How does one define fighting? Most of the time, it’s understood as a one-on-one contest, but real fighting often involves variables that are absent in modern combat sports. Fighters typically don’t deal with weapons like baseball bats, knives, or other “multipliers” that can drastically change the dynamics of a confrontation. Even within unarmed combat, rules have eliminated techniques like headbutts and groin strikes, which were once fundamental. And there’s the clothing—or lack thereof. Fighters in most competitions wear minimal gear, but in everyday life, clothing is often present and can be used strategically in a fight, even if it’s not something we can always rely on.

This is one reason I appreciate styles like Kakuto Karate, or Kudo. It allows headbutts, groin strikes, and even the ability to grab the jacket, bringing a unique element of realism to practice. However, like any martial art, Kudo is not without its limitations—it’s still a controlled system with its own set of rules and boundaries.

That said, mixed martial artists are likely to excel in most scenarios because of the way they train. Their conditioning is unparalleled, their reflexes are finely tuned, and their ability to adapt to different ranges of combat is second to none. While no style or approach can prepare for every possibility, the versatility and athleticism of MMA practitioners often give them a distinct advantage.