Last night got into my first 'streetfight' (will explain in a bit) and dissapointly for me at least, despite 2 years experience in MA mostly in Brazilian Ju Jitsu and Kickboxing I couldn't throw a hit.

Is it normal for a MMA fighter to be totally unprepared for a streetfight?

It was an unfortunate incidence as I was chosen by a drunken lout to be his source of entertainment. He used techniques Ive never seen before such as butting the beak of a cap into my face repeatly and punching me in the neck. I didnt really want to hit him anyway as he had several mates egging him on but the fact that I just couldnt hit him no matter what .

So I guess its the previous question and anything relating to this topic :).

I've got a very complex series of answers running through the back of my mind, but I think my most foremost thought, is that it sounds like you were not in any real danger and did the right thing by NOT raising your handbag.

Martial Arts, by whatever category, are NOT superhero costumes you change into in a phone box.

Once we get over that delusion, we'll all have much more fun with them.

You will be unprepared if you are expecting a streetfight to be like training. No one is going to line you up opposite each other and say "GO!". There are no illegal techniques and you can't expect your opponent to use the same skillset as you are used to. If you go into a streetfight expecting it to be like MMA training, yes, you will be unprepared.

On the other hand, if you are more realistic and know things like biting, kicking, urinating, squawking like a chicken are fair game, your training will definitely not be hindered by it unless you constrain yourself by what your perceive as "rules" for a fight.

Thanks Mule and CTD ur right of course but i guess its just comes with experience :) and urinating on ur opponent is definetly an interesting way to go about it .

despite 2 years experience in MA mostly in Brazilian Ju Jitsu and Kickboxing I couldn't throw a hit. You shouldn't feel bad - Two years is hardly enough training to be effective in a street fight, especially if you have no other combat or streetfighting experience, no matter what martial art you're training.

But even once you're a grizzled veteran of 20 years or more experience in your chosen art, it's good for you to remember how you felt in this first fight, and to turn and run away just as if you were still that rank beginner.

It's a damn sight better than ending up dead over something you could have gotten out of some other way.

Your training has been conditioning you to have control. It has obviously worked. Use the experience to further your knowledge on your own psychological reaction to the situation. Did you feel your heart racing, the adrenaline rush and possible crash. Understanding these things and their affects on you, how the fight/flight syndrome can seriously impair your abilities, and ,most importantly, how to break through those affects when you realy are in danger, that is the key things you need to think about!

don't be dissapointed in yourself leeman. If anything this was a good opportunity to have experience without getting severly injured (i hope!)

training will teach you basics and it takes a long time to become a good fighter. Most schools do not teach the pyschological side, because it usually can't be taught, it has to be experienced to understand fully.

when you get into a fight outside the MA Gym (dojo, kwon etc etc) you are not going to know the other guys experience, and you can't pick him/her to be the same height, weight category etc.

The only thing you have that the other guy doesn't is knowledge of yourself. and vice versa.
How do you know that this guy doesn't have 10 years experience in Judo and boxing, or any other martial art?

Yeah I would agree with the comments made there Leeman - the fact that you are writing this post should demonstrate that your training has been successful. i.e. YOUR ALIVE!!!

You could of hit that guy - he could of died, or his mates could of all jumped on you!

I think what your experiencing is perhaps dare I say a 'pride' issue? By this I mean perhaps you figured that competence in training equates to dealing effectively with an adrenline dump?


Either way - I think you should be pleased that your alive and that your training actually allowed you to take hits, stay on your feet and stay alive.