It would be helpful to define the term “street fighter”. I think I know what you’re trying to say Terence but it can easily be misread.
[QUOTE=CFT;992926]It would be helpful to define the term “street fighter”. I think I know what you’re trying to say Terence but it can easily be misread.[/QUOTE]
How can I define something that doesn’t exist?
[QUOTE=t_niehoff;992934]How can I define something that doesn’t exist?[/QUOTE]
You have implied a definition with your previous off-hand remark. If you say that a street-fighter doesn’t exist then explain to us why and what you would call the people who the typical street-encounter occurs with. Would a person arrested multiple times for street fights be considered a street fighter?
[QUOTE=HumbleWCGuy;992936]You have implied a definition with your previous off-hand remark. If you say that a street-fighter doesn’t exist then explain to us why and what you would call the people who the typical street-encounter occurs with. Would a person arrested multiple times for street fights be considered a street fighter?[/QUOTE]
The whole idea of a “streetfighter” is fantasy. It’s one of those red flags – as soon as people start talking about “streefighters” or “streetfighting”, you are about to get a whole mess of fantasy.
WTF is a “typical street-encounter”? There is no such thing. More fantasy.
A person arrested numerous times for fighting – not street fighting but fighting – would be considered a repeat offender.
What you are saying is that there is no such animal as a skilled career “streetfghter” who is on the lookout for fights to prove himself?
Mostly people will encounter drunken/semi-drunken louts or a mugger looking to ambush you (or a lap goch-er if you will).
[QUOTE=CFT;992940]What you are saying is that there is no such animal as a skilled career “streetfghter” who is on the lookout for fights to prove himself?
Mostly people will encounter drunken/semi-drunken louts or a mugger looking to ambush you (or a lap goch-er if you will).[/QUOTE]
I’m saying the whole concept of a streetfighter or streetfighting – like “real fighting” – is meaningless and misleading, fed mostly with fantasy. We would do much better to not think in those terms.
There is a three stripe white belt that trains where I do who regularly goes out to the bars on weekends, gets drunk, and ends up in fights. Is he one of those legendary streetfighters?
[QUOTE=t_niehoff;992942]I’m saying the whole concept of a streetfighter or streetfighting – like “real fighting” – is meaningless and misleading, fed mostly with fantasy. We would do much better to not think in those terms.
There is a three stripe white belt that trains where I do who regularly goes out to the bars on weekends, gets drunk, and ends up in fights. Is he one of those legendary streetfighters?[/QUOTE]
Wasn’t Kimbo Slice pretty much just that? Not saying he’s the pinnacle of fighting of course…but he made a “career” out of bare knuckle street brawling.
[QUOTE=t_niehoff;992942]I’m saying the whole concept of a streetfighter or streetfighting – like “real fighting” – is meaningless and misleading, fed mostly with fantasy. We would do much better to not think in those terms.
There is a three stripe white belt that trains where I do who regularly goes out to the bars on weekends, gets drunk, and ends up in fights. Is he one of those legendary streetfighters?[/QUOTE]
Yes, by my reckoning that is exactly what a would call a top-notch street fighter. Somebody with inconsistent/limited MA training who gets into fights regularly.
[QUOTE=Vankuen;992979]Wasn’t Kimbo Slice pretty much just that? Not saying he’s the pinnacle of fighting of course…but he made a “career” out of bare knuckle street brawling.[/QUOTE]
It’s my understanding that Kimbo mainly did arranged, challenge backyard-type fights. Is that your definition of a “streetfighter”?
[QUOTE=HumbleWCGuy;993001]Yes, by my reckoning that is exactly what a would call a top-notch street fighter. Somebody with inconsistent/limited MA training who gets into fights regularly.[/QUOTE]
You see, the problem is there is no such thing as a “street fighter” – there are people who for various reasons get into fights. The reasons, the people, etc. can’t be generalized into what is some proto-typical “street fighter”.
[QUOTE=t_niehoff;993016]You see, the problem is there is no such thing as a “street fighter” – there are people who for various reasons get into fights. The reasons, the people, etc. can’t be generalized into what is some proto-typical “street fighter”.[/QUOTE]
I don’t agree. Somebody said that you are a lawyer. If that’s true can you access some statistics? I am sure that people report that fights start for about all the same 4 or 5 reasons and that the people who fight the most have some similarities.
ive only known a couple guys i would call ‘street fighters’ and they looked for fights. they would fight for pretty much any reason, any time, like a drug. often times alcohol was involved.
[QUOTE=Lucas;993020]ive only known a couple guys i would call ‘street fighters’ and they looked for fights. they would fight for pretty much any reason, any time, like a drug. often times alcohol was involved.[/QUOTE]
My older late Brother was like this, quiet and shy when sober, but after a few drinks he changed, had lots of fights in the bars (his son is turning out to be the same, even wanted to spar with me after a few drinks, trying out MT clinch and knee attacks by surprise, lol..), then he met a karate guy and got beat good, missing a punch and hitting a brick wall, breaking his hand and knuckles. Luckily had settled down after he had kids and matured up, but he was the worry of the family for awhile there…
James
[QUOTE=t_niehoff;993014]It’s my understanding that Kimbo mainly did arranged, challenge backyard-type fights. Is that your definition of a “streetfighter”?[/QUOTE]
It can be. Has there ever been a common definition for streetfighter? Aside from it being a video game?
I’d think that in its most intuitive form a street fighter is someone who consistently goes around looking to test themselves or prove themselves or whatever the motivation might be by fighting other people in “the street”. The main idea behind the quintessential ideal is that there are no pads, no rules, and it isn’t part of any sanctioned organization or sport.
Since that’s probably not all that common, I understand what you’re getting at in that there are no nomadic guys walking the city streets looking for one-on-one fights to prove their man-worth. As you said…people may find themselves in fights while in public, but generally there’s some single catalyst for it.
Though I’d say that Kimbo does classify as a streetfighter in a loose sense, because according to him he’d get into street fights consistently with his friends…and that’s how he realized he was “good” at fighting. Next was youtube stardom, and then his “mma career” for whatever that’s worth.
[QUOTE=t_niehoff;992924]The “street fighter” is mainly MYTH, a boogeyman. He’s Bigfoot. Some people will tell you stories about their encounters with them but we just can’t find them when we look for them.
Concern over streetfighters is like concern over what to do if you encounter Bigfoot while camping.[/QUOTE]
True. The so called street fighters are usually nothing more than street bullies. They pick and choose their victims usually, and seldom assault someone that they think might be able to fight them. Most are large men with few real fighting skills. Their size usually carries them in a fight since they are usually selective to begin with. There are the occasional individuals that might fight someone that they think might give them a fight, but this is usually under some sort of influence, either by peers or beers.
Now, in the past, like in the 60’s I did know a few people that you could classify as street fighters. They are now deceased, but at the time were extremely dangerous people. They would have fights almost every day, and even though now and then one might get whipped, no one ever wanted to do it the second time. People don’t fight like that any more. Everyone wants to let their gun do there fighting.
I don’t think “street fighters” are rare at all. Nor are they necessarily skilled at all either. Fighting in urban centers outside of the ring automatically makes you one. Most are just bullies, picking on the weak for their amusement or benefit. Others are members of gangs, some are just fools living on the street that need to go to re-hab. If you ever work as a bouncer in a rough, slum area you’ll deal with them constantly. Kimbo’s you tube fights were not street fights, just crappy challenge bouts. Both parties agreed to rules and could leave unharmed at any time… sound like a street fight? Actually the Emin B. vs W. Cheung sh1t was closer to a street fight, from the ambush to ending on the ground and the BS that followed in rumors sound exactly like a cr@ppy street fight to me.
There is no typical street fight or street fighter – there are people who for various reasons fight, and the fights range from shoving matches to cold-blooded assualts. The only factor in common is that they involve fighting.
Here’s a “real” streetfight – the fight occurs actually on a street!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZA6Qm40KF8
Except, it seems to show many of the street fighter myths. Here they go to the ground on asphalt (something you don’t want to do, right?), yet no one is getting stomped or rolling on broken glass or discarded herion needles. Nor do we see anyone’s friends getting involved. No multiple oponents.
It just looks like MMA – really poor MMA. But that is what fighting is.
[QUOTE=t_niehoff;993098]There is no typical street fight or street fighter – there are people who for various reasons fight, and the fights range from shoving matches to cold-blooded assualts. The only factor in common is that they involve fighting.
Here’s a “real” streetfight – the fight occurs actually on a street!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZA6Qm40KF8
Except, it seems to show many of the street fighter myths. Here they go to the ground on asphalt (something you don’t want to do, right?), yet no one is getting stomped or rolling on broken glass or discarded herion needles. Nor do we see anyone’s friends getting involved. No multiple oponents.
It just looks like MMA – really poor MMA. But that is what fighting is.[/QUOTE]
Go to the projects and pick a fight and take your assailant to the ground and see what happens. There was a situation where both men were obviously alone. There was no penalty for taking an opponent to the ground. You can take opponents to the ground but you have to be sensible about it.
[QUOTE=HumbleWCGuy;993105]Go to the projects and pick a fight and take your assailant to the ground and see what happens.[/QUOTE]
ROFLOL! Pure fantasy.
[QUOTE=t_niehoff;993113]ROFLOL! Pure fantasy.[/QUOTE]
Only to people who live in the suburbs.