I’ve talked pretty badly about the mixed martial arts (MMA) as a form of self-defense in the past, but always promised to talk about its good points someday. This time I’m going to discuss the technical problems inherent in learning a martial “sport” and trying to adapt it for use in real combat, but I’ll also show you what we CAN learn from modern MMA.
In the beginning, there was Vale Tudo in Brazil and Cage Fighting in Russia. The only rules were “no biting or eye gouging.” That was almost the real deal, but even then I told people that one of the best techniques for getting out of chokes, neck cranks and many holds on the ground had to do with the proper use of pressure against the eyes of your opponent. But still, it was “almost” the real deal, technically-speaking.
Then came big business. They tried (especially in the USA) to gain acceptance from the commissioning authorities in order to be allowed to be shown on cable TV, which necessitated increasing the rules and number of “prohibited techniques.” The end result was that modern-day “No Holds Barred” fighting has barred so many holds that the modern sport of mixed martial arts has almost nothing to do with a real street fight, much less with the sort of battlefield combat that a soldier or LE guy will have to face.
But modern NHB can help you survive a violent encounter!
How?
Simple—just do what they aren’t allowed to do. Specialize in it.
Eye gouges are illegal? Then you know what to do when attacked!
No striking the throat or the cervical spine region of the neck (just under the back of the head)?
Now you know where to hit an opponent trying to take your life!
No kicking an opponent on the ground in the head? That’s the only time anyone will see me kicking someone in the head!
“Small joint manipulation,” aka bending and twisting the fingers is illegal because they are small and fragile and can easily be broken, even accidentally. If you have to control someone’s arms without seriously hurting him, that’s a very good alternative to a standard armbar!
No stomping kicks to the knee joint–those techniques end fighters careers, while Muai Thai low kicks just result in bruises and cramps. Threaten my life and see which kick I use!
No headbutts, elbows, groin strikes, . . .
Learn those “dangerous, illegal techniques”–they can and will save your life on the street!
Christopher “Bob” Roberts is an ex-soldier who relocated to europe and now earns his living as a tactics and close-combat instructor for military, police and private security companies.
For more information about armed and unarmed self-protection, subscribe to his free newsletters at
