Sport Fighting vs. Self Defense

This is a topic that is frequently on message boards. It comes up more than it really should.  It has never made sense to compare them. The most logical explanation is that the roots of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and Self Defense are not much different.  However, fundamental striking aside the roots are about the only things they have in common.  To compare the two we need to examine them both.

MMA fighters are hands down some of the toughest people on the planet.  The training regiment that fighters are subjected too in order to be competitive in their sport could only be compared to what Spartan warriors must have done to be battle ready. It means hours on the mat, lifting weights and working cardio.

The original Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) had very few or no rules and they where not commissioned by any governing body.  Many people were outraged by this. After several years of adding occasional random rules the UFC was feeling the pressure.  As a result the UFC was nearly bankrupt. 

They wanted to legitimize there sport and make it more mainstream.  In order to do this they went through the Nevada State Boxing Commission.  The Boxing Commission required that they implement certain rules including weight classes and timed rounds.  Additionally they made striking certain areas of the body illegal along with striking from certain positions (for instance knees to the head of a downed opponent) as they were deemed dangerous to the fighters.  Since they wear very little protection (4-6 ounce open hand gloves) rules protecting the fighter was obviously very important.  Do these rules make MMA fighters weak or unable to defend themselves?  Absolutely not!  In a self defense system these targets are what we train to strike because of their effectiveness.

Self defense practitioners on the other hand spend much less time on the mat training.  An MMA fighter will spend countless hours on the mat.  Self Defense students may spend as little as 2 or 3 hour’s training weekly.  For many people it is just a hobby to get in shape and have some fun.  Although a lot of that time will likely be spent on striking. A great deal of that time will be spent working on things that a fighter would never need to know (for instance gun or knife defense).

With basic self defense knowledge could a Krav Maga practitioner get in the ring and effectively fight an MMA fighter? … Not a chance.  I have seen a few exceptions to the rule, but the individuals that would have done pretty well against a fighter were naturally tough people.  They were people who would have done well, even without training.

If we changed the scenario and that same MMA fighter attacked a Krav Maga student on the street would the Krav Maga student stand a chance?  Absolutely, they definitely stand a chance!  To understand that answer you have to understand the nature of self defense.

Self defense works on a few things that give it’s practitioners a fighting chance in “street” situations.  Let’s begin with the element of surprise.  Surprise is an essential part of self defense and it becomes even more important when there is a large size difference. Just like in MMA every action has a counter action. What makes your technique work is the element of surprise or the “setup”.  Take the last scenario used above. What happens, if the attacker grabs the victim and the victim gouges them in the eyes or punches them in the throat?  Do you think the attacker was expecting the counter attack?

The next big difference in Krav Maga training is the approach to the fight.  In Krav Maga we are trained to throw several very powerful strikes. Make sure every single one counts and quickly evade to safety.  The longer an attack is the more likely it becomes that someone will be seriously injured.  This is obviously very different than the fighter locked in a cage ready to fight a full 15 minutes if necessary.

  Another big difference is the use of weapons.  Most Krav Maga students do not carry traditional weapons (e.g.…knife, gun).  However, as an example, most of us carry keys. These and other personal effects can become very useful weapons in an attack. In fact, many Women are taught at a young age to have their keys in their hand when they walk to their car.  The reason is they can get in their car faster or they can use them as a weapon in an emergency.  Krav Maga students are taught almost from day one to recognize every day items to use as weapons if necessary. 

Another key element is basic situational awareness. It may sound elementary but even advanced students can forget to pay attention to their surroundings and will stay focused on the original attacker. If we are not aware of what’s going on around us or we are not paying attention for possible threats we are far more likely to become a victim of one. Do you park in well lit areas? Do you avoid walking in between people when walking down the street? Do you recognize these things as a possible dangerous situation?

The people that are trained fighters are a very small portion of society.  It is highly unlikely that a violent attacker would be is a trained MMA fighter.  Most attacks are a result of people affected by drugs, or alcohol.  While some come from people with abusive tendencies. 

A real fighter already knows that a street fight is a waste of their time; should an injury occur it could prevent them from doing the type of fighting that gets them paid or worse they go to jail and can’t fight at all.  On a personal note, most of the quality fighters I have met are some of the nicest most humble people I have known.  There are still unfortunate exceptions to that rule.  However, most of the “exceptions” aren’t quality fighters.  They are fighters whom felt like they needed to prove something in the street because they couldn’t prove it on the mat.

There are a couple videos on you tube with names like “Krav Maga Fighter vs. MMA Fighter” or “Krav Maga Fighter vs. Judo Fighter”. There are no Krav Maga fighters. Krav Maga training does not produce fighters.  There have been or are fighters who train in Krav Maga and there are Krav Maga practitioners who have also trained in fighting. Krav Maga for civilian use is all about personal safety and the safety of loved ones.  Krav Maga students learn as much about prize fighting as prize fighters learn about gun defense. 

Almost everyone who trains is a critic and will try to make comparisons to what they train in. What’s really important is that you train in something, learn something that works for you and you have fun doing it.

Regards,

Dean

West Side Krav Maga – ArtSports Grand Opening

To officially kick off our program at ArtSports we are hosting a Krav Maga Grand Opening Seminar on Saturday February 27th from 10am to noon. We will be covering some Krav Maga basic chokes and headlocks followed by a Open House where some light food and drinks will be served. The cost is only $5 and includes 2 hours of great training plus free food and drink. Hope to see you there!

Seminar Flyer

History of Krav Video

History Channel had an outstanding documentary a while ago called “Human Weapon”.  Two guys went around the world and profiled a bunch of different Martial Arts and it just so happens that Krav Maga was chosen as one of them.  So instead of boring you with pages of history to read just check out this video.

History Channel was kind enough to share several clips from this show.  I highly recomend them and encourage to get on you tube and check them all out.

-Dean

What is Krav Maga

Krav Maga is a practical and tactical system which teaches how to prevent, deal and overcome all kinds of violence and attacks. KM prepares the trainees in the subjects of self-defense, self protection, fighting and combat skills, as well as skills to defend others, all in an unique comprehensive way. Krav-Maga was developed in Israel, under realistic demands and conditions. Founded and formed by Imi Lichtenfeld (Sde-Or) and continues to advance and be modified by Eyal Yanilov, assisted by the top instructors of IKMF

Krav-Maga includes the subjects of:

• Prevention, avoidance, escape and evasion.
• Dealing with throws and falls to all directions and angles.
• Attacks and counterattacks, performed to all targets, distances, ranges, heights, angles, directions and in all rhythms. Executed from all positions and postures. Use of all sorts of common objects for defensive purposes.
• Defending all unarmed attacks: punches, strikes and kicks. Releases from all sorts of grabs and holds. Defending all armed attacks and threats of knife and sharp objects; of sticks, bars and other blunt objects; all kind of firearms.
• Dealing with the above attacks when sent from all possible directions and places; When are performed by a single or multiple attackers; When occur in all possible places, positions and postures. Including in confined or open areas; in an ally, staircase, car; On all types of grounds; In water; When free or in limited space of movement; While standing, on the move, sitting down, laying down on the back, side or facing down.
• Physical and mental control and disarm.
• Krav Maga prepares the trainees to function in all circumstances and scenarios, in all combat and fighting environments, according to their needs, risks they are facing and job descriptions. KM enables and brings technical, tactical, physical and mental growth.
• Krav-Maga contains special approaches, tactics, techniques, subjects, drills and training methods for the different sectors: Civilians of all ages, men and women, young and old; Law-enforcement officers; Military personnel and units; Correction service officers and wardens; Security officers; As well as: Close protection officers; Undercover agents;  Anti terrorists groups; Air-marshals; Special and commando units.