What's your style?

[Fox1s2]

I guess I'll start things off....

Names Brian, Started Tae Kwon Do about 2 years ago...Currently a Red Belt 3 stripes...Will be moving up to Brown at the end of this month...:D

SO What is everyones style of fighting and Belt or Degree of Skill?:)

Anyone got some nice Tournament stories to share? or just fight stories in general?

[CSW13]

Combat Submission Wrestling here under Erik Paulson in Orange County Ca.
Just a label for the style Erik teaches from his many years of training with countless teachers.

And I got no stripes, no belts... Just 2 years of getting my ass kicked by all different fighters. hahahaha

[Fox1s2]

True....I've vaguely heard of him....heard he's really good and a tough camp you guys got going there.....Got any of those ass kicking stories? like being put through a wall ;)

[Eric?!]

I prefer to keep it standing and I would say I have more of a "Freestyle" form. I am doing my best to learn more of a ground game though?!

[Fox1s2]

So do you do a particular style?...thats what i meant :P

Cause i dont do BJJ much, i stick to more tae kwon do approaches.

[Eric?!]

So do you do a particular style?...thats what i meant :P

Cause i dont do BJJ much, i stick to more tae kwon do approaches.

I have been around and studied a lot of different Fighting Styles. I have trained with people who have backgrounds in Kenpo, Judo, Thai Boxing, Boxing, Wrestleling, Seidokan Aikido, BJJ, TKD, JKD... This could go on, that is why I stated I am more so Freestyle than any one thing in particular?!

[Gio]

Have boxed for almost 2 years but now have been on a 2 year layoff.:(

I have some experience with BJJ and aikido.

[Ryan]

I was a wrestler for many (10) years. When I was young I did Okinawan Karate for a few years and I took some Judo/Jiu-Jitsu at the YMCA. Nothing solid since our area isn't big into anything but old style karate's. Ohio has some great MMA schools.... just not close to me.

[CSW13]

True....I've vaguely heard of him....heard he's really good and a tough camp you guys got going there.....Got any of those ass kicking stories? like being put through a wall ;)

We are pretty lucky down here in the OC. There are constantly guys coming down to train for fights, so we get to spar or roll with some talented guys. Before the UFC in Anaheim, we had Sean Sherk, Jeff Monson and Nick Thompson in our gym. Then James Thompson and Rampage from Pride trained for a while. Its a pleasure having the ability to go into the gym everyday and see a guy like Josh Barnett training. We can just sit back, watch and learn so much.
Hahahahah No, I've never been put through a wall, nor do I hope to be in the future. Erik is probably the best all around MMA "mind" I've ever seen. I could train everyday for the rest of my life and still be no where near his level. He was just born to be an MMA trainer. And the best part is, he is the most down to earth person I've ever met.

[CSW13]

So do you do a particular style?...thats what i meant :P

Cause i dont do BJJ much, i stick to more tae kwon do approaches.

I started with Karate Do, then to TKD and stopped at Animal Kung Fu. I also practiced Bujinkan Ninjutsu, but the teacher was an American who thought he was Japanese and spoke to all of us "gaijin" as if we were idiots (pretty ironic if you ask me). That is when I met a Tai Chi and Hsing-I master. I trained in these styles for years, but the lack of actual combat made me stop. That is when I found Erik. He combines JKD, Wrestling, Sambo, Judo, Shooto, Thai Boxing, BJJ, Catch-As-Catch-Can and even some Savate.
But not to put down a style, but TKD taught me more bad technique than good. Don't get me wrong, it looks great... But how practical it would be in a fight, well.... there lies the problem. I remember when TKD used to be the #1 money maker here in the states, then the UFC happend. Now it's BJJ! lol
I know you don't do BJJ much, but it would probably be good to train in it for a while. Everyone does it now-a-days and even if you don't like submission, you should just learn it so that you can stay out of them. :D

[Orsyn]

I started with Karate when I was younger, joined the Army and did some boxing, got out, did some Wing Chun, moved, switched to Choi Li Fut. Did some Submission wrestling, but work schedule conflicted with classes and distance to travel, now train Muay Thai.

[BlueEyedDisciple]

[QUOTE=CSW13;107]I started with Karate Do, then to TKD and stopped at Animal Kung Fu. I also practiced Bujinkan Ninjutsu, but the teacher was an American who thought he was Japanese and spoke to all of us "gaijin" as if we were idiots (pretty ironic if you ask me). That is when I met a Tai Chi and Hsing-I master. I trained in these styles for years, but the lack of actual combat made me stop. That is when I found Erik. He combines JKD, Wrestling, Sambo, Judo, Shooto, Thai Boxing, BJJ, Catch-As-Catch-Can and even some Savate.
But not to put down a style, but TKD taught me more bad technique than good. Don't get me wrong, it looks great... But how practical it would be in a fight, well.... there lies the problem. I remember when TKD used to be the #1 money maker here in the states, then the UFC happend. Now it's BJJ! lol
I know you don't do BJJ much, but it would probably be good to train in it for a while. Everyone does it now-a-days and even if you don't like submission, you should just learn it so that you can stay out of them. :D[/QUO

I agree. I've been training in Muay Thai for almost five years and BJJ for almost 4 and I am a blue belt in BJJ. In an idea MMA fight I would prefer to keep it standing and go at it. I started taking BJJ for more defensive purposes, but fell in love with it. You learn something new everyday and it builds incredible core strength as well. You have to learn some BJJ in order to learn to stay out of submissions, but my bet is once you take it, you'll be hooked.

[jacksonchurch@hotmail.com]

I did 4 years of Judo. Competed in State tournaments. played around with Traditianal Jiu jitsu (Shingitai). Directed the Martial Arts clubs at the University of Tennessee. Now train with my wife at Couture gym in Las Vegas. I only do it for fun and excercise now. Learning the striking arts now(boxing,Kick boxing,etc) My wife likes them.

[Fox1s2]

Heh, I do a little bit of BJJ, nothing too formal, but one of our masters at my gym is a Jiu-Jitsu instructor, so i spar and train with him, i can stay out of most peoples submissions and its tough to take me down, but by far, i prefer the stand-up approach, just something about making the guy bleed or KO'ing sparks my liking.

TKD taught me more bad technique than good. Don't get me wrong, it looks great... But how practical it would be in a fight, well.... there lies the problem.

Kind of odd.....TKD has taught me alot of good technique's, i guess it depends on the instructor....well obviously the more advanced "show-offy" kicks aren't much help unless your fighting another TKD fighter, but i have used some of the more basic kicks (Front leg/back leg side-kicks, Front leg kicks, and even a spin kick if your in loose pants or short) in my average street fighting.

I'm not trying to put TKD high up on a pedestal or anything, just giving my opinion and experiences, if any of you got that vibe.

[CSW13]

I'm not trying to put TKD high up on a pedestal or anything, just giving my opinion and experiences, if any of you got that vibe.[/QUOTE]


No, I understand.
I just think I'm basing my opinion on actual fighting and not forms or touch sparring. There is a big difference in a TKD kick compared to a Muay Thai kick or certain Karate styles. I've been kicked by really good TKD guys and it obviously hurts, but no where near the feeling of a Muay Thai kick. Plus, you are using the foot and not the shin. That in itself is a huge factor, along with not following through the kick.... If you don't kick through your target, what is the point? The amount of damage is so small that most to of the time it was a waste.
The lack of hand use is also a factor. I mean how many TKD fights are we watching and how many times do you hear spectators taking about the person's hands? I've never heard it once. I've never felt any power from their punches either. Also, it's not wise to keep your hands at your waist, while hopping around on your toes and waiting for an opening to kick. Multiple kicks while balancing on one leg looks good, but there is no power behind the kick. The hips can't open when you are on one foot. Jumping, spinning or jump spinning kicks are all great, but what is the % of actually landing the kick?
In combat situations, I just feel that TKD wouldn't be an asset (in most cases) and that the other styles would be more geared for real life situations.

[Fox1s2]

I can see your point in that, i've never been hit by a muay tai kick, so i couldn't make the comparison, but there is still a considerable force in TKD kicks, probably not as much as other forms, but it sure gets the job done....Usually TKD moves are rapid, meant to be placed one after another, so 1 may not damage alot but the whole succession will.

I hope i never have to fight another TKD Blackbelt or Muay Thai fighter on the street, that could be extremely bad....Hands don't play a huge factor in TKD, but then of course, they are harder to strike with compared to the foot reach of your leg.

My Spinning kicks usually land? idk, its hard to compare the different styles, they have to many differences, i could have a TKD discussion all day, but its all personal opinion and personal experience, so whats the point? ;)

[CSW13]

You are right... What is the point?
What state and city are you in?

[Ryan]

The different stories remind me of the Bruce Lee movie where he is filming and is told a Muay Thai fighter wanted to fight him. He goes, scouts out the martial art and devises more counter techniques so he can better fight his opponent. We all use our chosen art but we have to learn to use our art differently based on who we are fighting. We can't say one art is much better then another until we devise a game plan that allows us to win. Look at Gonzaga/CroCop. Gonzaga circled so that he would be going away from the left high kick whereas others I believe were circling "into" the kick.

[Fox1s2]

Nice Explination Ryan......Tampa, FL

[motoevo]

Shooto under Yorinaka and Sakamoto Sensi. Kick boxing. No belts :)

[Tom Gavrilos]

Shooto under Yorinake and Sakamoto Sensi. Kick boxing. No belts :)

Whats up buddy!? glad you joined.

[motoevo]

Whats up buddy!? glad you joined.

Hey whats up tom.. nice site...

Keep up the good work bro...

[BigD]

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Gi and No-Gi) White belt, almost a year of experience.

Only cool story I have is winning my first ever tournament match via can-opener.

[Tom Gavrilos]

I would use the can-opener mor eif I were 6'6 too! ; )
Thats a cool story nice work!

[BigD]

I would use the can-opener mor eif I were 6'6 too! ; )
Thats a cool story nice work!

I'm 5'10 :)
I can't explain why I've been lucky with it, maybe back strength from powerlifting for like 8 years. It is considered a "cheap" and "meat-head" move, so I phased it out of my aresenal, plus good BJJ guys are immune to it.

[glovedupbilly]

Brit Boxer...amateur...very! lol

[Nefarious_Angel]

I train in the ancient style of 'I can still kick my sons ass' fighting. I'll tell ya, it's some work, but I'm pretty good at it!:D

[TheLIP]

My name's Mark ... I grew up training in Boxing. Stopped training when I got very involved with tradiitonal sports and they took up too much time, around 15. I ended up playing college baseball, so I always did bag work here or there, but never got back into it until I graduated college. Since then I have been taking MT for a few years, and just started BJJ this year. I never aspired for anything more than to train ... I just get a kick out of learning and improving my skills, but I leave the competition to those that do it better than me.