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| quote: | Originally posted by MarkT
^^^ interesting...I ask because over the last couple of months, I've been seriously contemplating learning Muay Thai...though am not terribly interested in serious competition outside of the obvious sparring required to learn and become proficient (parially because I'm 33 in about a month, lol).
I'm more intersted from a fitness and discipline standpoint, and to a lesser extent, self-defense (beats just learning to box). A lot of people suggest grappling and jiu jitsu because it can be practiced well into your older years since the emphasis is on technique vs. power, speed, etc., correct?
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If I didn't have so many years invested in Karate then I would have switched to Muay Thai a long time ago. As far as I'm concered nothing can touch it when it comes to allaround striking. Yes boxers have more dangerous punches but a knee strike landing on your chest is the same as 35 MILE/hour car crash with no seat belt when it's applied properly. The discovery channel brought in a bunch of crash test dummies and told the different martial arts guys to 'give it their all'. The look on the scientists faces when the Muay Thai guy went for it was pretty funny. They all turned to each and had this look of 'oh shit!'. But Standup with no ground game is (imho) %50 useful/useless. If you want something that kind of does them both then try Japanese style Jiu-Jitsu. It's ground game is not as good as BJJ and its stand up is not as good Muay Thai but it's a nice easy going workout that will give you knowledge and experience in both disciplines.
If you feel you body can take it though, then train in BJJ and Muay Thai.
Yes there are guys out there in thier later years (over 40+) who train BJJ and Muay Thai but for the most part both styles are too agressive and injuries often pull people out of the game before they have the chance to grow old with the sport.
I for one have already started thinking about what other styles to switch to in a few years once my body can't take the beating anymore.
It's your pick. The old age thing is half true. It is based on technique over strength, but 1)strength will always play a role in addition to your technique and 2)getting older and still doing BJJ is more of an issue regarding your injuries not your fitness.
Have fun and pay attention to your body, some injuries never heal the way they should and you may regreat sparing with that stupid new guy to BJJ who was too excited for his first submission and didn't give you a chance to tap.... there are lots of them.
Let me know if you have any other questions. I've trainned in about a dozen different martial arts and compete regularly at everything from local events to representing Canada internationally last year in a style of tournament that is open to all striking martial arts (so I obviously have to learn what their strengths are so I know what I'm up against and play to their weaknesses).
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Dave (aka: Upgrade- live pa)
| quote: | Originally posted by Lightshow
i wear sunglasses for the same reason everybody wears them in a club. 1: people look cool in sunglasses
2: it gets awefully bright as the night progresses |
*nusty does not wear sunglasses at night, they make it hard to see and you could trip
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I don't know why MMA appeals to me so much but i can't get enough of it! 
