Ving Tsun in the Era of Mixed Martial Arts
by Luc on July 27, 2009
in Self Defense
Ever since Royce Gracie tapped out numerous opponents starting in 1993 with the advent of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, mixed martial arts has become quite popular. Since the new hybrid mixed martial arts style has dominated in the cage, many say that ving tsun and other traditional martial arts are no longer valid. This is not true.
In ving tsun, we train for violent confrontation on the streets.
We need a system that will work when we are sick, tired, injured, or otherwise not on top of our game. Violence does not wait to occur at the precise time a 12 week training cycle comes to a peak. Attackers do not select their victims based on weight class. They do not fight you one at a time. Concealed weapons may be involved. No medical staff is standing by a few feet away. There are no rounds and no referees, no predetermined time or place. The ground may have debris and broken glass on it and the attacker’s friends may be standing by to give you a good kick making groundfighting very dangerous. The area may not be well lit. You may not have your support team with you.
There are no rounds for you to rest between. In fact, we strive to end a confrontation as quickly as possible.
Ving tsun is not a sport.
Watching two highly trained athletes go toe-to-toe is highly entertaining, but it’s important to recognize mixed martial arts for what it is: a sport. I have a great deal of respect for mixed martial art athletes. The training is intense and to compete at a high level requires a lot of dedication. Some attributes developed in the sport will carry over to the street but some skills learned could put one’s life in jeopardy if applied in a self defense situation.
Ving tsun develops the nervous system, mind, and body to handle multiple attackers and larger opponents. It is as pertinent in today’s world as it was when first developed hundreds of years ago.
Train hard and relax hard.
Excellent.
A very complete statement, thanks for publishing this.
I agree that MMA, as a sport, does not go into issues that need to be looked into for self-defense. Weapons, use of force, legal considerations, etc.
However, I do question the validity of some arguments against “MMA”.
MMA does work if you are sick, tired, injured, or not on the top of your game, just like how my TKD or BJJ works if I am sick, tired, etc. “Peaking” at the end of a 12-week cycle is to make sure you are at your best for a fight you know will happen. If you have two quality martial artists, the one who is sick or tired will be a bad disadvantage no matter their style. I’m sure you perform your art better when you are healthy rather than sick.
Attackers do pick their victims partially based on weight class – they take the smaller ones. =D But then again, if you can’t beat someone your own size you will probably have a very difficult time beating someone bigger.
The street doesn’t have medical staff standing a few feet away, but I don’t see many “traditional” martial artists (been doing TKD for over 15 years) training self-defense hard enough to need medical staff at their self-defense training. The fact is, MMA competition requires medical staff because people will be getting hurt – it is real.
I don’t address the “multiple opponent” issue until I see someone beat one opponent. Otherwise, I’m not teaching a martial art. I’m teaching “track”. =)
The cage has rules and referees just as the classroom has a teacher and rules (whether those rules are spoken or otherwise) to keep everyone safe.
Hi Jack-
Thanks for reading the blog.
I’m not arguing against MMA. The cage or the ring is different from the street. One should train accordingly. You reiterate these points in your comment.
The street doesn’t have medical staff standing a few feet away, but I don’t see many “traditional” martial artists (been doing TKD for over 15 years) training self-defense hard enough to need medical staff at their self-defense training.
I haven’t seen any MMA gyms that have medical staff on site during training either.
The fact is, MMA competition requires medical staff because people will be getting hurt – it is real.
Having to use kung fu in the street is real, too.
I don’t address the “multiple opponent” issue until I see someone beat one opponent. Otherwise, I’m not teaching a martial art. I’m teaching “track”. =)
LOL – I agree that it’s best to avoid these situations if possible. Unfortunately, they do occur.
Sifu Luc