How Does This Happen?
Historically, the effectiveness of any given martial art was established in one or more of four ways:
- Argumentation (For example, legs are stronger than arms, so kicking is more effective)
- Appeal to Authority (Bruce Lee originated this discipline used by Navy SEALs);
- Anecdote (My teacher has destroyed multiple armed attackers, more than once, easily); and
- Demonstration (watch me wave my arms around as my compliant students fall to the ground in dramatic fashion).
Then MMA came along with an idea as simple as wheels on luggage - if you want to test the effectiveness of an art, have exponents of different disciplines fight each other. However, some approaches are unfortunately late to the party, and still rely on the antiquated means of “proving” a martial art works.
And so it was that Sifu Zhou, a master of Hun Yuan Tai Chi, challenged an MMA fighter to a style vs. style bout in the cage. The age difference alone (Zhou was 50 and the fighter was 30) would be enough to tip the scales. Then add in that one man practiced one of the most effective approaches, while the other practiced an amazing art with enormous physical, mental, and health benefits, but precious little practical value. From a rational perspective, this challenge is absurd, perhaps almost criminally so.
But the Tai Chai proponent had relied on the old four ways of establishing effectiveness that he had, unfortunately, come to believe it.
Watch What Happened
The referee checks the judges, and then signals that the fight was one. The two show good character, and touch in.
It’s on.
The Tai Chi master assumes a fighting stance, of sorts, with his lead, right hand outsretched. He begins to shuffle forward.
The MMA fighter, in an orthodox stance, circles to his inside, getting quick reads on where his opponent will be next, and what he will be doing. He understands the Tai Chi master will be at nearly the same range, but moving forward, with no effective strikes available.
So the MMA fighter throws a Wrong Stepping Straight. It lands cleanly, visibly snapping back the master’s head. And it’s over.
The elapsed time was just five seconds.
The Lesson
The benefits of martial arts are numerous, which is why there is more such thing as the best martial art that there is the best gun. Some firearms need to be concealed. Some need to be accurate from a long distance. Some need to be able to fire rapidly. Some need to be rugged and functional even when subject to wear and dirt. Some need to comply with local laws around hunting or personal defense. The same thing is true with martial arts.
Some martial arts, like judo and Aikido, put great emphasis on the refinement of character. Some martial arts, like amateur boxing and wrestler are a magnificent means to develop the personal responsibility of young people who grow up in circumstances that can lead to an anti-social life. Some martial arts, like Tai Chi, are amazing for maintaining balance, range of motion, and other vital qualities for a healthy old age.
The problem comes up when confusion sets in. A woman in her 70s wanting to develop more mobility should not try MMA. One hard takedown and walking will be an issue for some time. Likewise a 50 year old Tai Chi expert should not challenge a 30 year old MMA fighter to a fight. One hard straight, and it’s lights out.
In sum, all martial arts are excellent in some regard, but not are excellent in all regards. So choose wisely, and know what you are doing.
Concentrate and ask again