Hitting bags, shadow boxing, conditioning - these are all great things when coupled with repeated practical application. Whether that application comes in a bar fight or in an MMA ring, the experience is still 100% necessary.

Mike Tyson once said, "Everyone has a plan until they get hit hard in the face."

It doesn't matter if you're training in Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, BJJ or what - if you have never PUT IT TO USE, you don't know how your technique will function. I think 1/2 of fighting is how you well you get hit anyhow, and there is only one way to practice that. Yea, hitting bags/targets, shadow boxing, kicking the air in front of you... all great, but only 1/2 the picture. I'd bet on a guy whoes been in 50 barfights to beat a "Master" whoes never applied his technique on someone trying to apply theirs.