Getting into MMA?

**S&S_ShovelHead** · 11-11-2012, 05:00 PM

I wanted to look into trying Muay Thai. Partly for something to do besides the gym for fun and Im trying to get into bouncing and I would definately like to be better equpied to defend myself when the time comes. Not looking to compete or anything, just learn.

Where would I go to start? Have 0 formal training in any fighting. Just go to a gym where they teach it and take a class or something or do 1 on 1 training? Whats the first step basically?

**austinite** · 11-11-2012, 05:04 PM

Good question. Hopefully t-dogg will chime in. He can talk MMA all day. I've actually looked into the training myself so I'm interested in any feedback as well.

**kmms** · 11-11-2012, 05:27 PM

if you are in a big city, chances are that you have more than one option. are you interested in mma or in bjj? it's something to consider because an intro to bjj class is much friendlier, easier to assimilate if you have no prior martial arts experience. if you go to an actual mma class, both you and the school need to be clear that it is for actual real beginners and not allow their douchebag sandbaggers steamroller you on the mat.

do you want to learn mma (boxing, muay thai, wrestling, grappling and bjj) or do you just want to learn bjj? since you haven't trained anywhere before you should go check out at least 1 class of each. i don't recommend you go to a bjj school to learn mma, but you can go to an mma class and learn bjj.

go to a bjj school if you are sure you want to learn bjj and be the next marcelo garcia. go to an mma school if you want to learn mma and have a basic understanding of each martial art.

**S&S_ShovelHead** · 11-11-2012, 06:06 PM

I think I'd be most interested in striking so I think the Muay Thai would be a good option? I live in a city and theres lots of places to go. But would I just pop in and ask for a begginers class or something?

**BR0DIE** · 11-11-2012, 06:21 PM

I'm interested in this too

**lstbred** · 11-11-2012, 06:25 PM

Try multiple gyms and styles. See what you like & go from there. Theres so many styles out there, dont get stuck in a McDojo, "we'll show everything you need to know" suuurre you will. Make sure the instructors are legit, you dont want a Kung Fu guy teaching you BJJ and Muay Thai.

**kmms** · 11-11-2012, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by S&S_ShovelHead

I think I'd be most interested in striking so I think the Muay Thai would be a good option? I live in a city and theres lots of places to go. But would I just pop in and ask for a begginers class or something?

muay thai is great, so is western boxing. lots of places to go, go and check them all out then, you'll find each of them different (attitudes/facilities) and its the best way to find the right fit for you. people like to shit on the sport of boxing lately, but the foot/headwork and crisp straight punching will pay dividends in the long run. wrestling is clearly no.1 imho but you really need to start young. mix up some bjj training with your muay thai/boxing and you're good to go.

**t-dogg** · 11-11-2012, 08:45 PM

Hands down Muay Thai and western boxing is best for self-defense and stand up fighting. Also they are great for cardio.

Most gyms will take you in and have you start in the basic classes.

**t-dogg** · 11-11-2012, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by S&S_ShovelHead

I think I'd be most interested in striking so I think the Muay Thai would be a good option? I live in a city and theres lots of places to go. But would I just pop in and ask for a begginers class or something?

Yes or you can call and setup a time to stop in.

**kmms** · 11-11-2012, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by t-dogg

Hands down Muay Thai and western boxing is best for self-defense and stand up fighting. Also they are great for cardio.

Most gyms will take you in and have you start in the basic classes.

track is best for self defense, imho

**Honkey_Kong** · 11-11-2012, 10:59 PM

^^^ Yes, the best way to defend yourself is to avoid the fight.

**gixxerboy1** · 11-12-2012, 02:04 AM

T-dogg is,correct. And most gyms will let you take 1 class for free. I would tyr a couple and see which place u like better. Also what schedules fit ur availability.
If ur doing it for bouncing forget bjj.

**t-dogg** · 11-12-2012, 10:24 AM

Alot of gyms now even offer 30 free days of training. Our schools also do this.

You just have to figure out what you like most grappling or striking or both. BJJ is great for self defense, and imo is the best art for once you hit the ground. But you need to know how to defend/attack from standing also.

**gixxerboy1** · 11-12-2012, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by t-dogg

Alot of gyms now even offer 30 free days of training. Our schools also do this.

You just have to figure out what you like most grappling or striking or both. BJJ is great for self defense, and imo is the best art for once you hit the ground. But you need to know how to defend/attack from standing also.

I agree with ur comment on bjj. But for bouncing i dont feel it would be as effective as the others. If you has to pick one

**S&S_ShovelHead** · 11-12-2012, 02:44 PM

Originally Posted by gixxerboy1

I agree with ur comment on bjj. But for bouncing i dont feel it would be as effective as the others. If you has to pick one

Yea, last place I would want to be in a brawl in on the ground waiting for someone to kick me in the head while Im trying to grapple them.

**gixxerboy1** · 11-12-2012, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by S&S_ShovelHead

Yea, last place I would want to be in a brawl in on the ground waiting for someone to kick me in the head while Im trying to grapple them.

I agree. a girl could end you on the ground. And if your bouncing your goal is to get them out of the club. Going to the ground is counter productive. And what are you going to do put them in a arm bar on the ground. Your going to have to let it go and them up to get them out so what does it accomplish? I've bounced for years and in some bad places. I can probably count on 1 hand how many times i actually punched someone. Usually its a choke hold, full nelson, arm behind their back to get them out.

my boy competes in bjj and does well. We got in a fight in a club one night years ago. He went with his instinks and took the guy to the ground. Ended up getting kicked by other people and got a broken nose and ribs.

**kmms** · 11-12-2012, 06:09 PM

bouncing is another area where wrestling rules. you absolutely do not want to be on the ground in a bar, for any reason. for other reasons, few punches are thrown.

you're not walking someone out of the bar with a muay thai plum but a good base in stand up clinch and they won't have any say in the matter. one of my trainers is a world champion folkstyle wrestler and he always dictates where the fight takes place, even against other wrestlers who are prepared for it. his ankle picks are insane.

on a related note though, he was choked out in japan by a squirmy japanese guy who took his back and sunk the RNC.

**t-dogg** · 11-12-2012, 08:01 PM

For bouncing id go with mauy thai and bjj. They go together very well. Close fighting, clinch work and already have closed the distance for bjj to take them down if need be.

Basic fundamentals are best/key. Closed fists, elbows, knees, and round kicks. The 8 basic striking points.

**t-dogg** · 11-12-2012, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by gixxerboy1

I agree with ur comment on bjj. But for bouncing i dont feel it would be as effective as the others. If you has to pick one

Agreed. I didnt see the bouncing part. I was just giving a basic self-defense/mma run down.

**Zodiac82** · 11-13-2012, 07:39 AM

Exactly what I was gonna say....my gym offers 30days free to try it it....any reputable place should give u some trial offer rather than forcing u to join without knowing it u like the classes as well as the instructors....
another thing u want to do is check out the credintials if the school....background of instructors....if they've fought....affiliate schools...etc. as someone stated u definately dont want a Kung Fu guy teaching mma.

but in your situation muay thai/boxing would be best....clinch work is brutal!!!

in anycase call a and set an appointment to come in and try out a couple classes.

**JAB1** · 11-14-2012, 12:24 PM

I agree muay thai and bjj would be best. They work hand in hand in real life scenarios. ANy respectable school will not allow you to start anywhere other than there beginner class, with a free trial. Look for a school with at least a couple black belt bjj instructors, and one that is active in naga, mma comps,etc. SInce mma blew up lots of wannabe schools are popping up, gotta weed out fakes.

**gixxerboy1** · 11-14-2012, 12:45 PM

Originally Posted by JAB1

I agree muay thai and bjj would be best. They work hand in hand in real life scenarios. ANy respectable school will not allow you to start anywhere other than there beginner class, with a free trial. Look for a school with at least a couple black belt bjj instructors, and one that is active in naga, mma comps,etc. SInce mma blew up lots of wannabe schools are popping up, gotta weed out fakes.

please explain to me how bjj would be good for his situation

**JAB1** · 11-14-2012, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by gixxerboy1

please explain to me how bjj would be good for his situation

Where should I start. It would be good because most fights go to the ground, or end up in a standing grappling struggle,especially when working as a bouncer. Most of the times you will be leveraging people to comply, or get out the door, not slugging it out. Even a few basic bjj classes will put you light years ahead of the average joe for protecting yourself on the ground(im not just talking wrestling but posture to get back to your feet while protecting your head from kciks, etc). As well as body posture and feet positioning to not get taken down. If you can cover your face to deal with a blow or too and have a decent bjj pedigree, you will be ok 90 percent of the time. I have trained bjj and muay thai for years and if I had to have only one to survive it would be bjj all the way. I cant force someone to stand and strike with me, but I can force them to clinch or go down, every time. Im not talking arm bars and chokes, im talking about bread and butter bjj basics that will blow your mind as to how effective they are with some training. Yes there is a dif from comp and survival bjj and that will be taught as well. Not sure exactly what you where asking but hope that helps.

**t-dogg** · 11-14-2012, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by gixxerboy1

please explain to me how bjj would be good for his situation

I said it complaints it well. In order for grappling to take place you have to close the distence. Now doing the work he does it changes things a bit. I in no way want the situation to go to the ground, and if it does bjj will help in defense and/or getting up correctly imo.

But again mauy thai and w. boxing for him and what he does imo.

P.S. I know this question wasnt for me but I wanted to make what I said clearer.

**gixxerboy1** · 11-14-2012, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by JAB1

Where should I start. It would be good because most fights go to the ground, or end up in a standing grappling struggle,especially when working as a bouncer. Most of the times you will be leveraging people to comply, or get out the door, not slugging it out. Even a few basic bjj classes will put you light years ahead of the average joe for protecting yourself on the ground(im not just talking wrestling but posture to get back to your feet while protecting your head from kciks, etc). As well as body posture and feet positioning to not get taken down. If you can cover your face to deal with a blow or too and have a decent bjj pedigree, you will be ok 90 percent of the time. I have trained bjj and muay thai for years and if I had to have only one to survive it would be bjj all the way. I cant force someone to stand and strike with me, but I can force them to clinch or go down, every time. Im not talking arm bars and chokes, im talking about bread and butter bjj basics that will blow your mind as to how effective they are with some training. Yes there is a dif from comp and survival bjj and that will be taught as well. Not sure exactly what you where asking but hope that helps.

I train/ fight also. And have bounced on and off for 10 years. I went to the ground once in a bar fight and that was because i was tackled. Bars are a complete different situation. Most times you dont even get physical. If you dont most times you are going it a situation when they are going at it with someone else. So a simple hold will work, They really arent squaring off against you. It has and does happen though.
Going to the ground should be avoided at all cost in a bar. First all the glass and everything else on the floor. There person i fought that night left in a an ambulance part of it was he was unconscious but he also had a huge gash from a bottle on the floor. If there is a fight in a club its not 1 person. So now your on the ground dealing with your guy. You have to worrry about the guy he was fighting. Any of his friends. Or even a girlfriend jumping on you on the ground or kicking you.

And again your goal is to get them out the door. Going to the ground is not working towards that goal. And thats has more of a chance to cause a bigger disturbance then the original one.

So again bjj can be helpful. But for his job it would not be my first or second pick.

Originally Posted by t-dogg

I said it complaints it well. In order for grappling to take place you have to close the distence. Now doing the work he does it changes things a bit. I in no way want the situation to go to the ground, and if it does bjj will help in defense and/or getting up correctly imo.

But again mauy thai and w. boxing for him and what he does imo.

P.S. I know this question wasnt for me but I wanted to make what I said clearer.

oh i agree it would help. Any trianing of any kind would help and the more well rounded the better. But if we are picking 1 thing for him to learn i wouldnt recommend it. And i know you didnt either. Seemed like the other poster was pushing that as what he should train in.

**JAB1** · 11-14-2012, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by gixxerboy1

I train/ fight also. And have bounced on and off for 10 years. I went to the ground once in a bar fight and that was because i was tackled. Bars are a complete different situation. Most times you dont even get physical. If you dont most times you are going it a situation when they are going at it with someone else. So a simple hold will work, They really arent squaring off against you. It has and does happen though.
Going to the ground should be avoided at all cost in a bar. First all the glass and everything else on the floor. There person i fought that night left in a an ambulance part of it was he was unconscious but he also had a huge gash from a bottle on the floor. If there is a fight in a club its not 1 person. So now your on the ground dealing with your guy. You have to worrry about the guy he was fighting. Any of his friends. Or even a girlfriend jumping on you on the ground or kicking you.

And again your goal is to get them out the door. Going to the ground is not working towards that goal. And thats has more of a chance to cause a bigger disturbance then the original one.

So again bjj can be helpful. But for his job it would not be my first or second pick.

oh i agree it would help. Any trianing of any kind would help and the more well rounded the better. But if we are picking 1 thing for him to learn i wouldnt recommend it. And i know you didnt either. Seemed like the other poster was pushing that as what he should train in.

Yeah great points man I agree with you. Wasnt sure what youre experiance was. I agree going to ground is last resort in any life situation, that is why I think bjj is so benificial becasue you can keep people from taking you down alot better with bjj or judo training. Funny thing is Im a much better striker than wrestler, but would rather have wrestling for real life if I had to choose one. My coach agreees, which is prob why i think that way to begin with. I guess when I say bjj I mean mostly standing clinch, take down defense, leverage, posture, etc. Not taking someone to the ground and doing bjj to submit them, lol.

**JJ78** · 11-14-2012, 02:33 PM

For Bouncing:

Hapkido

**red_hulk** · 11-14-2012, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by JJ78

For Bouncing:

Hapkido

Hapkido is a great art, but it isn't practical. Plus, as with many other arts, the only way to effectively apply it in the street is to master it otherwise you're going in the battle half-cocked. You want to study something that from the basic you can apply it in real life situations. Any type of grappling or ground work is unconventional as well cause it'll get your ass killed. Sure you got the guy wrapped up in a rear naked, but here comes his friend to step on your face.

Krav Maga, American combat karate, boxing, or judo are all great arts, even Thai boxing is good for conditioning but it's a sloppy style.

**red_hulk** · 11-14-2012, 02:43 PM

Also, if you could find a legit wing chun school, you'll be set to kick some serious ass once you learn some basics and conditioning. It was originally invented for women to use for self defense against Japanese, so it really focuses on form and technique rather than strength or just brute force.

**JJ78** · 11-15-2012, 01:53 PM

In a bouncing or bar situation, or any fight for that matter, you dont want to have to fight. You want to incapaciate(sp) the individual(s) as quickly as possible.

why throw a puch and break your hand? Put that MFer in a wrist lock and snap his forearm. Take his knee out. Last thing you want to do is start bouncing around punching and kicking.

Also you hit someone and knock them out, they fall and crack their skull on the bar and you put away for 5-15 for manslaughter. Break their arm, done deal.

**SMYL_GR8** · 11-15-2012, 02:42 PM

I train at American Top Team in Coconut Creek with lots of professional MMA fighters. If the OP is not going to compete then I would create a base in striking but do a little BJJ as it can be useful and is the best core work I have ever done. I just walked in one day and got a free 7 day membership and then joined. They are very good with beginners and give them lots of one-on-one time. Most gyms will do that so you don't get turned off and leave.