Mixed Martial Arts

A lot of people feel that mixed martial art is a very adaptable and powerful system for combat. I myself agree to it. This is because of the wide range of combat contact within MMA system. The modern context of MMA has been largely misunderstood as grappling and submissive techniques in fighting, since most MMA competitions end up on the ground.

MMA is a system of MIXED martial arts. In fact, this modern term is just a term to describe the use of cross-disciplines in martial arts from different nationality or culture.

In fact, I would like to bring the awareness of some traditional forms of martials arts or kungfu that are mixed martial arts system themselves.

One such example is the chinese Mantis Kungfu. It started off with simple hand-to-hand strikes, feinting, parrying, dodging, and side-steps. Gradually, the Mantis Kungfu evolves radically to include kicking, locking, throws, standup submissions, and even the soft art of Taiji in the form of Taiji Mantis Kungfu.

Another example is the chinese Dragon Kungfu. Dragon kungfu originated long ago in its primitive form of the practise of chi flow within the practitioner body. With proper controlled breathing techniques to generate extreme inhuman speed, agility and strength. Gradually, in the art of Shaolin kungfu, the Dragon is used in the form of Dragon claw or grip, with the primary purpose of strong grip on vital points on the enemies body so as to control their movements, inflict locks or breaking techniques, or to suppress them with 'sinking' techniques. The Dragon form then slowly evolves into a stand-alone form with more techniques like the 'Sky Dragon' in flying kicks or leap attacks, ' Earth Dragon' which was borrowed from the primitive 'Dog Kungfu' that incorporates throws, crouching submissions, ground-fighting, ground defense, and ground submissions (BJJ equivalent), and 'Divine Dragon' in the form of those awesome flips, aerials and twists to apply in speedy evasion from enemies.

Apart from chinese martial arts, I am also aware that Korean art like hapkido and han mu do are also evolution from traditional Korean art like Taekkyon and throwing techniques. I also believe that many martial arts of different culture has evolved from traditional forms to hybrid or mixed forms.

Therefore, MMA is not a new system, and most importantly as martial artists or fighters, no matter which style of combat is not important, the importance lies in the perfection of your own style. The passion, pride and perseverance of your own style is more important than learning too many techniques that you may not be able to apply in self-defense or combat.

No style is the Best in this World

In this present era, I had heard a lot of people madly passionate over over Mixed Marital Arts, Gracie Ju-jiutsu, and Muay Thai. There are always comparison and argument over which is the best style.

"Cut all traditional martial arts bull***t, MMA is the best. You p***y karate or kungfu fighters think you can use these crap***t in a fight?" This is a typical MMA fanatic comment on youtube videos.

Haha.

It is not the style that matters, it is you who makes the style strong and useful.

Different groups of martial arts are in fact sets of differing techniques or even in some cases, similar techniques. If you train a fist strike well for a few months, you will understand the speed, accuracy, and softness that are necessary within a fist strike. It is not just knowing a PUNCH. Oh yes, I just BOX you. It's not that simple.

That is why, regardless of styles, the thing that matters that most is the SKILL LEVEL (I know this sounds very MMORPG, but it is a fact) and your mastery of techniques. Ultimately, it is not the style of fighting you know, but who are you as a fighter that matters.

Train hard. Train down to the Earth. Do not believe in hasty results.

May the FORCE be with you. (Courtesy of Star Wars)

Origin of Martial Arts: Which is the Oldest Form?

Which is the oldest form of Martial Art? I don't think anyone can give an answer for sure because people in ancient times are isolated all over the globe: the Chinese in their Middle Kingdom, the Romans and Greek in Europe etc. Therefore, records in the past will not be that accurate.

I believe martial arts or fighting came about as early as the first humans walked the Earth. Animals and creatures, which were definitely stronger, faster, more vicious, more agile, and more sharp with senses, were the greatest threat to the survival of mankind at that time when there were no weapons or guns. Humans then make use of their brain to craft out stone weapons and wood clubs, later using hunted animal bones as weapons for self-protection.

However, Man realised that weapons alone were not useful against bigger and fiercer creatues, and that it was not always possible for them to stick together in groups to fight off these vicious creatures. Time after time, Man's tribe was attacked, and survivors who were smarter, fitter, and stronger survived by nature selection. These smarter humans were able to learn the hunting style or attack style of each creatures that disturbed their tribe. Slowly, these humans began to stand against these creatures and fight. Those who survived learnt even more from each attempt. They studied about footwork and handwork, how to maximise strike damage, how to take the quickest dodge in the process. Gradually, they developed techniques and conditionings to strengthen their bodies and face these creatures.

Not long later when some greedy, bad humans decided to put their strengths to command over others. That was when humans started to fight against one another, and as time passed by, the sets of fighting skills and techniques were improved. Gradually, distinct sects of martial arts rose as the strong destroyed the weak.

So, back to the question: who has the oldest form?

In my perspective, the oldest recorded martial art is Pankration. It was as early as in the 648 BCE in the early Greek Olympic Games. It had solid evidence of the clearest set of combinations of wresting and boxing at that time, although the Chinese had their form of kickboxing and wrestling in the form of shoubo 手博 between 1766 BCE to 1066 BCE in the Shang Dynasty, the records were not very detailed.

So, since Alexandra the Great invaded India back then, the art of Pankration could have spreaded to India, which could have influenced the Indian martial art, Kalarippayattu. Then, that could link to the Indian Buddhist Monk, Bodhidharma, who visited China and started the Shaolin sect of Kungfu. Chinese Kungfu evolved and soon many exponent went overseas like Japan, and Korea etc to influence the development of Ninjutsu, Okinawa Karate and Taekkyon.

We can see from here, all martial arts might have shared the same creator. Therefore, why the fuss on which martial arts is the best? Just be yourself and train hard in your form. That is the essence of mastering martial arts.

Food for Thought =)