Blood sport: it's the "realest" reality show on TV: the fighters of the UFC are among the best conditioned athletes in the world, and their hit show is kicking serious ass on Spike TV

Men's Fitness, Sept, 2005 by Sean Hyson

And that, of course, means getting the win. "Business is business, after all," says Morgan.

THE MF BAR-FIGHT SURVIVAL GUIDE

Defend your life this Saturday night

The guys at the next table have been getting row dier with each pitcher of beer. They're staging to slam their glasses down on the table and shout at the waitress--and your girlfriend. One of them buys her a drink. She's nervous and wants to leave, but you say, "It's cool." Then one of them flicks a peanut at you. They're getting up and walking your way. What are you gonna do?

We talked to two Ultimate Fighters, light-heavyweight contender Forrest Griffin and mid-dleweight champion Rich Franklin, to find out the fastest and most effective methods of putting your muscle to use in self-defense. Here's how to handle yourself:

"Tuck your chin to your neck and charge forward," says Griffin. Start firing straight punches at your opponent's chin, bringing your hands back and touching your own chin to remind you to keep your guard up. "When you run out of room to throw punches, start throwing elbows, then headbutts." No matter what, keep moving toward the door with your momentum.

HE PULLS A KNIFE (OR A BOTTLE)

"Reach for his shoulder first," says Griffin, "then slide your hand down to his wrist to control it." Randomly grabbing for the weapon means you'll miss. Working from the shoulder ensures you'll find your opponent's hand quickly. "You might still get cut on the arms or torso, but you're less likely to take a stab in the groin, face, or throat."

SOMEBODT COME UP BEHIND YOU

"Try to turn around and face him," says Griffin. If you're trapped against his chest and he's got his arm around your throat, try to butt him with the back of your head. "If he's got you around the waist, arch your back," leaning into him to create space between the both of you. "Then reach your arms in and try to turn around to break the hold."

SIZE MATTERS

How to take on all comers

YOUR OPPONENT IS SHORT AND STOCKY

"Jab and move," says Franklin. "If a short guy is able to close the distance on you, he can get a hold and take you down--so use your footwork."

YOUR OPPONENT IS TALL WITH A LONG REACH

"Throw a punch, even if it doesn't land--you just need to distract him. Then, immediately rush in and try to take him down, scooping him off his feet."

YOUR OPPONENT IS STRONGER THAN YOU

"Grab hold him--this is called 'clinching'--tuck your head underneath his chin and try to stretch his body out. That way, he can't use his strength against you."

LET'S GET IT ON

As anyone who's followed the UFC (the bloody free-for-all that debuted in 1993 and pitted fighters of various disciplines against one another) from its inception knows, the landscape of fighting has changed drastically in the last decade. Competitors used to come to the sport knowing just one discipline and would then learn others to stay competitive. But today, you've got to know a bit of everything to stay alive. "Right now, we've got guys like Georges St. Pierre and Rich Franklin, who have been training in a variety of martial arts from the beginning of their careers," says UFC president Dana White. "They're the new breed, and you can see the difference in the way they fight. It's even more exciting, and the fights are just going to get better."