MMA Training 101 for Newcomers
MMA – mixed martial arts – is a sport that has consistently grown in popularity over the past couple of decades. In fact, nearly half of the viewing audience for MMA fights is between the ages of 18 and 35, and those people are talking with other enthusiasts, making MMA the third most popular sport discussed on social media, right behind soccer and basketball.
Many people are interested in getting into MMA as a hobby, a sport, and as an income source. However, just as importantly, more people are doing MMA to improve themselves. MMA can help with improved self-discipline, increased confidence, improved functional strength, and when using it as a workout, it can allow you to burn calories at a very high rate – as many as 600 in a 45-minute time span.
What is MMA Fighting?
MMA is a mix of different martial arts styles. Martial arts have been around since the ancient Olympic games, but it is now growing in popularity. Like similar sports in ancient Olympics, present-day MMA takes place in an octagon or cage, which is between 20 and 32 square feet.
An MMA fight consists of “rounds,” but the number of rounds can vary. According to the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, each round should be five minutes in length with a one-minute rest period between rounds. A bout can consist of anywhere between one and five rounds, and no fight can exceed five rounds (25 minutes total).
Several fighting styles are used by MMA fighters in their bouts. The combatants may use skills from boxing, jiu-jitsu, judo, karate, kickboxing, kung fu, taekwondo, and even wrestling. The combatants in an MMA match use punches, kicks, chokes, throws, and takedowns to achieve victory.
There are many ways that a fight can end and a winner declared. If a fight goes to the end of the scheduled rounds, the decision of a winner is made by the judges. A winner may also be declared by knockout if his opponent loses consciousness during the fight. Sometimes, one fighter will engage in a submission hold, and his opponent “taps out,” which is a sign of giving up; in the case of such a submission, the referee stops the fight.
How to Get Into MMA?
Choosing a form of martial art that goes with your goals and skills can be overwhelming. There are many kinds of MMA and they may leave you wondering whether to choose one or the next. Obviously, none of martial arts is for the light-hearted or those who aren’t looking for an adrenaline rush.
Martial Arts is designed to push your limits and it’s typically great for developing physical stamina. To be able to select which form of martial arts is right for you, you need to consider the three core areas that make up all of Mixed Martial Arts fighting.
One form involves stand-up fighting where you fight with your hands, feet, elbows, and knees. Boxing, Muay Thai, Karate, and Taekwondo are examples of stand-up fighting. The second involves clinch techniques where opponents grapple one another to get leverage, such as in Judo and Jiu-Jitsu. The last and final is on the ground, which is commonly witnessed in wrestling. As a beginner, Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling could be your priority to learn as you begin to gain more strength and form.
MMA Training
When it comes to MMA training, there are three main components: striking, grappling, and submission. Let’s take a closer look at each of these and consider the training needed.- Striking
- Kicking
- Submission
Submission usually involves some sort of wrestling-style or jiu-jitsu-style holder that one combatant places on his or her opponent. Holds like the rear-naked choke, the guillotine choke, the armbar, and the triangle choke often result in submission, as the person to whom these are applied may begin to lose consciousness or be in such pain that they tap out. In MMA training classes, participants learn how to control their opponents on the ground and then encourage them to submit through choke holds, arm locks, and leg locks.
Tips for Beginning MMA Training
Want to know how to start MMA? Here are some awesome tips for you that will help you
# Do your Research
If you have any idea about MMA, only then can you understand the intensity of the hard work every fighter puts into each bout. Starting from improving their physical fitness, training consistently and non-stop, Checking out famous players and their moves, and finally doing a history check-up on their opponent's combat style, and drawing up a game plan. This is how you should prepare for your first training class.
Do your research on the training institutes in your area, Find out about the expertise of their coaches. This should help you select the one that best meets your needs and goals. However, if you are serious about pursuing MMA competitively, you need to choose a gym that has professional fighters enrolled in their gym.
# Prepare your Mind and Body
Once you’ve made up your mind and have chosen your gym, it's time for you to make sure you are ready for this physically as well as mentally.
We understand your urges. You want to learn? And you want to learn all quickly? However, MMA doesn’t have any overnight sensations. Mastering martial arts needs time. And it can take longer if you push yourself too hard and even end up getting injured.
Start getting into the right state of mind and mody by feeding your body what suits an MMA fighter and same goes for your mind. Set your fitness routine, figure out your diet and prepare your mind with patience, endurance and dedication.
# Know your Strengths and Weaknesses
Learning about your limitations and finding the right training routine for you will set you up for success in MMA. The best thing to do is to find a personal coach who can focus on training. A personal coach helps you by exploring your strengths and weaknesses. Sometiess, you may not even be aware of your own strengths and weak points. So this works wonders.
# Get your Gear
Like any other sport, MMA also requires top quality protective gear to practice MMA for beginners effectively and safely. The gear you might need depends on the discipline you choose. Here is a list of some basic equipment you need to get started:
- MMA Rash Guards
- MMA Gloves
- Shorts
- Shin guards
- Mouth guard
- Hand Wraps
- Headgear
- Mitts
- Cup or Groin Guard
- Knee/elbow pads
You may also need to invest in training bags and other sparring equipment as well. This part is very important. It’s a combat sport and you dont wanna jump in the ring bare handed. Find your protection; that should be your top priority. If you ignore your gear, you might as well be thrown out of the rings before a fight even starts!
# Get Sparring
As we have already mentioned, you don’t need to rush. Jumping into extreme full-body sparring in your early classes is like getting your butt kicked. This is very risky for both your safety and your motivation.
However, waiting too long to start sparring activities is also unfavorable for your game. Because learning new techniques in the heat of battle is among the core parts of MMA training.
If you are not sure about what you should do, talk to your coaches. An experienced coach will know when, where, and how to start pushing you in your training.
# Never Give Up
Although MMA is a rewarding and fun sport, it’s equally HARD. Fighting in a cage for 25 minutes is physically strenuous.
There will be days when you fail and want to quit. You might get frustrated in class and while sparring. You may lose. But remember, it’s all part of the process. Remember, you will learn more from losing than from winning.
Conclusion
MMA is amazing, with its thrill and drill but it can be a daunting task to get into MMA training for newbies. You may feel overwhelmed because it may seem like a lot to do. With proper guidance, dedication and some helpful tips in our blog, you can start your MMA training without feeling anxious or confused. Keep your mind and body fit, find your gear and choose a coach for training; you are almost there. Happy training!