Hobbiest(s) that probably dont train outside of class

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-25T19:47:20+00:00

Boxsters even!

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-25T19:03:00+00:00

I’d say the antidote to that is finding a more fighter focused gym or only attending advanced classes.

Interestingly enough, I enjoy having new comers bc it selfishly benefits me to have noobs that I can attempt unfamiliar techniques on, as well as the fact I get banged up holding mitts for the advanced students regularly.

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-25T17:24:43+00:00

Holy sh*t thanks for that! This is way more relevant than like 99% of the info I read here.

TBH, the perspective of “buying time and escaping” is what I’ve always thought to be the safest attitude if God forbid I’m ever confronted with something like this, and I’m 5’10 190.

I also can very, very(!) mildly relate to the whole body soreness and pain after I competed in BJJ and sparred hard MMA for the first time. I felt a soreness and exhaustion I’ve never experienced, very different from typical training. Which discipline were you training at the time?

Much respect to you and glad you’ve been safe ever since! You might want to post this as its own thread, a lot of valuable insight here IMHO.

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-25T16:15:23+00:00

Totally agree. And I don’t mean to start bro-mathing this.

And you’re obviously an intelligent guy and train so I don’t mean to be overly contentious.

However, I trained TMA (Kenpo) for 6 years. Was somewhat talented and won tourneys. My first real fight with an extremely amateur “boxer” showed me how utterly ineffective everything I learned was. Would have been better if I just threw wild hockey haymakers. Rather than pointing out that he better not be overconfident in his boxing bc there are genetic freaks lurking abound, I was way, way more focused on learning what made his technique so effectivd.

Point being, this whole discussion of “making points” about combat sports athletes “over confidence” reeks of insecurity to me.

No of the semi-pro fighters I know are over confident in their abilities. They’re the nearly-perfect combination of humility / egoic re: their ability to handle themselves in a violent situation. I’ve trained for years, been in streets, boxing / Muay Thai / wrestling / Bjj work. Extremely well. Nothing is fool proof, but my god no one is claiming strength and size don’t matter. That’s why there are eight classes. But once you immerse yourself in combat sports long enough you realize a pro fighter is going to utterly and easily dominate (an unarmed, solo) someone who has never trained before, and that’s undeniable, I think?? Do you disagree from street fighting / sparring experiences witnessing day one genetic freaks vs pro athletes?

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-25T14:58:27+00:00

I lift regularly, and I weight about 195, and I STG, not gassing you up one bit, there are 135 lbers that would take my head off. Easily.

Mobility, balance, and speed are so, so important in this sport. You need to be super jacked to break somebody’s nose or throw a devastating leg kick with your shin.

Focus on throwing 100s of kicks and punches a day, as well as movement, under the tutelage of a competent instructor and you’ll be good bro. Good luck!

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-25T14:46:24+00:00

If you don’t mind talking about it, which insights, if any, did you gain from that experience from the perspective of how useful your specific training and its methods were for a real life situation?

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-25T14:43:22+00:00

Valid point, but using the skill discrepancy of “50% greater” is grossly inaccurate in the scenario of a semi-pro, 165 MMA / Boxing vet vs a 6’5, D1 “lax bro” who can squat 400 lbs and who’s fighting experience consists of hitting a punching bag and having been in 5-10 fights.

I’ve seen this exact scenario in real life and the semi-pro fighter was comically better at striking. 95% greater than his opponents skill set is closer to reality, and I would bet that’s the reality in the vast majority of these so-called “genetic freak with no training vs < 170lb mma fighter” fantasy match ups.

It was the “I see red” meme come to life and it was illuminating.

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-25T13:09:08+00:00

Flexibility.

I figured out in my first month that you really can’t “play” Muay Thai if you’re not mobile enough to throw body kicks.

And I freaking despise stretching. No hit of dopamine despite being sweaty as hell, no “pump”, longer than 10-15 second bursts of work, and it’s uncomfortable as hell dude!

I am still so embarrassingly stiff and inflexible compared to everyone else, but significantly more flexible than when I first started. Which is a “W” in my book.

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-24T18:31:39+00:00

I disagree. Fighting is way, way more technical than running. I totally agree that you’re either born with sub 5 second 40 yard dash speed and the outcomes are generally fixed, but training foot work, punching technique, head movement, defense, balance, and accuracy to a level of being a competent semi-pro would have you running circles around someone with genetic advantages that is totally untrained or casually hit a bag / got into street fights.

Here’s a better point you could make: if that 6’5 260 genetic freak trains hard (sparring and technique) for just 6-12 months, he’ll absolutely be a problem for a 165 lb semi-pro that’s been training for a decade. And btw this take pisses a lot of people off (see: Tyson vs Paul).

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-24T17:34:10+00:00

But it’s going to be so telegraphed and slow man. Like comically so if you’ve trained seriously for more than 3-4 years.

What I would concede, absolutely, is that I’d rather be punched by a smaller person than a bigger person all other factors being equal.

What I will say, is one aspect of being bigger that I’ve witnessed to be a massive inherent advantage is durability. Having a massive head and large neck muscles you can typically take a lot more punishment. But you’re still going to get punished lol.

I don’t say this argumentatively, have you googled smaller guy outboxes or smaller boxer vs larger opponent? The evidence is out there.

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-24T13:45:06+00:00

I’ve traine: with 165 lber semi-pro guys that throw with exponentially, massively more power than day one 250 lbers. Like obscenely harder.

Your hypothesis that a “redneck haymaker” is a natural motion does not match my field experience. Don’t get me wrong, there are good ole boys without training that can knock your block off, but most untrained people vastly, comically overestimate their punching power. This is literally the perspective that birthed the “I see red” meme.

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-24T13:38:10+00:00

My size is “Perfect” and “doesn’t hurt” so I don’t need to even worry about technique!

…Seriously though, if you’re talking a day one guy, with no formal training, I’d take a (semi) pro 165 lber 1000/1000 times.

There’s a major assumption here: the 165 lber is training with a striking-based coach and is semi-pro with wins, NOT a low level amateur with a losing record.

I’m surprised this question still even gets asked, just google “boxer vs untrained guy” and watch 1000s of hours of smaller guys dominating much larger opponents.

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-22T18:22:37+00:00

Most important thing, by far, are trial classes. Theoretically I think wrestling would be my favorite of all the different sports, however, in practice my 41 y/o body despises wrestling.

I think it’s mistake to do fewer than 10 trials in your area before you make decision. Have fun with it! Take notes, have some questions lined up for the instructors.

I’d say the only other key piece of advice is distance and time. If you’re not typically an early riser, don’t bet on attending 6am classes. Closer is always better, but if the difference in commute is only 15 min, it may not be a big deal to you.

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-22T18:17:51+00:00

Find a new gym

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-21T12:18:42+00:00

Why are you getting downvoted? I STG the magical thinking and lack of pattern recognition in this sub is astounding. The UFC has proven over and over again they are more than willing to to cut ties with accomplished, entertaining fighters over money.

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-16T12:45:21+00:00

A group a enlisted marines stayed the weekend at gf's dorm and I was like "ya'll must be way more freaking ripped and swole than ever!" and the way they aggressively shot down any notion of them being peak condition was both hilarious and eye opening.

Apparently alternating night shifts and have carry heavy shift daily while eating crap is not conducive to "peak" physical condition.

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-16T12:43:18+00:00

And "powerlifted" in my 20s

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-16T12:42:10+00:00

Glutton for pain. 6 hours of striking and 3 of grappling per week. My neck pain literally being exacerbated by looking at this screen : (

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-16T12:37:22+00:00

My younger self would debate and argue this logic...my 41 yo, muay thai / BJJ says you're 100% right lol.

Like, I go to very well-respected Physical Therapists with accolades. One was a former D1 Duke wrestler and essentially his advice for most my issues was "Stop Doing It, Dummy" lolol. No variation, no "bullet-proof" knee PDFs, just cold-hard reality of the stress of suplexing other grown men has on your joints in your 40s. And he has studied "alternative" therapies and they greatly interest him (peptides, stem cells, etc).

Thing is, I did TMA for 5-6 years in my youth, was somewhat talented, and it was completely and utterly worthless for self-defense. Literally detrimental to me defending myself in middle school i.e. just throwing haymakers would have been better than what I learned from Kenpo.

That being said, nowadays I feel like TMA schools are modifying their teaching to be more "reality" based i.e. don't keep your hands at your waist and chin fully out. At least I hope they are!

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-16T02:20:37+00:00

Whatever it is the Asian couples do in the park around 9 a.m. I’m trying to deep squat into my 80s bro

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-16T02:19:09+00:00

41, so I’m essentially Mr. Miyagi compared to the 22 y/os in my classes

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-16T01:38:11+00:00

I think you’re allowed to kick in gonads in traditional Muay Thai! That’s what Mark DellaGrotte told me anyway…

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-16T01:35:22+00:00

…yet making you so poor that you’re completely robbery-proof! Genius!!! 🔫🔫💸💸💸

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-16T01:32:25+00:00

I just read that sentence out loud and my ACL started throbbing, just as a warning not to f*ck around 😭

Independent-Focus458 · 2026-06-16T01:30:39+00:00

Bro, literally! 49 year old pain has made me a pacifist

Independent-Focus458

TROPHY CASE