MMA against multiple opponents

MMA against multiple opponents? It works! It really does! Here’s the proof:

Strikeforce Nashville Brawl
envoyé par snakerattle79. – Découvrez les dernières vidéos de sport.

Obviously, I was only joking. :-)

Jake Shields, Jason “Mayhem” Miller, Nick Diaz and bunch of others get into a brawl at the Strikeforce: Nashville event. It’s not really the image MMA wants to portray to the world but brawls like this happen at martial arts tournaments and fight nights all over the world. What else can you expect when people who like to fight and those who like to watch fights get together? Sooner or later, the excrement hits the rotating blades…

But back on track:

I’ve commented on mixed martial arts for self defense in the past and one of the key points is that MMA has some serious drawbacks when you go up against multiple opponents. This clip kind of proves exactly that. Now obviously MMA purists might argue that Miller:

1. Wasn’t really trying to hurt anyone, it was all a promotional stunt.
2. Didn’t know it would turn into a multiple opponent situation so he wasn’t prepared.
3. There are no reliable techniques against multiple opponents.
4. Some other excuse.

I’d answer with:

1. Who knows? I don’t think it was a stunt though. I also doubt he enjoyed being manhandled by four, five people all at the same time.
2. Well, that’s how real violence (as opposed to combat sports) works. You don’t get time to prepare.
3. Maybe, maybe not. But training to go to the ground in such a situation is the worst thing you can do.
4. Whatever. The footage speaks volumes.

Looking for self defense against multiple opponents? Try this video here.

Here’s what I saw in that brawl:

• Miller gets pushed back and the brawl is on.
• Immediately, four, five people start punching, pulling, pushing him to the floor. He’s clearly overwhelmed by the attacks.
• After a few second, he’s on the floor trying to turtle up.
• He gets kicked while he’s there and also receives a couple short shots to the back/kidneys.
• He’s only able to get up after some of his attackers are pulled off. Until that time, he was helpless.

Now as much as I like MMA as a sport, you clearly see the drawbacks against multiple attackers. Here’s the thing: You can argue any point you like but Miller is not an amateur or crappy MMA fighter. He has a  good fight record and is a pretty good fighter. Also, he’s a professional. MMA is his job.

So here’s the real question: if a good, professional MMA fighter can’t make it work against multiple attackers, who can?

Before you start commenting, please also read Part Two of mixed martial arts for self defense. I explain my position clearly  there. Bullshit comments from people who don’t take the time to read everything and just want to vent on the parts they don’t like will be treated as such.

UPDATE: Here’s part TWO of MMA against multiple opponents.
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