When I was training as long ago as 25 years in 'mixed
martial arts' we simply called it 'cross training'.
At the time the names in the UFC/Pride and so on came
from traditional martial arts, kempo, ju jitsu and so on, same as myself and comrades.
We cross trained and added to our knowledge, adapted
and evolved. We kept our values and training ethics.
With this solid foundation in fighting, these fighters
and coaches went on to do great things, even as far as to change the way
fighting was viewed by the masses. However, the underlying factor was good
practice and learning things properly from the very start; learning to punch,
to throw and basically doing a good apprenticeship. We took years to qualify
with gruelling gradings and tests. We travelled 1000's of miles to meet and
train, and it cost us time money and relationships.
Then came the next generation of taught fighters and
people being people, the fighters often forgot their own history and viewed
themselves greater than the history behind them. After few fights and few years
they often opened their own schools before they had truly learnt the essence of
what they taught.
For example, “We
teach techniques from sambo/bjj and thai, freestyle wrestling” and so on,
but the arts have not been learnt to the full.
Now there is a third generation teaching 'MMA'. The
'MMA' has changed to two fighters armed with few skills; some stand-up and
boxing, double leg takedown and some BJJ; leg locks always are classed as sambo
though often they've never trained in sambo at all.
I’m not so much talking of professional fighters, more the
average student; the person who trains twice a week, pays his money and leaves
with 3rd generation watered down technique.
The big news is MMA is not for the street folks! It can
get you hurt or worse. MMA does not help against multiple opponents and does
not help against surprise attacks or armed attacks.
Within Russian All-Round Fighting there are answers to
this. There is a structured learning system and levels of qualification; Master
grades that have to be proven. For example, for 'Master of sport' you need to
be a proven champion, not is a single fight in a cage or mat but in
international competition, fighting all comers at that event therefore proving
that you are truly a master of your sport. No belts are sold or paid for in
advance, as in some styles.
If full contact is not for you? Well it’s no problem
but your training has to reflect reality and be tested. Not right away,
that would be crazy, but following a proper training program not a series of
training being plucked from the air each lesson.
Think before you sign up to a school; just what is it
you want to gain for yourself or your child?
Train Smart
Chest I Slava
www.Russianallroundfighting.co.uk
You can contact Darrin at: sambowrestler@yahoo.co.uk
