The better question to ask is actually, "What qualities would make the best street fighting style?" By examining the rules of street fighting, we can find a way to deduce what kind of fighting style would best suit a street fight situation.
You may be asking, "There are rules to street fighting?" The answer is both "yes" and "no." There are no rules in terms of fighting fair, certainly not on the part of your attacker. This, however, leads to a set of predictable behaviors that can be thought of as rules.
First of all, you probably won't be attacked by anyone unless that person thought he or she had an advantage. Many fights can be prevented if you can adequately portray yourself as not being a potential victim. However, there are certain situations where the attacker's certainty of this advantage isn't so easily shaken.
They may have a weapon.
This threat can be answered in a couple of ways. You can have your own weapon, or you can be your own weapon. The great thing about being your own weapon is that it can't be taken from you. A close quarters style can render most weapons ineffective. Guns, baseball bats and pipes require at least a little distance from the attacker to work. Even knives aren't as easily used if you're right on top of someone.
They may have a size advantage.
Size often implies strength, and, let's face it, there are a lot of people larger than you. It doesn't matter how large a person is, everyone has the same weaknesses. Pressure points, the eyes, and many other targets can even the playing field. In fact, if a person is larger, that often means that he or she is slower. Speed is another answer to this problem.
They may have a numbers advantage.
You should never go anywhere alone if you can help it. However, it doesn't always work out this way. If you can get away, do so. If you can't, you have to know ways to take a person down (and make sure they stay that way!) as quickly as possible. Once you have made an opening, run like hell.
They may have the element of surprise.
Few positions are as disadvantageous as being on the ground. Grappling skills are a must in this environment. If you can get to their soft spots, all the better.
In short, the ideal street fighting style would be dirty, up close, and exploits universal weaknesses.
You may be asking, "There are rules to street fighting?" The answer is both "yes" and "no." There are no rules in terms of fighting fair, certainly not on the part of your attacker. This, however, leads to a set of predictable behaviors that can be thought of as rules.
First of all, you probably won't be attacked by anyone unless that person thought he or she had an advantage. Many fights can be prevented if you can adequately portray yourself as not being a potential victim. However, there are certain situations where the attacker's certainty of this advantage isn't so easily shaken.
They may have a weapon.
This threat can be answered in a couple of ways. You can have your own weapon, or you can be your own weapon. The great thing about being your own weapon is that it can't be taken from you. A close quarters style can render most weapons ineffective. Guns, baseball bats and pipes require at least a little distance from the attacker to work. Even knives aren't as easily used if you're right on top of someone.
They may have a size advantage.
Size often implies strength, and, let's face it, there are a lot of people larger than you. It doesn't matter how large a person is, everyone has the same weaknesses. Pressure points, the eyes, and many other targets can even the playing field. In fact, if a person is larger, that often means that he or she is slower. Speed is another answer to this problem.
They may have a numbers advantage.
You should never go anywhere alone if you can help it. However, it doesn't always work out this way. If you can get away, do so. If you can't, you have to know ways to take a person down (and make sure they stay that way!) as quickly as possible. Once you have made an opening, run like hell.
They may have the element of surprise.
Few positions are as disadvantageous as being on the ground. Grappling skills are a must in this environment. If you can get to their soft spots, all the better.
In short, the ideal street fighting style would be dirty, up close, and exploits universal weaknesses.
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