If you're not an MMA fighter: Expert tips on how to defend yourself

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- You may not be a mixed martial arts fighter like 24-year-old Mayura Dissanyake who recently fought off his co-workers' attackers, but you can effectively defend yourself.

Eyewitness News recently spoke with Grant Johnson, program director at Houston's Paradigm Training Center, who shared the following tips for the average person facing a self-defense situation.

However, Johnson said the most important thing for people to do overall is to stay in generally good physical shape. "That, to me, is going to be the first step," he said. "Take good care of yourself."

SIMPLE SELF-DEFENSE MOVES:

1. Strike with your knee: If someone is very close, put a knee to a soft tissue area, such as a groin. That is very effective.

2. Foot stomp to attacker's instep: People don't think about stomping on feet, but the foot is very fragile area of the body.

3. Upward palm strike to attacker's nose: The nose is also a very fragile part of the body.

4. Aim for attacker's throat: More accuracy is needed for this move, but the throat is another delicate area of the body that may be hit if one is attacked.

5. Aim for attacker's eyes: Use your thumbs to gouge out (or at least injure) your attacker's eyes

The average person should not attempt to continue to fight, according to Johnson. Rather, he or she should get out of harm's way as quickly as possible and find an escape route to safety.

EDITOR'S NOTE: These tips are not comprehensive. Pursue formal self-defense instruction for more information and proper technique.