Drunk Man Confronts Former MMA Fighter Outside a Walmart, With Unexpected Result
What we see in this video is the true concept of what the martial arts should be all about.
Former UFC and Bellator fighter Tom DeBlass, a decorated grappling ace who last competed in MMA in 2013 and holds a career record of 9-2, posted a video on his Facebook page this week of an altercation with an intoxicated man outside a Walmart.
True martial arts practitioners do not have to beat up a drunk or anyone else to prove how tough they are. The serious martial artist saves lives, not take them.
As we can see in the video, the martial artist could have very easily beat the drunk guy to a pulp with very little effort but chose to negotiate with him instead.
More often than not, we see people with superior power misuse it to bolster their ego. We constantly see it in our daily lives, starting with the local bullies, political figures, world leaders, work-related bosses, friends, neighbors and even families members. It is not necessary.
People that take advantage of others who can not protect themselves or the less fortunate should be considered sub-human blobs. The world has been overrun by them.
If taught properly, with the right teacher, the martial arts is an invaluable tool that can be used in every facet of our lives; most of it having nothing to do with the martial aspect (fighting) of the art.
Tom Deblass, the guy in the video is a credit to the martial arts and a great example of how situations can be resolved by using cool heads and regard for our fellow man. Some of the bullies on the planet and world’s leaders should take notes.
With a well-qualified teacher, the martial arts is one of the most significant undertakings for any person, regardless of age or physical condition. As we saw in the video, there is much more to it than meets the eye. Respect, self-control, regard for our fellow man, self-esteem, confidence, much much more. The rewards/benefits/knowledge are endless.
I view the martial element (self-defense) of the martial arts as an insurance policy; we have it, hoping we don’t need it, and only use it when we have to.
I think most martial artists are familiar with the warrior in the garden story. If not, google it! But one of my favorite skills is my attitude toward others. I’ve been given black eyes, bloody noses, twisted arms, humiliated, beaten, given blood and beaten more…. So when some random starts insulting me, cutting me off, I really don’t get upset. Even in situations where someone threatens violence upon me, I find it challenging to take it personally.
What I do take personally is someone trying to deceive me. But I would never respond violently.
Good instruction does expose us to some damage. But after we get knocked around a bit, we shake hands, we laugh, we do it again. We start to associate violence as a tool, not something inherently bad. Fighting is a skill that we have to deploy sometimes. But sometimes you don’t need that tool, right? Why bring stick of dynamite to open a container, when a screwdriver works just fine? Both will do the job, but one is easier, quieter, and has a lot less legal ramifications. Our attitude is also a tool, and we can use that perception towards violence to control ourselves and others.
Cool to see a pro keep his head. Especially at Walmart.
I do admire your philosophies but I can say I am not as forgiving as you only to a certain point.