MMA great for youth but for older folks?

[Tom Yum]

MMA training is great if you're young and alot of us are, but what about if you're older? What is the best martial art self-defense wise for older folks who either have no previous experience or are former fighters looking for less contact?

[Szczepankiewicz]

I conclude by your statement that MMA is somehow the best art for self-defense for younger folks???

[Michael Neal]

Helio Gracie is still practicing BJJ and he is over 90 so I recommend that, or Aikido is another option but most here would probably say BJJ.

[hybone]

A gun...

[Tom Yum]

Originally posted by Szczepankiewicz
I conclude by your statement that MMA is somehow the best art for self-defense for younger folks???

Not necessarily, MMA happens to have a large % of younger practicioners but it doesn't mean its the best art for self defense for younger folks.

I think there are plenty of arts that are good for younger folks self defense starting from Tang Soo Do, karate, boxing - everything as long as they can learn to apply it well.

[Szczepankiewicz]

I see.

Thanks for the clarification.

[sercuerdas]

yes helio still does bjj, but how well? and at 90 i definitle don't want to graplling and maybe hitting theground.

for older warriors i'd say the filipino arts, there are many escrimadors who fight amazingly into there 80's and 90's.

[Mr. Heel Hook]

Originally posted by sercuerdas
yes helio still does bjj, but how well? and at 90 i definitle don't want to graplling and maybe hitting theground.

Odd how people think BJJ has to always be on the ground...

[Toudiyama[NL]]

Originally posted by Mr. Heel Hook


Odd how people think BJJ has to always be on the ground...

Well, whenever I see an interview with a Gracie, they seem to think so

[Mr. Heel Hook]

No...just...no.

[seeker]

I really depends on the person. there are extremely fit oldies who can train what ever they want.. But for self defens i think the best art would be krav maga.

[sercuerdas]

hey heel hook,

I train bjj, and lets be honest. do they subs from the feet, yes. is most of there stuff ground work , yes. they are incredible on the floor, but to round out there art they had to learn muay thai for striking and wrestling for realisitc takedowns. so if you take straight bjj hand try to defend yourself without taking it to the ground your probably going to get pounded.

[Mr. Heel Hook]

Dude...my friend...dude....we aren't talking about NHB fighting. We are talking about the average "Joe" defending himself. Not only the average Joe, but an elderly average Joe. Your average attacker isn't going to start mugging you with Tai shin kicks, is he? And since we are being honest, maybe you should check out Royce's book if you haven't learned anything but ground fighting. This is why many people think of BJJ now as mostly sport with little realistic defense techniques nowadays. Many things will get you into trouble that are OK (or good) to do on the mat in comparison to nice, hard and unforgiving concrete. There at least a few dozen ways there to defend yourself from stand up that I can think of and more than likely triple that in the book.

[sercuerdas]

hello heel hook,
i've read royce's book, and i do really respect there grappling ability( they are originators), the the standing self-defense stuff in that book were bo- bo ish. the counter weapon stuff would get you killed.
thanx for the reply,rob

[Mr. Heel Hook]

Yeah? Man, I hope Royce knows that....