Surprisingly, I was not as horrified by BUMFIGHTS as I expected to be. I still haven't quite figured out why that is.
As a training film, however, BUMFIGHTS is invaluable. It's one thing to watch a couple of karate experts demonstrate techniques in a well-lit studio; it's another to watch real people pummel each other on the street. I was very surprised that the fights didn't go to the ground very often, so as long as you can keep from getting tripped or pushed, your ground-fighting skills aren't critical. Yes, a roundhouse kick to the head may work. A full-on punch to the jaw may not. But don't give up.
Which brings me to the most valuable lesson I learned from BUMFIGHTS: If some idiot starts something with you, don't just stand there and wonder why while he starts swinging; take the fight to him and beat the holy living bejeezus out of him as quickly and as brutally as you can. You can think about why later when you're home icing your hands.
As a training film, however, BUMFIGHTS is invaluable. It's one thing to watch a couple of karate experts demonstrate techniques in a well-lit studio; it's another to watch real people pummel each other on the street. I was very surprised that the fights didn't go to the ground very often, so as long as you can keep from getting tripped or pushed, your ground-fighting skills aren't critical. Yes, a roundhouse kick to the head may work. A full-on punch to the jaw may not. But don't give up.
Which brings me to the most valuable lesson I learned from BUMFIGHTS: If some idiot starts something with you, don't just stand there and wonder why while he starts swinging; take the fight to him and beat the holy living bejeezus out of him as quickly and as brutally as you can. You can think about why later when you're home icing your hands.