March 25, 2019
There are many differences between MMA and Krav Maga or “Reality based self defense”.
MMA or mixed martial arts revolutionized martial arts training because it puts striking and grappling together in one system of fighting. Striking and grappling arts were artificially separated to promote various adjendas such as public health and fitness. Jigoro Kano created a physical fitness revolution in 1882 when he took out the most deadly techniques of jiu jitsu and created Judo. Gichin Funakoshi created a system that could be taught in schools without students getting injured when he sanitized his martial training and created Karate. His system of karate became known as Shotokan.
MMA broke down the artificial separation of arts into grappling and striking and put fighting skills back together. Out of necessity due to the success of BJJ against strikers in particular, fighters started cross training in grappling and striking skills just as the warriors of old did.
MMA training is effective because it only uses fighting techniques that are very effective. Nothing fancy for the most part makes it into the ring or octagon.
I the context of self defense training, there are profound differences between MMA and RBSD (reality based self defense). There are excellent reasons to train in RBSD such as Krav Maga even if you already train in MMA. With MMA you know when and where the fight is taking place, you know who you are fighting , what their record is, their strengths and vulnerabilities and your opponent will be your same weight class. You know when the fight starts and when it’s over. You know the rules. Also, your fighting one other fighter.
None of those parameters is relevant to a street confrontation. More than likely you will be assaulted by someone with no intention of “fighting” you. He will not square off or warn you he will simply corner you with a weapon or just assault you when you are looking away. In MMA the fighters are sparring, testing each looking for weakness to exploit. They are creating opportunities with tactics and strategies.
A street fight is more like an assault not a fight. The strategy is all out attack and no defense just total commitment to the attack.
An advantage of MMA training is in training against a fully resisting opponent this is a fundamental benefit of grappling arts including wrestling Bjj and Judo. It is also trained in boxing and kickboxing including Sanshou and Muay Thai.
A huge benefit of Krav Maga training is learning to deal with common street threats and attacks. The toughest MMA fighter isn’t training to deal with gun threats or a against a knife or a baseball bat.
Train in several systems if you can. If you can find a school that offers Krav Maga, striking and grappling arts or MMA training you will be training mind body and spirit to be ready for anything.