There are complex legal, ethical and practical issues involved in physical violence. Sometimes participants get lucky and avoid a few of the consequences, but very rarely do they avoid them all.
Mixedmartialarts.com does not approve of anything that happens in this video.
If you made a list of everything wrong with street fighting, it would be long, but this incident would check off nearly every item on it. It features grossly mismatched combatants, terrible videography, an impromptu debate on the rules of the street fight (not a thing), multiple attackers and one of the most vile, despicable tactics used in street fights: a soccer kick to a defenseless opponent.
These two people chose to fight. Unfortunately for the other guy, one of them was a much more competent and experienced fighter. The schlub probably thought he had a chance. Many inexperienced fighters suspect they can handle themselves in a fight, despite having absolutely no reason to believe this.
The schlub immediately mistimes his first attack, mismanages his range and is taken down with a very high, very powerful double-leg take down. The more experienced fighter immediately spins over into full mount with no resistance and lays on the ground and pound. He has clearly practiced this, demonstrating top control, punches, elbows, a rear naked choke and even a pretty good example of a guard pass.
And so begins the rules meeting. This is a common thing in street fight videos. Sometimes it’s No grabbing! or Get off her hair! but in this case, they take issue with the fight staying on the ground. Generally, as one side of the debate takes issue, they will inch closer to the fight, working up the nerve or waiting for an opportunity to jump in.
And jump in they do. While the schlub on the ground gets mercilessly beaten, one of his friends intervenes. In many places, the consequences for jumping someone is to get jumped yourself.
The guy who attempted to enforce the imaginary No Ground fighting rule gets chased down and beaten by three people for his trouble, including taking kicks to the body and head while he lies defenseless.
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There are no rules in street fights, no matter what the bystanders yell. There is no promoter ensuring a fair fight, no sanctioning body to set rules and no referee to stop the fight when one person is done. Prevailing in a street fight is most easily accomplished before it starts, and the simplest method is usually to shut your mouth and walk away.
Mike Pesesko is a personal trainer, martial artist, self-defense enthusiast and writer. You can hire him to make you less fat or less likely to get your ass kicked at rkmtraining.com.
