Self Defence Tips From an MMA Fighter and Personal Trainer

I've been in quite a few street fights. More than one who calls himself a martial artist should do, but nonetheless I have learnt a great deal about the difference between a sanctioned match up with weight divisions and a throwdown in the local boozer. In this article I'll try to explain some of those differences and help to clear the air regarding style vs. style and what actually works.

At the risk of having the Brazilian mafia come for me and choke me out, I will say that using the art of Jiu Jitsu is a great way to get yourself

hurt in a streetfight. Let me clarify though

that Jiu Jitsu techniques have saved my skin from serious beatings in the past but at the same time the chunk of flesh removed from my hamstring is testament to the fact that men are animals and will do what they must to avoid an armbar, even resorting to biting a steak out of you.

No, if you end up on the ground in a streetfight (which is often where streetfights end up) it is wise to use the principals of BJJ to move ones hips around until it becomes possible to stand up again.

I say this for a few reasons. People in street fights usually have friends that are more than happy to perform LMFAO's shuffle on your head while you hold an awesome side control. Not everybody knows to tap out, they just want to punch your skull in and they won't stop until they are satisfied your skull is sufficiently punched in or are incapacitated.

Last of all is the fact that you just may find yourself under attack from the thing and his 150kg frame crushing down on you is nullifying your rubber guard. I have also made the mistake of trying to head kick a guy in a street fight. This drunken primate was walking toward me pretty hard and though my kick landed and clearly rattled him I was off balance and the ensuing right cross he threw at me hit like a freight train on steroids. I was down on my back and thankfully some hip movement and a trip or two managed to give me a moment to get back up and away to lick my wounds.

Basically the best moves in a street fight are the least complicated ones. I like martial arts that have been made into sport because the sole purpose of sport is to win and this has made these arts the most efficient and well trained. Basic boxing, basic Thai clinching, basic wrestling and jiu jitsu are your safest bet. Try to stay standing and keep yourself balanced and your opponent off balanced, don't try anything fancy and stay calm. If the opportunity presents itself to incapacitate your attacker do it but make it quick. Don't give them a chance to escape your choke hold or a moment to gather their thoughts after a good punch.

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