I'm curious about the effects, if any, of a thick layer of abdominal fat in protecting someone from injury from the following causes:
1) Punching or kicking
2) Stabbing or slashing with an edged weapon
3) Gunshot wounds
I've never seen a martial artist (other than a sumo wrestler) deliberately fattening himself up, but I suppose that a few inches of blubber could provide useful padding for the internal organs. I have read an account of a gunfight in which a fat man with a .22 mini-revolver killed a police officer after "absorbing" multiple hits from the cop's .357 Magnum. Also, I've noticed that the national "Tough Man" amateur boxing/brawling championship has been won by a fat guy nicknamed "Butterbean". The extra pounds must give him some sort of advantage, because he definitely pays a price in mobility.
Would you change your tactics or targeting if assaulted (and unable to flee) by someone like a big-bellied biker?
1) Punching or kicking
2) Stabbing or slashing with an edged weapon
3) Gunshot wounds
I've never seen a martial artist (other than a sumo wrestler) deliberately fattening himself up, but I suppose that a few inches of blubber could provide useful padding for the internal organs. I have read an account of a gunfight in which a fat man with a .22 mini-revolver killed a police officer after "absorbing" multiple hits from the cop's .357 Magnum. Also, I've noticed that the national "Tough Man" amateur boxing/brawling championship has been won by a fat guy nicknamed "Butterbean". The extra pounds must give him some sort of advantage, because he definitely pays a price in mobility.
Would you change your tactics or targeting if assaulted (and unable to flee) by someone like a big-bellied biker?