What makes a good fighter?

[The_Tao]

incorrect.

There is no problem with taking no chances in a street situation.

[Cullion]

I think we have to be careful about how much of a bloodthirsty animal we turn into. Its pretty easy to kill someone if you have a little bit of skill, and you get a dangerous spot.

You've been listening to some zen old sifu who never has you spar hard, haven't you?

[Lebell]

Yet if you're too agressive, you won't get much of a chance to use your technique. You have to be agressive enough... But not overshoot it. Savage? Wouldn't being savage take away from your concentration and technique? Wouldn't it simply make your reckless?

no not reckless.
Savage for me means: sometimes you let one attack come through so you can deliver an even harder one as a counter.
you don't think about hwat happens to you for a second and you're just all over him like a rash beating the f out of him.
Thats savage.

Tunnelvision: the only thing in your universe is about taking him out.

[hpr]

After all the hard work and training there seems to be something a lot of the fighters tend to miss: ability to finish a fight. Even in UFC level of MMA there are guys who can't finish their opponents even if they have a chance to go for it. See: Heath Herring vs. Minotauro @ UFC 73.

[sempaiman]

I suck before I get in the ring.

...please clarify...

[Scott Larson]

You've been listening to some zen old sifu who never has you spar hard, haven't you?

lol
No, I'm just saying I feel a certain amount of responsibility is a good thing. Of course different situations require different actions. I'm not saying if someone is trying to murder you, you should gently submit them.

[musicalmike235]

A good fighter = mauy tai + submission wrestling + training
:deadhorse

[Scott Larson]

Yes, that's one way to look at it.

[OZZ]

lol
No, I'm just saying I feel a certain amount of responsibility is a good thing. Of course different situations require different actions. I'm not saying if someone is trying to murder you, you should gently submit them.

Heh..a CERTAIN amount indeed. It's a tough, tough world..lol

[melk]

The mindset of a pitbull, mixed with good grappling and striking abilities. To that I would add regular testing of abilities, under a number of different skill sets. I don't care what the RBSD guys say, competition is a quick way to show if you 99% of your repetoire will work, just with more restraint. By that I mean in a ring you throw an armbar on a guy you are fighting and you stop when he taps,a guy with a knife on the street... you stop when he snap. Either way, I believe a good fighter in a MMA ring(or under similar rulesets) will do well if attacked on the street, and that makes in my mind a good fighter.

[horseonwheels]

determination and a lot of hard work.

[Frank White]

Resolve.

[fanatical]

Being able to beat other fighters? :P

[Lampa]

I always considered the term "fighter" to describe an attitude and mentality that is learned most commonly through dedicated participation in a combat sport.

You know the kind. If you've been training for a good length of time you probably are the kind. Can keep focus under just about any level of preassure. Never appears anxious. Difficult to intimidate. Can apply agression to a situation. Has lots of heart.

Technical ability is how you determine if someone is a great player in their given competitive venue. But "fighter" is a broader term.

[Frank White]

I always considered the term "fighter" to describe an attitude and mentality that is learned most commonly through dedicated participation in a combat sport..

You would have the attitude and mentality before you participate in the sport. The dedication would make you a better fighter. I still believe great fighters are born, like artists and singers. Or maybe serial killers.