When I talked to a Modern Arnis practioner, I asked him what open handed Modern Arnis was like. He said, in a way, that it is informal MMA. He said it has MT like strikes, Karate like strikes, Jduo like grappling, and Small Circle Jujitsu standing locks. He said when they spar, their open hnaded striking is like Kickboxing/MMA.
Is that true? How is it at your school?
I'd have to say alot would depend on the school, instructor, etc. Some of the empty hand strikes that are done at my school are: jab, cross, hook, uppercut, hammerfist, finger thrusts, and elbows, to name a few. You will also see alot of limb destruction/gunting type moves. Kicks: Front, side, roundhouse, back, stomps. These kicks for the most part are done low.
As for the groundwork: There are takedowns and throws that are done off of punches and kicks. From there, the ground work consists of locks, controlling, etc. As far as it looking like a BJJ match, no. However, my instructor adds in grappling (BJJ) into his classes, so thats an extra perk. It also seems that the ground game is being added in a bit more. At the last Summer camp I was at, there was a ground fighting session. I missed the majority of it due to testing, but the little that I did see, looked good!
There is alot of joint locking, as I said above.
If this is something you're interested in, you'd get a better feel by watching a class.
Mike
