Note: i have no training at all.
So you want to train in fake fighting to prepare you for real self defense?
MMA is a sport. You have 2 athletes that compete in a combat sport with no intentions on harming one another. The agree to a fake fight and touch gloves then compete until a ref stops it or time run out between rounds. MMA training can help in self defense but it was not created for that purpose.
In a real attack you don't touch gloves. In fact no one is wearing padded gloves. You don't fight is not planned weeks in advanced. You don't know anything about the attacker or their style of fighting. The 1st strike is likely going to be a surprise strike or grab. There are not 3 or 5 minute rounds. There is no ringing of a bell to start or end it. The is no referee there to enforce a set of rules. There are no rules. There is a good possibility of multiple attackers and the use of weapons.
Any training improves your odds of surviving an attack than having no training.
My suggestion is if you want to compete in a good sport find a good mma teacher/coach. If you want to learn self defense find a good instructor that teaches self defense.
No one can give a time on how long before you become good or excellent. People learn at different paces. You might one of those that never become good or great.
"Excellent"? Years. Over a decade, more than likely. You might NEVER reach "excellent". Most people don't have the time, interest, resources, or athletic ability to get to that level. Even a lot of pros.
I'd shoot for "competent". I mean, don't stop training, just have more realistic expectations.
Why would you train for one thing, when you wish to do something else?
MMA is a fighting sport, helpful in protection to be sure, but also very much lacking.
Find a teacher versed in protection. the real world has no rules or referees to protect you, the whole mindset is different.
I agree maybe Try Jiu jitsu or Greco roman wrestling training maybe judo first and then Take up mma... Excellence takes a lot your very being actually your whole life but if you have nothing to lose go for it
MMA is a life style and most importantly a sport with plenty of rules,, anything goes on the street so for the most brutal and effective self defense techniques would be Krav Maga. You don't have to be AS dedicated and it's not always a life style,,MMA is great and hard as hell but believe me Krav Maga is ungodly effective if you use it right
I want to train mma to have to ability to defend myself in a situation. How to long do i have to train to get to an excellent point.
Note: i have no training at all.
