Fighting has changed. Gone are the days of standing outside trading blows to settle an argument, replaced with aggressors who are bigger, stronger, and better trained than ever before. With the popularity of physical training and mixed martial arts, plus the natural selection of predators, it is likely that the robber, mugger, active shooter, etc. will be big, strong, and capable.
But that doesn’t mean you should submit or go quietly into the night. You can learn to defend yourself quickly and efficiently.
The basic skill set of modern fighting revolves around two skill sets: modern mixed martial arts, and combatives training.
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
The stylized katas of karate or tae kwon do aren’t going to cut it when push comes to shove. In intelligence services, law enforcement, special operations, fight rings, and street fights around the world, the grappling and striking combination of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai has been proven highly effective.
If you do nothing else, gaining competence in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will make you more capable, faster, than anything else.
To begin training, you’ll want to seek out a dedicated BJJ or mixed martial arts gym. These places are specialized in standup striking and ground fighting, rather than just re-badged karate studios.
If possible, you also want a gym that has a competitive fight team. Competitive fighters have whittled out the nonsense that doesn’t work and mastered the functional tools you need to focus on.
COMBATIVES
In addition to the open hand fighting, you want to gain experience with edged and improvised weapons. Two combatives systems do this better than anything else in the world:
- Filipino Martial Arts (FMA’s): specifically Sayoc Kali, Atienza Kali, or Pekiti-Tirsia Kali, and
- Systema (Система), the martial art used by Russia’s special operations units and intelligence services.
These systems do cover hand-to-hand fighting, but their excellence lies in the integration of blade work. Utilization of improvised weapons like sticks, chains, etc. is an added bonus.
Good combatives trainers are often difficult to get access to unless you live in the right area. But exposure to these weapons delivery systems you can get is worth your time, so look around and see what you can find.
QUICK START GUIDE:
More information, including what to look for in a gym and a trainer is available inside the full Gentleman Spy program.
Start today by searching for a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym in your area. Introductory classes are usually free, so schedule a class and try it out. If you have multiple gyms available, book a class at all of them and pick the one that seems the best fit for you.
If you like this and you’re ready for more…