MMA Training
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MMA Training
MMA training is increasingly popular with those interested in variation and new ideas as competitors in a particular martial arts system, gaining wider experience of other martial arts or learning more about the hybrid fighting system and combat sport now known as Mixed Martial Arts. Preparing for any martial art is tough, but MMA training can be particularly gruelling as a wide variety of movements and exercises must be executed, combat phases prepared for and skills learned.
The sport allows for striking, grappling and ground fighting, MMA training must prepare the fighter to be competent in the relevant combat phases, standing and striking, the knock down or take down, followed by a ground fighting phase. Each of these phases favours different skills and fighting systems and so the fighter’s MMA training may include practice in standing and striking
 systems like karate, kick boxing or muay Thai, wrestling styles like freestyle, judo or Brazilian jiu jitsu, and ground fighting techniques like locks, chokes and ‘ground and pound’ taken from these and many other fighting systems. MMA training and fighting styles are influenced of course by the martial arts background the fighters have come from, but increasingly also by the proven systems or styles of the champions of the day and the methods these champions employ. Interestingly, many of the top competitors now fight not according to a style, but a ‘no style’ method that reacts to the situation and adapts to the opposition. It takes a good all-rounder, someone whose MMA training has focused on all aspects of the fight game, to be able to accomplish this. As mixed martial arts evolved into a legitimate sport, MMA training concentrates more and more on
 acquiring new skills and techniques, but also on producing world-class athletes. It takes high levels of both skill and fitness to compete. Martial artists have traditionally spent many hours practising their art, sparring, rolling or in randori, to build appropriate strength and fitness at the same time as perfecting their skills. MMA training must add to the traditional fitness routes of weights and circuits, punch bag and road running by focussing on key areas in the combat phases. Throws and stand-up grappling require great core strength and many top fighters are now including kettlebell workouts, doing compound exercises that put additional stresses on the body that most gym sets don’t allow. Also, as fighters have become more aware of the importance of ground fighting, MMA training schedules now often include yoga and pilates whose benefits include greater flexibility and agility, and thus improvement when manoeuvring to secure or escape a hold. For our recommended armlock encyclopaedia click here
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