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Comment by sgdesign | Hacker News Reader

I would say Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. You can make good progress very quickly, it's a lot of fun, can be very demanding physically (but doesn't always have to) and is called "chess on the mat" which should appeal to a programmer's analytical minds. Plus, there's a ton of BJJ ressources on the net and the community is very active.

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I really enjoyed BJJ for the short time I tried it. The problem is I could easily see overpaying for it, with poor teachers, in the current MMA context. My other concern is that it's more grappling than contact, which seems less practical. I had a strong background in wrestling (4 years) and Karate (5 years) by that point. I really liked it, but I'm not sure it's right for a beginner.

My other concern is that it's more grappling than contact

Grappling isn't contact?

Poor choice of words. At that distance, you don't know what happens, and how to respond, when your bell gets rung.

Then also do MMA ground-and-pound drills if that concerns you. I find my BJJ base (purple belt) helps immensely when I have someone in my guard trying to punch me in the face.

In practical circumstances, I don't know why I'd willingly go to the ground, especially against someone bigger (and usually that's what bullies are). And I say that as a former wrestler.

All martial artists know from extensive research on internet forums, that 99% of street fights go to the ground.

Very true. Martial arts have different beneficial aspects, but if your only concern is winning street fights, from my understanding all you really have to do is become an accomplished boxer and wrestler.

Sometimes you don't have a choice.

By "contact" he means strikes such as punches, kicks, etc.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is very appealing to me because it's very "realist." In a real-world fight or confrontation between 2 people, most of the time (above 90%, I think) the combatants wind up on the ground. BJJ really teaches the student how to deal with fights on the ground. If you're in a ground fight, you need to know how to control the centre of gravity as well as the numerous holds and limb locks.

The problem is if you're a beginner, you think those locks are easy in the real-world. Meanwhile, you're getting punched and kicked in the head. Staying on your feet and knowing when to run like hell is just as important a skill, as is avoiding getting hit. BJJ works well in a cage and between two people. Keep in mind that's a very controlled environment.

The problem is if you're a beginner, you think those locks are easy in the real-world.

That's going to be true of any discipline one starts training in. For example, I think boxing is a great way to learn stand-up self-defense, but a beginner is still going to be susceptible to someone who wants to clinch or go to the ground. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Also, if you're a beginner in BJJ, you should learn very quickly that those locks aren't even easy when live rolling.

"BJJ works well in a cage and between two people. Keep in mind that's a very controlled environment."

I knew a cop in Philly who said it's saved his life countless times, and asserted it was more useful than Judo and Tang Soo Do. YMMV

BJJ works well in a cage and between two people

BJJ works well between two people. There, fixed that for you. Please don't confuse UFC matches with applied BJJ, just because Gracie won the first few.

No, the original was right. You'll find it loses its effectiveness when you clinch someone who then stabs you repeatedly. Or perhaps you roll across a large piece of glass or get your head bashed against a curb or pavement. I think BJJ is great for what it is but I hate to see people confuse it for something it isn't.

BJJ is great, but: get a brazilian teacher if possible, and avoid BJJ if you have any knee problems, I messed mine up.

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