What makes a good fighter?

[Frank White]

I don't think so. People aren't just born with a certain mentality or attitude. A person's attitude is the result of their upbringing and experience. People are always changing, so it's very possible that someone can change into someone with a more of a fighting mentality, especially
if they start training in serious MA.

People are born with a physical capacity, and I also believe they are born with a certain gift. Combine this with training and you have a great fighter, as opposed to a good fighter. Attitude and upbringing dont neccisarily make a skilled fighter, it could just as easily make them a good criminal.

[Vince Tortelli]

I'd have to agree with the person that said "attitude of a pit bull". Since that's a bit wordy, let's call it "gameness". What that means to me is someone who is never going to quit, never going to say die, who is going to keep coming at 100% until it's all over. Take Wanderlei Silva as an example. You never have to wonder, where's Wanderlei at? He's in your face, trying his dead level best to put your lights out. Obviously that has to be combinded with good techique and hard training methods (No one holds Tank Abbot up as the epitome of a fighter) but that never back done atttitude is what says good figher to me.

[Sudo_wannabe]

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.

I don't think so. People aren't just born with a certain mentality or attitude. A person's attitude is the result of their upbringing and experience. People are always changing, so it's very possible that someone can change into someone with a more of a fighting mentality, especially
if they start training in serious MA.

[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.

[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.

[fanatical]

Being able to beat other fighters? :P

[Frank White]

Resolve.

[horseonwheels]

determination and a lot of hard work.

[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.

[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

[Scott Larson]

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

[musicalmike235]

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

[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.

[sempaiman]

I suck before I get in the ring.

...please clarify...

[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.