MMA has become very popular over the last few years and has definitely blown up in the media. I have myself done minimal training in MMA so by no means regard myself an expert or experienced practitioner, but I find myself wondering how it would work in a real situation with someone who does not care whether you live or die.

When training for competition, MMA fighters are confined to a set of rules (no eye gauging, not elbowing the back of the head or spine etc.) But what happens when you are in a situation that doesn't conform to the rules? I doubt your average mugger would have any second thoughts about going for your eyes in a scrap or kicking you in the balls!

So my question is this: as MMA practitioners, do you feel the rules of the sport leave gaps and weaknesses in your style?