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Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture
Team MMA anyone?

Team MMA anyone? I quite like this concept as it brings in the tactical dimension of multiple enemies. While it all begins one-on-one, notice how quickly the ground becomes a really bad place to be once another member from the opposing team gets involved. The barrage of blows from the second person renders looking for submissions ineffective.

We do drills like this in the club all the time. It gets even more interesting when you have more than on team, with differing numbers in every team i.e. 6 vs. 4 vs. 3 vs. 1. The correct selection of tactics is key and it helps break beyond the limits of one-on-one. Definitely a good drill, but whether is could catch on as a spectator sport is another matter :-) It ends quickly and there is a lot happening all at once; neither of which are likely to give the audience what they want.

An interesting idea though!

All the best,

Iain

Black Tiger
Black Tiger's picture

looks like real fun

Steve Gombosi
Steve Gombosi's picture

notice how quickly the ground becomes a really bad place to be once another member from the opposing team gets involved

Certainly true, and that's without the added "ground hazards" (broken glass, rocks, curbs, furniture, etc.) or weapons of opportunity (bottles, paving stones, etc) that would be found in many real-life conflict environments.

I  think this clip also shows that some of the "Wisemen" watched far too many episodes of Kung Fu Theater during their respective youths, assuming they were really trying to lead with  jumping kicks.

Th0mas
Th0mas's picture

What I found interesting was that neither of the two teams deployed team tactics..just five individual bouts.. it seemed that the only reason the grey team won was because they were the first side to "win an individual bout" and then have the overlap.

As you alluded to Iain, if either team fought as a team (maximised their chances of getting a two-on-one overlap) by structuring their tactics and giving teams members roles, such as  "blockers" and "attackers" for instance (like in physical team sports such as american football or rugby?) or even back to traditional military tactics of defending the line and flanking manuvers they would be significantly more effective.

 I wonder if a team of bouncers (used to fighting as a team in group altercations) or police, would be better than 5 individual MMA fighters with no experience of team combat? .. just a thought. 

Iain Abernethy
Iain Abernethy's picture

Hi Th0mas,

That's a great post and I fully agree with your observations. Particularly with regards to the lack of team tactics and the unintentional "overlap" giving an advantage that could have been created deliberately and effectively.

All the best,

Iain