Mixed martial arts is considered a combination of two or more styles or martial arts. In order to truly be called martial arts, the sport must originate from Asian traditions and the participants trained in the physical, mental and spiritual ways of the art. To be trained in one only one aspect is not acceptable. Therefore many other forms of combat sports such as boxing or wrestling are not considered martial arts. As times changes however, so do martial arts. Western influence has slowly crept in over the years, and simple fighting has taken the martial arts name without the proposed value system. The combination of traditional martial arts techniques with street fighting is growing in popularity despite the dismay of martial arts purists. However true mixed martial arts combines both Eastern and Western influence to create a new art form.
As with any art, there are both good and bad forms of mixed martial arts. Respect is an important concept in this form of fighting. In the mixed martial art’s world a “pirate” is someone who takes or comes up with a move and implements it into their training without doing the proper research about how to perform the movement or if it even fits in with the discipline they are practicing. (“martial arts culture”) They take a movement and claim it for their own. For example, to fit with the media’s violence obsessed culture, some teachers add in street fighting techniques that do not really fight within the discipline or are practical. This is simply a ploy to attract an audience, not continue with the traditions of martial arts that are the basis of the sport. Techniques are often modified to fit audience expectations. For example matches may be designed to last for a long period of time for the entertainment of those watching instead of teaching how to perform a quick effective take down that would be practical application. This goes against the core concept of mixed martial arts. Cheating is also a significant problem. The use of “dirty fighting tricks” in order to make it easier to win a fight may be effective in a real life fight setting as they are simply another way to deliver force (“martial arts culture”). The proper form of mixed martial arts is designed to develop not only skill, but character as well. Dirty fighting tricks are not condusive to positive character building. There are many problems with taking shortcuts in mixed martial arts. For one thing if a person does not truly understand the difference between fighting and self-defense, using these techniques in a real life setting is downright illegal. It takes a long time for a student to build up muscle memory, if short cuts are taken with training a student risks injury or simply limits their ability to perform additional movements. The only way to truly learn mixed martial arts is through lots of practice.
Personal growth, health and fitness are all positive contributions that mixed martial arts can provide to society. With these concerns it is no surprise that more people are taking an interest in mixed martial arts both a form of entertainment and as a sport. Mixed martial arts help teach skills for protection from physical, emotional, and mental external attacks, and also assist in learning different techniques that are both steeped in tradition but with a modern twist. Body language, verbal skills, and psychology can also be learned through practicing mixed martial arts. Immense changes that have taken place over recent years to these various art forms, mostly towards the positive, growing interest in this art on a worldwide scale.
Works Cited:
Homan, M. (2010). Promoting community change: Making it happen in the real world . (5 ed.). Brooks Cole.
"Martial Arts Culture." No Nonsense Self Defense - Reliable information for dangerous situations. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Mar. 2013. <http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/MAculture.html
Mirzoeff, N. An Introduction to Visual Culture. 2. Routledge, 2009. Print.
"The Master – disciple relation in the Chinese martial art tradition | The Dark Path | Chinese martial art and Chinese culture." Tadzio. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Mar. 2013. <http://tadziogold.com/134/the-master-disciple-relationship-in-the-chinese-martial-art-tradition>.
"Traditional Martial Arts Training – - Black Belt." Black Belt Magazine: World’s Leading Magazine of Martial Arts – - Black Belt - World's Leading Magazine of Martial Arts. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Mar. 2013. <http://www.blackbeltmag.com/category/daily/traditional-martial-arts-training/?topicid=2552>.
