When lots of point karate fighters in the 1960s and 70s started cross-training for full contact, they looked to modern boxing. This was probably a mistake. The end result -- American full contact karate -- looked nothing like traditional karate. It was more like boxing with a few kicks above the waist. Not a bad martial art, but not karate. The karate guys should have looked to Tommy Burns. Take a gander at footage of Burns from Squires and Johnson. You'll notice how similarly he fights to a lot of point karateka. Same wide stance, low hands, methods of blocking, aversion to getting hit, taste for throwing lead rights, etc. Unlike a lot of fighters, Burns wrote down how he fought. I've been trying to track downhis Scientific Boxing for some time now; I'd seen it briefly years ago, but not for long enough to really study it. If he actually explained his style there in enough detail, it would be a nice way to add fisticuffs skills for traditional karateka who don't want to completely abandon their deep stances, low hands, etc. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i4YtsnMvIM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muieDRuXIlY
If karate's as bad as you say, then my suggestion to supplement it with a proven method used by the world heavyweight boxing champion seems pretty sensible. Wouldn't you think?
I've seen an analysis of the Rua fight where the author emphasized Rua's boxing as making the difference. Rua's hand combinations forced Machida to retreat, which left Machida's legs open. Makes you wonder whether a little cross-training in Burns-Fu would have helped Machida.
those are arm punches mostly, they generate less power but make it easier to clinch. but since grappling is irrelevant in karate , i don't see the point in not protecting your head with a high guard and risk not getting head kicked and getting a concussion.
Watching the Squires bout, Burns seems to be getting good leverage on his right hand and left hook to the body.
Interesting post CT, but the American Karate guys just looked in the wrong direction for inspiration, they should have done what their Japanese cousins like Toshio Fujiwara did, they should've looked back east to the source and looked towards Thailand and Muay Thai.
Karate is terrible and has no use just like wing chun and kung fu and all them other money making rubbish martial arts, you will find in mcdojo's.
"Terrible" might be a bit strong. Not as useful as Muay Thai, but not as bad as you're presenting it. Machida won the UFC belt in his weight class, and continues to be competitive in his 30s. I could post several other videos of low-level MMA fights where competitors successfully use Shotokan in MMA. There's also the occasional performance by karate guys in kickboxing.
Believe u me, I'm no fan of the pyjama brigade in any way shape or form particularly HWs, but Andy Hug was the epitome of a karate fighter who thrived in the full contact environment. He became a super fluid and powerful striker by recognising what was practical in a FC environment and then throwing the rest of his classical baggage in the trash. He striped his karate arsenal down & focused on developing practical, powerful and fluid combinations in a modern training environment. He became a legend in the FC arena & a K1 ATG. RIP
Muhammad Ali was among the few who broke tradition and didnt box from a textbook. Hands down at his side,no Boxing defense to speak of etc Someone like John L Sullivan was textbook.
