The problem with that question is it supposes two things (one clearly, the other by inference). Firstly, it supposes that TMA practitioners would change if they weren’t closed-minded. Many of us choose to remain with arts because of the challenge inherent in some of the esoteric practices.
Secondly, it seems to suppose the only worthwhile pursuit is one that can produce elite competitors. Many folks only want to to develop some fighting skill, and aren’t prioritizing their effectiveness over other trained people, at least not at a competitive level.
So we can learn lessons from the development of BJJ and MMA, but can also choose not to alter our traditional style as much as you seem to think we should.
I actually agree with you. We have freedom of choice, this is honest.
I was from Hong Kong, I was there when Bruce Lee was famous, we heard news everyday about BL. CMA people HATED him, but nobody really dare to touch him, one challenged him and he got creamed. BL completely changed the concept of MA by combining boxing hands, TKD kicks and some WC hands. After BL died, all of a sudden, a lot of people came out and said they can beat BL and invalidating him. BL changed the whole MA scene over 50 years ago, literally started the whole kick boxing. But people kept talking trash of him after his death since, kept talking about how they can beat BL, really never accept him.
Then came Royce Gracie in the first 3 UFC in early 90s, That change the whole MA scenes. Completely changed the concept again. I was really not following the MA until lately. I thought it's so obvious now that it is on the world stage, unlike the older days where there were really no videos of BL, that everything was by hear-said. I would imagine this will change people's mind and open to accept the result and learn from it.
To my big surprise after I join here and realize that was not the case. I see the repeat like how people talked about BL 50 years ago. Sure, BL won't last 2 minutes inside the Octagon today. Neither Royce Gracie can last 2 minutes as proven by the beating by Matt Huges. BUT these two were the ones that revolutionized the whole MA scene.
I can honor what you said. But there are still a lot of people that refuse to accept the new world, making excuses that there are too many rules in UFC, that's why they cannot win. Kept talking how they can fight the take down on paper. It's so funny that I heard people saying their techniques is too deadly they cannot use it and all that. Just keep saying they know better but refuse to step into the Octagon. Exactly like what people said in Bruce Lee's days. There would be no argument from me if they say they want to honor the tradition and they want to follow what was taught from the older days. That it’s an art.
I'll be the first one to say I am one dimensional, I only know striking and I am chopped meat facing bjj. I am NOT happy that what I work very hard those days becomes totally obsoleted. But I have to accept the fact. Painful, but that's how the world is. I only use my practice as aerobics. If not because I started learning stick fight, I have no interest in MA anymore. I am too old and injured to get into BJJ and MMA, I admit that instead of making excuses.
Funny pure BJJ got creamed too!!! I have to be honest that whenever I saw a guy from Brazil goes in the Octagon, I always support the other guy!!!! It's still painful BJJ destroyed my dream.
