By Alexander Villafania
MANDALUYONG CITY, METRO MANILA – Most fighting styles have basic forms of self-defense and mixed martial arts (MMA) is no exception. In fact, MMA fighters tend to know a lot more self-defense techniques than most types of contact sports.
This is largely because MMA fighters try to familiarize themselves with opponents' offensive attacks.
Sometimes, effective defensive maneuvers could mean a win for the fighter who might find an opportunity to take down an opponent using a defensive stance. Just as the old adage goes, “good defense is good offense”.
Because the elements of MMA also require defense, some of these techniques can be adopted by the ordinary person who might apply this when faced with dire consequences especially against an attacker.
Eugene Toquero, a Filipino MMA professional and a muay thai master, said these defensive techniques are primarily to disarm an attacker of his weapon, or to incapacitate the attacker without causing severe injury or even death.
The loQal.ph team chanced upon Toquero at Submission Sport Philippines in Mandaluyong where Filipino fighters for the upcoming Pacific X-treme Combat (PXC) were training. PXC-24 will pit Filipino fighters against foreign MMA experts, and the battle will be held June 11 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.
Toquero also noted that MMA incorporates safety rules for all fighters to avoid long-term damage to themselves or to their opponents.
“MMA is only fought within the ring. We are obligated not to use this against a real fight or even on those who do not know how to fight. Nevertheless, it can be applied for self defense,” Toquero said.
One of the techniques he showed is one that is normally used against an armed attacker already in the middle of a punch. The technique is a counter that swipes the attacker’s arm away using the defender’s opposite arm, followed by grabbing the head with the other hand and ending with a knee to the chest or upper abdomen (solar plexus). This deals a lot of pain on the attacker as nerves in this area are struck.
Another technique is deflecting an in-close hook punch by raising one elbow to the head. Once the punch is blocked, the defender can strike with his or her opposite elbow to the side of the attacker’s face or chest. This is effective if the attacker is already very close to the defender.
The last technique that can be used is a simple leg sweep if an attacker is about to deliver a kick to the defender’s head or body. The defender must anticipate the direction of the attacker’s kick and make a sideways sweep kick to the attacker’s only standing leg. This causes the attacker to lose balance and fall down.
Toquero stressed that these techniques are still dangerous for both the defender and the attacker if done improperly. Still, it should favor the life of the defender while keeping the element of surprise.
“You be the judge when to use these defensive techniques. If it’s not needed, don’t use it,” Toquero said.
