MMA Vs Traditional Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is the fastest growing sport in the world. It has given individuals an outlet to test their skills against other skilled fighters in the name of sport. MMA utilizes a variety of strikes such as kicks, punches, elbows and knees depending on the rules governing that particular event. MMA also enables fighters to take their opponent down using throws or wrestling and once on the ground MMA fighters use grappling in order to submit their opponent or punish them with strikes until the referee stops the fight.

Fights can be won by submission, knockout, technical knock out, or judges decision. I myself have competed in MMA and did fairly well. I won some fights and I lost some fights but I had a blast competing. I personally love MMA and what it brings to martial arts as far as sport. MMA fighters are some of the best athletes in the world and best conditioned. I have great respect for anyone willing to put their body through the grueling training required to be a successful fighter. The problem I have with some MMA fighters is their total lack of respect for the traditional martial arts. These fighters are in the minority in their way of thinking as most MMA fighters have immense respect for traditional martial arts.

These fighters are most often amateurs who do not put in the time nor the energy in training but rather do it solely for the purpose of the label. These guys think being labeled a "MMA fighter" will bring them respect and give them a higher standing within society or at least within the martial arts community. My question is what exactly do these "MMA fighters" think they are doing? Afterall if you break down the moniker MMA it stands for MIXED Martial Arts. MMA fighters are martial artists who train in a variety of styles of martial arts in a hybrid fashion. Sure many MMA schools don't carry with them the traditional values and philosophies of traditional dojos such as discipline, self-esteem, respect, integrity, and honor.........but the majority of them do. The fact is these fighters who lack respect for traditional martial arts are naive. Simply put they are practicing traditional martial arts and they don't even realize it. Albeit it is a watered down version of different martial arts combined hence the "mixed" in mixed martial arts.

They use boxing for hand strikes; Taekwondo, Karate, and Kickboxing for their kicks; Ju-Jitsu for their submissions; Judo and wrestling for their throws and takedowns.........all traditional martial arts. Again MMA is designed for sport NOT self-defense. MMA is regulated by rules such as weight classes, no small joint manipulations, no strikes to the groin, no strikes to joints, no kneeing a downed opponent in the head, no eye gauging, no friends allowed to join in the fight, no rocks, no knives, no chairs, no glass bottles.......you get my drift. Traditional martial arts such as Karate, Ju-Jitsu, Judo, and Aikido etc were developed and designed for life or death situations. The entire point of this post is that I firmly believe that ALL martial art styles need to be respected. Each and every martial art brings a unique aspect to self-defense. Sure we develop our own philosophies, opinions, and way of looking at other martial arts but in the end they all should be respected. This is my opinion and my opinion alone although I am sure many will agree.