I've been training in MMA for two years now, but people give me a strange look when I tell them that I don't fight or like the UFC.
I got into martial arts by accident. My friend (a former cage fighter) was visiting after not seeing each other for years and he said he was back into MMA. I took interest, he brought me over to his gym (our buddy's garage with all the equipment we need) and the rest is history.
I don't fight because I just don't want to. Sure I've thought about doing some amateur local fights, but I'll NEVER go pro or join the UFC.
I don't like the UFC or any pro MMA company because I feel like they put martial arts in a bad light.
There's no more respect, no more sportsmanship, no more honor, none of that. Everyone wants to puff their chest, swing their dicks, and talk nothing but shit.
I train in martial arts to keep my mind clear and my body strong. I believe in martial art philosophy, that our gym is a sacred place where people bond and not only improve themselves but also their training partners. I also go to support my friend since brother killed himself earlier this year.
But it's hard to keep that philosophy when every young kid walks in and acts like a Conor McGregor wannabe. These piss me off the most because at least Conor McGregor has the hands to back up his shit talking, these guys just watch YouTube videos and rehearse unoriginal shit talking in front of the mirror thinking their just gonna walk in and beat everyone's ass and get a black belt in a year.
Don't get me wrong, I'll watch UFC every now and then (mostly to learn), but I hate what the UFC has done to the martial arts community.
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Is it really that odd that I train in MMA but don't fight, and don't like UFC?
I agree, no respect for your partner. Or for their health. They keep pounding on the head when the guy is down and obviously out.
Have you done sparring at least? I think sparring gives you something essential.
I wanted to train more aggressively, but (un?) fortunately I got laser eye surgery and I'm not supposed to get punched in the eyes.
Anyway, I'm getting old now and I don't give a shit about my ego. I don't have anything to prove. I have a lot of respect for the toughness of those guys. But people with more traditional arts background such as myself can't compete in that kind of way unless we specifically train in that kind of way. They're tough and they have my respect. But it still is sports fighting. The way we'd train is we'd expect the fight, one way or the other, to be over pretty quickly.
Some people lift weights to get shape and stay in it. Some people lift weights for the sake of body building. Some also lift weights to strong man competitions. In the end lifting weights is still lifting weights. No matter what the goal in doing so is. The same can be for martial arts in general. You might practice MMA one reason and someone might do it for another. In the end it's still MMA. So to me it seems like you don't like that people are not conforming to your view of martial arts.
Going Pro isn't that easy anyway. So, if you just want to train to stay fit but not fight, then go ahead. I've been fighting in MMA for about 10 years. It took several of those years to get invited to amateur or semi-pro fights. Took a few more to get accepted on a professional team. Takes a lot of dedication, pain, and injuries to go pro.
Not at all, I do mma since I was 17. I never had any aspirations or goals for a career in it due to all the injuries and problems it comes with. I enjoy it simply because it’s fun, great workouts, the philosophy of the art and the community of fellow martial artists. To me, martial arts saved me from depression and it was always be apart of my life. I’ve been doing it for so long and I always feel like I’m still a novice even though I’m not, it keeps me humbled.
When I first read the title of the question, I was surprised because I was like “but MMA people literally fight- how does that work?” But having read the context and the stuff about the UFC and all, I don’t think it’s odd when you put it that way. I mean you can practice a sport without wanting to go professional or anything, I don’t find that weird and yeah I agree Connor McGregor is an asshole lol- but just out of curiosity what do you think of Khabib?
i dont like UFC anymore. Used to be a tone time it was great. And you would see some good ones on Pride too. But it's gotten to political and whiney. I can't stand sports anymore. No more good sportsmanship. Everyone complaining about something or another (rarely to do with actual sport). I'll just go watch run and guns and exhibition shooters. They dont cry about every little goddamn thing they disagree with in society.
You mean to say you're into amateur mixed martial arts.
Big whoop, as there are thousands of people doing it every hour. Just like there are amateur boxers, gymnasts, basketball players, etc etc who never go pro and just like the group and regime, but not the game and it's hussle.
I don't think it's odd. I do kickboxing three days a week (sometimes five) and I don't even like it. Or the UFC, or sports in general. And I haven't lost any weight from it, either.
