I hope you all enjoy reading my first blog entry as much as I enjoyed writing it.
It is a treat to get the opportunity to offer an intelligent rebuttal on this topic, especially when it will receive a lot of public attention.
Let the games begin!
A Detailed Response : Blood lust vs Tradition
28/08/10 12:36
I am going to take various quotes from the article and offer a reply to each one. In this venue I can give each quote the personal attention it so deserves!
So that everyone understands who is associated with the quotes, here are the instructors names and respective clubs:
Sensei Mario Quiquero : Seido-Kan Karate Schools. 38 years experience and 7th degree Black Belt.
Sifu Rob Atalick : Chief Instructor Niagara Kung Fu Academy
Sensei Deborah Toth : Chief Instructor Niagara Falls Martial Arts Center. 29 years experience. 4th Degree Black.
Now with the formalities out of the way, let’s begin.
"It's fulfilling the blood lust. It's a pure competition for money gain," Mario Quiquero says of MMA,
- No, it is not fulfilling the blood lust. It is fulfilling the athletes personal quest to test the skills they learn in a realistic environment. As for the spectators, it must be fulfilling for them to see athletes that actually want to step up and put there skills to the test rather than just talk about how they can do techniques and such. It is fulfilling for enough people because MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world right now.
- Regarding the “ pure competition for money gain”, I am not sure if Sensei Mario is talking about the athletes or the government so let’s address both. The athletes do get paid, and they work hard for their money. They are professional athletes, and for some of them this is their livelihood. I see no difference in them going to the gym and training for an upcoming competition or one of the instructors from the article going to their dojo to teach classes.
Regarding the government, some people believe they sanctioned MMA due to the large revenue they will receive from the events. Again, why not? Is there really anything wrong with the government stepping in and making sure that MMA is regulated, providing standards for safety and training, allowing athletes to compete at the highest level possible, and giving the public the opportunity to watch this is there own backyard, with the benefit of making some money from it? I don’t think so.
"It's misleading of what true martial arts is."
- Misleading? Of what true martial arts is? I believe that the statement “true martial arts” is open for debate. If the instructors from the article believe in their heart that standing in a stationary stance punching the air, or running through a pre-arranged pattern of self defense moves against an imaginary opponent is what “true martial arts” is, then that may be THEIR truth. But what about other TRUTHS? MMA athletes have a diverse set of skills, for example they need to know how to throw a good punch, take downs, and groundwork.
Let’s take punching. If I was going to learn how to punch properly and be able to use it in a realistic environment, I would go to a boxing gym to learn. Why? Because boxing is the best delivery system for punching, not traditional martial arts. This is a TRUTH.
To learn takedowns, I would go to a wrestling club. Wrestling is the best delivery system for takedowns, not traditional martial arts. This is a TRUTH.
To learn groundwork, I would go to a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school and again a wrestling club. BJJ and Wrestling are the best delivery systems for groundwork, not traditional martial arts. This is a TRUTH.
So we see there are many truths involved in martial arts. For me or any instructor to try and impose THEIR belief system on people is not just wrong, it is dangerous. It will lead into people following blindly rather than questioning and seeking the answers for themselves.
“Quiquero, a sensei at Seido- Kan Karate School on Morrison St., said MMA is more about violence than the values and philosophy of traditional martial arts. We preach discipline, confidence -- peace and calm,"
- MMA is not about violence. Again, it is about enjoying the opportunity to test your skills against another fully resisting human being in a realistic setting. As for the values and philosophy of traditional martial arts, I would use UFC Welterweight World Champion Georges St-Pierre as an example. He started out in a traditional martial arts, then evolved into the athlete he is today by integrating wrestling, brazilian jiu jitsu and muay thai kickboxing into his training. When he steps into the Octagon to compete, he is the epitome of discipline, confidence,peace and calm. Does Sensei Mario want us to believe that this was all a result of his traditional training? That is just silly. Traditional martial arts AND MMA training can lead to these qualities. To suggest otherwise is plain ignorance.
"If people want to do it, that's fine," he said. "But they're not doing martial arts itself. It's for entertainment value."
- Sifu Rob Atalick states that athletes competing in MMA are not doing martial arts, it is for the entertainment value. Again with the myth that these athletes are not doing martial arts. So because they compete in a public venue it’s not martial arts? Why? Do people really have to wear a uniform, have orders barked at them in a foreign language, and subscribe to a master/slave mentality to be doing martial arts? While it is entertaining,these athletes are practicing MIXED MARTIAL ARTS. For the instructors in the article, it is time to get over it. Mixed Martial Arts is a legitimate system of martial arts that not only helped reveal the myths and illusions of traditional martial arts, it is here to stay. We are not going anywhere!
Speaking of “entertainment value”, I took my children to the movies a couple of months ago to see The Last Airbender, a movie with a martial arts theme. Lo and behold, what did I have to sit through for 30 minutes before the show started, a “martial arts” demonstration by Sifu Rob Atalick and his Niagara Kung Fu Academy. I guess I could call this “not doing martial arts itself, it’s for entertainment value”. Even though I did not enjoy having to sit through the demonstration, I respect that it is their right to be able to show their art to the public. It would be nice if the traditional martial arts would give us the same courtesy, practicing what they preach.
"In MMA, you're trying to go in there and beat up someone. In martial arts training, you're looking to better yourself and others around you.
- This is a very misleading statement. At least he got some of this statement correct. In an MMA competition, the objective is to make your opponent quit, via knockout or submission. Yes, maybe some people do get “beat up”in the process, but let’s face it. The competitors in these events are consenting adults that have agreed to the terms and rules of the competition. If they were that worried about getting “beat up”, I am sure they would try another type of martial art, maybe like point karate, so they would not have to worry about getting touched or “beat up” due to the very limited amount of contact.
Now in MMA training, and I would imagine it would be the same as in traditional training, SAFETY is first and foremost. My MMA gym has been in operation for 16 years, and we have only had two injuries to students that resulted in an extended period of missing training. That is a pretty good record for any martial arts school. We train intelligently, with safety at the forefront and we also have a lot of FUN when we train. I have kids as young as 5 and old as 58 that love to train in MMA. Why do they do it? Maybe, just maybe it has to do with the fact that they feel they are bettering themselves and others around them!! To think that this can only happen through traditional martial arts training is plain ignorance.
Deborah Toth, chief instructor at the Niagara Falls Martial Arts Center on Victoria Ave., said she doesn't support MMA and it saddens her there's a market for it.
- It’s Sensei Toth’s right to not support MMA and feel saddened that there is a market for it. Unfortunately for her, there are millions of other people that are very supportive of it and really enjoy it, making MMA the fastest growing sport in the world. Again, if it saddens you that much, don’t watch it.
"The public, however, has this misconception that the UFC and MMA are actually about martial arts.
- Sensei Toth now insults most of the general public with this statement. The general public understands there are many types of martial arts in this world, and that MIXED MARTIAL ARTS happens to be one of them. Sensei Toth needs to accept this fact as well, because as noted above, MMA is here and it is not going anywhere.
They're not highly trained in martial arts. They're highly trained in fighting."
- I answered this in my earlier article, but I would like to add one thing. Sensei Toth keeps using the term “fighting” when referring to MMA, and “martial arts” when referring to the traditional arts. Well, whether you train in MMA or traditional arts, if you cannot walk away from a fight and you have to physically defend yourself, you are now “fighting”. These instructors can call it “self defense” or whatever they want, but physically defending yourself against another human being that wants to physically hurt you is “fighting”, whether you are a mixed martial artist or traditional one.
"A true master will tell you that a karate man that hurts another human being ... was a failed martial artist."
- This statement from Sensei Toth is so silly it defies logic. With this statement she wants us to believe that if a “karate man” HAD to physically defend themselves, and during the course of the “fight”, the attacker got hurt, this would make the “karate man” a “failed martial artist”. This is just utterly ridiculous. It’s as if the “karate man” has some kind of power that would allow them to always control themselves, no matter the situation, so that they never hurt another human being.
By Sensei Toth’s reasoning, the karate man would have to be able to defend himself against any situation, and NEVER hurt the attacker. So if Sensei Toth had to use her skills to defend her life, and in the course of this she ended up hurting the attacker, she would now be considered a “failed martial artist”? One incident would erase all the years of good that she has accomplished? That is just silly to even consider. What about all the martial artists in this world that have been attacked, some very violently, used the skills they practice day in and day out, and saved their lives. Yes, in some of these instances, the attacker ended up getting hurt, sometimes seriously. I would dare Sensei Toth to visit these people and tell them that they are now “failed martial artists”.
I do not want any of my students having to fight or hurt another human being. But I am a realist. This is not a perfect world we live in, where I will be able to get away from every situation. If my students have to physically defend themselves, and in the course of this the attacker did happen to get hurt, I would NEVER have the nerve to tell them they are now “failed martial artists”. I would be happy that they survived by using the skills they practice in the gym.
She said another difference between traditional martial arts and MMA is that an MMA competitor's fighting career is often short, which is usually not the case for old-school martial arts students.
"I've been training for 29 years and I'm better this year than the year before," said Toth, a 4thdegree black belt. "Masters can train right until the end."
- We can clear this statement up rather easily. Sensei Toth uses two terms here, “fighting career” and “train”. As for an MMA competitors career often being short, that may happen but it is also the same for traditional martial artists. I don’t know too many traditional martial artists competing in any fighting competitions the way they did when they were younger. Unfortunately we all get older, and the time comes where we can not compete in our chosen sport like we use to.
This is where Sesnei Toth makes a great point about “training”, although it is somewhat convoluted. It is very, very hard for me to believe that you have to be a “master” to train right to the end. ANYONE can train right until the end. I am definitely not a “master” but I will be training until the end. Why? Because it is my passion. It is also the passion of millions of other people that train in martial arts, traditional or mixed, that will never achieve the exalted status of “master”. To infer that you can only train to the end if you are a “master” is just silliness.
I would like to finish on this note. I respect ALL martial arts. They all have something good to offer, it is for the individual though to determine what is good about it. I have friends that are highly ranked and very skilled in traditional martial arts. We exchange ideas about training, respect each other, and accept our different opinions on the arts.
The problem I have with some traditional martial art instructors is the myths and illusions they put forth to their students and the public. There are no myths and illusions in Mixed Martial Arts. The system is based on functional delivery systems that have been tested, and continue to be tested, in a realistic environment, that includes competing in a cage or ring as well as training in the gym.
There is room in this world for ALL the martial arts. As well, let’s not lose focus on who is really more important:
Man, the living creature, the creating individual, is always more important than any established style or system.
- Bruce Lee
So that everyone understands who is associated with the quotes, here are the instructors names and respective clubs:
Sensei Mario Quiquero : Seido-Kan Karate Schools. 38 years experience and 7th degree Black Belt.
Sifu Rob Atalick : Chief Instructor Niagara Kung Fu Academy
Sensei Deborah Toth : Chief Instructor Niagara Falls Martial Arts Center. 29 years experience. 4th Degree Black.
Now with the formalities out of the way, let’s begin.
"It's fulfilling the blood lust. It's a pure competition for money gain," Mario Quiquero says of MMA,
- No, it is not fulfilling the blood lust. It is fulfilling the athletes personal quest to test the skills they learn in a realistic environment. As for the spectators, it must be fulfilling for them to see athletes that actually want to step up and put there skills to the test rather than just talk about how they can do techniques and such. It is fulfilling for enough people because MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world right now.
- Regarding the “ pure competition for money gain”, I am not sure if Sensei Mario is talking about the athletes or the government so let’s address both. The athletes do get paid, and they work hard for their money. They are professional athletes, and for some of them this is their livelihood. I see no difference in them going to the gym and training for an upcoming competition or one of the instructors from the article going to their dojo to teach classes.
Regarding the government, some people believe they sanctioned MMA due to the large revenue they will receive from the events. Again, why not? Is there really anything wrong with the government stepping in and making sure that MMA is regulated, providing standards for safety and training, allowing athletes to compete at the highest level possible, and giving the public the opportunity to watch this is there own backyard, with the benefit of making some money from it? I don’t think so.
"It's misleading of what true martial arts is."
- Misleading? Of what true martial arts is? I believe that the statement “true martial arts” is open for debate. If the instructors from the article believe in their heart that standing in a stationary stance punching the air, or running through a pre-arranged pattern of self defense moves against an imaginary opponent is what “true martial arts” is, then that may be THEIR truth. But what about other TRUTHS? MMA athletes have a diverse set of skills, for example they need to know how to throw a good punch, take downs, and groundwork.
Let’s take punching. If I was going to learn how to punch properly and be able to use it in a realistic environment, I would go to a boxing gym to learn. Why? Because boxing is the best delivery system for punching, not traditional martial arts. This is a TRUTH.
To learn takedowns, I would go to a wrestling club. Wrestling is the best delivery system for takedowns, not traditional martial arts. This is a TRUTH.
To learn groundwork, I would go to a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school and again a wrestling club. BJJ and Wrestling are the best delivery systems for groundwork, not traditional martial arts. This is a TRUTH.
So we see there are many truths involved in martial arts. For me or any instructor to try and impose THEIR belief system on people is not just wrong, it is dangerous. It will lead into people following blindly rather than questioning and seeking the answers for themselves.
“Quiquero, a sensei at Seido- Kan Karate School on Morrison St., said MMA is more about violence than the values and philosophy of traditional martial arts. We preach discipline, confidence -- peace and calm,"
- MMA is not about violence. Again, it is about enjoying the opportunity to test your skills against another fully resisting human being in a realistic setting. As for the values and philosophy of traditional martial arts, I would use UFC Welterweight World Champion Georges St-Pierre as an example. He started out in a traditional martial arts, then evolved into the athlete he is today by integrating wrestling, brazilian jiu jitsu and muay thai kickboxing into his training. When he steps into the Octagon to compete, he is the epitome of discipline, confidence,peace and calm. Does Sensei Mario want us to believe that this was all a result of his traditional training? That is just silly. Traditional martial arts AND MMA training can lead to these qualities. To suggest otherwise is plain ignorance.
"If people want to do it, that's fine," he said. "But they're not doing martial arts itself. It's for entertainment value."
- Sifu Rob Atalick states that athletes competing in MMA are not doing martial arts, it is for the entertainment value. Again with the myth that these athletes are not doing martial arts. So because they compete in a public venue it’s not martial arts? Why? Do people really have to wear a uniform, have orders barked at them in a foreign language, and subscribe to a master/slave mentality to be doing martial arts? While it is entertaining,these athletes are practicing MIXED MARTIAL ARTS. For the instructors in the article, it is time to get over it. Mixed Martial Arts is a legitimate system of martial arts that not only helped reveal the myths and illusions of traditional martial arts, it is here to stay. We are not going anywhere!
Speaking of “entertainment value”, I took my children to the movies a couple of months ago to see The Last Airbender, a movie with a martial arts theme. Lo and behold, what did I have to sit through for 30 minutes before the show started, a “martial arts” demonstration by Sifu Rob Atalick and his Niagara Kung Fu Academy. I guess I could call this “not doing martial arts itself, it’s for entertainment value”. Even though I did not enjoy having to sit through the demonstration, I respect that it is their right to be able to show their art to the public. It would be nice if the traditional martial arts would give us the same courtesy, practicing what they preach.
"In MMA, you're trying to go in there and beat up someone. In martial arts training, you're looking to better yourself and others around you.
- This is a very misleading statement. At least he got some of this statement correct. In an MMA competition, the objective is to make your opponent quit, via knockout or submission. Yes, maybe some people do get “beat up”in the process, but let’s face it. The competitors in these events are consenting adults that have agreed to the terms and rules of the competition. If they were that worried about getting “beat up”, I am sure they would try another type of martial art, maybe like point karate, so they would not have to worry about getting touched or “beat up” due to the very limited amount of contact.
Now in MMA training, and I would imagine it would be the same as in traditional training, SAFETY is first and foremost. My MMA gym has been in operation for 16 years, and we have only had two injuries to students that resulted in an extended period of missing training. That is a pretty good record for any martial arts school. We train intelligently, with safety at the forefront and we also have a lot of FUN when we train. I have kids as young as 5 and old as 58 that love to train in MMA. Why do they do it? Maybe, just maybe it has to do with the fact that they feel they are bettering themselves and others around them!! To think that this can only happen through traditional martial arts training is plain ignorance.
Deborah Toth, chief instructor at the Niagara Falls Martial Arts Center on Victoria Ave., said she doesn't support MMA and it saddens her there's a market for it.
- It’s Sensei Toth’s right to not support MMA and feel saddened that there is a market for it. Unfortunately for her, there are millions of other people that are very supportive of it and really enjoy it, making MMA the fastest growing sport in the world. Again, if it saddens you that much, don’t watch it.
"The public, however, has this misconception that the UFC and MMA are actually about martial arts.
- Sensei Toth now insults most of the general public with this statement. The general public understands there are many types of martial arts in this world, and that MIXED MARTIAL ARTS happens to be one of them. Sensei Toth needs to accept this fact as well, because as noted above, MMA is here and it is not going anywhere.
They're not highly trained in martial arts. They're highly trained in fighting."
- I answered this in my earlier article, but I would like to add one thing. Sensei Toth keeps using the term “fighting” when referring to MMA, and “martial arts” when referring to the traditional arts. Well, whether you train in MMA or traditional arts, if you cannot walk away from a fight and you have to physically defend yourself, you are now “fighting”. These instructors can call it “self defense” or whatever they want, but physically defending yourself against another human being that wants to physically hurt you is “fighting”, whether you are a mixed martial artist or traditional one.
"A true master will tell you that a karate man that hurts another human being ... was a failed martial artist."
- This statement from Sensei Toth is so silly it defies logic. With this statement she wants us to believe that if a “karate man” HAD to physically defend themselves, and during the course of the “fight”, the attacker got hurt, this would make the “karate man” a “failed martial artist”. This is just utterly ridiculous. It’s as if the “karate man” has some kind of power that would allow them to always control themselves, no matter the situation, so that they never hurt another human being.
By Sensei Toth’s reasoning, the karate man would have to be able to defend himself against any situation, and NEVER hurt the attacker. So if Sensei Toth had to use her skills to defend her life, and in the course of this she ended up hurting the attacker, she would now be considered a “failed martial artist”? One incident would erase all the years of good that she has accomplished? That is just silly to even consider. What about all the martial artists in this world that have been attacked, some very violently, used the skills they practice day in and day out, and saved their lives. Yes, in some of these instances, the attacker ended up getting hurt, sometimes seriously. I would dare Sensei Toth to visit these people and tell them that they are now “failed martial artists”.
I do not want any of my students having to fight or hurt another human being. But I am a realist. This is not a perfect world we live in, where I will be able to get away from every situation. If my students have to physically defend themselves, and in the course of this the attacker did happen to get hurt, I would NEVER have the nerve to tell them they are now “failed martial artists”. I would be happy that they survived by using the skills they practice in the gym.
She said another difference between traditional martial arts and MMA is that an MMA competitor's fighting career is often short, which is usually not the case for old-school martial arts students.
"I've been training for 29 years and I'm better this year than the year before," said Toth, a 4thdegree black belt. "Masters can train right until the end."
- We can clear this statement up rather easily. Sensei Toth uses two terms here, “fighting career” and “train”. As for an MMA competitors career often being short, that may happen but it is also the same for traditional martial artists. I don’t know too many traditional martial artists competing in any fighting competitions the way they did when they were younger. Unfortunately we all get older, and the time comes where we can not compete in our chosen sport like we use to.
This is where Sesnei Toth makes a great point about “training”, although it is somewhat convoluted. It is very, very hard for me to believe that you have to be a “master” to train right to the end. ANYONE can train right until the end. I am definitely not a “master” but I will be training until the end. Why? Because it is my passion. It is also the passion of millions of other people that train in martial arts, traditional or mixed, that will never achieve the exalted status of “master”. To infer that you can only train to the end if you are a “master” is just silliness.
I would like to finish on this note. I respect ALL martial arts. They all have something good to offer, it is for the individual though to determine what is good about it. I have friends that are highly ranked and very skilled in traditional martial arts. We exchange ideas about training, respect each other, and accept our different opinions on the arts.
The problem I have with some traditional martial art instructors is the myths and illusions they put forth to their students and the public. There are no myths and illusions in Mixed Martial Arts. The system is based on functional delivery systems that have been tested, and continue to be tested, in a realistic environment, that includes competing in a cage or ring as well as training in the gym.
There is room in this world for ALL the martial arts. As well, let’s not lose focus on who is really more important:
Man, the living creature, the creating individual, is always more important than any established style or system.
- Bruce Lee
Blood lust vs Tradition
27/08/10 23:25
This is the article that was printed in the Niagara Falls Review, Friday August 27th, 2010.
“Blood lust vs. tradition”
Mixed martial arts versus traditional martial arts. There are many differences, instructors say.
"It's fulfilling the blood lust. It's a pure competition for money gain," Mario Quiquero says of MMA, one of the fastest growing sports on its way to legalization in Ontario. "It's misleading of what true martial arts is."
Quiquero, a sensei at Seido- Kan Karate School on Morrison St., said MMA is more about violence than the values and philosophy of traditional martial arts.
"We preach discipline, confidence -- peace and calm," he said. "We just want to get along in this world. Peace and harmony. We all have the ability to fight ... but we don't need to break bricks with our heads or be a freak show."
Quiquero has 38 years of professional, full-time martial arts experience. He is a 7th-degree black belt and has taught in universities and held seminars around the world.
The school provides stretching exercises and aerobics, and teaches anyone four and older about co-ordination, balance, self esteem and how to have fun through martial arts.
"I'm not attacking (MMA), I'm just observing it," he said. "We have to be diverse to a certain point. It is coming to Ontario. It's just these poor guys are being recognized in the wrong places. If they walk into a pub, they're heroes and everyone wants to buy them a drink, but if they walk into parliament, no one knows who they are."
Rob Atalick, chief instructor at Niagara Kung Fu Academy on Fourth Ave., said he doesn't support MMA, but he's also not "dead-set against it.
"If people want to do it, that's fine," he said. "But they're not doing martial arts itself. It's for entertainment value."
Atalick said his club, which trains anyone from children to seniors, is about personal development, both physically and mentally. The primary style of kung fu Atalick focuses on is that of praying mantis, which he believes is the most effective for self defence.
"In MMA, you're trying to go in there and beat up someone. In martial arts training, you're looking to better yourself and others around you. There's a lot of different elements to martial arts and if fighting is in your top five, then you really have the wrong idea. It should really be about etiquette, health, control of one's environment and control of stress. Fighting should always be a last resort."
Carmine Battagli and his eight-year- old son Nicolas are students at Niagara Kung Fu Academy.
"Kung fu gives you a sense of inner strength. It teaches you patience. It's not about going out and fighting. I don't want (Nicolas) beating people up. He's a soft-hearted kid and he always tries to help people. But with kung fu, you grow together. It's a part of your life."
Deborah Toth, chief instructor at the Niagara Falls Martial Arts Center on Victoria Ave., said she doesn't support MMA and it saddens her there's a market for it.
"I see it as only glorified violence," she said. "It's also unfortunate that they call it mixed martial arts. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (the largest and best-known MMA organization) calls itself UFC. I can respect that.
"The public, however, has this misconception that the UFC and MMA are actually about martial arts. They're not highly trained in martial arts. They're highly trained in fighting."
Toth said at her karate facility, students first and foremost learn self defence, pickng up strategies and the different aspects of protection.
"You're able to take that training home and better deal with day-to-day life," she said. "A true master will tell you that a karate man that hurts another human being ... was a failed martial artist."
She said another difference between traditional martial arts and MMA is that an MMA competitor's fighting career is often short, which is usually not the case for old-school martial arts students.
"I've been training for 29 years and I'm better this year than the year before," said Toth, a 4thdegree black belt. "Masters can train right until the end."
Here is my letter to the editor regarding this.
MMA : It is a Martial Art
Regarding the article “Blood lust vs tradition” in Friday’s paper, I feel there were some misconceptions about MMA put forth by local martial arts instructors that need to be addressed.
Mixed Martial Arts IS a system of martial arts that encompasses skills in stand-up, clinch and ground. It has been proven to be the most complete system for self defense as well. For someone to say that it is not martial arts just because they do not like it is irresponsible.
The UFC is a sport where the system of mixed martial arts is used. They are two separate entities. People do not “train UFC”, they train in mixed martial arts to “compete” in the UFC.
To say MMA is more about violence than the values of martial arts is just ignorance. That is an insult to anyone who participates in MMA, which includes professionals such as doctors, lawyers and local police officers.
Mixed Martial Arts and traditional arts do have some things in common, the most important being both teach students to avoid confrontation if at all possible. Leading people to believe that MMA students would rather fight in a self defense situation than try to get away, again, is ignorance.
One of the instructors was quoted as saying “They’re not highly trained in martial arts. They are highly trained in fighting.” I would disagree with this. We are as highly trained in martial arts as some of the “masters” from the article are. It is pure ignorance of them and insulting to infer that I or anyone in my shoes is highly trained in “fighting” simply because we enjoy a martial art other than “traditional”.
If anyone is “saddened” there is a market for MMA, that is easy enough to fix. Don’t watch it.
Rich Beaupit
Owner / Head Coach
Beaupit’s Mixed Martial Arts
I was limited to 300 words or less for this letter. This weekend I will offer a very detailed rebuttal to the nonsense these highly trained instructors put forth.
