At the basic self-defence level, there is only really one criterion when it comes to judging whether or not something is going to have any value or not : What makes you "competent" at fighting is whether or not what you are practising gets you used to live physical confrontation. This could be MMA, BJJ, karate, judo - it could be rugby.
If you spar live with someone as part of your training - it will almost certainly do you some good. If you don't, and the training is form/kata based or deals only in two-steps - then chances are it will be of far less value.