Would a Judoka be able to properly defend himself in a street fight ?

Question

Would someone that has around 3 years of experience in Judo be able to properly defend himself in a street fight agaisnt a normal average guy.

Judo really doesn't seem agressive, so would a judoka be able to use only judo moves to attack his opponent. Would Judokas still use their fists in a street fight, or would they stick only to judo moves.

BASICALLY, what I'm asking is,... is learning Judo going to give you a significant edge in a street fight.

Answer 1

Does a bear crap in the woods? : P

Answer 2

Judo like all martial arts has it’s place. Can someone defend themselves with Judo? Yes! But the main focus shouldn’t be on what style a person is using but rather the person him/herself! If you have the warrior spirit meaning the willingness to close and finish the fight and the skill to do so then the majority of the time you’ll come out victorious. Still there are always the variables that will plague you such as: what if the guy on the streets is shirtless and you have only been working on gripping the jacket on the GI then how will you fare? Judo is a sport and should be treated as such although you may be able to defend yourself utilizing it you’d do a lot better practicing in a martial art design for self defence.

Answer 3

Absolutely. In street fights, most likely the opponent will have clothes on, which will simulate a gi. And most street fights almost always end up in some sort of clinch. The average street fighter just doesn't have that sort of training to defend a well executed technique. It could even be something as rudimentary as a Ouchi Gari or Osoto Gari. You also have to realize they won't know how to properly fall, so the impact of the technique would be very painful.
Oh and don't forget about all the submissions and chokes available once you get the fight to the ground.

Answer 4

absolutely. streetfight almost always end up in grappling after 2 to 3 punches. and if this happens, the judo guy will have the advantage if he recovers himself immediately.
i've seen many streetfights and they it always go this way: the attacker swings 1 or 2 punches, even a kick sometimes , but this being a streetfight the defender can run around coz there are no rings or cage. another punch might bring them closer in a clinch. judo guy wins!
i haven't seen a streetfight where a guy was beaten with a combination of more than 4 consecutive punches. there has to be a clinch at some point.

Answer 5

Of course it will.
The techniques being taught will be useful in any aggression situation. I am not advocating street fights in any way and I think you should stay out of them if you can (and 99.9 percent of the time, you can), but yes, judo will help you if you're ever in one.

I knew a woman who was a black belt in judo (second dan or so, I'm not quite sure). She was 5'6", not a big person. She owned a business and one day, a much larger man tried to rob her with a knife. Next thing the guy knew, he was on the floor, is arm was twisted at the joints, he had dropped the knife and he was in horrible pain, begging her to let him go.

That black belt would take you more than 10 years to acquire with diligent study, but you get the idea. The technique are definitely effective.

I suggest you take it.
There's nothing glamorous or honorable about winning a lot of street fights, though ;)

Answer 6

You would have the same chance as a wrestler or boxer.

Judo teaches self-defense tactics through its kata in the upper dan (black belt) ranks.

Three years really isn't a long time in Judo. That is probably an orange or green belt level.

Answer 7

I wouldnt favor a throwing or grappling art strictly for self defence.

possibilities like concealed weapons or 'friends' are all to real in an unavoidable serious street fight.

i would prefer a striking art like kung fu or mua thai.

i would love to learn ju-jitsu at some point. im planning to take it up once i feel proficient in kung fu, if only to be able to hold my own in that 'field'.

at the end of the day any *serious* training is valuable. even if its only for the mind set.

Answer 8

Naturally, look at Mr. Mike Swain
he could woop ya while he is trying to direct you in the proper way to act in public.
Champion, and much more.

Answer 9

surely. but i would suggest jujitsu. works 4 street fights or if u r in the CIA! ;)