Martial arts: fact and fiction
In martial arts, training, sport and self-defense are not the same thing. Before choosing a discipline, ask yourself honestly: do you want to get fitter, compete or truly understand what works under pressure?
This article looks at martial arts from an MMA perspective. The aim is not to lavish praise on one discipline and dismiss the others, but to distinguish fact from habit and appealing myths.
Why your goal matters when choosing a martial art
For about a year now, I have been weighing up which martial arts work and which are realistic. The simple truth is that before choosing a discipline, you need to know why you want to train in the first place.
One person values a strong body and working up a good sweat. Another wants to compete. A third is thinking about self-defense, perhaps if someone picks a fight with them on the street. A fourth looks to training for calm, discipline and a greater sense of well-being.
Before criticizing the author of this article, please bear in mind that this perspective is rooted in MMA and its underlying approach. That means the focus is on this question: what works when your opponent is not cooperating?
Martial arts compared in practice
This comparison covers MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), Thai boxing, also known as Muay Thai, kickboxing, boxing, wrestling and kung fu in its broader sense. All can be practiced at very different levels, but their strengths and weaknesses are still fairly clear.
I assess them using the following criteria:
- physical training load (toughness)
- mental training load (intelligence)
- practical effectiveness on the street in 1vs1 and 1vs2 situations (functionality)
- ground fighting vs stand-up fighting (well rounded or not)
- potential injuries (injury risk)
- effectiveness and fitness for purpose (overall effectiveness)
- aggression on a scale of 1-5 (aggressiveness)
MMA
- + very high physical training load
- + broad knowledge base: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu + Muay Thai + wrestling
- + the best martial art to date for 1vs1 situations
- + strong understanding of ground fighting, including joint locks and chokes
- – still not effective in 1vs2 or 1vs3 situations on the street
- – high risk of joint injuries, particularly from joint locks
Muay Thai
- + very high physical training load
- + good practical effectiveness on the street in 1vs1 and 1vs2 situations
- + very good elbow and knee striking techniques
- – mental training load is limited by the small range of techniques available
- – no understanding of ground fighting
- – high injury risk, including KOs and cuts to the head
Kickboxing
- + good physical training load
- + practical effectiveness on the street in 1vs1 and 1vs2 situations
- – low mental training load
- – no understanding of ground fighting
- – risk of injuries to both the head and legs
Boxing
- + good physical training load for the upper body
- + practical effectiveness on the street in 1vs1 situations, though limited
- + highly suited to its intended purpose
- – very low mental training load because the range of techniques is limited
- – no understanding of ground fighting
- – serious head injuries, particularly from repeated blows to the head
Wrestling
- + very high physical training load
- + good mental training load, as you learn to feel and manipulate body mass
- – almost no practical effectiveness on the street
- – no understanding of stand-up fighting
- – high risk of back and neck injuries
- – minimal destructive potential, as instruction centers on throws
Kung fu
- + mentally demanding because there are so many techniques
- – low physical training load
- – no practical application in a street fight
- – no understanding of ground fighting
- – unclear purpose
Martial arts: what does the scorecard show?
The table below breaks down the disciplines on a simple 1-5 point scale. It is not the definitive verdict, but a practical way to see where each discipline excels and where it falls short.
| Area | MMA | Muay Thai | Kickboxing | Boxing | Wrestling |
| Stand-up fighting | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Ground fighting | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Overall practical effectiveness | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
The conclusion is straightforward. If you want to improve your overall fitness, wrestling can be a very strong choice. If you are interested in complex, traditional movements, kung fu can offer a mental challenge. If your aim is the most comprehensive self-defense possible, MMA is the most logical route.
But this comes with a warning. At my first workout, my coach Priit Mihkelson told me that MMA is fu**ing hard. At the time, I did not take that entirely seriously. Today, I would say exactly the same thing to anyone planning to take up MMA.
* Priit Mihkelson (www.3dtreening.ee)
A practical look at self-defense
The contribution boxing, Muay Thai and kickboxing make to self-defense cannot be underestimated. Good striking skills, a sense of distance and a cool head go a long way. Yet the picture remains incomplete without an understanding of ground fighting.
It is claimed that 90% of fights end up on the ground because of slips, trips and knockdowns. Even if that figure is not accurate in every situation, the point is clear. If you cannot stay calm and respond effectively on the ground, your defense is incomplete.
Estonia’s martial arts community and culture have long been influenced by myths about stand-up fighting. MMA has been a new and sometimes poorly understood sport in Estonia. The beauty of ground fighting is not always appreciated, even though the results speak quite clearly.
Frankly, there could be more open discussion between practitioners of different disciplines. What works? What does not? Where are the weaknesses in each martial art? This need not be a clash between styles, but an opportunity to learn together.
It is worth repeating here: violence has no place on the streets, and the best fight is the one that never happened.
Martial arts: frequently asked questions
Which martial art is best for self-defense?
If your goal is comprehensive self-defense, MMA is a strong choice because it combines stand-up fighting and ground fighting. However, you need to bear in mind that the training is tough and the risk of injury is not small.
Is boxing alone enough?
Boxing develops good punching skills, footwork and a sense of distance. On its own, however, it remains limited because it does not provide an understanding of ground fighting.
Do martial arts make you more aggressive?
Good training should do the opposite: teach humility, calm and control. The point of Bushido, or the way of the warrior, is to master yourself, rather than seek violence on the streets.
Author: MEE
Come and train! ArtGym
