The great thing about our art is that it complements any art that you're in. And I also like the idea that cross training can build your repertoire of physical strengths, techniques and mindset for handling yourself in different situations and against different people.
An art that I'd want to cross train in is Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Atillo Balintawak has some ground work (dumog) and stick locks but it's not as deep or as specialized as the ground/grappling arts. While our principle of establishing a superior position and striking from an angle where we can touch our opponent but he cannot touch us applies to stand up, it's important that we realize our limits in applying this principle on the ground and open our minds to proven concepts.
One thing that bothers me is the ignorance of people from both sides of the camp - FMA and MMA. I hear a lot of, "that stick and dagger stuff isn't going to work on the ground, especially if you lose your weapon" or, "while the mma guy's busy clinching, I'll be poking holes in his side on the way to the ground." I'd imagine, one place you won't hear this is at a Dog Brothers gathering - they like to seek the truth there. I'd hope and wish to see one of the Gracie's play at that event.
I think the line of thinking should be, "what can I learn from my fellow martial artist that will help me with my limitations?" Remember, nobody has a monopoly on martial arts - we just need to survive. If said martial artist can't help you or add to your knowledge will you stop seeking or will you continue with your search? Any martial artist worth his/her salt will continue to search. The one's who don't or usually the ones described in the paragraph above - nagging and wallowing in their ignorance. If Guro Dan Inosanto can cross train in the Machado style, I'm sure there is value in it for you too.
Well back to my preference of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu as a good art to cross train in. They have been for many years the masters of the clinch, takedown and grappling finish. I've seen their many winning clips against other styles like kung fu, karate, hapkido, judo and so on, and there's no denying that they know the intricacies of groundwork. I've also seen a couple of Gracie fights against Kazushi Sakuraba (the Gracie Killer) and I'd imagine you can definitely learn a few things from watching Sakuraba too. I've noticed that every Gracie move has a purpose - to establish a proper base and superior position where they can strike the opponent, but not be struck. And when I see a move lead to that rear naked choke, arm bar, or triangle choke, I realize the beauty in all the brutality. It's very similar, in principle, to the Cuentada that GM Atillo applies to lead you to a non-superior position.
It's basically a chess game isn't it? Know how to operate on the ground, even enough to counter and get yourself on your feet again.
Atillo Balintawak and Cross Training
