Street Fight

Great Points.

"I find there is an unbelievable beauty in fighting."

There's your art right there. If you're mesmerized by fighting, by the force and motion, then isn't it safe to say that there is some kind of spirituality going on there? Art is just something beautiful to someone, if I may paraphrase the definition.

"To insist on the art over the martial is to go against its purpose. In these instances you make useless the purpose and destroy its utility."

Many martial arts were originally created because people needed a way to defend themselves. Over time, that need was lessened, and thus to keep traditions alive and to preserve the beauty of form, martial arts have indeed sacrificed the utility for the art. However, martial arts continue to change as time passes, just like anything else.

Anyway, this thread is about street fighting, and if you're talking about no holds barred, no weapons fighting, I'd say the most utilitarian, quick way to learn to protect yourself is to study boxing or kick boxing, or some equivalent combat training exercise, like Krav Maga. If the guy has a weapon, bring one with you too.

 

There are different kinds of street fights. I'm sure Aikido is good for certain kinds, but in a violent and brutal street fight (which is not really a street fight anymore...) there are better disciplines that will prepare you for that kind of fights.

In a sudden street fight between two average build japanese salarymans about girl issues (with one being drunk), Aikido will suffice I think.

 

The main problem with traditional martial arts is that they stopped evolving...the need to defend oneself has not gone away. There are still plenty of street fights, gang fights, wars, etc that go on every second of every day.
When you look at boxing, kickboxing, brazilian jiu jitsu, and other such martial arts, they do not limit themselves to a set way of doing things but seek to refine themselves....this is what martial artists MUST have done way back when, it was just mythos and ignorance that has caused us to limit ourselves.

 

I don't really consider boxing a martial art though. I consider it 1. a sport, 2. a combat technique.

I think we need to distinguish what a 'martial art' is, as opposed to 'combat training or techniques'. Martial arts were originally used for self defense, but are now more like traditional fighting exercises, not necessarily aiming for being street combat ready. Martial arts do morph and change, but they don't necessarily go in the direction of being more effective or applicable.

There are some gray areas, like kick boxing and brazilian ju jitsu, that are kind of 'martial arts'... but they focus more on effectiveness than pure 'art'.

To me, Jeet Kun Do is probably the best example of a 'martial art', or simply a mindset, that is also purely utilitarian. However, in a sense, Jeet Kun Do isn't really a martial art either.

"There are still plenty of street fights, gang fights, wars, etc that go on every second of every day."

Again, if you're worried about that, carrying a gun is probably best. Back when martial arts were being developed, it wasn't as easy to put a cap in someone's ass. I'd say the primary reason to learn any 'martial art' is for the challenge, to learn more about yourself and better yourself in a multitude of ways, and perhaps for artistic reasons. No one is THAT concerned about arm locks and stuff in a warzone.

 

too much bullshit. Martial arts are not the same of 100 years ago, moreover there are guns and so on. So guys, if u wanna practice street fight for pleasure, enjoy.
But when we talk about reality it's up to u. If u are lucky and strong (a strong spirit) maybe u can overcome an agressor or 2, but if the situation is too dangerous just run.
When we talk about a simple competition between 2 people practising fight sports or martial arts in my opinion the winner is the one with much experience and strenght, but the most important thing is not the style or the time u practice it, but how u mastered it and its principles. The most important thing is inner strenght, your spirit not the style.
The winner is you, not the style.

 

Not to jump on the "Godeater is right" bandwagon (although your signature does apply on this thread) but that was an insightful observation (albeit lenghty though /versus/images/graemlins/wink.gif) but I agree that it is "martial arts" and not "arts that are martial".
Good point.

 

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LiEsktRiCXo&search=bas%20rutten

bas rutten says bada bing!

 

Re: Street Fight British Style

http://youtube.com/watch?v=dtF_R414uL0&search=karate

 

Re: Street Fight British Style

Tiger uppercut.

This is real street fight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdcYlL4S0RI&search=sagat

thunderburp.