Originally Posted by
mysteri
if i ever feel the need to be validated, qualified, or anything similar, i might jus start entering competitions.
ya know, I think that's where some of the misunderstanding lies. that is why many of you think of mma guys as ego filled - and also, why we see some of you as egotistical. It's not a course of ego - I really don't give two witch titties about what anyone on this forum or real life thinks of my skill. I compete
1. because I like to
2. because I like to test myself
not to prove myself to anyone or validate my skill level. Now, that said:
it would be fun to do jus for a different understanding of combat, i'm jus not at that point as far as motivation yet. i'm not really sure why some people here might feel so threatened(?), unless someone trains guiltily with unrealistic/exaggerated expectations, then sure they might feel threatened and unsure. but really, for the most part, it's not a big deal. alright, i've had enough amusement for a bit.
I do believe that EVERY martial artist should step into a full contact venue at least once. Doing so will indeed teach them about combat and help them gain experience in dealing with an agressor while under extreme pressure. This experience is invaluable in the street, so I would think any MA would jump to take advantage of it. You can say what you want about thinking you may or may not train with unrealistic expectations, but the simple reality is that most people will never have an altercation in their adult lives. Consequently, they don't expect it. Then when it happens, trained or not, there is a chance you will freeze under the pressure of the adrenaline dump because you couldn't deal with it the way you thought you could. Competing comes in handy here.
Matter of factly, someone posted a thread along that line the other day on another forum I post on. A marine who had 9 confirmed kills in iraq - one which was hand to hand combat - got robbed while he was walking with his girlfriend. He said that he just froze. He wasn't aware and wasn't expecting an attack.
i'm nobody...i'm nobody. i'm a tramp, a bum, a hobo... a boxcar and a jug of wine... but i'm a straight razor if you get to close to me.
-Charles Manson
I will punch, kick, choke, throw or joint manipulate any nationality equally without predjudice.
- Shonie Carter