Fighting Addiction

(This post may contain substantially more cringey "plagiarism" than others)

Edit: This is about my addiction to combat, not suppressing my addiction to video games. I'm not changing the title since I already referenced this post through its title in TOO many other posts.

I have played video games since 2003, when I was 4 years old. The vast majority of the games I've played over the years, and even now, have some degree of violence in them.
It is mainly due to violent video games that I have grown a secondary addiction to real-life fighting.

As a kid, though, I merely mimicked the motions and sound effects of fighting moves (inaccurately), whether they're from real life, movies, or video games. I mean, what else would you expect from a little boy? I had no understanding of the dynamics of fighting, and was too lazy to look them up. Also, we didn't have a solid Internet connection until, I think, 2011.

Elorde Boxing Gym

In 2014, at the age of 15, I first attended Elorde Boxing Gym after my mother bought me some discount vouchers.
I was enthusiastic about it since it's my first time taking a combat sport seriously and stuff. I would understand the mechanics behind my favorite characters' moves, since some of them are partially derived from reality.

Noob Level

As one would expect of a beginner, at first, I punched rather slowly, with minimal hip, leg, and foot movement since I didn't fully understand and feel how they increased punch power (although I was taught that).
I got tired fairly easily, especially at the heavy bag. I guess I hit it too hard, or used too many poorly copy-pasted signature moves on it?
I was even worse at the speed bag; I couldn't get it to bounce fast and consistent.

When I had my first sparring match versus my trainer, I got completely destroyed; I simply shielded myself from his onslaught of attacks, while he easily avoided mine.

Amateur Level

I punched a little faster and harder, especially when my trainer was holding the mitts for me to punch. Sometimes, I was extra motivated and punched much better than usual, so my trainer adjusted and asked me to throw a flurry of punches (10 to 20, or punch-until-you-drop) before a strong finisher which echoed throughout the whole gym.

My dodging was still awful though.

I hit the speed bag faster with my right hand (I'm right-handed), but still struggled with both hands.

I still got rekt in future sparring matches.

The End

A year after I first trained, however, Elorde stopped selling vouchers, and eventually closed down the branch near my house.

So I continued my training by occasionally watching fightTIPS by Shane Fazen.

How I Train Today

In 2016, my mom and dad were kind enough to buy me my own heavy bag, a thing I've been wishing for even before I started learning boxing. I needed something to vent my rage on, whether I lost a game, hate a politician, or want my parents to firetruck off. (This is why I rated my blog PG-13.) We also hired construction workers to build something to hang the heavy bag on.

Admittedly, I rarely use my heavy bag compared to video games, mostly because I'm lazy, but also because I have to stay in my family store--it would be impolite to practice boxing in a business establishment.

But I use it the most often out of any family member, even though all my family members have hellishly hot tempers--probably worse than mine.

When I do use it, I mostly train at sunset or at night--our heavy bag is outdoors, we have no plans to move it, and I hate being exposed to lots of sunlight.

Otherwise, my laziest way of using my heavy bag is simply throwing a single fast punch when passing by on the way to my family store.

Training with the heavy bag and Shane Fazen's videos have improved my fighting skill greatly; I now understand the importance of footwork and how it strengthens punches, for instance.

Slightly Lazy Round

I just throw either jabs or uppercuts at the heavy bag from close range, in a consistent, well-paced speed; not too fast, not too slow.

Occasionally, I end the round with a forceful punch.

I recommend this routine for beginners and those who just want to lose weight.

Neither Lazy nor Serious Round

This is the routine I use most often.

Being more advanced than the slightly lazy round, I use more complicated moves, including creating angles (in Tekken, it's called sidestepping; in Minecraft and first-person shooters, it's called strafing), throwing a lot of irregularly-patterned jabs and crosses with occasional feints, and a few tactically-chosen hooks and uppercuts for when I need power or get in close range, respectively.

I also know a small bit of Muay Thai, so I sometimes throw knees or sweeping kicks after a combo to mix things up.

I recommend this round for professional practice and preparation for competitions or street fights.

Serious/Raging Round

This is my most brutal fight training routine, usually activated by intense emotions, such as excitement or anger, or after watching or playing violent video games.

It's similar combo-wise to the Neither Lazy nor Serious round, but with additional power, speed, and emotion, and an occasional additional move to my usual combos.

Sometimes, a finishing blow comes with a deafening martial arts shout (HA!) that splits people's ears and skulls in half.

In a rage, I may even pick up random objects like chairs, broomsticks (which I use like a sword), or mops (which I use like a spear) and batter my punching bag with them.

To activate this round yourself, you must either date me (if you're a girl) or confiscate/destroy one of my video game consoles.

Signature Moves Round

My quirkiest training "routine" where I experiment with others' signature moves. 'Nuff said.

My Fighting Style

This refers to street fights--there are no rules...except for my blog's quality standards.

Being lazy and somewhat peaceful, I like to avoid fights...and debates. If I know I'm losing a debate, or a guy shows me a potentially threatening face, I simply walk away, hands in the air, without a word.

When a fight actually starts, I "probe" the opponent by throwing jabs and crosses, while karate-chopping the arms when the enemy punches back. Jabs and crosses are the most basic punches and have great speed, so I use them to whittle down the enemy since both of us would be near full HP. They also buy me time to learn the enemy's fighting style.

I only start using more complicated moves and signature moves in the middle and endgame, where I can accurately predict the enemy's moves and estimate its remaining HP. Using them early-game would make them predictable to the enemy, especially since it may still have a lot of energy left to block and dodge finishing moves.

Other than boxing, Muay Thai, and WWE signature moves, I use moves that I "plagiarized" from the Prototype series, derived from the Blade and Hammerfist powers. (I peel my fingernails a LOT, so I can't scratch.) I thrust into the abdomen with the tips of my fingers, chop the arms, and pound the face and scalp. (I could do Link's Spin Attack with my "blades" if I wanted to.)

I primarily use the Blade power for one-on-one duels, and Hammerfist for all-vs-one wars, smashing cars, or when low on HP and can't block or parry properly.

Finishing Moves

• Rear Naked Choke > Neck Chop (assassination)
• Double Knees (ground pound, one of Sasha Banks's signature moves)
• "Keyboard Smash" (ground pound) - Repeatedly pounds the enemy's face with hammerfists
• "Claustrophobia" - Pounds both temples with hammerfists
• "Death to Gadgets" - Breaks an arm with a knee attack
• Banging the enemy's head on a wall
• The Shiv - Stabs an enemy's throat with the fingertips
• Rear Naked Choke > Front Facelock > Knee to face > DDT
• Quick 180-degree strafe, then rear naked choke
• Hyper Voice

If I actually kill an enemy, I'd put holy water on the corpse to protect the body from dark magic. I don't have time to fight zombies.

Weapons

Enemy Weapon Wielders

I'm actually VERY afraid of weapons when the enemy is using them. In particular, I'm afraid of sharp weapons, guns, heat (lighters, matches, frying pans), electricity (electric swatters), and poisons (insecticide, stinky socks). If I see someone holding one of these weapons, I run away instantly.

Of course, there are times I can't run away from weapon-wielders. Fortunately, I have ways to fight back.

I don't know how to disarm, and even if I knew, I refuse to get anywhere close to a weapon-wielder. In video games, I do a hit-and-run tactic where I whittle down foes with quick, long-ranged attacks, run away, and repeat the process, so I plan to do the same in real life.

But how do I use long-ranged attacks, you ask? Eh, just throw chairs and stuff at the enemy. If I get a solid, well-aimed hit, the recoil should buy me enough time to safely disarm the enemy with either karate chops or bending the joints.

Anyway, I have no problem with bludgeons like baseball bats, as long as they don't have spikes.

Animals

I'm using "animal" in this section to refer to most predators, especially dogs. Humans are not counted.

No offense to animal lovers, but I'm terrified of certain animals like dogs--more so than weapon wielders and BAD DRIVERS.

I've had many nightmares of rabid dogs cannibalizing other animals and chasing me. I've been chased multiple times by dogs in real life. One of my cousins was bitten by a dog and sent to the hospital.

Animals are often much faster and harder to predict and calm down than humans. Therefore, if I get into a fight against an animal (especially a tamed one) and I don't have a sword, spear, bow, or gun (daggers are too short), I'm pretty much dead (even if I have a bike, especially on main roads) unless the owner or an animal expert commands the animal to stop. (I have little to no experience in zoology.)

Unless I get specialized training in animal taming or combat, I'll use desperation tactics against them, including rock-throwing, insecticide-spraying, and shielding with random objects.
But can I redirect their attention if I throw a chunk of meat at their opposite direction? (May not work on tamed animals)

Protecting myself from rabid dogs is the only good reason I have for using a car instead of a bike.

Me Wielding Weapons

Fists will always be my favorite "weapons" since they can pack a huge punch (literally) without having to carry anything; I'm too lazy to bring an actual weapon, my parents are crazy with not allowing me to bring weapons, and there's no country that says having hands is illegal. Plus, I guess I watched too many superhero and kung fu movies.

But, of course, there are desperate times when I have to use weapons, and I do have some favorites and strategies.

I'm willing to use almost anything in the environment as a weapon, whether it be tree branches, stones, or chairs.

As a rule, though, I only fight with lethal weapons like knives and guns as a last resort or when I REALLY need to kill, mainly because I'm afraid of seeing blood in real life. (This is why I don't like watching Bear Grylls eating animals.) Instead, I'd use them to taunt and/or scare enemies.

Although throwable objects are plentiful in residential streets and indoor areas, they are hard to find in New York City-like areas (such as Ortigas and Bonifacio Global City here in the Philippines) since they're so clean and well-organized. So I still have to bring my own weapons.

I always bring a backpack with me, so I can use it as a shield if there are no fragile objects inside. If an enemy throws their knife at me, the backpack shield can come in really handy.

Although I am afraid of poison and it is potentially lethal, I'm willing to use insecticide as a weapon since it is highly underrated and unpredictable, and is hard to defend against. In careful "doses", it can incapacitate an unprotected human enemy without killing it.
Edit: I asked a security guard if I can bring insecticide for self-defense, and she said no.

Fidget spinners can be used like brass knuckles and can deal huge damage whether they're aimed at the skull or the abdomen. I don't recommend using them on heavy bags, though, due to the recoil.

But unconventional weapons are sometimes boring and/or not very effective, so here are some actual, not-so-legal weapons I like to use.

I want to learn archery and craft my own bow at some point. Unlike guns, there aren't as many laws governing the use of bows--I can buy or craft a bow and not get arrested (although certain arrow types can be illegal, I think), and its damage is affected partially by physical strength (thanks to elastic potential energy) and not necessarily by the weapon itself. Plus, bows and arrows are more economical than guns--arrows can be re-used, and bows don't need a lot of maintenance.

Baseball bats are one of the most popular street weapons, and probably the closest thing I can get to a sword, mainly thanks to the length. Its heavy frontal mass can easily shatter skulls and knock off lighter weapons.

I actually prefer pool cues over baseball bats since they're lighter and more defensive since I can use it like a spear. Plus, it's not as popular as a baseball bat, so it's less likely to be thought of as a weapon by law enforcement. Too bad they're rare and impossible to fit in most bags. Edit: I have seen a retractable pool cue, but it has to be bought alongside a pool table, and it's mighty expensive.

Thrust the front end into the abdomen, and bash skulls with the back end.

If I can only own one kind of gun, I'd get an assault rifle, specifically an M4A1. Assault rifles are pretty well-balanced in performance; I can use them either close or far away. I hear the M4A1 has decent fire rate and accuracy; accuracy is the main reason I chose it over the popular AK-47. If I can get at least one 5.56mm round into an enemy, that should weaken it enough for me to finish off with my fists or bow.

I sometimes ask myself, "Do you want a shotgun or a sniper rifle?" because their effective ranges are so different from one another; shotguns are close-range, while sniper rifles are long-range.
Eh, I'm already good at close combat, so I'll take a sniper rifle. I usually have a chill and perfectionist personality, so I like to carefully shoot down heads.

Losing Situations

When low on HP or faced against an enemy I'm unlikely to defeat, I use up all of my remaining power to deal as much damage as possible. There's no point saving stamina, using defensive moves, or running away since I'll die or get KO'd anyway and maybe my allies or the police can finish off the enemy later on.

I'd primarily use hammerfist attacks to break sturdy defenses or hopefully interrupt enemy attacks and force the enemy to defend. At this point, I'll be so angry that quick attacks won't make me flinch, so I can keep attacking without interruptions.

If I have to kill (not knock out), I'd pull the enemy on the hair, kick the groin repeatedly, shout very close to their ears, slice or chop the throat with my elbow or karate chop, and/or grab and throw the enemy all over the place after I break their defenses. If I grow my fingernails long enough, I'll also scratch them. (I don't want to bite because I think it's gross and I might get infected even if I win. I hate cannibalism.)

In sport boxing, I'll just spam random punches and hope I break the opponent's guard. If I can keep them on the defensive, they can't punch back and the judges might have a less positive impression of my opponent.

Psycho Strategist Fights a Squid

On 2 May 2018, I went to YoSquid's house for boxing sparring since I haven't fought in a very long time, and I needed some friend time.

YoSquid has trained in boxing too, but not as much as I did; he stopped in a few months or so. Last time I saw him punch my heavy bag, he hit it slowly but forcefully.

We fought in his living room, which provided both of us a lot of space to strafe around, and a clean floor in case someone actually gets KO'd. We did 3 rounds.

YoSquid was mostly aggressive, often throwing the first punch, and following with a flurry of jabs. He often pinned me to the corner of the ring while I stood like a sitting duck, blocking his punches. However, his punches were kinda slow, especially his uppercuts, so I often dodged his first punch, while most of the other punches were blocked by my gloves.

In contrast to YoSquid's all-out attacking style, I played defensively. He often blocked most of my punches as well, so I mixed up my punches a bit while adding feints once he's done with his brutal combos, creating openings in YoSquid's otherwise sturdy defenses that gave me loads of opportunities for clean hits, dealing massive damage. In short, I went for accuracy over number of hits.

I think YoSquid got 3 clean hits in our entire sparring session, while I got 8. YoSquid got me on the pectorals and abdomen, I think, while I mostly hit YoSquid on the temple (side of the head) and abdomen, thanks to my feint spam. I even hit him square on the nose. That's gotta sting.

Admittedly, I spammed the right hook since I'm right-handed and I wanted to exploit YoSquid's unprotected temple, so he often blocked my right hooks. This is where feints came in handy.

In the end, since there were no judges, I declared myself winner of Rounds 1 and 2, and YoSquid won Round 3. YoSquid gave me quite a beating on Round 3 with his aggressiveness, but my defensive tactics kept me from being KO'd.

(My brother Ivann hates me, while YoSquid's sister loves her brother, so YoSquid winning would be a no-brainer if I "hired" them.)

YoSquid didn't have the energy to stand up properly at the end of the battle, while I stood up super-pumped despite the harsh damage I sustained in Round 3.

I feel kinda guilty about the number of clean hits I scored on YoSquid since I didn't restrain my power, but at least he was still okay, and he enjoyed.

We then discussed Minecraft and Pokémon.

This isn't the time to fight...but I fight anyway

Addictions can be bad...but a person with Asperger's syndrome can probably make it worse.

Even in perfectly calm, non-fighting situations, I often use fight moves.

When squeezing through tight spaces, especially crowds of people, I cover my head with my forearms, even though I don't actually make contact.

What? My head is fragile, but I've blocked a lot of damage with my forearms over the years.

When bored or raging and talking to someone, I stand in a "T-position" (Not the 3D modeling thing), with one foot in front, the rear foot facing the side, and the knees slightly bent.

I do the same when holding anything that "feels" like a weapon, like broomsticks, mops, tennis rackets, and even cameras.

I have accidentally blocked friendly physical gestures before, like pats on the back.

Lazy Conclusion

Addiction to video games can cause some pretty crazy stuff (in a good way) later in life. Learning to fight has not only provided me with an additional way to have fun and be strong, but also to work out my brain in order to adapt not only to my opponents in battle, but also to real-life work.

Plus, this comes in extremely handy when I want to fight the bad guys like a real superhero.

Trust me, though: My National Service Training Program professor won't like this origin story.

TL;DR summary: I have been interested in fighting since I was a kid due to violent video games, which eventually led to me learning boxing in 2014. I was a noob during training, but when Elorde closed down, I continued my training through fightTIPS and eventually became a stronger fighter. My fighting style revolves around learning and adapting to the enemy's fighting style, as well as copying signature moves from WWE and the Prototype series, which I used to win a friendly boxing match against YoSquid.