I think it’s hippocritcal to think that someone of average ability and time commitment should follow the MMA route, there is too much going on, too much to be learned, with not enough time to learn it all correctly. I have a student who trained in a MMA school here, he found the training was very hard with injuries arising on a steady basis. He stopped training there for that fact, as it wasn’t what he needed nor was he looking for that type of training. If you are, fine, but not everyone is, that why it is good that there are a variety of arts out there, as one of them will surely fulfil someone’s needs and wants.
While I think, James, that your post was pretty much bang on, I don’t think MMA training has to be like this.
The MMA class I go to has women, a guy of 55 years and myself at 53. The skills are also touched on in the kids’ classes. There are a couple or three of guys (out of about 30 regulars) who have fought professional MMA in the class. My instructor has fought professional Shooto, kickboxing, and BJJ, and also trained and been the cornerman for Australian UFC fighters.
We all do the same stuff, which is self-defense and skill oriented. I’ve seen few injuries and no serious ones. The pro fighters do extra conditioning and sparring sessions. Just about everyone wrestles hard, but full power striking is reserved for the hardcore and even they don’t do it every session.
Effective MMA techniques do NOT necessarily require an elite level of fitness. I agree that the culture of some MMA gyms and MMA events is all thuggery and testosterone - but there are those which train the discipline but keep a more mature and respectful culture, like that of some TMA schools - not that TMA is exactly perfect overall in that regard either. Per Bowling for Columbine - “lotta whacko’s out there” on both sides of the TMA/MMA fence.
Most of the best instructors I have been privileged to study with can tailor their instruction for the spectrum from the pro athlete to the once-a-week family person who wants an interesting way to keep fit, and to kids.
Pretty much the same with any MA - some people want to push the outside of the emvelope, others just to explore what they can in the time they have without having to front up to work with black eyes and injuries.
Despite accusations to the contrary, I don’t practice MMA - I do Wing Chun and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I really only go to MMA because it’s on before the advanced BJJ class, I go there straight from work, and it beats sitting around watching for an hour.
As regards Victor’s list of role models, yes these are full time professionals. But everyone needs role models ot aspire to, just like many of us did, with Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and our own instructors and WC ancestors.
