Hello to all.
I would like to add my perspective to this. First let me say that I am not a martial artist.
I think "street fighting" is often exaggerated, sometimes to the point of movies that have Kung Fu fighters floating in the air. I have been in a number of street fights, once as a teenager I even got knocked out for a few seconds from the punch under low visabilty I never saw coming. As an adult I have fought three men at once - themselves "street fighters" they would probably think of themselves, as they were gang members.
I wish not to engage in uncharitable exchanges here. One is free to disagree with me. But in all honesty I some times question to myself the experience someone has in fighting on the "streets" when they devalue martial arts and talk up the much said eye gouging, biting, bottles broken, knives pulled, ten friends jumping in, and the alluding to the grand skill of the "street fighter". The reason I say this, is not because none of these things never happen, but because I've found them to be less frequent occurances. In my experience most people and most thugs aren't that skilled of fighters. And when engaged in a fight chances are a knife most often will not be involved nor will broken bottles or the exotics like eye gouging. I've found that fights typicaly begin with not a kick or a bite or a bat or a knife but with a punch or flurry of punches. Typicaly I found they end the same way - sometimes standing, sometimes on the ground.
I can't of course speak for every city or village in the world. But in the United States of America this is what I have found.
Also many fist fights occur in America, most of them will never be reported on the news, most fist fights in America are not fights to the death. Albanian and Serb in war torn Kosovo now that's another story?
Also though I have never taken Mag Krava or other things people consider "street geared", may I offer a suggestion? In the question of what builds a good "street fighter" I would suggest it comes more from actually fighting in real life on the street then this or that class. Now I don't say that to diminish martial arts or Mag Krava. But to say that Mag Krava or Kung Fu or police tactics will make you know more aware of how to flow with the fight you are in, how to adapt to your opponent and fear, Brazilian Jujitsu. Actual fighting is a requirment to becoming a better fighter. However if you are a student of good martial arts, boxing, wrestling, police tactics. You are way a head of the average person. Granted the only time I ever have been "fish-hooked" has been by a gang member in a real fight, so yes some thugs will aquire good skills in fighting - like some that go to prison, but not all will.
The martial artist, with years in, and hard training, is ahead of the game.
Justin
P.S. - What's wrong with the respect shown and taught in dojos? They also teach you to break peoples arms - how respectful is that in a fight? Why can't one be a good fighter and a fairly respectful person at the same time? If I eat with my mouth open and spit food out at the same time does this help me be a better fighter?
