Understanding MMA

So you have either seen a local MMA show or you saw it on MMA television, And you want to do what they do. The following is a list of basic things you will need to get your self started on your way. ( Some are monetary, Some are not)

*This is not the end all be all !

These are just things that I have observed or experienced, figured out along my journey into MMA,*

The First-

The most important thing is what do you want to do in MMA?

Do you or are you

A) Wanna Fight

B) Learn to Fight

C) Interested in Learning MMA

Definitions of A,B,C

A) Wanna Fight- Is someone who just wants to get into a ring or cage and beat someone up, don’t want training. On the first day or the day they walk in to the gym want to go into the cage and beat someone down.

B) Learn to Fight- Is someone who either has an athletic or martial arts background, sometimes not. They want to take the time and the money to learn it right and well so that they can use it in when they enter the cage/ring.

C) Interested in MMA - Is someone who probably doesn’t have a strong athletic background, They probably saw it on television and thought it would be something fun to try or it would be good fun way to workout.

Let me break this down in a different way.

Starting out Training Ending

A $ 0 M $$$$

B $$-$$$ $$$ No

C $$-$$$ $$ Poss

If you’re an A you will not care what gym you go to probably the cheapest as long as you get to fight. But in the end you will care with all the medical issues that will come up. Guess what if you go with a gym that will let you fight straight out of the gate. You can bet there is little to no security blanket/insurance to keep you safe. That means that you foot the bill. Good Luck with that!!

If you are a B you are defiantly going to do your homework and find a good quality gym that is going to look after you as a person and as fighter. You are also more than likely going to do your home work when looking for gear and such. So the start up costs may be a little more but you want to do this for a long time so you are already willing to pay it.

If you’re a C, you are going to look for a good gym and your going to get gear that works for you, nothing special about either. As long it fits into your schedule it works for you. Something may happen to C’s they may find they hate it and stop or they may fall in love with it. In the latter case they may want to improve on both the gym and gear.

I am a letter C, if anyone wants to know

What ever letter you choose to be, you have essential chosen your level DEDICATION to the sport, There is only one bad choice here, A quickie to the cage will bring A quickie trip to the hospital

The Second-

A place to train.

Here is a list that all legit MMA Gyms should have no problem providing you with.

1) Are people willing to answer questions

2) Does it look reputable

3) Price

4) Be sure to inquire about the MMA credentials of the instructors

5) Read contract before you sign it

6) Ask if Pro fighters train at the gym

7) Observe the demeanor of the student body

8) Take advantage of any trial offers and then trust your gut instinct

They come from Sam Caplan’s September 2008 article in Fight Magazine

Don’t be afraid to check credentials of your trainers, if you have a problem finding the school they trained at or there supposed teacher. Then do you really want them training you and looking out for you if they possible don’t know anymore then you.
If it smells FISHY, then it is more then likely it is a little more then FISHY.

Check Out MMA GYMS

The Third-

What to wear?

When you are starting out the most important piece of clothing is your shorts, (if you are truly serious, if training for exercise not so much)

The most common being the Board Shorts- They traditionally are baggier around the leg and commonly tie in the front, and fall just above the knee. They come in many colors and patterns

Prices: Most Range from 29.99 to 59.99,

The more expensive brands high $60 to low $70

Another kind is called Vale Tudo shorts. These shorts, well are short much shorter, most come just below the butt. But some come down to just above the knee. And these shorts are much tighter then the board shorts, MUCH tighter

Price Range from 29.99 to 49.99

* Warning please don’t try the Vale Tudo shorts, unless you are really comfortable in your body or you have a body like Georges St Pierre ( UFC Welterweight Champion) * Other wise it is not a pretty picture

* IMPORTANT* There is one kind of short that is specific to its sport. They are Muay Thai kick boxing shorts. They are specifically made for Muay Thai. If you see them in an MMA cage, Then who ever is wearing them, bet against them, and you should win, unless they are have a Mauy Thai match.

They are similar to boxing shorts, but have much more give in the leg

Let’s Review

1) Level of Dedication- Check and Double Check

2) A Good Gym and Instructors- Check

3) Clothing to Train in - Check