Mixed Martial Arts
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
Mixed Martial Arts
MMA training takes BJJ and mixes in takedowns and throws, punches, kicks, knees, and elbows. This is UFC style fighting. Both fighters start on their feet and can strike as they wish, or attempt a takedown or throw to take the fight to the ground. Once on the ground, strikes are allowed as well as submission holds.
Punching Punches are the most effective form of striking in current MMA competitions. The majority of knock out victories are the result of punches, and punches are effective at setting up entry into clinches and takedowns that take the fight to the ground. Mastery of basic punching skills is crucial to any BJJ fighter.
We train punching similar to boxers. We fight out of a conventional western boxing or kickboxing stance. We concentrate on the basic punches – jab, cross, hook, uppercut. We hit the focus pads and run other drills to improve our punching, blocking, evading, and movement. We also pair up and spar to utilize our skills against a moving opponent that is punching back!
Kicking We train the basic kicks seen in MMA competition. We focus on the roundhouse or shin kick. This has proven to be by far the most effective kick in MMA competition. The fighter utilizes his hip and leg weight to smash his shin (not his foot) into his opponent’s leg, ribs, or head.
We train kicks by hitting power bags as well as pads held by instructors and other students. We also work kicks into our sparring, utilizing great control.
Knees and Elbows Knees and elbows are key components of Muay Thai kickboxing and have become integral to MMA. Knees and elbows generate tremendous knockout power while minimizing the risk of injury to the one throwing them.
We drill knees and elbows utilizing pads in a variety of drills. Knees and elbows are also worked into sparring sessions with great control.
Takedowns Takedowns are an essential part of the MMA game. You need solid takedowns to get a striker off of his feet, and you need to defend takedowns to avoid being taken down into a poor position.
We train the basic wrestling and BJJ takedowns. Single legs, double legs, hip throws, etc. We also train takedown defenses such as the sprawl, crossface, etc.
Ground Fighting, No Gi Grappling with strikes. Once on the ground, striking is permitted as well as submissions. From a grappling standpoint, this is basically BJJ without the Gi. All the BJJ fundamentals apply, you just need to adjust to the fact that you lose some of your “handles” once the gi is off. No Gi grappling is faster paced and more slippery than Gi Grappling.
Our more advanced students train MMA ground fighting with the light MMA gloves with very controlled striking.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007, bob