| Martial Arts originated out of necessity. People had to | | | | say I am very impressed with many of the fighters |
| defend themselves against humans and animals and | | | | in the UFC! |
| the only weapons they had were their hands and | | | | The physical training they put themselves through |
| feet. The battles fought by these individuals were for | | | | allows them to take strikes that would kill an average |
| sheer survival, not belts or plastic tournament | | | | man. As impressed as I am with the physical, mental, |
| trophies. When confronting life and death struggles, | | | | and spiritual preparation it takes to step into the |
| the ancient warrior had to condition his body to take | | | | Octagon, I am astounded at their skills in avoiding |
| the brutal physical punishment his opponents dished | | | | brutality. How is it that in over 18 years of MMA that |
| out. He also had to skillfully maneuver in battle to | | | | none of these fighters have gotten seriously hurt or |
| minimize the physical damage to himself. | | | | killed? It is because these fighters have trained their |
| Martial Arts eventually came to the West and were | | | | bodies to the maximum but they can also can move, |
| taught by instructors trained under the "old school" | | | | avoid, slip, and escape; they have tremendous timing |
| system-toughen the body by exposing it to a brutal | | | | and blocking abilities. |
| training which included lots of beatings during sparring. | | | | The MMA fighters have brought Martial Arts training |
| I personally witnessed this at the age of 14 when I | | | | into balance. They are not only strong and |
| took my first Karate class in the Dominican Republic. | | | | conditioned athletes, but also admirable technicians |
| Students, regardless of rank, were pummeled | | | | skilled in the fighting arts. This is the essence of |
| mercilessly with no training on how to block or simply | | | | martial arts. This is what separates a martial artist |
| get out of the way of a ferocious attack. Don't get | | | | from a street brawler. |
| me wrong, these fighters were tough and could take | | | | So if you wish to be a fighter, build your body to the |
| a blow but at what cost? | | | | maximum, because it is inevitable that you will get hit |
| There is brutality in many sports, especially combat | | | | and you need to be able to take it. But don't rely on |
| sports. We've seen injuries, deaths, and the | | | | your body (or face) to absorb all the abuse. Avoid |
| long-term effects of abuse on the body in Football, | | | | kicks and punches to the head at all costs; block, |
| Boxing, Hockey, and Karate. And while at the | | | | move, slip, evade, fight intelligently! This will keep you |
| professional levels in any sport, the competition is so | | | | in the sport longer, and you won't end up like |
| good that it is impossible to avoid brutality, I must | | | | Mohammad Ali when you retire! |