ground-fighting vs. standing and stuff

kyle_33 · White Belt

I'm sure most of us have heard the statistic that over 50 percent of all unexpected fighting encounters end up on the ground within the first ten seconds. This makes sense considering that most unexpected fights occur between drunks in bars and in similar scenarios. What do you think is the more useful style, a strike oriented or a grapple oriented style? I personally prefer grapple, but I'm curious what everyone else thinks.

And this is not about two martial artists fighting (in a real, violent encounter and not a scheduled match or sparring thing), because that should rarely if ever happen considering the moral background to martial arts: don't fight unless you have to. In fact, its stupid to compare your particular style to another directly, because you shouldn't be looking to pick fights. The only comparison comes when you are trying to determine which form will be more effective against a lay-fighter who is trying to rob you or something like that.

Anyway, what about grapple versus strike in real-life common scenarios?

Kensai · Black Belt

I can see this one getting pretty heated.

So I'll start the flaming with GRAPPLING RULES and ALL Strikers STINK!

I'll now wait for someone like G95, Sai, Monkey, KickChick, Tobais to come back to me with there "pro striking agenda".

Seriously, roundedness is very important. IN ALL ranges:
Long - Kicking
Medium - Punching
Short - Elbows, Knees
Trapping - Joint locks
Grappling - Floor stuff.

But we all cant be equally good in all areas, or its very difficult to be. So I personally have choosen 2 areas I like, Trapping and Grappling. (Which I also believe to be the most useful in real life. IMHO)
But its my job then to be able to impose my perferences on to my attacker. This is what made the Gracies (to begin with) so good. They had no chance against a Kempo 8th Dan in stand up fighting, but they could impose their will and drag that person the the floor and then would have a HUGE advantage.

To sum up, its not whether its grappling Vs Striking, its the person that can make their attacker fight THIER WAY.

niel0092 · Brown Belt

Here we go again... lol

we'll I chose a striking art to begin with as 99.999% of fights start standing up. Having said that, I know that I need to learn grappling or I'm in real danger of getting eaten alive by a grappler. If only I had more time and money <sigh>
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TJS · Black Belt

Striking, But I foucus alot of time on Takedown defenses and groundfighting if the need arises.

those %=untrained people throwing haymakers. normal people have no balance when they punch thats why it always goes to the ground.

Kyle-san · Brown Belt

I'd rather have that fine balance that you can find in Jujutsu where everything is covered to a certain extent, however my personal preference lies in striking. I like to keep my distance, which isn't necessarily a bad thing if I get into a fight aginst someone untrained. However, grappling is extremely important if you go to the ground.

I'd have to say they're equal in importance, really.
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Kensai · Black Belt

Indeed they are Kyle San.

But, like I was saying. Due to the style, or time restrictions and money etc, we cant all train in all the areas. Also some, especially the TMAist dont WANT to train outside their style.

As Bruce Lee once said:

"Dont fear the 10,000 different kicks practiced once, fear the 1 kick practiced 10,000 times."

JerryLove · Black Belt

I think you are right on the money Kensai; a generalization in all fighting with a focus on a range and style you think you can force. For me it's upright grappling and infighting. I'm personally worried about the multiple-attacker game to want to focus on ground work (the most obvious choice 1-on-1).
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jiu-jitsu fighter · Brown Belt

i would have to say that if your a grappler learn some striking and if your a striker learn some grappling,

its better to be well rounded
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"When we go to the ground,you are in my world, the ground is the ocean, I am the shark,
and most people don't even know how to swim"

Karateka_latino · Black Belt

You need BOTH-period.

G95champ · Black Belt

Kensai I love a good debate LOL

Im a fan of striking for this reason ONLY. In a street fight if you go to the ground you can be jumped from one of the guys friends. BJJ, Judo, Wrestling, etc is not good for multi attackers.

Thats not to say striking arts like Karate, TKD, Thai are but at least you can hit and move instead of being a target.

Now I am the first to admit that as soon as a grappler takes a strike down its just a matter of time. Most good grapplers can take down any good striker. In this case the strikes only hope is the lucky punch or the KO.

So IMO its like this.
ONE on ONE in a controled fight the grappler wins 9 of 10 matches every time if not more.

ONE on TWO or more the striker has much better odds of comming out a winner only because he can hit and move.

There is an old saying that it is better to be lucky than good. This is what strikers like myself live by when we face a well trained grappler.
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(General George S. Patton Jr.) "It's the unconquerable soul of man, and not the nature of the weapon he uses, that ensures victory."

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