I love posts like these. As someone who has trained for the better part of 18 years, I definitley have some opinions.
As far as the individual goes, I have to concur with lawman, alot of how well you fight depends on the heart of the fighter.
Now practically speaking about the arts, first you have to find one that you like. You should research the traditions and origins of the art. Don't just pick one cause it looks cool, or because you will be able to "kick ass". That will only get yours kicked.
In my years of training I think that I have settled into the best of worlds in "real world fighting." I have been training in Muay Thai, BJJ, and Kali for quite some time now. I like thai for stand up striking(duh), BJJ for the ground(duh again), and perhaps the most interesting art, Kali. Kali reinforces the others arts, but adds weaponry to its primary training function. You work weapons before you work hand and foot training. However, the hand and foot movements mimic the weapons movements. Meaning, that whatever you can do with a knive in your hand, you can do with bare hand. The most important thing to do is to have a hard ass instructor that will not let you just get by. You have to train hard.
Having said all of that, I have tried TKD(great for sport), and traditional Japanese Karate styles(too rigid for real world, no ground aspects). So please do not think that I am trashing other arts. You have to love what you do, know its limits and its advantages. And you must cross train. And you must never underestimate your opponent.
Anyone interested in training in Atlanta, I am on staff at a facility that is over 30,000 square feet of fighters paradise! That is where I am when not at my full time, corporate method of financing my training... ;-) So drop me an email if you are ever around!
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Open Mind, Closed Fist
[This message has been edited by chokeu2 (edited August 13, 2000).]