I have been interested in martial arts since I was young. When I was 14, I started training in Wushu. It lasts for about 1-2 years. I don't like it at all. It's about memorizing the routines and you are given points based on how accurate your stances are.
My instructor said, "Why do you move and strike with so much force? You trying to kill someone?"
Well, ya? I think every strike should at least be able to knock out someone, preferably break their bones/muscles.
So I quit. I brought a bunch of books and videos to learn it myself.
After some time, I realized that training without a sparring partner or instructor is a waste of time, and progression is going to be slow. Techniques are acquired through practice, self-taught limits that. The best I have is a punching bag that doesn't fight back. You can forget about learning techniques such as joint manipulation and takedown.
Back then, as a poor student, I can't afford to go to classes, and at that time MMA isn't a thing.
In Chinese martial arts, there is a saying: 一胆、二力、三功夫
Which roughly translates into #1 guts, #2 power, #3 kungfu/techniques/skills
#1 Guts: Not scared to fight anyone. No matter how powerful or skillful you are, without guts, you are an unsharpened weapon
#2 Power: Straightforward, physical strength, power, and stamina. No matter how skillful is your opponent, an ant can't win against an elephant.
#3 Kungfu/techniques/skills: Something you acquired through practice and experience.
Since I can't acquire #3, I will focus on #1 and #2.
For #1, I will say depends on your personality, lucky for me, I don't run from a fight, I love to fight.
For #2, it's simply being stronger and faster than average. Just do strength and cardio training.
Now, I have the financial capability to go for MMA classes. But I just don't see how it's worth my time. Because barehand fighting is outclassed by cold weapons (sword, spear) and modern weapons (pistol, assault rifle, sniper rifle).
In Singapore, I can get cold weapons, I just need to practice. But guns are prohibited, so I can't own my own guns, I have to keep them in the gun club, in this case, I don't see it as ownership.
There is a reason people go to war with cold weapons and modern weapons instead of bare hands.
Darwin's survival of the fittest. Empty hand martial arts are hobbies. Not very practical in a life-death situation, a knife/handgun is the way to go.