Back off MMA

**Jimmy Needer** · Posted On: 1/18/2013 2:02am

I am from Inala Waters, not Inala.

**Jimmy Needer** · Posted On: 1/18/2013 2:34am

Insecure? Sure I am insecure, who isn't? Its the nature of the human condition.

I found some real good in learning traditional karate - it led to weight loss, improved self confidence, health, fitness and mental well being. It also helped to improve my linear punching considerably. This is the emphasis I took with my initial post. I feel confident in stating that because in my earlier years I trained in kickboxing, freestyle karate and boxing. 'I' notice the difference and that's all that matters.

If I could go back and rewrite that first post, I would leave out all the bravado - but no amount of digital bashing is going to change what I have personally experienced. Just trying to share those experiences in defense of all the good I gathered from training in traditional karate.

I am not a tough guy, I am just some guy. I am not interested in cracking heads, I don't want to hurt anyone for real. It is not who I am and I hope it is not what most people are either. I like a watching a biff - but in a sports context and between two athletes. I am interested in the other aspects of martial arts training ... most of which I have already mentioned.

I have now left traditional karate and I have returned to my grass roots styles of a form of Freestyle Goju and also Muay Thai. Yes, in your words this is indeed 'flip flopping'... I'll admit it.

I started this thread because I was at a point of cognitive dissonance. Traditional karate gave me so much, but I need some other elements - we did pad work but I needed more pad work. Some techniques were realistic but I needed the techniques to be as realistic as possible. Above all else I missed how I originally trained.

I will also admit that I had issues with traditional karate which is why I have changed styles - however I still hold fast to the key principles of what I stated in my first post.

* Traditional Karate is not complete bullshit - it taught me to punch better than other styles.
* MMA would beat karate in an MMA competition (and most likely in the street as well - but that would depend on the individuals, wouldn't it?).
* Real fights end quickly - reverse punch with your strongest arm is instinctively one of the first weapons of choice ... therefore traditional karate and its emphasis on strong linear reverse punches has some realistic value.
* Should avoid real violence - not the karateka nor the right thing to do, that's why we have laws.

These are my points, these are still my points ... I am just another slightly overweight insecure middle aged nerd trying to make a point, that's all. But I am not insecure enough to not admit it. Go ahead, tear it apart if you like, someone surely will.

**cualltaigh** · Posted On: 1/18/2013 2:41am

Originally Posted by Jimmy Needer

I am from Inala Waters, not Inala.

LOL, how remiss of me not to make that distinction....

**Jimmy Needer** · Posted On: 1/18/2013 2:49am

Simple - debate my point of view and refrain from calling me a 'douche' or that I can't punch ... how would anyone know that from what I write? Its just rude, I wouldn't do it to someone else, basic manners mate. Now I might 'have my knickers riding high' or whatever, but its just common decency not to get personal. Debate the point of view, discuss whether or not the technique is useful and provide reasons to support your point of view. I dunno, I AM new to this forum stuff... need to grow some thicker skin I guess. But doesn't add lib like 'this is crap' just a waste a time unless you can back up in a paragraph why you have determined that it is crap?

**catfishaggie** · Posted On: 1/18/2013 8:09am

Originally Posted by Jimmy Needer

Simple - debate my point of view and refrain from calling me a 'douche' or that I can't punch ... how would anyone know that from what I write? Its just rude, I wouldn't do it to someone else, basic manners mate. Now I might 'have my knickers riding high' or whatever, but its just common decency not to get personal. Debate the point of view, discuss whether or not the technique is useful and provide reasons to support your point of view. I dunno, I AM new to this forum stuff... need to grow some thicker skin I guess. But doesn't add lib like 'this is crap' just a waste a time unless you can back up in a paragraph why you have determined that it is crap?

This is the way I see it. You are a douche because of your attitude brah. You came on here, signed up and proceeded to stir **** because you have some chip on your shoulder.

You even admit that your OP was full of childish ranting. You generalize this whole community as "TMA" bashers when if someone with the smallest initiative could see this community is full of TMA practitioners or those that have done so.

I have a question for you, if the karate dojo you were at was so great why then that it took you going back to MT to realize what worked and what didn't when you fought?

I came to this site when I first started to study Hapkido which has become as watered down as ATA TKD. Yet here I am, made some friends, and always have a great experience. The reason is my attitude. I believe that pressure testing is the only way to get an idea of what does and does not work.

@ itwasntme,
You want to know if something is a high or low percentage move get off your ass and fucking try it with a sparring partner that is resisting and not expect someone to fucking tell you every little fucking thing. I hate to break this to you but high and low percentage stuff changes with people and their abilities, although some are always low. The only way to find out is to spar with resistance. Once again you are talking out your ass.

**itwasntme** · Posted On: 1/18/2013 9:15am

Originally Posted by catfishaggie

@ itwasntme,
You want to know if something is a high or low percentage move get off your ass and fucking try it with a sparring partner that is resisting and not expect someone to fucking tell you every little fucking thing. I hate to break this to you but high and low percentage stuff changes with people and their abilities, although some are always low. The only way to find out is to spar with resistance. Once again you are talking out your ass.

I never said anything that contradicts what you just said. Thanks for adding some clarification to my post.

**catfishaggie** · Posted On: 1/18/2013 9:17am

Originally Posted by itwasntme

I never said anything that contradicts what you just said. Thanks for adding some clarification to my post.

Your welcome

**catfishaggie** · Posted On: 1/18/2013 9:19am

I still like how I said it better :-P

**itwasntme** · Posted On: 1/18/2013 9:28am

Originally Posted by catfishaggie

I still like how I said it better :-P

Lol it may just be OP's language!

**Bezmond** · Posted On: 1/18/2013 9:46am

Originally Posted by Jimmy Needer

In my humble opinion karate will help you in many ways, including providing some BASIC self defense skills. Don't get me wrong, any realist knows that a black belt in karate won't mean much against a real tough guy or someone used to hard contact and can fight well on and off his feet.

I dunno. I used to train at a dojo with "actual" tough guys and we sparred with hard contact all the time. The competitions we entered were point sparring but that didn't mean I didn't get used to getting a beating a few times per week in training. So for what it's worth, I feel my black belt does mean something as I earned it with blood and pain and actual fighting. The couple of times I've goofed around with wrestlers I got thrashed. Doesn't mean my karate is useless, just means that my grappling is. C'est la vie. Only so many hours in the week.