Hello everyone! Welcome to my blog, "Thoughts from the Hitman", As an active Muay Thai fighter, as well as a full time defensive tactics instructor for LVMPD, I am often asked advice about martial arts.

In my blog, I will answer the most sought after questions from professionals, amateurs, and the general public. I will use my extensive experience and knowledge to answer any questions to the best of my ability, hoping to guide those people with inquisitive minds.
 
BLOG #1- Caught In the Streets/Bar fight

"If caught in a situation in the streets/bar fight where I need to protect myself, which form of martial arts is my best defense?"

This is an age old question that has brought many debates between martial arts enthusiasts.  Which form is best for street fighting?  Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Jujitsu, Krav Maga, Boxing, Close Quarter Combat, or pure instinct?  All of these forms are effective in their own right  but in real life you have to consider your surroundings, the environment, the crowd if there is one, and you have to 'think fast'. You must use your Pure Warrior Mentality (PWM) that is developed through training and devotion to your martial art system your street awareness.

What exactly is PWM?  Pure Warrior Mentality is taking the physical ability, mental ability, and knowledge that you have gathered from training; and using it in an involuntary mode, where there is no time for analyzing… just action.  With PWM, you are ready for any situation!

Example:  You are in a small confined bar when a guy attacks you.

There is no space for a Tae Kwon Do type spinning back kick in this situation. It is also not recommended to use Jujitsu, by taking your opponent to the ground.  He may have friends there, waiting to jump you.  So, what do you do? You must adapt to the situation!

In short, You have to use your instinct, and your trained capabilities to use your best judgment. 

I know, right now you are thinking, "Am I wasting my time training?" What does this have to do with fighting? "Should I forget about traditional martial arts. NO, NO and NO!   All I'm saying is that your approach to this situation should be fast, accurate and most of all SIMPLE. Simplicity will save you every time.  Nothing fancy, nothing spectacular… JUST SIMPLE!

How many times have you:

1-      Gone to a seminar, a dojo or a gym; taken a block of instruction, and left not knowing your name, let alone what you were just taught?
2-      Watched an instructor perform the most beautiful kick, combination of punches, or a take down into a submission, and thought, "Wow, that was cool… but what did they just do?"
3-      Had an instructor tell you… "All you need to know to survive a fight is use MY STYLE."

Do you find yourself a little frustrated?  Don't worry.  This is normal.  Although you may be baffled in a classroom setting, if repeated and drilled over and over again, you will eventually learn to use these techniques naturally, and instinctively.  Each complicated combination can be broken down to the basics. Just having the basics behind you, you are one step ahead of your opponent.  The better the training, the better advantage over the opponent.

 
So you wanna know, "Okay Hitman, what would you do in this situation?"

 
I am going to use some type of  Close quarter combat striking combination or control of force; such as a quick eye gorge, head butt, followed by an elbow strike and then a knee. An arm bar into a take down, keeping my head up and my body in a close quarter combat position then I will run. Get out of there!

Now, I love Muay Thai, it is what I do. There is nothing like a three punch comb, followed by a high roundhouse kick to the head, an elbow strike, then a one two combo, off and another roundhouse kick to the head. Wow!  I get a rush just thinking about it. But, there is one problem. There are laws that have guidelines as to just how much self defense can be used before it becomes too excessive for the situation.

For a more realistic approach I would take a lead leg front kick, a quick punch/detraction into a reverse wristlock control technique, which should give me a position of dominance. I would then use that wristlock into a takedown, keeping my head up and my body in a close quarter combat position, as I keep the arm extended, arm locked out and the wrist twisted. I would then look for an escape route and get out of there. Creating as much distance between me and the 'bad guy' as I can so that he is no longer a threat.

Okay, for my other love, Tae Kwon Do… imagine a triple kick from the lower leg with the left leg, to the middle of the body with the right leg, then to the head with the left leg again, followed by a spinning heel kick.… beautiful. But again be aware of your environment.

 

How about a Spear Tech from Tony Bauer; as your opponent attempts to throw a sucker round house type punch, you stop the punch by using the Ulna bone (the bone that extends from the wrist to the elbow), fingers in a blade, and the arms extended outside 90 degrees.  The point of contact would be across the chest, area, and the punching arm. A knee to the groin, or thigh area, elbow strike and finishing off with a control Tech, maybe a mach #4 from controlled force, taking the opponent to the ground, thus putting me in the perfect position to run.

Keep it simple.  Keep it fast.  Keep it accurate.

Don't waste time or energy on unnecessary movements that won't give you the results you are looking for.  This is an unrehearsed street fight; no judge, no clock, and no rest.  It is just you and the 'bad guy'.  The goal is to protect yourself, not to obliterate your opponent. Again be aware of your local laws. Trained martial artists must be aware of their potential for causing permanent damage or even death to someone.  Beware of your strengths and abilities. Conquer your opponent, and remove yourself from the struggle.