I just want to point out a few small errors that I've come across over and over on many threads and in several discussions I've had with traditional martial artists these days. It's not that big of a deal really, just a few definition issues that I think need clarifying. I know most of the folks here will already know what I'm saying in this post... but hopefully a few can get a little info out of it.
MMA or "Mixed Martial Arts" is the idea of training in several martial styles in an attempt to be well rounded in all ranges of combat. Exact definitions may vary, but that is the general idea. It entails training techniques and concepts from several martial styles or systems so that the student can become proficient in fighting in all ranges of combat. A MMA student will train any techniques that work regardless of what the original martial style is that a particular technique, concept, or idea came from. A MMA student is not loyal to one style of combat, but is more concerned with learning whatever really works against a resisting opponent in all ranges of combat.
Another characteristic of MMA training is that it is usually accompanied by sparring and grappling in all of the ranges of combat. It is typically much more "hands on" than any particular single martial style. This is because of the goal that many MMA students have to be able to actually fight well in all ranges of combat. The need for realistic training methods, such as sparring and grappling in all ranges, is necessary to ensure they are actually meeting that goal.
The sport of NHB (No Holds Barred Fighting) is what many people are referring to when they are talking about MMA or "competing in MMA". Some of these events are the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Pride Fighting Championship, King of the Cage, Hook & Shoot, Rage in the Cage, and Pancrase. There are many more all over the world. The rules vary from event to event, but they generally allow students to use almost everything except things like biting, eye gouging, and attacking the groin. Some events also don’t allow knees or elbows on the ground. These events let students of any martial style, whether it be a traditional martial artist who studies one style or a MMA student, test theirselves and their proficiency in fighting a fully resisting opponent. This sport is the closest way someone can test his or her ability in a real fight without actually being in a street fight.
You do not have to be a student of MMA to participate in an NHB event. It used to be that students of any one particular martial style would compete in NHB events, but that is not very common anymore. In NHB events the people who have proven to be the most successful are those that crosstrain in other martial styles in an attempt to be able to fight well in all ranges. Some crosstrain merely so they can remain in the 1 range of combat that they specialize in, without being forced to fight in a range that they aren’t good at.
The "Ranges of combat" should be spelled out as well. It is generally break it down to;
Weapons (Non-Ballistic Weapons such as sticks or knives. Some people add a range of combat at an even greater range than this that deals with ballistic weapons such as firearms, rocks, bow and arrow, etc.)
Striking (Sometimes broken down into the kicking and punching ranges)
Clinching (in which strikes, throws, takedowns, and even a few standing submissions take place. This is the range in which 2 people can grab onto each other)
Grappling (When the fight is on the ground with all of the many positions, submissions, strikes and strategies there)
I know for a lot of you here this is very basic and common knowledge, so forgive the simplicity. However I have been quite surprised time and time again, especially when talking with students of any one traditional style of martial art, at the simple misconceptions they have surrounding MMA and NHB. Hopefully this can help shed a little light on the subject. Please feel free to add any opinions, additions, or corrections to anything I said.
MMA is a sport. It is the name chosen to replace NHB, because of the negative connotation with NHB(ie, eye gouging, headbutting, etc). I see where your coming from, but your argument is like saying Shooto is an art, not a sport(it's both).
Dang... is there anyway I can make it so that everyone can reply on this thread? I didnt mean to make it exclusive. Sorry guys. If any admin can do that, please do! Thanks.
What Saint said. I remember when I first got interested our sport was called NHB. But back then, it virtually was No Holds Barred. Now, it's not. Now, many holds are barred, and it is a legitimate sport. As such it is no longer known as NHB, and is more commonly known as MMA or 'ultimate fighting'.
I agree that "No Holds Barred" may not be the best name for it, since there are some holds barred.
I think some of you guys are missing the point that Mixed Martial Arts does not require one to participate in any sport. Yes, there is a sport in which mixed martial artists go into a ring or a cage and fight, but you dont have to be a mixed martial artist to do that. You can train in MMA without doing any competing. Also, someone from one style can, and often has, competed in these fights so the term MMA does not apply to everyone competing in such a fight.
I don't understand what the content of your thread has to do with the thread title.
You state, "I just want to point out a few small errors that I've come across over and over on many threads and in several discussions I've had with traditional martial artists these days." But then you don't cite any examples of what mistakes have been made. You just give a few definitions of terms and situations. What are the errors that you come across over and over and how do these mistakes relate to your post content?
"MMA or "Mixed Martial Arts" is the idea of training in several martial styles in an attempt to be well rounded in all ranges of combat. Exact definitions may vary, but that is the general idea." This brings up kind of an interesting point. When people first began using the term Mixed Martial Arts it was used to define a type of event where different styles of martial arts were set to fight against one another. However, over time the term has evolved to fit a style of training whereby different techniques from different styles are used in conjunction with each other. So the term that was originally used to describe a specific sport is now used to describe a style of fighting within that sport.
If mixed martial arts is used to name a style of training for an event where people are judged on a specific set of skills against an opponent who is being judged by the same criteria in order to determine a winner how can you say it's not a sport? You have a mixed martial artist fighting against another mixed martial artist in a mixed martial arts event with the intent of determining a winner. Sounds a lot like a sport to me.
Now that's not to say that the only application of mixed martial arts is for sporting purposes, but in many cases it is indeed a sport.
What you describe as MMA above actually sounds like "Self Defense". Your NHB definition sounds more like MMA. NHB would be very early UFC, some early Brazilian Vale Tudo events, and illegal organized prizefighting.