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The general bulk of "Vs." threads has led me to an interesting question, one of which I'm not sure has been asked that often.

What do you think would be the main determining factor in a fight? The practitioner, or their martial art style?

If so, then why the obsession in discussing the virtues of two specific martial art styles and pitting them with each other? ninja

Exactly ...

The question is always there ... "what's better, who would win" ... it is one of those things that you can't stop ... not an obsession, but an inevitability ... someone will ask the question when it comes to "martial art vs martial art" ...

The great thing about this guild (generally) is that we have intelligent conversation ... sure of course in any case one will come up as brash ... can't stop that ... if one has pride or prejudice towards a martial art ... they will no doubt defend their position by any means ... they will want to see that martial art win or lose ... unfortunately ...

Besides in some case we do get really good debates, interesting match that many of us would salivate if we actually saw it ( 4laugh drunken boxing vs capoeira 4laugh ), and as quiet said benefits ... we as martial artist get to examine certain strengths and weakness of a martial art

i always enjoy the debates we have on the various styles i myself read each and every one of them down to the last pun comment that someone makes. and offten will think of something to add into the debate itself. ( wrestling vs boxing) seeing two different views of a style go over its strengths and weaknesses causes me to pick my brain ^_^

It will forever be the practitioner. In fact, the art will have very little to do with it. The first principles of combat is "come mentally prepared, come physically prepared, and know the rules (or lack thereof)" I am a big advocate for the personalization of the art, and that the different styles are just guide lines, or teachings hidden in a present. Like a Koan of a Zen master, each style is just a template designed for you to learn something about yourself.

Very true. There is a "knack for fighting" that people must acquire with time. I practice Traditional Russian Sambo, which is a combat art all the way. But, I can take what I know, then apply the techniques that are allowed and fight in a Sport Sambo competition. I would be competing on a white-belt level though, given that I never trained the syllabus of Sport Sambo. The artist is the crucial point here for sure, because in TRS there is no belt system. Only a ranking system exists.