AIKIDO IN MMA

Why do we not see aikido in MMA?  There are so many misconceptions on this subject that I feel compelled to express my own opinion on this topic. 

Everyone wants to believe that “their” martial art is the be all and end all of martial arts.  Why else would they study it?  I believe that no martial art is absolute.  It is extremely arrogant to believe that one martial art is superior in every way over all others.  I believe that many martial arts blend together and add value to each other.  We must be open to what other martial arts can offer. 

As for Mixed Martial Arts, it has become a sport and as such, techniques and styles are used to meet the needs of soprt.  Aikido, and Yoshinkan Aikido in particular, is still deeply rooted in self defence.  The techniques focused on are about self protection and as such have the ability to cause great physical harm. 

The aikido practioner understands the power that lies in their techniques and uses them accordingly.  It is not in the nature of aikido to cause bodily harm for mere sport.  In MMA an opponent could easily be thrown with iriminage or shihonage but they would simply get up to resume the fight.  In a reality based fight should an assailant might do the same, rise again with the intent of hitting you with a lead pipe, then it may become necessary to break their elbow or dislocate their shoulder to prevent further harm to yourself or them.  It is not the Aikido Way to break an elbow just to win a sporting event.

I believe that the aikidoka is simply not drawn to MMA as there is so much more aikido has to offer than mere fighting.  In the same vain, Randy Couture himself would most likely not fair too well cornered in a back alley by 3 armed thugs.  Everything in context.

 The reason we practice aikido in a specific manner is to prevent serious injury.  Ukemi is extremely important as well.  Imagine the damage that would be inflicted on someone who did not know how to roll or fall properly.  Unfortunately this gives the general public the illusion of choreography.  Everything looks staged. 

I hope that non-aikido people read this and understand that it a way it is staged.  The technique to be performed is know by both partners so that the recipient can prepare for a safe landing.  The strike, grab, kick or push is real, the force that the are thrown or taken down is real, their inability to resist is real.  One simply needs to feel the power of Yoshinkan to become a believer. 

For these reasons alone, I think that you will be hard pressed to ever see aikido used widely in MMA.  Some one aikido’s principles are used with dramatic results but still it would never become a staple.  Aikido is not a sport.