way. You always wonder why styles like BJJ, Muay Thai, and Kyokushin do well, but it's not the style: It's the curriculum. Those three styles have strong sparring elements, and that's one of the many reasons why they are good. The concept of an actively resisting opponent is rarely ever a poor training element.
Training Style > Martial Arts Style
*>*- Has a Greater Effect
Bruce Lee's fighting took elements from many, many styles. Some believe him to be the Father of MMA. Jeet Kune Do borrows concepts from various Martial Arts into a way of doing the concept with your art(s) so that you learn to do your own thing. Don't you think that's a lot better than simply saying traditional arts are horrible?

To the person above: Bo in Kajukenbo is "Boxing." I haven't practiced it, but I think it's a stance thing that they use (Kind of like the fencing stance conept of Jeet Kune Do).

Answer 3

I probably won't get my answer picked by the user for what I'm about to say, but at least i get 2 points.

HAVE SOME RESPECT!! i personally am a huge MMA fan and i love to be well rounded in what i do and know, but have some respect for the old styles. I agree that some "one style" martial artists are a little close minded when it comes to MMA and think that there style is the best, but who cares. They are still around because they may like to progress on a certain area or a certain style may not interest them at all. Or that their style may incorporate striking and grappling. Some "one stylers" may enjoy certain traditions, lifestyles, cultures of their respective martial arts. You're probably right, that some of these "one stylers" have no "real life" application other than helping some one maintain a certain level of physical fitness. that in itself in today's world should be enough. however, the way i feel is that no matter what the style, a good martial artist should be able to adapt to any situation and be effective. i don't want to be rude and i know you expressed your feelings and so have i.

i do agree with #2 and #3 and there answers. i personally believe that for myself, MMA is the way to go, but who's gonna be there to train the mixed martial artis? i would prefered to be trained by a master of a trade rather than a jack of a trade.

Answer 4

Without Traditional Martial Arts, MMA wouldn't exist, dude.

Martial arts are still useful for street purposes, 'cause most street thugs don't even know how to really fight.
You HAVE to learn martial arts to be ANY good at MMA.

I think your point is completelly invalid, and I'm an MMA fighter.

Answer 5

Huge hole in your question... A guy trained in one martial art can still beat a guy trained in no martial arts. What you see happening in MMA isn't "real life" hate to break it to ya.

Answer 6

The same reason football teams have offensive and defensive coordinators, QB coaches, WR coaches, etc.

The best person to learn submissions from is from someone specialized in submissions (BJJ, sambo, etc.) Muay Thai/boxing specialists for standup, etc.

Look at how GSP trains. He has a bunch of different coaches specialized in different areas, not one well-rounded coach.

Answer 7

"one style" martial arts should be rooted in tradition. but like everything else, things evolve. even martial arts, for example, kajukenbo, is a hawaiian style of martial art, but is a combination of styles: ka-karate, ju-judo, ken-kenpo, bo- i forgot this one. jeet kun do uses only what works, minimizing flashy moves. like mma, it utilizes techniques effectively, good striking for stand up and good grappling for ground work. however, one knock on mma is that the fighters tend to be excellent at one disciple, or good at everything, but not excellent at one.

Answer 8

Why cant a person concentrate on one perticular thing at a time? i think you can learn better if you do BJJ and kickboxing seperately than if you do them together because each time to concentrate on a little bit but you give it alot of attention, that seems like a better way to learn

Answer 9

I like the fact that MMA wears only shorts! I'm waiting for the nude version, like back in the Greek & Roman days.

Answer 10

Hahahahaha, you obviuosly are poorly informed and without any knowledge of the traditional martial arts.