There are different types of flexibility.

You have to incoporate all types of stretching for the utmost success. Static/Passive, Dynamic, Active (and PNF is something to look at). Of couse you need some degree of passive flexibility in order to achieve initial levels of dynamic/active flexibility. But for martial artists who don't use dynamic and active stretching teqniques I believe most of their flexibility in a particular movement comes from practising that movement in real-world situations.

Keep in mind when I say "dynamic" I DON'T mean ballistic. These are two different things. Dynamic stretching can be done safely. Just as safely as doing those "real-world" movements. IMO, it's the best thing to do before training (as well as during). If you wan't to do static type stretching before as well then look into PNF type stretching. I wouldn't touch "a split" before training. Any type of training. Static/Passive type stretching is always best saved for after for a cool-down.

A lot of yoga is active strething. It develops strength in the antagonist so this makes perfect sense. Rember that with static stretching you are using some type of apparatus, whether it be a partner, the floor, bodyweight or something else. In the real world there is no apparatus, only your muscles! And you're moving fast, not slow...unless you're Steven Seagal.

Another point is that hyper-flexibility in itself is not necessarily a good thing if that extended range of motion doesn't come with strength and control. You especially wouldn't want it to result in joint laxity. I have a friend whos been doing Yoga everyday for years (there are different types and modalities). He can place his palms together behing his back, fingertips up, and then move his hands all the way up between his shoulderblades, almost touching his neck. Impressive. But the guy has almost no strength in his shoulders. No control. That kind of hyper-flexibility has no place, for instance, in a grappling situation.

I could go on and on. In addtion to the training I did when I was still active I've read 5 different books on martial arts stretching. Each one had it's own slant and taken by itself was useless. The following articles sum it all up. I would read it all if I were you.

everything you ever wanted to know about stretching

Kurz

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If you act sanctimonious I will just list out your logical fallacies until you get pissed off and spew blasphemous remarks.