UFC, MMA, and self-defense?

Picture by Tanzen80.

These days, the sport of mixed martial art is growing in popularity in an incredible speed. The MMA organization that spearhead the rising popularity of MMA is, without a doubt, the ultimate fighting championship or UFC in short. The UFC brand name is likely to be known in most countries in the world by now. The organization have the highest calibre MMA athletes from around the world. If they're not there, most aim to be among the upper echelon of fighters in the UFC. A chance at fame, wealth, and glory is likely to be the reason why most MMA fighters are aiming to be in the UFC.

Based on personal experience, the sport of MMA is not easy. It is a tough sport, but a very rewarding one. It is basically a modernized version of Jeet Kune Do. Jeet Kune Do is a form of system created by Bruce Lee. It is like mixed martial art, but with heavy influence from Wing Chun. Lots of people often confuse MMA as a fighting system, even though it is a sport. Perhaps there are MMA gyms that offer a MMA style that is more self-defense oriented. But MMA is more sport-like in nature. It doesn't allow hitting the back of the head, the groin, etc. While in self-defense system, such targets would be appropriate, i.e. in order to finish fights quickly and efficiently. In MMA, there are rules that restrain its practitioners from doing certain things. Therefore, it is a sport. 

Even though it is a sport, it can definitely be modified for self-defense purposes. But at times, habits are hard to change. If a practitioner of the style is used to hitting certain targets, he/she is likely to only attack these certain targets when under pressure and adreline during a self-defense situation. So they ended up prolonging the encounter by not going for the opponent's more lethal weakpoints. So as long as the practitioner train accordingly and adapt his/her style for street fighting, there should be no problem. 

No...Just no...I think he lost his brain somewhere...

The problem is, new MMA fans often confuse the term 'UFC' as the sport itself.  It is rather unpleasant hearing a 'UFC fan' (wears a tapout hat in a 45 degree angle and an affliction t-shirt, have tribal tattoo) go "Hey brah, do you do the UFC?" I think it's important to know the difference between UFC, i.e. an organization and MMA, i.e. the sport itself, like NBA to basketball. UFC is attracting a group of audience that used to belong to the WWE. They wear these tapout and affliction brand products, and they start fights because they think wearing these things will allow them to be a pro 'UFC' fighter. Even though, they've never profoundly trained in any form of martial arts. In a sense, these group is representing the martial art community in a horrible way.