how to go about mixed martial arts training?
Posted by admin on Apr 13, 2008 in Martial Arts |
tacosrawesome01 asked:
Ok. I’m wanting to get into mixed martial arts more than I already am.I was wanting to know how would I go about doing that. I have a background in wrestling and Im not sure what I should learn as well and how to go about training for that. I live in West Virginia, so that leaves my choices kind of limited. I can’t really go to martial arts gyms seeing as there are none.
Fast Food
Ok. I’m wanting to get into mixed martial arts more than I already am.I was wanting to know how would I go about doing that. I have a background in wrestling and Im not sure what I should learn as well and how to go about training for that. I live in West Virginia, so that leaves my choices kind of limited. I can’t really go to martial arts gyms seeing as there are none.
Fast Food
How about trying to find a place that teaches just kickboxing (for your stand up fighting) or just brazilian juijitsu or vale tudo (for grappling skills). Your wrestling background makes you more comfortable on the ground, but to be any good in MMA you will also need to learn grappling/submissions and how to get out of them. If your interest is to learn new skills to defend yourself, you can try self training with a punching bag for kickboxing and having a training partner for submissions, try watching DVD’s of UFC and Pride fights in slow motion to learn some of the moves, you can also check out YouTube.com for videos. If you want to train to compete, you need to move someplace with a MMA gym, there’s no subsitute for learning from an experienced MMA fighter and sparring and grappling with other MMA students.
What part of WV? There are many karate dojos in WV, and any striking style will improve your abilities. Also, jog, swim, jumprope, work with a heavy bag. Boxing may also be an option, but here in Pittsburgh, it’s not hard to find a boxing gym.
Buy a couple pairs of headgear, gloves, and shin\instep gaurds. Have a friend come over and start sparring.
Start off light contact till you figure each others styles out. Then just start going full bore on each other.
Since your sources are limited i would suggest what i normally wouldn’t…i cant believe i’m saying this….buy some takedown or ground and pound /MMA instructional DVDs. Practice all what they show with your sparring partner.
The most important thing is a good sparring partner. Spar about once a month with just MMA gloves full contact,as if you were in a match. Have a third person Ref. with a cell phone to call should one of you get hurt. That’ll get you ready. If you can do more, do more. Make sure not to overtrain though.
After you feel your ready, sign up for an amateur event and that’ll tell you where your at in your training.
There are camps (Gracie, MIletich, Lion’s den, and many more) , but they can be expensive.
In order to do well at MMA events you must be properly trained, both stand-up and grappling, here are some suggestions:
stand up: muay thai, boxing, san shou, kickboxing, shidokan and kyokushen karate.
grappling: brazilian jiu-jitsu (bjj), wrestling, judo, sambo (sambo also has stand-up).
You must learn at least one of each (stand up and grappling), the most common ones are muay thai, bjj , and wrestling.
One you learn those I recommend you participate at local shows, once you turn pro you’ll face tougher competition.
Your local gym can help you set up a fight once you are trained, as they are in contact with promoters.
I hope this information helps
good luck!