This is a topic that I have been pondering for a while. The proliferation of mixed martial arts has eroded the attendance at many traditional martial arts schools and those that are surviving are, in many cases, doing so by offering an MMA program within the school. In these cases they are extracting the techniques from their respective art that are most likely to succeed in the ring and assembling a training program around these methods. How well this works is a matter of debate of course, since fighters engaging in this sometimes do well, other times do not. I don’t know enough about these programs to comment, but their existence has given me cause to ponder.

Of interest to me is the thinking and assumptions behind this. Namely, that MMA competition is more and more being seen as the standard of measurement for success in martial arts. Fighting arts are being assessed on their efficacy in the very specific setting of the ring and this is having the effect of alienating all those people who want to study a martial art, but are not interested in the specific competitive requirements of MMA. In other words, if an art or practitioner does not enter the ring, the art or practitioner is devalued and this may be a big component in the decline of many martial school enrollment.

For those who want to enter MMA competitions, there are many opportunities to learn. There are MMA schools and classes popping up constantly so there is no shortage of training available. But what about the person who is fascinated by the culture and mystique of classical or traditional arts, especially the Asian arts which have captured the western imagination for decades? Are these now considered a waste of time? Is the individual who wants to study for the purpose of self-defense and self-improvement to be forgotten or pressed into something not really desired? Of what value are the traditional martial arts as we have come to understand them in the last few decades in light of the presence of MMA?

I suggest that this topic will generate some discussion. But it’s very important to understand that I am interested in knowing why people value martial arts in general and what the place of traditional arts is for them. If you love these arts and see a place for them in light of the popularity of MMA, I am curious to know what you think that place is and how it is best secured.