| While you can find much in common across | | | | system with a similar goal. If, for |
| various fighting systems in terms of teaching | | | | instance, there are two fighting systems that |
| methods, techniques, and goals it is also | | | | include hand to hand fighting, they can agree |
| possible to find many ways in which each | | | | on a set of rules and engage in sparring to |
| system is unique. It is often difficult to | | | | assess the best fighter in that moment. The |
| make direct comparisons between different | | | | Ultimate Fighting Championship in the United |
| fighting systems as there is no standard | | | | States during the 1990s is an example of a |
| format for making objective comparisons. It | | | | major tournament that allowed participants |
| is important to recognize that the physical | | | | from various disciplines to complete under a |
| component is just one aspect of many fighting | | | | limited set of rules to help answer the |
| systems, as many also include a strong | | | | question of which fighting system was most |
| philosophical or spiritual ideal. Examples | | | | effective. The rise of mixed martial arts |
| of this are the Confusion principles behind | | | | has led to an increase in other organizations |
| the teaching of many Japanese, Korean, and | | | | similar to the Ultimate Fighting |
| Chinese systems. Other example are the | | | | Championship. |
| systems which are more sports oriented and | | | | |
| have a unique set of rule that conflict with | | | | Modern martial arts cross training is often |
| many other systems, including Washu, Judo, | | | | referred to as mixed martial arts, or MMA. |
| and Tae Kwon Do. Systems which place most of | | | | The practitioners of this form of training |
| their emphasis on self-defense are often | | | | believe that they will become better fighters |
| called "reality based" and include Defendo, | | | | by becoming competent in a wide variety of |
| Kombato, and Jeet Kune Do. As you can see | | | | techniques and disciplines. This increased |
| different forms of martial arts can have | | | | popularity in mixed martial arts training has |
| dramatically different goals, making it | | | | led to an increased emphasis on fights |
| almost impossible to compare them using any | | | | between individuals rather than against |
| objective standard. | | | | competing systems in tournaments such as the |
| | | | UFC and Pride Fighting Championships. Mixed |
| It is possible, however, to assess the | | | | martial arts allow students to incorporate a |
| effectiveness of a martial art that claims to | | | | wide variety of techniques into their |
| be successful at teaching a particular | | | | personal training regimens, as well as |
| fighting discipline. Examples of this are | | | | providing a form of sport competition with |
| systems that focus on use of a particular | | | | organization-specific rules. There are many |
| weapon, unarmed combat with two fighters, | | | | complicated modern fighting styles, "ground |
| escaping harm, defending yourself against | | | | and pound" and "sprawl-and-brawl" for |
| multiple attackers, and more. The particular | | | | example, which incorporate a wide variety of |
| goal of that martial art can be used as a | | | | styles including wrestling, boxing, jujutsu, |
| lens through which to assess its | | | | and Muay Thai. |
| effectiveness in comparison with another | | | | |