Will MMA kill off traditional Martial Arts ?

Carlos Jackal · 02:58 PM

I've been wondering if the old practitions of Karate, Taekwondo and so on are gradually going to die out.

Where I live the sport of MMA is becoming ever more popular, in both practice and media. There are lots of clubs opening up focusing on Boxing, Muay Thai, and ground work. Karate clubs and their like seem empty and in my opinion lost.

MMA is proving that while these are good bases for learning and are most fighters starting arts, they are dieing a death with newer fighters, my brohter is 14 and him and his mates all have UFC dvd's and have favourite fighters, and have all started kick-boxing and jiu-jitsu classes.

These old schools are being proven not to be effective anymore ?, people in the street defend themselves rather like Liddell or W. Silva (although with not the same class, obviously) rather than Jackie Chan or Daniel san. And I for one welcome it, I spent many years from when I was 6 - 18 years old, learning stuff what simply wasn't effective. So I dont think it will be long before we see the end of the old Karate and Taekwondo clubs.

Thoughts ?.

Igorot Warrior · 10-17-2006, 12:16 PM

I hear you...and as a long time MMA fan, I can appreciate what MMA can do inside and outside the ring (or cage).

But reading about martial arts from Jet Li's perspective...especially the philosophical side...make me also not want the traditional martial arts (some of them anyway) to die away either:

What makes you angry?

Nothing. If you understand the true meaning of martial arts, my self is the enemy. I need to fight myself. The only thing that can make me angry is myself. Because in the past, when I was young, people would always make me angry by not treating me nice, or giving me hard work... the boss treated me this way, the studio. I always complained about the outside. This is not fair, that's not fair. Today, if you sit there, if you understand the true meaning about life, the system, nothing will make you angry. If you're strong enough inside, you will feel that everything is fair. If they treat me bad, that's fair, because they don't understand you. If they treat me good, I'm very polite, and I appreciate it. If you figure out that truth, nothing makes me angry. I have no fear.

Excerpted from here:

http://angryasianman.com/extra.html

childrenofbodom · 10-17-2006, 12:31 PM

very clever 'tarditional'.....

explosives · 10-17-2006, 12:44 PM

Good riddance then, I am happy that they are dying out, because your basicly learning a lie, that is probably even worse for you in a street fight.

Iceberg Slim · 10-17-2006, 12:59 PM

MMA has made a big impact on the TMA schools buit will not kill them off. For the simple reason that not everybody that takes martial arts really wants to be a fighter.

When mom and dad decide to get little suzy some karate classes, they are not looking to put her in some freakin hardcore MMA class. They want her to go to a nice TMA school, learn a mean face, to keep her hands up, to scream and holler and kick like crazy.

They know it won't save her ass from a real attacker (neither would mma training) but it prolly makes her feel better.

MMA will always be the school for the tough guys. but most TMA students, ARENT TOUGH GUYS!! That's why they signed up for a self defense class in the first place!

White Snake · 10-17-2006, 01:04 PM

Not anymore than MMA will kill off pro wrestling. There will always be a spot for TMAs even if McDojos are just around to swindle people.

**SpacePotato** · 10-17-2006, 01:18 PM

Many people get involved in martial arts for reasons that include more than "becoming good at street fights". TMAs tend to focus on development as a human being, not just developing the skills needed to beat people up "on the street". Some people find that valuable for themselves and/or their kids, and I think TMAs will stick around to fulfill that need, which basic sports training does not fulfill.

And seriously, if you want to be good in "street fights", you would probably get much more value for your time and money by buying a tazer and carrying it around with you.

JSN · 10-17-2006, 01:46 PM

i think alot of the ore combat-oriented TMA's are going ot have to adapt a more tai chi role. i like the ideal of growing as a person through martial arts, but i don't like the TMA instructors/practitioners who half believe you can learn to whup ass through _____.

Igorot Warrior · 10-17-2006, 02:14 PM

Exactly...

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpacePotato

Many people get involved in martial arts for reasons that include more than "becoming good at street fights". TMAs tend to focus on development as a human being, not just developing the skills needed to beat people up "on the street". Some people find that valuable for themselves and/or their kids, and I think TMAs will stick around to fulfill that need, which basic sports training does not fulfill.

And seriously, if you want to be good in "street fights", you would probably get much more value for your time and money by buying a tazer and carrying it around with you.

InternetHero · 10-17-2006, 03:01 PM

No.

There will always be room for TMA's with the massive amount of hype and disinformation surrounding all Martial Arts.

McDojo's can still sell people dreams. It is easy for a sensei to say "This is the secret death art not allowed in MMA!" and what have you. So combine that with people who are interested in "fight" but have no intrest in getting physically with grappling, hitting a heavy bag, ECT. then they are going to want a McDojo. As far as I know MMA has only helped some TMA's... especially ones that try to add a little MMA. Like, I've seen some ridiculous combinations of things like TKD, Shotokan, and Aikido and you think "Why the fuck bother?" but other people do not know that and a lot of people are not wise enough to see if something is more effective for self-defense and "fighting".