The first time I got hit was absolutely terrible. It was a body shot and crumpled me right up. But the first time I got hit in the face was a whole different experience. And then the first time I got hit in the face multiple times was another whole new experience. So was the first time I got a seriously good kick in the legs. Even though it isn't possible to condition one's vital areas, having the experience of being hit can severely reduce the shock experienced by the body. Instead of tensing up one learns to relax and face the hit tactically. One learns to recover correctly, and immediately. One even gains experience on what kind of position they will recover in in MMA. Does one keep standing? Head movement? Body movement? Drop to guard? Clinch? Swing for the fences? MMA is an incredibly complex sport, and these sort of interactions can't be found in any other martial sport.
In a lot of "MMA gyms" I've been to, it seems that most MMA instructors truly believe that MMA has emerged as its own system. Whether MMA is MMA or actually an expression of individual styles in a comprehensive ruleset is a hotly debated topic. And it has real implications. For example, if MMA is a wholly independent system, then instructors would often train their new recruits almost equally in everything under the banner of MMA. The ultimate result is that the new recruits who are "jack of all trades but masters of none" get decimated by specialist fighters transitioning from another system. Because once the specialists take the fight to their own realm, the newly-minted "MMA fighter" has no chance to compete in that arena. Hence, Hana is being decimated by Koharu because Hana's striking is sub-par.
I don't like the results of this spar, because Hana should have had a clear gameplan against an opponent who is a vastly superior striker. Yet, Hana kept standing up and swinging. That's not smart. Hana should have been feinting jabs and shooting for takedowns. Falling into guard as a last resort, not forcing a stand up. Koharu as her senpai should have instructed her properly. But sure, just keep punching each other in the face I guess.
Given that her next opponent is a world-class striker, unless Hana gets some quality coaching, I'm not going to be too excited for the result. While advancing the hero's narrative is important, I don't like plot-armor.
last edited at Mar 3, 2018 3:16AM
