ralphmcpherson
Senior Master
I think I like to believe that all arts (within reason) are effective if trained correctly. I dont really think there is an art you can train properly in for many years and not end up a decent fighter. When it comes down to fighting competitively there is more to it than "which art is better". For these reasons I find it to be little ridiculous when you hear people say "kararte wont help you in a real life situation because it doesnt work in the UFC". I love the UFC and I love watching any MMA but I dont use it as a gauge to see which arts work and which dont or which art is better than another.Like I said, when it's all said and done, there's usually more said than done. The Martial Arts are about actions. If it was pure philosophy then mere words would suffice.
When, however, one is claiming the superiority of efficiency of a given physical act, asking them to prove it isn't outside the reasonable.
What's more, it's only been in very recent times that asking someone to prove it has been dismissed. The TMA's of even the recent past is replete with examples of 'challenge matches' to test one's skills.
The 'I'm really good..........but I have nothing to prove' phenomenon is a very recent invention. And, it might be quite reasonable..........until the discussion becomes 'what is effective'..............and it seems a bit absurd for some folks to claim their skills are effective, but simultaneously proclaiming they are under no obligation to prove it.
You are right, of course, that this is merely my humble opinion........other's mileage may vary.