[Beaum2000]

First season Macgyver is a decent fighter and as time went on he becomes less so....ok but just average...able to be beat unlike most action hero's that never lose a fight.. I like the fact that Macgyver fights are more realistic then some other shows.

I have a simple explanation for his skills getting rusty... He fell out of practice in martial art or military training. He had some sort of training but didn't keep it up. You need to continue to train to get better or even maintain your level of skill. I have trained in several martial arts and when I am actively training I am a decent fighter but when I went on an extended vacation to the Philippines I stopped all practice. When I came back I was not nearly as good as when I left. My reaction times were slower and I was not as cordinated. Still I was ok and could hold my own but not as good as I once was...

Same thing happened to Macgyver....and I am really glad they made it that way. Most shows I have a hard time watching because the fights are so unrealistic.

[MacGyverGod]

Never noticed if his skills changed over the years. I think most fights went fair and square with both fighters having the upperhand at one point. Piedra, Murdoc (both fights), Glass in Log Jam, Jonathan in Easy Target. MacGyver had even the upperhand for a brief moment against four construction workers in The Wasteland, he did lose though. The only one who really kicked Mac's butt was Minton in Gunz 'N Boyz and maybe the big guy in Bitter Harvest. Actually Victoria James beat his butt too in Phoenix Under Siege but at that point Mac didn't hit women. He only hits them when they arm nuclear bombs.

[Barry Rowland]

And remember, the best fighter you have is your mind