Elite XC Goes Under

I recently learned that mixed martial arts federation Elite XC filed for bankruptcy.  It’s one of those occasions that makes you scratch your chin because it is both surprising and expected.

If you’ve heard of Elite XC, it’s probably due to their two main stars: Gina Carano and Kimbo Slice.  These headliners drew a lot of attention – some good, some not so good.

Guess which one is Gina!!

Elite XC was a relative newcomer in the world of MMA, and was not at the same level as UFC by any means.  Despite that, they made a pretty big splash through a combination of hype and antics.

Gina Carano, who came from a Muay Thai background, became a quick fan favorite as she racked up wins.  Showing poise and skill inside the ring, Gina made her way up to the top of Elite XC and currently has the MTIA championship belt.  Another reason she became a fan favorite – see picture above.

Kimbo Slice is perhaps one of the most controversial MMA fighters…ever?  I don’t know, that might be a bit strong.  But he really does have an interesting story.  Getting his start in backyard brawls, Kimbo quickly made a name for himself by taking the beat-knuckle to all comers.  For example:

(warning: harsh language and…you guessed it…violence).

This video is actually one of the tamer ones of Kimbo on Youtube.  Unfortunately, this brawling success didn’t transfer as smoothly as everyone thought it might into MMA.

In his last match, Kimbo got knocked out in 14 seconds by Seth Petruzelli, a good fighter but not a superstar by any stretch of the imagination.  Kimbo’s previous fight had been won on a controversial decision.  Despite his grooming for success, things just weren’t panning out.

Ultimately, losses, legal mishaps, and mismanagement all built up into one final collapse.  I found it surprising at first to hear about the shut down due to the high profile nature of Elite XC events.  They were on national networks and had all the trappings of a big time scene.

But, behind that was a general sense of sleaze.  The members of the Convocation of Combat Arts discussed this a little while ago, and we all generally agreed that the fireworks, dancers, and hooplah smacked of cheesy “pro wrestling” style affair.

Steve of BJJ Log stated: ” if they had put together a decent card I might forgive some of the spectacle, but the spectacle only served to perfectly frame the lack of substance in the rest of the broadcast.”  I think he’s right.

You’d think I’d be sad to see Elite XC go (what with the above dancers and all), but I’m not.  MMA is walking a fine line these days between where it was and where it is going.  MMA used to be a testament to no-holds-barred combat between two people of any style and any weight.  The goal was to have the better man win, no excuses.  These days, UFC MMA has turned into a bonafide sport with exceptionally skilled and trained athletes.

I think MMA will be a better place now, until the next profiteer rolls along and tries to do the same thing.  It’s inevitable with big business such as this.  Eventually the pomp is likely to stick, but then the next underground fad will start and the cycle will continue.

Your thoughts on the joys or laments of losing Elite XC?

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Bunkai: Fighting One, Two, or Multiple Opponents

One of the great things about bunkai (kata application) is how variable it can be.  A single series of movements can be transformed a hundred times depending on scenario, opponents, tactics, and strategy.  Unfortunately, despite all of this creative fruit for the picking, it is extremely easy to get stuck in a rut.

Base level bunkai is very useful and shouldn’t be over looked.  By base level I mean: a block is a block and a punch is a punch.  If kata tells you to block down three times in a row, that’s exactly what you do.  You block a left kick, a right kick, then a left kick.  After that you finish up with a punch, or whatever else kata tells you to do.

Deciphering base level bunkai for kata can take a very long time as many of the moves will seem cryptic and unwieldy.  There’s no reason to be concerned by that, and no reason to rush it (as I explained in a previous post).

But sooner or later, you’ll probably find yourself scratching your chin and saying ‘yea…but what else can I do!?’

This is the rut I speak of, and just like with writer’s block, it can be tough to pull yourself out without an external nudge.  I figured I might present a nudge here that tends to help me think outside the box when I need to.

Opponents: One or One Hundred

How many opponents are you fighting when you practice your kata? One?  Two? A handful? More than you can count?  This is a very important question as it will change the entire dynamic of how you perform your kata.

One Enemy

Imagine that you are facing just a single opponent.  While keeping alert for other dangers around you, you are free to orient yourself entirely on that opponent.  That means you can afford to be a little more stationary, and make small moves with your body to adjust for the maai (distance from your opponent).  You can then use your techniques to slip slight angles as your aggressor attacks and counterattack with ease.

For example, let’s say you have a kata that blocks on the left 45 degree angle, then the right 45 degree angle, like so:

(Yea the guy in the picture has a giant head. so what.)

With a single opponent, you can use those techniques to intercept and retaliate:

 **entering maai**

You’ll notice our brave combatant in the black intercepts the red attack and cuts the angle inward, reorienting himself/herself for a vital point strike to the temple, eyes, throat, or anything else he pleases.  This small shift in angle clears him from the oncoming second punch of his opponent.

With a single opponent, this “block, block” becomes an invasive disruption.  Since it’s just one attacker, the next step in your kata, whatever that may be, should be used to take this opponent out, or at least to the ground.

Two Enemies

One opponent was nice, but now you’ve started trouble with two guys.  What did you do??

Well, whatever you did…they are looking for trouble.  Let’s look at the same technique with two individuals coming at you in quick succession (or even at the same time)…

This time our hero in black has to move his body around a bit quicker.  The subtle angles he used with one opponent aren’t as applicable because he can’t afford to get tied up with in-close fighting while the other opponent rushes in toward him.  Instead, he uses a simultaneous block-strike motion as he shifts into each fighter.  Many times in kata we find ourselves blocking or striking.  Really, why have one hand in motion while the other remains stagnant?  Many movements in kata have inherent counterstrikes built in; we just have to allow ourselves to use them in quick time.

Multiple Opponents

The last situation is that of multiple opponents.  The exact number of opponents isn’t really important, but it’s obvious that there are a whole bunch.  Let’s say they are pretty smart too, and manage to partially surround their target (our hero).  Using this same technique, it would look something like this…

Our fighter is using a very wise strategy – get out of Dodge. The first thing he does is analyze as quickly as possible the largest hole in the encirclement.  He recognizes that the right side, where the brown attacker is, is very cluttered.  Instead, he breaks for the red opponent.  Using the same kind of technique as before, he blocks and strikes to the face violently at the same moment.  This time, he uses his angling to shift to the outside of his opponent and pushes the red attacker into the blue attacker.  Bundling up the two closest individuals, he escapes as quickly as possible.

Final Thoughts on Opponents

When doing bunkai, it’s important to think about your opponents, especially regarding how many there could be.  If you train in-tight against single opponents all the time, you might leave yourself tangled up with them too long for multiple opponent use.  However, if you are constantly floating around to different attackers, you might miss the more intricate uses of technique and how they can result in takedowns and groundfighting.

Be wary of leaving opponents too soon.  If you’ve successfully blocked an opponent, but haven’t dealt them a severe strike or takedown, it is probably unwise to move on to a new attacker.

Be careful not to get stuck in the habit of using 8,9,10 attackers in a kata.  You may be moving around and facing different directions, but that doesn’t necessarily mean every technique is intended for a new person.

***

I hope this was helpful.  It’s just a method I use to expand the parameters of bunkai, but it can be a great way to add realism to your kata.

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Top 10 Things Not to Stress About in Martial Arts

Here is something I say with confidence – martial arts can be unnerving!  It’s not all butt kicking and black belts, after all.  While I’m no master, I HAVE experienced (and seen others experience) a few common concerns that seem to crop up during martial arts training.  Have a read through these top 10 stressors, and hopefully, I can help you shrug a little weight off your shoulders.

Don’t Stress About…

10. Learning Super Quickly

This first one is more common than you might think. There are always a few individuals who can pick up kata or technique very quickly. While that’s fortunate for them, it can leave a residue of anxiety in other students. People who have an ingrained self consciousness about their own progress will pay special attention to students who pick things up quickly, allowing themselves to feel discouraged when they can’t do the same.

I think we all suffer from this at one point or another. It’s just like in Karate Kid:

“Daniel: Hey – you ever get into fights when you were a kid?
Miyagi: Huh – plenty.
Daniel: Yeah, but it wasn’t like the problem I have, right?
Miyagi: Why? Fighting fighting. Same same.
Daniel: Yeah, but you knew karate.
Miyagi: Someone always know more.”

What a great movie. And it also helps prove my point – no matter how awesome you are, there is always someone better. So, with that inevitability in mind, just focus on your own personal progress and forget the comparisons!

Final thought about #10: karate is a lifelong endeavor. If you stay in the martial arts while others come and go, I guarantee you’ll make it to the head of the class.

9. Keeping Up With the Joneses

This is connected to #10.  In keeping up with the Joneses, which of course means trying to outdo your “neighbor”, trying to learn a lot quickly can cause even more stress.  You’ll see kids do this a lot:

Kid A (the jerk): “Hey, do you know kata ____ yet?
Kid B: “No. Why?”
Kid A: “Ohh, cause I do.  Snicker.”

Annoying when kids do it, but forgivable. Extremely annoying when adults do it. And they do do it. If this happens to you, try to let it roll off your shoulders and remember the long term benefits of training.

If you’re the one prodding at your classmates…knock it off.

This same concept applies to physical possessions as well. Weapons, uniforms, books, dvds…that whole business gets rapped into the martial arts very easily. Don’t feel compelled to spend money because everyone else does.

8. Looking Stupid

You’re gonna look and feel stupid from time to time. Keep asking questions and participating. Seriously. This is the best way to learn, hands down.

7. Gi Flair

As far as I am concerned, there is no good reason for your uniform to look like the flair guy’s getup from OfficeSpace.

Patches…buttons…it’s all flair.

I understand some patches, but things can get a little out of hand.  If you find yourself creating a patchwork out of you or your child’s gi, just take a step back.  Remember, all of these external distractions can take away from the internal goals of the martial arts.  Let your personality and ability make you stand out, not eye catching gi accessories.

6. D3ADLINESS

Have you seen Kill Bill?  Do you remember the five point palm exploding heart technique?  That was pretty cool.  Unfortunately, some people can get overly caught up in that razzle dazzle when pursuing the martial arts.

Kyusho, or vital point striking, is experiencing a bit of a boom in popularity.  When done correctly, the results can be very deadly indeed.  This has led a lot of people to worry about the deadliness of whatever technique they are practicing.  So much so, in fact, that some students try to learn vital point strikes off of video tapes or from snake-oil instructors who claim to have mastered them.

Don’t get too caught up in this hype.  The truth is, most karate styles have kyusho integrated into them already.  The trick to unlocking the techniques is a matter of becoming an expert at fundamentals. As Sensei Bill Hayes says, become “brilliant at the basics.”  After that is achieved, kyusho can slowly start to seep its way into your training.  Don’t rush this one.

5. Trophy Count

This Can Be Yours if The Price is Right!

Time + money = a ton of trophies.  Yes, it helps if you’re good, but its not a mandatory prerequisite.  There are so many tournaments with so many divisions that sometimes you’ll be lucky to get three people in your division.

If you want to, acquire a couple of trophies to prove to yourself that you can do it.  After that, put that money and mental focus to better use.

4. Kata Portfolio

This is one that yours-truly had to work on. For awhile, I was very concerned about my kata portfolio.  I wanted to learn a whole lot of kata and I wanted to learn them all very well.  Unfortunately, what I REALLY wanted was to have my cake and eat it to.

Take it from me, don’t worry about slowing yourself down to learn fewer kata.  Much like #10, learning quickly, pacing your kata intake shouldn’t be perceived as a bad thing.  This is especially true after black belt.

In many martial arts, there are certain requirements as you progress through kyu ranks.  Once you hit black belt, you are “ready to begin learning”, and that means taking charge of your martial destiny.  It’s easy to ride the kata train, going for higher and higher material.  But, ultimately, it might leave all of your material a little soft.

3. Kata Flash-and-Dash

Can’t kick the ceiling?  Can’t do a triple blackflip into a split with kiai?  Don’t stress.

A lot of the acrobatics and physically impressive maneuvers you see today are not really part of traditional martial arts.  In fact, it was extremely rare for the old Okinawan Karate Sensei to kick above their waist!

Listen to what your body can and can’t do, then try to make small improvements from there.  Listening to the natural rhythym of your body will result in much better technique than trying to force Van Damme style kicks.

 …maybe next year…

2. Ass-Kicking Ability

Martial arts tend to have self defense at their core.  Some styles are for aggressive fighting, while others are for flowing defense.  But, ultimately, you should learn how to fight.

Where people tend to get tense is when they don’t see dramatic results immediately.  This is especially true for traditional arts.  Styles like boxing and MMA can show initial progress pretty quickly, which is nice.  Unfortunately, old styles were designed for the long haul.

Traditional martial art basics can actually hinder your fighting ability for awhile.  They make you mechanical, and force movements into your body that you aren’t used to.  It isn’t until years of practice sink in that you can begin to feel those movements naturally.  Once they start to become natural though, it’s a real treat.

1. Rank

This probably isn’t a huge surprise.  “Rank” being at the top of this list is like Stairway to Heaven being at the top of “The Greatest Rock Songs” list (which it should be, because it is great).

Rank is very valuable, and very dangerous.  It helps motivate us to achieve, and symbolizes skill and experience.  Unfortunately, rank can also be a business. Stripes, colors, and titles are abound these days.

No matter how your school addresses rank, don’t feel driven by it, in and of itself.  If you are a green belt, but have focused on improving your basics, your self defense, and your mindset, you’ll be on your way to achieving real results.

***

Navigating through these troubles, and a forest of others, is essential when pursuing the martial way.

  I’ll meet you somewhere in the woods, and maybe we can give each other a hand

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