Quote Originally Posted by Lucas View Post
most people might not feel this way but I think it's important to get your ass kicked in full contact from time to time if you don't plan on competing. If you havnt been knocked out I think you should (not intentionally but by fighting someone way better than you in full contact with ko allowed), then get back up (if its safe to do so) and then keep fighting after you get rocked. imo thats an important part of self defense. You need to get hit hard, get hurt and not stop. now of course you need an understanding 'hey bro after you knock me out and i get back up, dont ko me again'
It is worrisome to me that we have martial art schools out there that are probably at least 3 generations of instructors that have never done real sparring, much less fighting.

I think it's a defining moment in most martial artists careers, the first time they really get hit hard in the head. You learn a lot about yourself then.