The most important things you need to know about fighting can best be answered by your Lawyer
It’s really hard to answer this question because it takes time just to find what your looking for, one, because I haven’t seen you come back on and say what you’re looking for. Now, if it’s fighting, then you’ve gotten a lot of solid advice. The thing I would add is that it takes time because either you have to get a feel for the school or find someone you trust that is involved in martial arts. A combo striking/kicking/grappling is best. $50-$100 is about right per month. On a side note to Patricia, Yuen Biao is ridiculous. How he’s not popular here, I don’t know. The movies with all three (Yuen, Jackie, and Samo) are the best! Is it wheels on meals or the other one (I forget) where Jackie’s a lawyer, Samo’s a gunrunner, and Yuen is just insane, like a retard or something? Where he gets into his house with some ladder trick. That guy’s insane.
Yuen Biao - yeah, I think he’s actually the more talented of the three. And (you’re right) it is Meals on Wheels - and that flick has even a awesome choreographed fight scene between Jackie and Benny “The Jet” Urqeidez (sp).
And Yuen is one of those guys who is quite content in assisting Jackie and Sammo behind the scenes and maintaining a low profile and bein' a "family man". Wierd, huh? ALL that talent.....
If you want to learn how to fight the best way would be to find a good Boxing, Judo or Greco- Roman/Freestyle Gym. the rule of thumb- if the training doesnt scare you then its the wrong place for you. i would say go with Judo, even ahead of BJJ. muay thai and Sombo are very good also. thats if you want to learn how to fight/defend yourself, if you just want to learn martial arts then it doesnt really matter. have a look at www.geofthompson.com. but imprtantly, whats going on in UFC/Pride type fighting doesnt really have any carry across to real life, if thats what you are after.
Wow… I thought something may have happened to this thread. I posted it in the training forum, and I didn’t even think to look for it here. Whoops. Thanks for the responses, everyone. I’m not really familiar with too many styles of MA, but from listening to everybody here… BJJ and Muy Thai sound pretty good. I’m really just looking to get back into something athletic. I used to play baseball & football, and I just miss the competition. Its not that I’m looking to learn how to kick ass (well, maybe a little ;)) It’s just… hearing the good things Patricia and ko always have to say about MA, it seems like something that would help with my weight training, flexibility, spirit… etc., etc. I’m about 30 minutes south of downtown Chicago… so I’ll have to take a look around and find a good place. Thanks again everyone for your input. It’s looking like BJJ/Muy Thai for me.
Yeah, the way he performs hurts my head and the rewind button. The fight with Benny and Jackie is great, but their other fight (the other film with Yuen and Sammo That I’m thinking of) was even better. I don’t understand why they don’t re-release movies like that instead of movies like rumble in the bronx (which was vancouver. I live in the Bronx and there are no white gangs or mountains:) or supercop 3. I’m not sure if you’re a big fan of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, but it ticked me off that that won so many awards and acclaim as a martial art film (it was good, don’t get me wrong) when Drunken Master 2 was in the theaters at the same time and got NO press. In my opinion, probably one of the best Jackie films EVER. And the plot stayed solid. Jackie really came off in that movie, even though it’s old. The fight scenes with his bodyguard at the end is ridiculous. Sorry, that’s my rant.
about Yuen, he should definitely get more exposure. Above the law with Pete Cunningham was good action wise and so was the supernatural film he did (can’t remember the name).
The supernatural film you’re thinking about is Zu Warriors, right? And another one w/Yuen is Dreadnought. And remember, he had a small role in Once Upon A Time In China. A true MA classic - which we have in DVD. Oh, and BTW: my mom useto own two Chinese Theaters in San Francisco Chinatown. And I know what yer meaning about Crouching Tiger - there are SO many films out there (and by Yuen Wo Ping) that contain such quality MA fighting!!! I grew up watching 'em!
There are many fighting styles to consider I am trained in 3 forms, which are Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai and Combat Sambo. Below is some information regarding the arts above.
JUJITSU
(joo-jit-soo)
“the art of flexibility” or “the art of ge0ntleness”
Because Jujitsu (also commonly spelled “Jujutsu” or “Jiu-Jitsu”) is one of the oldest styles of martial art still practised, dating from the 12th century, more than 700 forms or schools of Jujitsu have existed over the years. Each of these forms has its own techniques that it emphasises, has improved upon, or invented. Thus, it is hard to pin down exactly where Jujitsu should be placed on a scale rating the amount of grappling versus the amount of striking techniques. In all cases, Jujitsu will lean toward grappling, using more techniques such as throws, joint locks, chokes, and holds. However, all forms of Jujitsu incorporate a fair amount of striking techniques as well, using kicks, punches, knees, and elbows. A central concept to Jujitsu is the ability to change from one technique to another, and then another, as quickly and as many times as is necessary to defeat an attacker. Also key is the ability to use an attacker’s force against him, allowing practitioners to defeat stronger enemies. Jujitsu is sort of a “grandfather” martial art in that so many of the arts developed in modern times use it as their primary source of techniques- Aikido, Judo, and to a lesser extent Hapkido, being foremost among these. Jujitsu is an excellent all-around martial art, but because of its severe fragmentation into many forms, beginners should take extra care when choosing a school to make sure it covers the elements that they are looking for. Similar Styles: Ninjutsu - The art of the ninja. Open handed techniques are Jujitsu in origin, but various weapons and other techniques used by the ninja are also taught. Shuai-Chiao - Contemporary name for Chiao Li or Chiao Ti, which is a Chinese style dating back 3000 years. Was exported to Japan where it was a major influence on the development of Jujitsu. Tai Jutsu - Thought to be perhaps the fighting art from which Jujitsu was developed.
Muay Thai (mweye-tie)
Muay Thai, the most popular spectator sport in Thailand, is also sometimes called “the science of eight limbs” because practitioners use hands, elbows, knees, and feet to strike with. Though modern rules were introduced in the 1970s which require participants to wear padded gloves similar to those in boxing, the legs are still bare and thus the primary offensive weapon of the Muay Thai artist is the shin kick. Basic strategy involves kicking the opponent repeatedly in the thighs to decrease their ability to move quickly or deliver kicks of their own, then getting in close to strike the head with the elbows and knees- attacks that few can perform as devastatingly as the Muay Thai practitioners. The Thai Kickboxer is known for being able to take incredible amounts of punishment since strikes are aimed at any part of the body. As a means of self defence Muay Thai, with its heavy use of knees and elbows, will enable a practitioner to use striking techniques at very close ranges where grappling techniques usually dominate. Similar Styles: Lethwei (Burmese Boxing) - Sport from Burma (now Myanmar) which emphasises attacks to the head.
SAMBO
SAMBO was created in the 1930’s. Official recognition of new art was in 1938. At first it was named “free-style wrestling”, then “free wrestling,” and in 1946 was renamed “SAMBO.” This system is compilation of techniques from a number of martial arts including Japanese and Chinese martial arts; national martial arts of USSR area natives (Georgians, Armenians, Mongols, Russians etc.); French wrestling and other arts. At the time of the 2nd world war the system was widely “tested” by the Soviet army. “Special” techniques were added at the time, for example fighting in cells, quick-and-quiet sentry killing, and so on. Because of the number of criminals in the Soviet army at that time (during WWII each prisoner was “invited” to the front with each year at the front worth two or so years of their sentence) SAMBO experts acquired many lessons on criminal street fighting, and a number of these techniques were included in SAMBO. SAMBO continues to accept new techniques and modify old ones.
If you live in or close to Tempe Arizona visit World Gym/Absolute NHB. That’s were I train. Their instructors can’t be topped for example one of their instructors is TOM PROCTOR.
I have a question for the posters on this thread. I currently have my blackbelt in Tae Kwon Do. In terms of practicality (self defense) and being well rounded in my abilities what would you all recommend as a second style for me to study to complement Tae Kwon Do. thanks much
You already, studied one “style”, now its time to find your own. I would reccomend a hybrid with emphasis on grappling. You need grappling skills, but i also think that you may need some full contact work, too many martial artists do not even now what its like to get hit, and the first time the do, they buckle like cheap samsonite.
To Patricia: I can’t remember if it was Zu Warriors, but that sounds about right. And I forgot all about Dreadnought. I’m real jealous of you right about now. Two Movie theaters?! 
To Al: I would say a grappling art. If you like the korean arts, hapkido is a great way to go. BJJ, Judo, Juijitsu, are all good. If you want street cred, just make sure you are training for the streets.
Hello there. In my view this would be ideal for scouting a class. I have numerous years of exp. I believe you should go to all the local schools and check them out watch a class and observe. Important thing is to OBSERVE do not speak. Why? well when I learned, it was hard. It pushed me way beyond what I expected and what I wanted. If you spoke in the middle of class you would be punished. I mean the teacher would hit you. What good is that? at a young age if you get hit you dont talk again. But what good did that do to assist my training. It made me realize that the best method of learning real movement,body control, or techniques that work, was to observe and practice repetitively. SOOOOO look for a class where the teacher has complete control, where there is NO talking during a class. This is what seperates a family classe (meet chics and act like your tough) from a real learning class. No doubt a few poeple will dissagree. But keep in mind while some poeple do this as a hobbie it was my life. You may not want to be a serious fighter or hey you might just wanna look like a movie star. Either way , a strict no laugh no talk class with strict guidelines will help to achieve your goal. Also when dealing with prices that can be hard. I mean sometimes the good poeple charge less etc… etc… but sometimes they dont. Watch the class, watch the teacher. If he jokes around during the class or the teacher talks a lot during the class, DONT GO!. Talking can help, but it wont get you there. The best teachers do the movement for you to see over and over, in the end thats what you have to learn. I was always afraid to enter my class, I always had fear of my teacher. Todays schools arnt so strict but get the best you can. At any rate that is my view.
Anyone know of a Thai boxing school/club in Atlanta, GA? I’ll be moving there and would love to find a great school inside the perimeter. Thanks…
Bobby - Procter isn’t too bad;). Isn’t Megaton out that way as well? I know his boys do fairly well in vale tudo.
Al, try to find some judo or bjj. You need grappling training. Aikido, Japanese JJ etc are probably a waste of your time given your current skill set. Was your TKD belt awarded for full contact fights (ie WTF) or for forms? It might seem a rude question but if you went to a McDojo I would consider checking out boxing or Muay Thai just to see were your standup skills really are.
Thanks for the advice folks. Geoff, I got my black belt training at an ITF school. To earn rank we were tested for each belt on everything from basics to sparring to forms. My school has been around for 27 yrs and was founded by a man who was trained by one of the Korean masters. He ran the school until just a few years ago.
I was also wondering what everyone's opinion of judo was. After doing a quick look into some of the styles recommended judo is the early favorite although i plan to look into some other stuff. I think most bjj schools are gonna be too tournament centered right now because of the gracies and i am sure there are a wealth of bottom feeders who can't teach for crap and want to make money off the styles popularity. Are there any other good mixed martial arts schools/styles out there? thanx again
Judo is derived from jiu jitsu, and meant for sport. It is a good style but does not have as many submissions(and not as brutal) as jiu jitsu. The best thing to do is to go out and watch classes, find one that you feel comfortable with. A certified Gracie school is a good, but they are hard to find, because the Gracies will not certify just anyone. another thing, a Gracie certified school cannot charge you more than 50 dollars a month, so it is a bargain.
I practiced tae kwon do for 5 years and when I started, like most, was very ignorant of the different styles of martial arts. Through the years I developed very good leg flexibility, as well as speed and stamina. However, tae kwon do is predominantly a kicking style, with little emphasis on hand techniques. I think many would agree that fighting on the street would involve more close-quarters grappling and ground fighting techniques. I realized near the end that my training was of some use in self defense, but I took most of it to be general conditioning and speed training. As well, we had a very traditional club and I enjoyed the discipline found there.
Any other TKD’ers want to share?
I have not practiced in about 6 years, and am thinking it’s about time to start again. I am considering a grappling style, but I enjoy the full contact kicking and punching too much 
It sounds like you are looking for the hybrid style that Ko was talking about. Check out this site: www.straightblastgym.com/
to give you a good idea of what he’s talking about.