Is the small guy more dangerous or the big guy more dangerous?

[ashitaria]

See question. And yes, I am looking for a debate.

 

[Kokoro]

What's the context?

 

[ProxyAmenRa]

The small guy is more likely to walk from office to office unloading bullets into co-workers. Where as the big would just run around thumping people. Hence, I think the small guy is more dangerous.

 

[mikal]

definitely the small guy.

 

[ashitaria]

No, I'm assuming in a street fight, which is more dangerous?

 

[ckm]

If you actually expect an answer to this, I will find it difficult not to consider you stupid.

 

[ashitaria]

If you actually expect an answer to this, I will find it difficult not to consider you stupid.

Thank you. With the extravagant flaunting of your so-called intelligence aside, does anyone have anything constructive to add?

 

[Sparrow]

Small guy.

Just aim for the knees of the big guy and he's down.

 

[ckm]

What constructive contribution do you expect? Lots of people telling you that smaller people are more likely to defeat bigger people in street fights? "Small" people are not all the same; likewise with "big" people. Therefore one cannot say whether any given "small" guy is more dangerous than any given "big" guy. Even if one is statistically more "dangerous" than the other, that does not make all of said demographic more dangerous than the other.

 

[ProxyAmenRa]

Ohh? We aren't talking about when a person snaps? How disappointing...

 

[Pants]

The worst that's likely to happen in a streetfight: you lose. It's less dangerous, in the long run, to have a reputation for fearlessly taking on the biggest fuck you can find and occasionally getting trounced.

Also, if the cops get called in you'll be better off having a broken nose and an opponent with fifty extra pounds.

 

[ashitaria]

What constructive contribution do you expect? Lots of people telling you that smaller people are more likely to defeat bigger people in street fights? "Small" people are not all the same; likewise with "big" people. Therefore one cannot say whether any given "small" guy is more dangerous than any given "big" guy. Even if one is statistically more "dangerous" than the other, that does not make all of said demographic more dangerous than the other.

I certainly did not expect the "constructive" contribution of a mature, well-developed and modest person to praise the intelligence of other people.

In any case, since you do seem to be curious, here is my view on this.

Big people are stronger, heavier, and have longer reach.

Small people are lighter (thus faster) , better positioned to strike vulnerable spots and generally have more determination and cautiousness (possibly better foot-work).

I don't want to expose all my thoughts on this subject, but I found this subject interesting, and wanted to share.

Not have some jack-ass question the point of it.

EDIT: Discussion of street-fights, styles of fighting and martial arts is also welcome.

 

[yaleha]

the one you underestimate.

 

[ashitaria]

the one you underestimate.

That lies in favor of the small guy, because big guys tend to underestimate. But sometimes, the element of surprise isn't enough to take a person down, and if a big guy strikes or grabs hold of a small guy, the fight is as well as over.

Whereas, depending on where the small guy strikes, the out-come is greatly reversed.

 

[ckm]

I apologise for attacking your intelligence, though I still believe there is no answer to your question.

 

[Cavallier]

The one with more training, experience, and skill.

 

[Crazythinker1]

Depends on who has the most training and determination to win. I myself am 6 foot 3 and weigh in at around 260 lbs, but I am also well versed in the art of street fighting, having been traind by an ex army airborne ranger. So, against a small guy with no training, I would whip his ass and not even break a sweat.

 

[Fukyo]

I believe the issue is that the question is framed in a very vague, open ended way. (intentionally?) There is no base or context upon which to draw arguments for either case because the specifics are lacking.The OP is usually expected to provide his thoughts and outlay the matter of discussion.

I'm guessing the OP is baiting the posters to expose their opinions with the open-ended question so he could argue them on it without them attacking his original premise(s) and views.

 

[Dormouse]

I must say, this depends entirely on context. Even the words small and big could be interpreted differently.

That said, my money's on the big guy, assuming they're both average individuals. He's has the advantage of strength, which in the close quarters of a street fight is important. Plus, I'm gonna go and assume he can take a few more hits than the small guy.

 

[ashitaria]

I believe the issue is that the question is framed in a very vague, open ended way. (intentionally?) There is no base or context upon which to draw arguments for either case because the specifics are lacking.The OP is usually expected to provide his thoughts and outlay the matter of discussion.

I'm guessing the OP is baiting the posters to expose their opinions with the open-ended question so he could argue them on it without them attacking his original premise(s) and views.

No Fukyo, no.

And yes, it was framed very vaguely.

 

[ProxyAmenRa]

I was out with a friend one night; a skinny guy but he is quite proficient in a whole variety of martial arts. This BIG guy tried to start a fight with me for no reason so my cocky friend kicked him in the face only to realize that it was ineffective. We both ran.

 

[ashitaria]

Big guys have weak points also though. Assuming that the weaker, smaller guy strikes first in the groin, he could probably continue striking until the attacker is down. If the smaller guy gets up close, the big guy's punches would probably not have as much effect where as the smaller guy has more leverage (due to shorter arms) and more devastating blows.

However, big guys, as you said, can take more hits. If street-fighting was like a role-playing game, the big guys would win.

Weak points include the solar plexus (area of soft muscle in between the abdomen and chest, ears, toes, knee caps). Contrary to popular belief, the head is not a weak point unless you are very very strong.

Then again, it is all relative....

 

[Dormouse]

The head is a good place to attack though because it induces pain and disorientation. If you can strike them in the forehead with enough force they'll suffer a blackout. If you can get them in the nose their eyes will begin to water no matter how tough they are, the tissue there is extremely sensitive.

Anyways, why do we assume only the little guy will try a crotch-kick? What's this about only small people fighting dirty?

 

[ashitaria]

The head is a good place to attack though because it induces pain and disorientation. If you can strike them in the forehead with enough force they'll suffer a blackout. If you can get them in the nose their eyes will begin to water no matter how tough they are, the tissue there is extremely sensitive.

Anyways, why do we assume only the little guy will try a crotch-kick? What's this about only small people fighting dirty?

Because I was a small guy myself, a person two times my size put me in a head-lock from behind. I remember biting him (which made him let me go) and then elbowing him in the nuts (which made him double up). His friends chased me around the school for thirty minutes before I lost them (it was a horrible experience, I was so scared that they would catch me and beat the shit out of me). I was in middle school at the time (primary school in Singapore). Middle school sucked.

As for the head thing though, how can you exactly be sure that you hit the nose? You need to have fine motor-skills for that, and if your timing and aim is not perfect, chances are it will just glance of his head and cause only moderate damage, allowing him to dive in and do a take-down. It's more efficient to let his swing a punch, dive slightly lowered towards him and start aiming for his solar plexus or do a take-down of your own.

 

[Dormouse]

Aiming isn't so much a problem, though I'd agree timing and opportunity are.

Fact is, assuming both the big and small guy know how to fight, the big guy'll win through brute force and not doing stupid things like letting go when one bites him.

Though, this all depends on the level of smallness of the small guy and bigness of the big guy. If the difference isn't thaaaat noticeable, things might even out. Or if the body masses were similar despite a difference in height. (In which case I'd bet on a stocky small guy.)

 

[ashitaria]

Aiming isn't so much a problem, though I'd agree timing and opportunity are.

Fact is, assuming both the big and small guy know how to fight, the big guy'll win through brute force and not doing stupid things like letting go when one bites him.

Though, this all depends on the level of smallness of the small guy and bigness of the big guy. If the difference isn't thaaaat noticeable, things might even out. Or if the body masses were similar despite a difference in height. (In which case I'd bet on a stocky small guy.)

I'd better start getting fat.

 

[Dormouse]

It would help. (If you plan on getting in any fights.)

 

[ashitaria]

It would help. (If you plan on getting in any fights.)

I would not be a big hit with the girls though.

 

[Dormouse]

I don't mean fat so much as heavily built. You know, broad-shouldered and whatnot. This is mostly genetics so you can't really do anything about it.

 

[ashitaria]

I don't mean fat so much as heavily built. You know, broad-shouldered and whatnot. This is mostly genetics so you can't really do anything about it.

If I have to say so, I am of average height and of an average build, so I don't really give a hoot.

But I have never seen a narrow-shouldered fat guy before.

 

[Anthile]

The most dangerous guy is always the most dangerous guy.

 

[ashitaria]

The most dangerous guy is always the most dangerous guy.

Thanks. That helped.

 

[Pants]

Seriously, though, the biggest dangers in an average after hours street fight are the social and legal ones. Win or lose, I'd rather fight bigger folks. A strong and properly anesthetized chin can generally negate the physical risk... or at least postpone it till morning.

 

[Cognisant]

It depends, if I was up against a smaller me with the same muscle mass he's clearly going to win because he's more compact, unless I'm skilful enough to keep him back where he can't hit me easily but I can hit him just fine. Now if we're talking about someone who's smaller than me and relatively weaker then its probably going to go all my way, simply because the combination of superior strength and reach means I'll be in control of the situation.

Then again psychology is a big factor, the more vicious person is almost always going to win because it means they can attack harder, faster, in more ways and if you're up against someone who's in that psychotic "this is fun" mindset, nothing short of knocking them unconscious or direct incapacitation is going to stop them. In fact that's the main reason vicious people are so effective, because your everyday guy doesn’t have the strength or will to do anything more than superficial damage, which is sufficient for most people, but when up against someone who doesn’t give a shit about pain, there's only one way the fight can go.

 

[The Black Raven]

The one with more training, experience, and skill.

Seriously, what she said. There's too many unarmed fighting styles, too many ways to block, catch a punch, dodge, maim, etc someone in a street fight, assuming they are unarmed.

It'll be the person who knows the techniques for incapacitating the target the quickest. Size is irrelevant.

 

[Melkor]

Uh, if you ask me, Ashitaria is merely trying to make himself feel better about being small.

There isn't an answer to this, the variables are too great.

But, in the majority of cases, the bigger guy wins, because bigger folk tend to be more brutish and violent, as well as having brute strength, while small people are not only more likely to be weaker, but also tend to be more passive.

See how this answer is entirely open?

Also, define small.

I am a tall person, with quite a small frame, thus, in my answer, I count myself as a small person.

Height, width, or both?

 

[s0nystyle]

the big guy is obviously more dangerous is a street fight. He has much greater mass than his smaller friend which means each hit is going to do a LOT more damage with each connecting hit than the little guy's.

If the fight goes to the ground (which it probably will since bigger people are usually better at doing take-downs) the big guy wins hands down. the little guy might be able to "spiderman" or "Mr.Fantastic" around the big guy, but he just wont have enough strength to pull off a successful arm-bar or guillotine.

It's possible for the little guy to win, but the odds are stacked heavily against him in a fist cuff.

 

[echoplex]

Most dangerous guys:
1. The suicidal guy
2. The congenital analgesic guy
3. The honest guy

 

[AlisaD]

The person who is more comfortable with inflicting pain onto another usually wins. No hesitation, no holding back, no mercy - you win. Not sure it's worth it though.

 

[ashitaria]

Uh, if you ask me, Ashitaria is merely trying to make himself feel better about being small.

What exactly is your point in that? That I made the thread simply to increase my ego and self-esteem?

In any case, it does seem that big people have an unfounded advantage. I can easily see how the fight goes if they are both on the ground, and wrestling. When it comes to when they are both on their feet though, the smaller person could have the advantage though as since they are smaller and their congruential center is closer to the ground, they have a better sense of balance and probably trip a guy to the ground.

But it is all relative though, on factors and skill and experience. Echoing what other members have said, it depends on who has the most skill.
A big guy will always beat up a small guy even if they have the same skill.

@S0nystyle, I disagree though. Despite the fact that big guys can hit harder, small guys could hit faster. I think the winner is usually the guy who gets winded, stunned or disabled first, so I don't think a "you hit me I hit you" situation would occur very often.

 

[The Black Raven]

A big guy will always beat up a small guy even if they have the same skill.

Not exactly true all the time. There are some martial arts that work better if you are smaller and faster.


There's too many caveats to even give a decent answer to this question.



To everyone else: fighting isn't like an rpg, where the two people just stand there and exchange punches until someone passes out.

 

[s0nystyle]

What exactly is your point in that? That I made the thread simply to increase my ego and self-esteem?

In any case, it does seem that big people have an unfounded advantage. I can easily see how the fight goes if they are both on the ground, and wrestling. When it comes to when they are both on their feet though, the smaller person could have the advantage though as since they are smaller and their congruential center is closer to the ground, they have a better sense of balance and probably trip a guy to the ground.

But it is all relative though, on factors and skill and experience. Echoing what other members have said, it depends on who has the most skill.
A big guy will always beat up a small guy even if they have the same skill.

@S0nystyle, I disagree though. Despite the fact that big guys can hit harder, small guys could hit faster. I think the winner is usually the guy who gets winded, stunned or disabled first, so I don't think a "you hit me I hit you" situation would occur very often.

ever watch UFC before? Heavy weight bouts? its all about who hits FIRST because once that shot connects, the other guy is knocked out period.

YouTube- MMA Knockout,Pride Fighting Knockout,Mirko Cro-Cop Head Kick, Dang

Another big factor would be reach, if the bigger guy has a 4" reach advantage the small guy is going to have a hell of a time getting past his guard (especially if he's using a muy thai long guard).

 

[The Black Raven]

s0nystyle, not true all the time. Not even true half the time. What if the person redirects the first punch? What about if the person catches the first punch, or it doesn't connect at all?

There's too many caveats still with your rule of "whoever punches first, wins."


Not to mention--there are rules that disallow certain techniques being used in the ring, that in a street fight, even without weapons, would be free reign.

 

[ashitaria]

To everyone else: fighting isn't like an rpg, where the two people just stand there and exchange punches until someone passes out.

That's what I've been repeating over and over as well.
I have high hopes for constructive comments.

 

[s0nystyle]

s0nystyle, not true all the time. Not even true half the time. What if the person redirects the first punch? What about if the person catches the first punch, or it doesn't connect at all?

There's too many caveats still with your rule of "whoever punches first, wins."


Not to mention--there are rules that disallow certain techniques being used in the ring, that in a street fight, even without weapons, would be free reign.

Have you ever watched UFC in your life? Did you even read my post? Its not when if the first punch connects but WHEN a punch connects

 

[The Black Raven]

Yes, i have, and the point still stands. And contrary to popular belief, UFC =/= real life.

The first hit is rarely a ko hit. The first hit in any sport is rarely a ko hit. You have to follow it up with something else to be of any use. And the average human monkey isn't a UFC OHKO fighter.

Once again: whoever knows the most effective techniques and can execute them the fastest to incapacitate the target.

Now, if you're sloppy enough to let a second and a third and a fourth punch land, without any counter attacks, well...

 

[Abraxas]

No, I'm assuming in a street fight, which is more dangerous?

No need to debate anymore, for I have found a video from the internet that gives us the answer to this troubling dilemma:

YouTube- ryu vs honda

It seems like the small guy is able to shoot fire balls from his fists, so the big guy has no change!

 

[s0nystyle]

No need to debate anymore, for I have found a video from the internet that gives us the answer to this troubling dilemma:

YouTube- ryu vs honda

It seems like the small guy is able to shoot fire balls from his fists, so the big guy has no change!

in response to your BS video i provide you with an even more boring SF video! Honda vs T.hawk!

YouTube- Toutanki (T.Hawk) vs. Kusumond (E.Honda)