Tapout

Probably the biggest trend or development in the martial arts scene in the past 15 years has been the rise in popularity and acceptance of Brazilian jujitsu and other ground grappling arts. These arts can definitely be an effective part of a mixed martial arts competitor's arsenal, and Brazilian jujitsu exponents have made a point of using this as proof that their art is also extremely street effective.

BJJ guys also have another element of proof: the Gracies claim that they have won hundreds of streetfights, and they focus on groundfighting tactics and techniques because based on these experiences, they have found that in their 90 percent of all fights go to the ground.

My previous doubts about these claims have always centered on the question of whether BJJ guys can effectively defend themselves in a real-life scenario: sparring in a pre-arranged fight or competition, no matter how few rule theres are, is not the same as a real fight where the other guy actively wants you to die, and will do anything to see your head on a platter.

But there's another thing to consider. Even if Brazilian jujitsu or whatever grappling style you used works just as planned, will it properly the problem at hand -- that is, keep the guy who wants to kill you from doing so?

BJJ guys boast that their art achieves the pinnacle of effectiveness: it allows a fighter to defend himself or herself without little or no harm to an attacker. In other words, BJJ is the humane fighting method. But the primary strategy of a BJJ guy goes as follows:

1. Close the gap
2. Take the guy down
3. Achieve superior position if possible
4. Apply a joint lock or choke hold that forces the attacker/combatant to submit or risk a broken limb or unconsciousness.

So the aim of the game is to get the other guy to submit.

So. What happens in a real fight after you get your opponent to submit? Well, you have three choices:

1. Continue to apply the lock or choke hold for all eternity, or until his buddies arrive to smash your head in while you're on the ground
2. Take the lock or hold that extra inch further, thus actually breaking the limb or rendering the guy unconscious -- which doesn't seem all that "humane" to me.
3. Believe this guy -- the guy who a moment ago was trying to put you in the hospital or the morgue -- when he says, "OK, I give up. Let me know and we'll just call it a day"

I'm not sure which option is the most preferable. But I'm pretty sure I'd rather keep it simple: knock the guy out and run.