Sport fighting has rules and weight divisions in order to keep the playing field at an equal level. Real fighting is NOT the same thing. There are no rules, regulations, weight divisions, and anything can happen. Your eyes can deceive you. The way I see, a lot of people see sport fighting as the same thing as real life or death fighting. Hence, some people way say that only the biggest, and the most powerful men should do great in the martial arts for self defense. You can do very well in real battle situations, but not necessarily do very good in a boxing ring, or in an MMA octagon. Or vice versa.
I believe as Jim R would say, it's simple, but a well meaning ignorance. Sure all things being equal, or similar, the bigger, and more muscle mass would have the advantage, but in a real fight, the fighters who are very physically, and mentally fit although not as big or bulky will have their advantages as well. In a real fight, anything could happen. It depends on the situation, the size and width of the arena which a fight takes place, the strengths and weaknesses of the one defending him/herself, and the assailant, and the battle plans. The notion that the biggest are automatically the best is NOT always the case in a real fight since there's punching someone in the crotch, eye gouging, throat punching, and other dirty fighting techniques and strategies you're not allowed to do in a sport fighting arena. There are women in the world who you don't want to get into a fight with, and there are short, or medium sized men you don't want to entagle with.
I believe as Jim R would say, it's simple, but a well meaning ignorance. Sure all things being equal, or similar, the bigger, and more muscle mass would have the advantage, but in a real fight, the fighters who are very physically, and mentally fit although not as big or bulky will have their advantages as well. In a real fight, anything could happen. It depends on the situation, the size and width of the arena which a fight takes place, the strengths and weaknesses of the one defending him/herself, and the assailant, and the battle plans. The notion that the biggest are automatically the best is NOT always the case in a real fight since there's punching someone in the crotch, eye gouging, throat punching, and other dirty fighting techniques and strategies you're not allowed to do in a sport fighting arena. There are women in the world who you don't want to get into a fight with, and there are short, or medium sized men you don't want to entagle with.