Why Learn Mixed Martial Arts Instead of Other Combat Styles

Every style of martial art in the world has its own advantages and disadvantages. Mostly, these pros and cons are based on the grounds of fighting range. But fighting range, or combat range, is not the only aspect that has to be considered when looking at the advantages and disadvantages of different martial arts styles. Other aspect should also be considered. The economy of motion, efficiency of bodily energy, maximizing the speed of the attack, maintaining the balance of the body, and keeping the defense ready even when attacking, are some of the other things to consider as well. Take a certain situation for example. Suppose that there is a no hold barred combat between a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a trained boxer. By considering the techniques of each martial artist alone, the practitioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu would definitely win against the boxer. He would win against the boxer by bringing the fight down to the ground where the boxer has very little or almost no training at all. Meanwhile, there would be a good chance that the practitioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a wrestler, or a practitioner of Sambo, would be flawlessly defeated by a Judoka, or a practitioner of Hapkido or Aikido. Remember the working principle of those three martial arts: they seek to redirect the moment of the opponent against him, which is the key element of the takedowns of grappling martial arts. This kind of scissor-paper-stone combats would be less likely to happen to a practitioner who would learn mixed martial arts.

In order to learn mixed martial arts in the best combination possible, one must bring those four categories into his careful attention. A good combination of mixed martial art would be not only a set of those four ranges but the other aspects mentioned in this article earlier should also be brought into the calculation. Take for example a mixed martial art with the combination of Boxing, Capoeira, Aikido, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. By conducting an analysis on the surface of each sport, we could say that this is a very good combination. The continuous motion of the body would complement the continuous dance-like motion of Capoeira. This same continuous motion of Capoeira and Boxing would help the accumulation of momentum for the takedowns of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Once the opponent has been taken down, the precise and powerful punches of that was gained from training would again come into play during the ground fight. The dodging motion would also lead the martial artist to a successful attempt for redirecting the weight of the opponent in case that his opponent advances towards him.

Being a very flexible fighter is the greatest advantage that a practitioner gains by being able to learn mixed martial arts. A martial artist seeking to find a combination of styles to suit him may follow the example given here, but of course he may as well formulate his own mix because after all, he knows his own body.