I've been involved in martial arts off and on for my entire life and been in quite a bit of real fights. (Shaolin Gung-fu, Niesi GOJU Ryu Karate, Sanuces Ryu Ju-Jitsu, Ho Chi-Mo Karate, Thi-Chi, Kick boxing and now Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu)
Not saying I'm great or anything, (Was pretty freakin' good at one time) but I trained for a lot of years.
#1 Been witness to many real fights and it is true that 90+% go to the ground, especially in bars and in tight locations. (Sucker punches not withstanding)
This is why I'm going to advocate Brazillian Jiu Jitsu over any other marial art listed on this page.
#2 In order to be able to defend yourself for real you must train in a live martial art. One that you train with a live opponent on a daily basis. You can train in BJJ throughout your entire life. (In other MMA style like Boxing or Muay-Thai the punches and kicks to your face/head etc.... will get old after a while)
#3 I started training BJJ when I was 45 and was able to get right in and train without serious injury, this should be true for most people as well.
#4 As an added bonus BJJ will get your ass in the best shape of your life.
Am I saying that BJJ is the absolute best thing there is? NO!!! Complete MMA traing including BJJ would be better as proven in the octogon.
For a healthy life long martial art (That works) BJJ is great.
FYI: there are many many nasty tricks like eye gauging, finger breaking, mouth hooking, throat and neck punching/chopping and nut kicking etc..... that MMA leaves out for obvious reasons. For self defense you should learn all the nasty stuff you can get your hands on too!!! And don't forget weapons guns, knife and sticks.
