Assuming you became aware of an underground club like the one depicted in the film (I’m not talking about the more sanitised versions that you get in martial arts clubs or gyms), a secret club where guys get together, pair up and beat the crap out of each other using any method they see fit for shits and giggles.
The only rules are the Eight (I’m adding a Ninth):
You do not talk about Fight Club.
You DO NOT talk about Fight Club.
Someone yells “stop”, goes limp, taps out - fight is over.
Two guys to a fight.
One fight at a time.
No shirts, no shoes.
Fights will go on as long as they have to.
If this is your first night of Fight Club, you have to fight.
No weapons of any kind - don’t know how Tyler missed this one.
There’s nothing preventing you from yelling stop right away, although everyone will call you a wuss. Would you go along? Would you have a scrap to get out that unresolved aggression and tension?
I’ll admit I’ve never understood the concept of fighting without a purpose. If your life was meaningless before, how does fighting give it meaning? And if it’s just entertainment, I can think of things that are more fun than fighting.
The idea appeals to me in a lot of ways, but I’d have to decline based on the permanent injuries. A better idea is to take part in grappling, which satisfies the same urges without having to take time off to recuperate from serious injuries. I’m taking Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and loving it, especially the wrestling. Best of both worlds.
While fighting is invigorating, and can make one feel ALIVE, smart cookies like Dopers know all too well about the potential ramifications (broken noses, orbital bones, teeth knocked out, concussions, etc.) and would likely decline.
Like Jack, I have gotten the near identical experience in karate. Pad up, kick and punch each other in a respectful and controlled environment. No one gets hurt, everyone gets their agression out, win-win-win!
I see too many potential flaws with the system, and folks bending or breaking rules. At least in the dojo, if you broke the rules and hurt someone, there was Sensei to answer to.
Fight clubs are not uncommon around Los Angeles. They meet in out of the way places and show up for a few fights, side betting all the works. We had a few fight clubs around in the early 70’s. Most of the fighters were untrained, out of shape but mostly pretty tough. Nearly all the fights were lop sided slaughters. Street fighters today show some advanced training skills.
Since tap-outs are explicitly mentioned grappling is positively encouraged - go MMA on their asses.
The dojo is no doubt a safer and generally more positive environment in which to learn, not a place for aggression against fellow students…although on the rules I’d prefer a stern talking to from Sensei to a schizophrenic (spoiler alert) slicing my nads off.
It sounds unsanitary. IIRC, one of the DVD commentary tracks has someone (the director?) saying, during that one scene, that real-life fight clubs would be an obviously bad idea because participants would keep getting exposed to stranger-blood.
The problem most people have is that you have to get over your fear of pain. There’s a clear distinction between what hurts and when you’re getting actually injured. Anyone who’s worked in a kitchen can tell you that cuts and burns are just a daily part of the job, the distinction is that those insults, while they hurt, will heal. You learn what’s an annoyance and what’s an injury.
As far as fighting, it’s going to hurt. A LOT. If that’s not something your not comfortable with then it’s clearly not for you.