Please help me with my bad decision

Kennard Skynard · White Belt

I know this is wrong but ill be honest. Ive always wanted to learn martial arts ever since i was 10. But now more then ever I am dedicated to learn one. This is going to sound bad, and I do know its for all the wrong reasons but here it goes. I am 5-08 tall, 175 pounds, in good shape and want to kick the hell out of a guy who has 100 pounds on me, at least a foot more of height, used to box, is 40 years old and is in great shape.
At work all day he terrorizes, ridicules and bullies everyone around including the owners. Everyone is scared of him and tolerates his arrogence. Its a union work place so its hard to fire anyone let alone someone they are terrorfied of. If you speak back and demand respect he challenges you outside, when you decline it gets worse. He is not the only one like that there eighter. Im sick of it and cant quit cause of the pay and familly. I dont care if it takes me 1 year of trainning or 10. I do know he did wrestle in colledge also which makes it even harder. Believe me this trully is NOT the only reason I want to take a MA but it is a major factor.
Now after hearing this which MA should I consider? Here is a list of available styles I have in my area.

TEACHES

1.) Karate, Kenpo, Kickboxing, Grappling, Muay Tai and weaponry.

2.) Aikido

3.) Tae Kwon Do

4.) Tai Chi

5.) Olympic style Judo & Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu (phone num. not
working so maybe shut down.)

6.) Genbu-Kai Shito-Ryu Karate-Do, Okinawan Kobudo, Toyama-
Ryu Batto-Do, and Traditional Kenpo

7.) Genbu-Kai

8.) Aikido, Laido

Please help me out by chosing one and a breif reason why. (if chossing # 5 then chose a second choice also cause they me out of buisness.)

THANKS

Tombstone · Green Belt

going by the reasons you've stated, i'd say mauy thai might be the best for the situation. that and if you could find a no holds barred type of training.

mark out aikido, its great but takes too long for what you want.

Kirves · Black Belt

BJJ and Muay Thai are the quickest ways to "get tough". BJJ would be more advisable as you would learn stuff that would enable you to hand the guys rear end to him on a platter, without you doing serious damage to him (i.e. risking harsh consequences).

iolair · Blue Belt

Red J · Black Belt

Have you ever thought of calling the union and demanding that they step in and meet with management? It is management's responsibility to provide a hassle free, non-intimidating, and safe workplace. If many of you feel this way then there is safety in numbers and your union rep should be able to handle this one.

If you decide to take matters into your own hands, you may be the one getting disciplined, arrested, looking for a new job, looking for new teeth, or if you do finish it, looking over your shoulder for the sequel.

If you are looking into starting MA, then check around and visit a few places, but do it for the right reasons. Good luck.
_________________
I had to lose my mind to come to my senses.

Freestyler · Yellow Belt

That's a good point about the wrestling.

I've grappled with wrestlers, while they have excellent take down skills and good positional control, they don't know very many submissions, but what's to stop them from pounding the crap out of you from the mount?

monkeygirl · KF VIP

Also, if he wants to "take it outside", that's pretty much a threat. You could probably call the police and get him arrested. After he's been arrested, it should be much easier to get him fired.

There's no problem with wanting to defend yourself against this guy, but initiating the fight isn't the answer. Especially if you do manage to beat him up...then the police will be coming for you! Which means you'll possibly have to pay lawyer fees/fines/do jail time...all of which making it harder to support your family.

Keeping all of that in mind, I would suggest Aikido or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. My main reasons for this are as follows:

A. Will be quicker to learn. These styles (Aikido especially) deal a lot with redirection of movement, instead of strikes. Because of this, you won't have to worry about "bulking up" just to be effective. Most styles usually do include a few redirectional defenses, but with Aikido it's the main focus. You'll learn lots of techniques, and you'll probaby learn some effective ones very early on. If you're very worried about the fight going to the ground, BJJ is the way to go.
B. Also, because Aikido focuses on not disabling but not harming your opponent, he can't really press charges against you. However, if you used something like Muay Thai or a similar striking art, you'd end up leaving the guy bloodied and bruised. As satisfying as that my sound, you'll still be relatively unscathed...and how will that look from the police's point of view?
_________________
1st dan & Asst. Instructor TKD 2000-2003

No matter the tune...if you can rock it, rock it hard.

shotochem · Pre-Black Belt

Hello Ken,
Since this is the real world and it is for keeps, I would goad the sob into hitting me in front of a few witnesses at work. If he hits you he will get fired, if he dont get fired you can call the police. He will then be arrested for assault and battery then he will be fired. Most respectable companies do not want to deal with violent felons on the payroll. MA is not the answer to your problem. If you want to learn MA do it for yourself not to get even. It takes years and hard work to be proficient enough to take someone bigger and stronger than you with a natural agression and tendency to fight. Try to beat him with your brain and legally. One day some bigger nastier guy will not take kindly to his * and not be as civilized as most of us are and he will get what he deserves. Just be smart, take care of yourself and your family

_________________
Pain is only temporary, the memory of that pain lasts a lifetime.

iolair · Blue Belt

What Red J said seems wise advice...
_________________
Currently: Kickboxing and variants.
Previously: Karate (Seido, Shotokan, Seidokan), Ju Jitsu, Judo, Aikido, Fencing.

SBN Doug · KF VIP

For quick self defense, I would agree with Muay Thai.

However, I just came away from a plant with a union. Are you in the union as well, or are you salary? In either case, the statement above is correct. Management is responsible for a "safe" work environment. If they won't listen, then tell them they'll be hearing from your lawer. Also, you can call a few state and federal organizations to report your employer's lack of response, and the police regarding the threats.
_________________
Kuk Sool Won - 4th dan
Evil triumphs when good men do nothing.

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