Mixed martial arts, or MMA, is a growing sport in which competitors trained in several different types of martial arts engage in combat. The most well-known MMA promotion is the Ultimate Fighting Championship, or UFC, and features top-level fighters who fight at international venues. The average MMA fighter trains various types of martial arts and cross-training methods to ensure he is a well-rounded fighter.
Brazilian Jiujitsu
Brazilian jiujitsu, or BJJ, is one of the cornerstones of any MMA fighter's skill set. BJJ is most associated with the Gracie family of Brazil, from which legendary MMA fighter Royce Gracie comes. BJJ is a style of martial art based on fighting from your back, focusing on chokes and joint locks to submit an opponent larger than yourself. "BJJ is so important for someone to be a successful MMA fighter," said professional MMA fighter Shelby Young. "It can become the basis of your ground game and it's almost always part of the average MMA fighter's training regimen."
Boxing
While BJJ offers MMA fighters a way to be successful from the ground, boxing gives them a way to compete while standing up. The average MMA fighter will include traditional boxing in his training, and most MMA schools offer boxing programs to their fighters, according to the book, "Got Fight?," by professional UFC fighter Forrest Griffin. While the UFC and other MMA promotions does not allow traditional boxing gloves, smaller, more lightweight MMA gloves are allowed to protect fighters' hands while boxing during their fights.
Wrestling
Along with BJJ, most MMA fighters train wrestling and grappling as part of their training routine. "Wrestlers have a lot of crossover in MMA; some of the most successful UFC fighters were collegiate championship or Olympic wrestlers before competing in the UFC," said Young, who trains at Gracie Barra NH, an MMA and BJJ school in New Hampshire. "We train to grapple using leverage and body weight to submit or tapout the other guys. Wrestling is definitely a big part of the training for an MMA fighter."
Muay Thai
Muay Thai is a form of standup kickboxing that focuses on striking your opponent using your hands, feet, knees and elbows. MMA fights are partly judged based on striking; fighters earn points for effective striking, so Muay Thai is an integral part of the average training for MMA fighters. Muay Thai also uses different types of clinches to get your opponent in a position in which you become the more dominant striker.
References
- "Got Fight?" Forrest Griffin, Erich Krauss; 2009
- Shelby Young, MMA Fighter, Gracie Barra NH
Member Comments