View Full Version : Anyone train MMA?
LonelyBedouin
02-11-2009, 11:47 AM
I wasnt sure where to post this but I thought here was most appropriate.
Theres a MMA studio across the street from my house. But was never sure how to get started. Beside from just going in and signing up. But what should I be looking for in the studio itself? What kind of "style" (not sure if its the right word) would be easiest to start off with?
GYMBRAT
02-11-2009, 12:24 PM
I'd just do some research on what type/style of training you'd like to learn as there is a vast variety out there.
.....I enjoy doing the actual MMA style itself, a sort of everything mixed into one type training. I have my son training with Jason Macdonald who thinks he may be able to go the distance with this thing. ;)
rated_rko
02-11-2009, 12:36 PM
i tried a class but didnt like it
IMO.........
If you want to train MMA just to try it out or to do it just as a fitness thing, then every school will be good. If you are thinking of training and competing then I would suggest to pick a Martial Art first and get some experience in it(like BJJ or Muay Tai or Kick Boxing or even Karate or Tai Kwan Do) and then go and do MMA. If you are new to it there is a lot thrown at you right away and going in with some good knowledge of stand up or ground fighting will help you a lot. I have been involved with Martial Arts since I was 9. I got my 2nd degree BB in Karate and then started doing BJJ. After all that I started doing MMA and I found it really easy to follow instructions and learn new things that were thrown at me.
If you are anywhere near Hamilton, Ont. go check out Joslin's. Jeff Joslin is an excellent fighter and trainer (3rd or 4th degree BB in Karate and 1st degree BB in BJJ under a legit BJJ instructor).
LonelyBedouin
02-11-2009, 06:12 PM
I actually am near Hamilton, I will definitely give him a look.
Ive actually done kick boxing, for maybe a year and a half but that was a long time ago...
I started in Kung Fu, then transitioned to Kick-boxing, then found my home in Jiu Jitsu in 1992. The head Sensei was a 4th degree in JJ with a 1st degree in Judo. He was also the leader of a police emergency response so the teaching was grounded in reality. The JJ I practiced focused on all useful martial applications, hand strikes, kicking, throwing, choking, joint locking/destruction, groundwork, and weapons. :)
MMASTAR
02-11-2009, 06:40 PM
muay thai, BJJ and wrestling are the best base for mma on top of training mma itself..
Its good if they teach BJJ & Muay Thai in different class, instead of a MMA class all mixed up.
MMASTAR
02-11-2009, 06:55 PM
Its good if they teach BJJ & Muay Thai in different class, instead of a MMA class all mixed up.
agreed, its important to learn individual skills and then learn how to incorporate them together..
I would go for Muay Thai & BJJ as first choice. Kick boxing or karate for second striking choice. Wrestling or judo as second grappling choice.
GYMBRAT
02-11-2009, 07:22 PM
I would just carry a 44 mag
I did a couple of bjj classes and was pretty good at it, but didnt really like it all that much. I have been going to boxing and muay thai classes somewhat consistently. I kinda enjoy the boxing a little bit more even though most of my size is in my legs. I have horrible cardio, but I punch hard, so I can adopt a much lazyer style with conventional boxing as opposed to MT lol
guest
03-11-2009, 12:06 AM
I did a couple of bjj classes and was pretty good at it, but didnt really like it all that much. I have been going to boxing and muay thai classes somewhat consistently. I kinda enjoy the boxing a little bit more even though most of my size is in my legs. I have horrible cardio, but I punch hard, so I can adopt a much lazyer style with conventional boxing as opposed to MT lol
amen to that, it's nice to just box sometimes.
amen to that, it's nice to just box sometimes.
Is my gym normal? We do wear headgear when we spar and use 160z gloves, but my coach literally wants us (if we are in the similar weight range/skill) to hit each other as hard as we can lol. Black eyes happen all the time, and there are days when the bathroom is covered in blood from a busted nose. I guess because we fight in a different amatuer league where we use head gear with pro like rules, so hard punches can be more beneficial. I guess it also bennifits me when I am sparring and some skinny bastard is swarmming me when I am gassed and I crack him on the chin with my hardest cross or hook, and have to give him some time to shake it off and catch my breath lol
grifter
05-11-2009, 01:24 AM
I started in Tae Kwon Do when I was in my teens. Then moved on to Muay Thai with Siam #1 (good school if your in Toronto) and then onto some hybred martial art called Chikarajitsu which was basically "L" stance kickboxing, with some ground fighting and ju jitsu.
I was in Montreal a few weeks ago and stopped in at tristar gym, which is where GSP does a lot of training. Now I have the itch again.
guest
05-11-2009, 02:46 AM
Is my gym normal? We do wear headgear when we spar and use 160z gloves, but my coach literally wants us (if we are in the similar weight range/skill) to hit each other as hard as we can lol. Black eyes happen all the time, and there are days when the bathroom is covered in blood from a busted nose. I guess because we fight in a different amatuer league where we use head gear with pro like rules, so hard punches can be more beneficial. I guess it also bennifits me when I am sparring and some skinny bastard is swarmming me when I am gassed and I crack him on the chin with my hardest cross or hook, and have to give him some time to shake it off and catch my breath lol
i dont think that is normal but it wouldnt waste any time in finding out who the natural fighters were. some gyms i've been to wear head gear, some dont'. some use 16oz but most use 14oz and have moderate sparring with occasional hard sparring. i've had my forehead cut through headgear sparring with 14oz before. been rocked by a really heavy clean shin to the noggin too lol, no head gear but shin pads.
Spyder122
10-11-2009, 03:44 PM
I started in Kung Fu, then transitioned to Kick-boxing, then found my home in Jiu Jitsu in 1992. The head Sensei was a 4th degree in JJ with a 1st degree in Judo. He was also the leader of a police emergency response so the teaching was grounded in reality. The JJ I practiced focused on all useful martial applications, hand strikes, kicking, throwing, choking, joint locking/destruction, groundwork, and weapons. :)
What's the name of your style you train in? It sounds similar to what I take. It's a style that is taught by Chris Bissett.
What's the name of your style you train in? It sounds similar to what I take. It's a style that is taught by Chris Bissett.
There is no particular name to the style, just Jiu Jitsu under the Canadian Jiu Jitsu Association. Basically a blend of the most productive martial elements, with a lot of emphasis on close range and ground. When I moved to Toronto I transferred to Kuhmo (Spider) Jiu Jitsu which was also under the CJA. It was 70% groundwork, 30% Muay Thai.
I just Googled and it's now called the Ontario Jiu Jitsu Association. I also see that the Sensei I trained under is now an 8th Dan. ****in A! :)
http://www.canadianjiujitsu.com/
bountyhunter
10-11-2009, 08:46 PM
As someone who does more martial arts than weight lifting these days, i would give you this advice:1. try out a striking style such as "muay thai" (my recommendation) or kickboxing, and then a ground style such as jiu jitsu to find out which your feel more comfortable with and go with that. 2. once you know your preference then it's time to choose your school.3. choosing a school can sometimes be difficult. so don't be fooled by fancy spin kicks and loud "kia"s. you want to do mma so think could "jean claude van damme" beat "rampage jackson"? **** no! try to find a school with multiple coaches ie. one for muay thai, and one for jiu jitsu and grappling, and one for boxing. and a ring in the gym is a good sign. do your homework and find out which gym's are actively competing and winning. schools that have been open for 10+ years are ones to look for too. good luck.
lunkhead
25-11-2009, 06:58 PM
what he said... plus IMO:
1. ask around about the club at the gym you lift weights at and find someone who trains there to give you some feedback about the quality of the instruction.
2. pick small clubs over large ones---> more one on one attention. Some of the big clubs sound great but you basically have the sensei come by once or twice during an hour!
3. do a trial session (most let you) and get a sense of the atmosphere of the other students. Some are quite simply "thug gyms", full of ego fighters who really just want to hurt you rather than learn with you. A good instructor won't tolerate idiots who hurt beginners. I have serious doubts about a sensei who wants his students to go full speed/full power all the time. Headgear or not, you will get a head injury eventually. The ideal place is full of people who check their ego in at the door and actively try to help everyone else get better.
4. choose a place that has an instructor that is making his/her gym the priority rather than his/her professional fighting career. The two goals are in conflict unless you are an elite fighter as well. A dieting, cranky, distracted sensei won't be patient with you and there will be stretches of time will you won't be exposed to his/her teaching.
5. similar to 4 above, fewer instructors (ideally just one) is better when you are starting out. Consistency is key. When you move on to intermediate and advanced training, more specialized coaches are in order. Early on.... it's just confuses the hell out of you because every one has a different style once they've been doing this for a while.
6. if you're older (like me), focus on one facet of MMA at a time i.e. BJJ for a month, MT for a month, wrestling for month, boxing for a month and then integrated classes. If you are starting as a kid -good for you- your brain will suck it all up as fast as they can give it to you in terms of the psychomotor skills and it's desirable to go straight into integrated MMA.
finally
7. Decide early on what your goal is. If it's predominately self defense then there are better choices than MMA like Senshido, ISC and Krav Maga. MMA is a sport and an absolutely fantastic one. Streetfighting is totally and completely different and needs special training for scenarios involving weapons, multiple attackers and hostile environments i.e. rolling around on a bar floor in beer, blood and broken glass. I'm doing a reality based self protection course now and it's the most fun I've ever had in over 35 years of doing martial arts. If it's fitness/cardio, any of the individual sports or MMA or RBSD would work-- whatever you enjoy. I found my cardio was tested the most in plain boxing for some reason.
If you think you're serious about the sport and are interested in competing then you'll need to talk to some of the local talent for further advice.
have fun and keep your hands up,
Lorne
Namelessone
14-01-2010, 11:16 PM
I train in BJJ and recently took 3rd place for super heavy weight masters.
I have also taken muay thai and judo but I'm more consistent with sticking to BJJ.
Started Shorin-Ryu in 1967, got as far as a 4th dan. Took up Tae-kwon-do for 12 years and boxing at the old Montreal boxing club for 9 years. Had three studios, trained some really good fighters.
Fought under PKA & WKA , won over 100 fights and lost around 30 - broke my nose twice...
Taught for free for over twenty years at local community centers until OA took over my life - then I hung up my belts for good. That's life.
guest
17-01-2010, 11:53 PM
Started Shorin-Ryu in 1967, got as far as a 4th dan. Took up Tae-kwon-do for 12 years and boxing at the old Montreal boxing club for 9 years. Had three studios, trained some really good fighters.
Fought under PKA & WKA , won over 100 fights and lost around 30 - broke my nose twice...
Taught for free for over twenty years at local community centers until OA took over my life - then I hung up my belts for good. That's life.
wow, that's a heap of accomplishments. good for you bro.
some random pics when I was a kid...
wow, that's a heap of accomplishments. good for you bro.
Thanks.
I recently started krav maga and am enjoying it....only bad thing is I am heaviest in my class by 50 lbs so its hard to get anyone on the ground with me.....I really need to work on striking as well so I am thinking about taking some MT......
Hulk I heard Cissus can help OA and maybe you can look into stuff like deca..
guest
21-01-2010, 02:52 PM
I recently started krav maga and am enjoying it....only bad thing is I am heaviest in my class by 50 lbs so its hard to get anyone on the ground with me.....I really need to work on striking as well so I am thinking about taking some MT......
where are you thinking? Island MMA or Peterecs?
I recently started krav maga and am enjoying it....
thats ****in badass man!! i wish there were classes offered where im at.
i was looking to do sambo for a while, but before i could sign up the guy went back to mother russia :(
GYMBRAT
21-01-2010, 04:39 PM
I'm seriously thinkin bout getting back into it, manly for exercise etc. I still do quite a fair bit of street brawling as well so maybe this would help me put a lid on the ladder ;) (street fighting)
.......did a fair stint of kick boxing when I was younger..
Namelessone
21-01-2010, 05:30 PM
I'm seriously thinkin bout getting into it, manly for exercise etc. I still do quite a fair bit of street brawling as well so maybe this would help me put a lid on the ladder ;)
.......did a fair stint of kick boxing when I was younger..
Street fighting is a totally different ball game... Often street fighters are lost as soon as they hit the mat because they are all standup... I love entering the ring with a street fighter or kick boxer that has little or no Jiu Jitsu training. They often tap out in seconds...
GYMBRAT
21-01-2010, 05:35 PM
NO SHIT!!!! I've KOed many of "MMA" fighter brutha, and it only takes 1 shot, trust me!!
......BUT you completely misunderstood my post anyways, I wasnt comparing the 2 by no means dipshit!
Namelessone
21-01-2010, 07:14 PM
NO SHIT!!!! I've KOed many of "MMA" fighter brutha, and it only takes 1 shot, trust me!!
......BUT you completely misunderstood my post anyways, I wasnt comparing the 2 by no means dipshit!
ROFL easy killer I wasn't knocking ya... Dont get your panties in a knot sparky... Its allllll good!
where are you thinking? Island MMA or Peterecs?
island mma trains at peterecs now but I will stay @ peterecs for sure...was thinking of going to zuma but i hear that stan puts on the best kickboxing classes on the island......where do you train?
thats ****in badass man!! i wish there were classes offered where im at.
i was looking to do sambo for a while, but before i could sign up the guy went back to mother russia :( id be down for some sambo as well but same situation here as no one to instruct around here.....
GYMBRAT
21-01-2010, 07:20 PM
ROFL easy killer I wasn't knocking ya... Dont get your panties in a knot sparky... Its allllll good!
I'd love to step in a ring with ya bud ;)
guest
21-01-2010, 07:24 PM
island mma trains at peterecs now but I will stay @ peterecs for sure...was thinking of going to zuma but i hear that stan puts on the best kickboxing classes on the island......where do you train?
oh right. ya, i would stick with Stan too.... i watch videos and train in my basement, mostly wax on, wax off.
guest
21-01-2010, 07:26 PM
I'd love to step in a ring with ya bud ;)
and i would love to see that fight. my friend may be promoting a show again soon on the island, any interest fellas?
GYMBRAT
21-01-2010, 07:27 PM
but i hear that stan puts on the best kickboxing classes on the island
trained with Stan yrs ago....
lunkhead
21-01-2010, 08:34 PM
http://www.personalprotectionsystems.ca/index.php/programs/integrated-street-combatives/
It's a tactical combat system and not a sport at all. I've been practicing various martial arts for past 35 years and this is the best experience I ever had and by far the most intense.
l
I train like its a sport and I am planning on going to the Olympic, I do not train to fight outside of the ring.
Namelessone
21-01-2010, 10:08 PM
I train like its a sport and I am planning on going to the Olympic, I do not train to fight outside of the ring.
Finally someone with a clue... lol
MMASTAR
21-01-2010, 10:17 PM
and i would love to see that fight. my friend may be promoting a show again soon on the island, any interest fellas?
which island are we talking about? i like to fight :)
guest
21-01-2010, 10:47 PM
which island are we talking about? i like to fight :)
vancouver...
Street fighting is a totally different ball game... Often street fighters are lost as soon as they hit the mat because they are all standup... I love entering the ring with a street fighter or kick boxer that has little or no Jiu Jitsu training. They often tap out in seconds...
Be careful what you wish for...where I'm from (Bronx,NY), street fighters are a whole different animal. Some fights ends up causing someone's life. This breed fights under a very different set of rules - no rules, all goes. I've witnessed a few fights and believe me when I say this - you really don't want to mess with these guys as they value life as a pack of gum. Not to say BJJ is inferior but a fighter who value life as nothing is probably the most dangerous fighter if not the most.
GYMBRAT
24-01-2010, 03:21 PM
which island are we talking about? i like to fight :)
Van Isl, cool close to hm, I'd love to. Let me know if its a go Banacek :)
GYMBRAT
24-01-2010, 03:22 PM
Be careful what you wish for...where I'm from (Bronx,NY), street fighters are a whole different animal. Some fights ends up causing someone's life. This breed fights under a very different set of rules - no rules, all goes. I've witnessed a few fights and believe me when I say this - you really don't want to mess with these guys as they value life as a pack of gum. Not to say BJJ is inferior but a fighter who value life as nothing is probably the most dangerous fighter if not the most.
thanks!! yup O RULZ ;)
guest
24-01-2010, 04:35 PM
Van Isl, cool close to hm, I'd love to. Let me know if its a go Banacek :)
cool bro, will do. it will most likely be late summer. thanks.
Hmm the hard sparring is starting to pay off. I find as long as I keep my chin tucked in between my shoulders, keep my hands up, and have proper head movement I am no longer getting bloody after sessions.
I am not really even having solid connections landed on me anymore. It really makes you take the deffensive drills more seriously when you know someone is going to be trying to take your head off lol.
There is this guy at my gym so obsess with arm bar, there is no way to spar with him if you don't keep your arms close to your body. Its great to train with people that know what they are doing.
There is this guy at my gym so obsess with arm bar, there is no way to spar with him if you don't keep your arms close to your body. Its great to train with people that know what they are doing.
I am just sticking to pure boxing and pure MT right now. I would move on to ground work, but the ground classes are right before the the standup classes, and I know the boxing coach would seek me out for boxing, or MT sparring right after a 2 hour class + the boxing workout, and no isnt a part of his vocabulary lol.
tricept
25-01-2010, 12:34 AM
k here is my point of view on MMA training i know MMA is mixed martial arts the key word being MIXED i have done alot of security work and see alot of guys who are mastered at one thing sometimes two here is my point if you a master at ground game then there is no real training on the boxing side so if you can get close enough to grab me and take me down cool but while you are trying to take a stand up fighter down your are going to get clipped hard i do have alittle training in the grappling part but the crazy thing is im better at the standing part of the fight im not trying to brag but there has been countless times were dudes were rushing at me and i clipped them either in the jaw line or the temple they went dont like a 200 lbs bag of sand so again my point is you can train all you want in the grappling but when your in a REAL fight there is no time to say hold on bro swing slower so i can grab your wrist and and break it i dont know thats just me
guest
25-01-2010, 01:40 AM
k here is my point of view on MMA training i know MMA is mixed martial arts the key word being MIXED i have done alot of security work and see alot of guys who are mastered at one thing sometimes two here is my point if you a master at ground game then there is no real training on the boxing side so if you can get close enough to grab me and take me down cool but while you are trying to take a stand up fighter down your are going to get clipped hard i do have alittle training in the grappling part but the crazy thing is im better at the standing part of the fight im not trying to brag but there has been countless times were dudes were rushing at me and i clipped them either in the jaw line or the temple they went dont like a 200 lbs bag of sand so again my point is you can train all you want in the grappling but when your in a REAL fight there is no time to say hold on bro swing slower so i can grab your wrist and and break it i dont know thats just me
grappling involving wrist locks is aikido steven segal bullshit, i dont have much respect for that shit either.
j_bro
29-01-2010, 02:20 PM
Every fight starts standing, ex/ Marquart vs Maia, Rampage said it best, people get caught in a submission, but no one says the got caught by an ass whoopin.
R-Money
01-02-2010, 04:52 AM
grappling involving wrist locks is aikido steven segal bullshit, i dont have much respect for that shit either.
how else are you suppose to beat 900 ninjas that killed your family
how else are you suppose to beat 900 ninjas that killed your family
Hire Chuck Norris.
GYMBRAT
01-02-2010, 12:36 PM
grappling involving wrist locks is aikido steven segal bullshit, i dont have much respect for that shit either.
I hear ya Bana! Steven Segal is a fat washed up "actor" that is trying a comeback as a reality tv cop! :D
no respect for aikido?! come on maaaaan......using your opponents energy against him is a great way to hurt someone!
I hear ya Bana! Steven Segal is a fat washed up "actor" that is trying a comeback as a reality tv cop! :D washed up?! the dude has made like 19 straight to dvd movies in the last 7 years and I know it sounds retarded but he makes 3-5 million per pic so it doesnt sound too washed up to me....smart maybe....and rich.....and perhaps fat....but he could still kick everyone i knows ass.....
GYMBRAT
01-02-2010, 03:50 PM
too each their own my friend, I still think he's a washed up in the acting sense of things that is. I agree with fact that he must be somewhat smart, I do know that I don't have that kinda cash thats fosho!
I just havent seen nor heard anything about him since his bigscreen days so it led me to believe he was all washed up ;) .I don't in way follow his "career"
revolution187
07-02-2010, 02:05 PM
just go in there and see if they will let u do drop in, the mma gym i went to insisted i sign up for at least 6 months, just do drop in and see if u like it. but to be honest if u want to get into mma i would do some greco roman wrestling and maybe some one on one boxing training. check the other guys out in the gym, ask questions, are they willing to answer or are they kinda snotty and dont wanna talk. ask the instructor what his credentials are, i made the mistake of joining the first gym i walkded into, but luckily these guys knew what they were doing. if i had to do it over again which i will i would want a solid base in basic greco roman and some boxing and then proceed into bjj or muay thai, depends on ur style some guys like to be strikers and short ****ers like me tend to get into the grappling aspect cause we rock at it
vakker
02-03-2010, 07:06 PM
Pretty good advice, you should actually try and see if you can pay MORE and just do one month or a week. Sometimes their attitudes just shift once they got your cash, they know you aint gonna be able to do anything
just go in there and see if they will let u do drop in, the mma gym i went to insisted i sign up for at least 6 months, just do drop in and see if u like it. but to be honest if u want to get into mma i would do some greco roman wrestling and maybe some one on one boxing training. check the other guys out in the gym, ask questions, are they willing to answer or are they kinda snotty and dont wanna talk. ask the instructor what his credentials are, i made the mistake of joining the first gym i walkded into, but luckily these guys knew what they were doing. if i had to do it over again which i will i would want a solid base in basic greco roman and some boxing and then proceed into bjj or muay thai, depends on ur style some guys like to be strikers and short ****ers like me tend to get into the grappling aspect cause we rock at it
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