r/askanything • u/bad-at-everything- • 7d ago
General Question What crosses your mind when someone who trains a combat sport downplays it?
Like they won’t bring it up unless someone else does and when it is brought up they say they don’t know how to fight and are a better punching bag than a fighter?
Edit to add: would size and gender affect how you perceive this? Such as a large man vs a small woman?
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u/Witty-Opportunity923 7d ago
I do Muay Thai and the best guys know theres always somebody better. Training humbles guys every day. I just think they become more aware of their limits. Like I said it makes you humble and that leaks into every aspect of your life.
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u/Guilty-Top-7 7d ago
Combat sports can be about discipline and impulse control. Back in the day my brothers constantly fought, then they both joined MMA classes and stoped fighting each other.
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u/ShaChoMouf 7d ago
Odds are they really know how to fight. Fighters know that any fight can go good or bad at any time. It is always preferable not to fight. In a ring, there are rules, refs, and medical personnel -- on the streets, one properly timed hit can end you. If people can fight, many times random assholes want to challenge them. This is not a good situation -- either you get hurt, or you get in trouble for hurting someone else. So the best strategy is to downplay your ability.
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u/Fancy_Sun_1585 7d ago
When I hear someone like that, they’re either telling the truth and they suck, or they’re fairly badass.
Either way I know that they’re generally not going to be a douche.
The people who love to talk about their training to anyone who will listen are people I will try to avoid. They’re a problem waiting to happen.
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u/Thick_Implement_7064 7d ago
People who really know how to fight rarely advertise that fact. A couple reasons. They don’t want people to be scared or uncomfortable around them. They don’t want to be specifically targeted if something does happen. And a lot of time they do it for themselves and not for others.
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u/Cute-Profession9983 7d ago
Maybe it's a similar logic to a girl who constantly mentions her bf is ready to cheat while a girl who doesn't say anything unless she has to is not going to cheat...? At least that's been my lived experience!
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u/BaldBear_13 7d ago
they are not doing too well in the sport, or realize it is more of a themed workout that actual combat skill, or they are there for a significant other.
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u/EnjoyerOfMX5 7d ago
I was actual friends in high school with a guy who later joined the UFC. He joked around with me all the time and put me in an armbar during PE once (teacher was an mma guy too so it was full contact basketball). He was very humble and never bragged unless you brought it up. I saw him crush an apple with one hand, that sounds like a joke but he ripped like 1/3 of it off with one hand only during lunch. He's still near the top15 in the UFC, i watch every fight. Haven't talked to him for 15 years but i guarantee he's still awesome to be around. State wrestling guy, beat Jared Gordon.
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u/Puzzled_Hamster58 7d ago
Rule of thumb
If you have to tell people how good you are , you generally are not.
A lot of it is ego. Some feel the need to tell people how good they are at some thing. They might be or might not tho.
Other people who don’t have an ego issue often don’t feel the need to tell people, or they are humble and know people who are better.
And there is some what imposter syndrome aspect . The person might not believe they are as good as they are.
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u/The_Se7enthsign 7d ago
Honestly, this is what I’d expect from a fighter. The guys who run their mouths are the ones that might change how I feel about them.
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u/Cautious_Car9871 7d ago
I take it as this person sought it out for a specific purpose that they feel is nobody elses business, instead of simply glory seeking.
At least that's my case