When can you constitute yourself as a "Fighter"?

[fightingrabbit]

I know this is a real nitpicky question, and everyone will have their own opinions. But i just wanted to hear some of your guys.

I mean..when can you really call yourself a fighter? Can someone whos trained only just pure BJJ be called a fighter? I guess some would say no, because hes never thrown a punch or a kick. Could a pure boxer call himself a fighter? Again, some would say no, because he doesnt know how to 'fight' on the ground or throw kicks. Or would you have to have trained in both striking plus grappling to be constituted as a real "fighter"? Or would you have to have competed either professionally or in the amateurs in one type of combat sport to be called a fighter? Or do you have to train in all aspects of the MA to be a complete 'fighter' (like training in mixed martial arts)..because we all know MMA guys are the epitome of a true fighter. Or some people could just say "If you can throw some punches and kicks but have the heart of a fighter, then thats all that matters" but thats a cop out IMO.

You guys kinda catch my drift?

I came up with this question because i was thinking..I've wrestled in some tournaments (theres my ground game) and i train boxing but havent competed yet (theres my stand up) So if i ever got into a discussion about combat and fighting with some people, could i honestly say "Well, as a fighter, my opinion is.." blah blah blah.

My opinion is that, im a fighter in a sense that i understand the basic concepts of grappling and fisticuffs. But i guess other people wouldnt consider me a real fighter, because i dont know how to choke motherfuckers out correctly or break bones yet (I CAN apply a pretty mean RNC though) So screw the haters! IMMA ALL AMERICAN FIGHTER BABY! :icon_chee

jk

 

[jkuhlmann]

if you have to ask, you are NOT a fighter

 

[korruptd]

someone who fights often

 

[Sinister]

I'll use an adage from the Film Industry:

During a seminar class Director Robert Rodriguez asked a class of young Film students "So how many of you consider yourselves Film Makers?" All but one raised their hands. The one who didn't raise his hand, Robert looked at and said "you, you're the only Film Maker in here, the rest of you are not."

The reason he gave was that as a Film Maker, you don't consider yourself anything. You just do it, live it. Either you are or you aren't a Film Maker. You're never in-between.

 

[fightingrabbit]

I'll use an adage from the Film Industry:

During a seminar class Director Robert Rodriguez asked a class of young Film students "So how many of you consider yourselves Film Makers?" All but one raised their hands. The one who didn't raise his hand, Robert looked at and said "you, you're the only Film Maker in here, the rest of you are not."

The reason he gave was that as a Film Maker, you don't consider yourself anything. You just do it, live it. Either you are or you aren't a Film Maker. You're never in-between.

Exactly as i thought. I asked it as somewhat of those philosophy questions with no answer. For discussions sake.

I know you cant really define a "Fighter" i just wanted to see what everyone had to say about the matter.

someone who fights often

i mean..whos to say some who fights often, whether it be in school or in the gym, aint a fighter?

 

[Marc936]

i consider a fighter someone that makes their living solely on fighting, which takes almost everyone out on sherdog, but look at peoples professions


you call a doctor a doctor

you call a nurse a nurse

you call an accountant and accountant

so if someones profession is fighting, then they are a fighter

 

[theblackknight]

i consider a fighter someone that makes their living solely on fighting, which takes almost everyone out on sherdog, but look at peoples professions


you call a doctor a doctor

you call a nurse a nurse

you call an accountant and accountant

so if someones profession is fighting, then they are a fighter

Unfortunately this takes out some of the guys that compete in the UFC :icon_cry2

 

[theblackknight]

A fighter, if combining both amateur and pro, in my opinion, is someone who trains and competes regularly or often, but I like what the King himself said you just do it, you live it. Do you consider someone with 3 amateur fights under their belt a fighter? 3 pro fights? 300+ thai boxing fights? its a matter of perspective, and I think a fighter knows hes a fighter, no questions asked. He does not need to be told by others he is a fighter, and he does not need to define himself as one.

 

[fightingrabbit]

its a matter of perspective, and I think a fighter knows hes a fighter, no questions asked. He does not need to be told by others he is a fighter, and he does not need to define himself as one.

ahh..its like having philosophy class in a fighting forum.

 

[Robert D]

A boxer is most definetly a fighter.
If a boxer was'nt confined by rules you would find him biting, headbutting and doing whatever he could to win.

A fighter to me is some-one who fights on a regular basis. Whether it be amateur, professional, tournament style(semi contact) or even bareknuckled gypsy fighting.

BJJ and Judo are such defensive styles that i find it difficult to call people who partake in those styles "fighters" even though they may have "the fighting spirit".

 

[fightingrabbit]

BJJ and Judo are such defensive styles that i find it difficult to call people who partake in those styles "fighters" even though they may have "the fighting spirit".

yeah, thats the part that gets me. Itd be strange to call a 'grappler' a 'fighter'. Is it because he doesnt punch people in the face? I dont know. But a deadly BJJ artist could likely mangle you worse than a boxer could, and grappling is just as much a form of fighting as boxing is. But i just find it strange that its hard to call a wrassler or a judoka a 'fighter'. Maybe its just because society is so used to relating the word "Fighting" with punching and kicking and not choking and throwing.

 

[Robert D]

yeah, thats the part that gets me. Itd be strange to call a 'grappler' a 'fighter'. Is it because he doesnt punch people in the face? I dont know. But a deadly BJJ artist could likely mangle you worse than a boxer could, and grappling is just as much a form of fighting as boxing is. But i just find it strange that its hard to call a wrassler or a judoka a 'fighter'. Maybe its just because society is so used to relating the word "Fighting" with punching and kicking and not choking and throwing.

Judo and BJJ almost entirely rely on the opponent attacking them..I'd Label it as self defense.The Bjj and judo we see in MMA is highly evolved for the sport of MMA.

I have no problem with BJJ and Judo players calling themselves fighters because i have an idea of the effort they put in and the amount of pain/damage they can inflict.

If i did'nt at first attack a BJJ artist, what could he actually do?

 

[fightingrabbit]

If i did'nt at first attack a BJJ artist, what could he actually do?

Quite true actually. I was reading an old boxing book. And it explained that history of putting someone out of action with a closed fist is an unnatural offensive ability, that had to be learned . Whereas grappling, wrestling, and strangling methods and fighting with a open hand all came naturally to a child. Itd be strange to see a small child hitting another small child with a closed fist. Theyd have to be taught that kind of behavior. So yeah, i guess BJJ is more based on defense than actual 'fighting'.

 

[NOP]

someone who fights often

Could not have been said better. Income or ethics is irrelevant. You guys have to remember we are not 1 dimensional. We can be many different things, so to say all or most of your income has to come from fighting to be deemed a fighter is outlandish.

Also the ethics, about not calling yourself a fighter if you are one, is ridiculous, people who give these talks just say things like that to get into your head and sound inspiring. Ill give you an example, I've been busting my ass for over 6 years, with mostly self study, just eat sleep breathe technology to become the security consultant I am today. I could care less what anyone says, I've paid my dues, I have the right to call myself a consultant.

So whenever I see someone who I am above in skill level get a job I apply for, sure I'm mad, but I know the study also, so I would never tell them they are not one. However, the tables turn when you see someone present themselves as something when they have had no experience.

Long analogy, but you get the point, it's the same for fighters. A fighter, no matter how skilled, should not picture someone who has a poor record, or who is training hard and hasn't had a fight yet as not a fighter. But I could see them getting a little ticked when someone who doesn't train, or has only been training loosely, or for a short amount of time, calling themselves a fighter.

But it also has to do with perspective, it all depends on if your referring to a hobby someone pursues, or someones' profession.

 

[lucid]

anybody, who has competed is generally what i use as a measuring stick.

People who train i consider hobbiests, or people who support the art or sport.

But it takes serious commitment to step into a ring and put their learned skills to the test.

win or lose. i respect anybody who steps in a ring or cage.

 

[fightingrabbit]

anybody, who has competed is generally what i use as a measuring stick.

People who train i consider hobbiests, or people who support the art or sport.

But it takes serious commitment to step into a ring and put their learned skills to the test.

win or lose. i respect anybody who steps in a ring or cage.

A valid point. I think competing in tournaments would play a big part in your quest in becoming a fighter. That level of competitiveness. I mean, it would be pretty hard to call someone who didnt compete a real fighter i guess.

 

[Marc936]

A valid point. I think competing in tournaments would play a big part in your quest in becoming a fighter. That level of competitiveness. I mean, it would be pretty hard to call someone who didnt compete a real fighter i guess.

this is why i consider based on if you make a living or not out of it, because if you think about it, if you are in amateurs, aren't you there for the love of the sport?



if you make a few pro fights, ya you make some money, but isn't your main job your priority because it feeds all your income?


you can be in 100 amateur fights, but are going to college to get a degree, isn't your priority to get the degree and have a different career other than fighting?


this is why i put the profession statement there, you have other priorities (other than family of course) ahead of fighting then can you consider yourself a fighter? if you have to fight to continue to support your lifestyle then i would label that as a fighter

 

[lucid]

this is why i consider based on if you make a living or not out of it, because if you think about it, if you are in amateurs, aren't you there for the love of the sport?



if you make a few pro fights, ya you make some money, but isn't your main job your priority because it feeds all your income?


you can be in 100 amateur fights, but are going to college to get a degree, isn't your priority to get the degree and have a different career other than fighting?


this is why i put the profession statement there, you have other priorities (other than family of course) ahead of fighting then can you consider yourself a fighter? if you have to fight to continue to support your lifestyle then i would label that as a fighter

Its very hard to make a case against that.

However, i just want to bring up a couple things up. Making pro, indisputably makes you a fighter. that i think we can agree on. However, amateur fighters can be amateur for a variety of reasons.

1. They might just make a better living doing their choosen profession. Endless training, working through injuries, and cutting weight in a profession that rarely pays well, i mean, have you guys heard what the UFC under cards pay? without pride. UFC is the biggest drawing fight org, but they pay shit. Unless your a top draw, its almost impossible to make a living strictly fighting.

2. Genetic's, this especially for stand up guys plays a big role. Not everybody is built to be a world class marathon runner. They can be good, and win all their local competitions. But once they step on the world class level, then they realize no matter how hard they train or how badly they want it. Winning gold on the world stage or even qualifying at a world level is not realistic. I know the whole "two hands and a heart beat is all you need to be champ." but lets be realistic.

Hence my belief is, if you step in the ring to compete. Your a fighter and have my respect.

 

[Marc936]

Its very hard to make a case against that.

However, i just want to bring up a couple things up. Making pro, indisputably makes you a fighter. that i think we can agree on. However, amateur fighters can be amateur for a variety of reasons.

1. They might just make a better living doing their choosen profession. Endless training, working through injuries, and cutting weight in a profession that rarely pays well, i mean, have you guys heard what the UFC under cards pay? without pride. UFC is the biggest drawing fight org, but they pay shit. Unless your a top draw, its almost impossible to make a living strictly fighting.

2. Genetic's, this especially for stand up guys plays a big role. Not everybody is built to be a world class marathon runner. They can be good, and win all their local competitions. But once they step on the world class level, then they realize no matter how hard they train or how badly they want it. Winning gold on the world stage or even qualifying at a world level is not realistic. I know the whole "two hands and a heart beat is all you need to be champ." but lets be realistic.

Hence my belief is, if you step in the ring to compete. Your a fighter and have my respect.

oh dont get me wrong, i agree with you, everyone that fights in the ring should be respected because they are facing an admiral challenge that very few are willing to do, i was just trying to define in technicality what i consider a real "fighter" compared to someone that calls themself one

 

[lucid]

oh dont get me wrong, i agree with you, everyone that fights in the ring should be respected because they are facing an admiral challenge that very few are willing to do, i was just trying to define in technicality what i consider a real "fighter" compared to someone that calls themself one

ya, hence its hard for me to disagree.

to your average joe, they dont understand that a 0-2 record is nothing to be ashamed about. But as a formal title, your right.

i guess this is one of them odd situations where theres more then one right answer. it depends on who you ask.