Mixed Martial Arts
Special Operations Commando Shares Real Combat-proven Secrets That Makes WINNING a Fight as Natural and Automatic as Sneezing
This is a no-nonsense guide that has been used by none other than the MMA knockout artist Wanderlei Silva to win more than 2dozen fights.
I have a story for you. It’s a great story. More important, it’s a story about a handful of very simple but special skills that will hand you victory when violence strikes.
And it will strike. In this life, it is never always entirely up to you whether you find yourself in a fight or not.
The story started on a hot, sticky July night back in 1998…
My blue silk T-shirt was drenched in sweat. Trust me; the sweat was not entirely due to the heat.
When it all began, I was trembling with fright.
I knew deep in my bones I was about to get my ass kicked, and there was nothing I could do about it.
Even so; I puffed out my chest and clenched my jaw trying my best to look tough and confident for my 20-year old hotter than sunshine and sweeter than a cupcake girlfriend.
Cathy was a few months younger than me, but we were both twenty. That made me the man. Or, at least, I was supposed to be.
Obviously, I didn’t feel like the man and I had good reason not to.
As panicky as I was, my brain still had the resources to process the goose bumps spreading across my arms and even the back of my neck.
My heart was pounding heavier than the pistons of a jet-propulsion engine.
“Holy Crap! This guy is gonna beat the shit out of me…” I kept thinking.
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If you’re unsure where to begin, consider joining MMA for beginners. As a new hobby, it is one of the most rewarding and exciting things to do.
In this guide, we set you up on everything that you need to know before starting an MMA training.
WHAT IS MMA?
Whether you watch UFC fights or heard about the famous fighter "Conor McGregor" in the news or on your social media feed, it doesn't matter, we are here to tell you exactly what does Mixed Martial Arts (or MMA) stands for?
MMA is a fairly common word with an audience of 300+ million fans across the globe, it is one of the fastest-growing combat sport that involves striking, punching, and using various holds and throws to strike down a competitor to the floor.
In a Mixed Martial Arts for beginners class, techniques of attack and defense are taught, including a variety of punches, kicks, chokes, takedowns, and joint-locks to help gain control over the opponent.
This game of thrill and sport continues until one of the contenders is knocked-out, submits, or is declared over by the referee.
Of course, she was going to dump me after I got beat up. No girl sticks with a guy, who can’t defend her in a fair fight.
No man should ever find himself in this position. There is scarcely anything worse in life, except fear.
Fear Is Your Worst Enemy In A Fight!
Now, the lights of this guy’s pick-up truck were shining in my eyes from behind him…
It made the dude seem larger than life, like a thug straight out of an out-of-town detention centre.
It goes without saying that these thugs often hone their skills in prison. No one leaves prison in one piece without learning how to fight.
Cathy confirmed my worst fears, when I shielded my eyes from the blinding lights. She squeaked in a terrified voice;
“Shit! He’s gonna kill you, John! I’m calling the cops. Do NOT go out there. Promise me!”
So I cowered there, peeping out through the cheap blinds while we waited for the cops.
All the while, I was wishing I could stand up to the punk. At the same time, I was still well-grounded in reality. If I dared step out, I would have my ass handed to me.
I had not lost one hair on my head nor shed a single drop of blood, hiding behind the safety of brick walls.
Yet, for all intends and purposes, this punk had basically cut off my balls and stripped me of every ounce of manhood…
Now, let’s just say what happened next changed the course of my life…
And I’ll tell you how the story ends in a minute; however, I can tell you this right now.
After that night; I Knew I Could ONLY Do One of Three Things…
1)
I could accept the shame of being helpless and pretend it didn’t bother me. I could persuade myself that it is better to be safe than to be sorry.
I could bow down to bullies and hope they would leave me in peace… I could live with the fear of knowing I was useless in a fight… And I could accept the shame that my loved ones had no protection from violent attackers…
2)
I could get mad and bitter. I could deflect and shift all the blame on Catherine. All I had to do was rage and vituperate how her ex was a total dick... a prime time bully.
I could whine about how unfair life is and how I am just an innocent victim. And just so, we are clear; I hadn’t done a damn thing to this punk.
3)
Or I could make the choice I did… I could learn to fight!
The choice to discover the TRUTH about what it takes to dominate a fight… and how to never be scared when faced with a bully.
Never again will I be at the mercy of a violent attacker.
I made the choice to be a man. A man is a person, who protects and provides. By learning a profession, men acquire the ability to provide.
However, these days, men are neither required to conscript in the army nor acquire any other form of martial skills.
I had to remedy that situation. So, I made the choice to wake up every morning knowing I can face whatever dangers lurk out there on the streets and that I can protect the people I love…
I vowed to never again be that scared kid. I never wanted to feel that terror again — the Jell-O legs that would barely hold me up.
Never again will I find myself shivering with fright to the point that I could barely hold in my bowels. Never again will I have to look down in shame, avoiding eye-contact with Catherine.
From that day forward, learning to fight became the quintessential driving force of my life.
For years I spent every free hour in any dojo, Karate or Kung Fu studio I could find.
I became a total badass on the training floor.
And guess what. I learned the hard way… All My Fancy Martial Arts Techniques Were A Waste Of Time!
Yes… you heard that right…
You see: After years of chasing down every “secret” fight technique I could get my hands on, I decided it was time to REALLY test my skills…
I know it sounds crazy but… I actually forced myself to get into over 300 fights, keeping folks safe in the deadliest and most dangerous bar in my hometown, which I’ll tell you about in a minute…
Furthermore, I joined the rangers, once I graduated from college. I had the privilege of serving with some of the most elite military units in the world. I volunteered for EVERY job that I thought would put me in harm’s way…
And I discovered a sad truth. I had taken the long road to learning how to fight. And most of the stuff that worked in the dojo was a total flop — or downright dangerous — against real violence.
I spent years learning stuff that didn’t work. And in the end discovered that there are really only a handful of simple — almost instinctive — fight techniques you need to know to defeat any opponent…
This is why I’m sharing this story with you.
I don’t want you to waste all that time, money and effort like I did. It could get worse. You could find yourself beaten to a pulp and left half-dead on the streets.
I don’t want you to fail to learn the skills that will keep you and those around you safe when the first punch is thrown… all because you thought it would take you years to learn to defend yourself.
The truth is I can teach you in just weeks to become a fully effective fighter in a real-life violent encounter.
I can show you how to keep your family and your friends safe from would-be attackers…
In fact: developing these techniques the way I show you will feel like you’re actually downloading them directly into your nerves and muscles in an incredibly short time!
Now you're probably thinking… "So if these techniques are so effective and so great, how come I've never heard about them?"
Look: let me be totally clear here…
These methods are deadly and they are designed to serve you when your safety and even your life are in danger…
I CANNOT teach you how to win an MMA fight against a professional, who knows what he is doing.
Do not start dreaming that you can step into the ring with a boxer…
These sports are regulated with strict rules. And you actually DO need to spend years and years mastering the subtle art that will bring you victory there.
HOW TO GET INTO MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
Choosing a form of martial art that aligns with your goals and needs can be overwhelming.
Many kinds of Mixed Martial Arts may leave you wondering whether to choose one over the next.
Obviously, the sport itself is not for the light-hearted.
There is a great amount of adrenalin rush and physical stamina, which pushes your limits.
To be able to select on a form, 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 COMPONENTS
There are three core components of MMA which lead you to master or excel at the sport.
Striking: involves attacking your opponent with any part of your body. Since MMA combines various arts, everything from punches to kicks to elbow strikes is acceptable.
Grappling: involves holding your opponent and trying to take him or her down. It requires less strength and more technique.
Submission: involves using body joint locks or chokes. These tactics get your opponent to submit and teach you how to free yourself from such positions.
WHY YOU SHOULD TRAIN MMA
Pick any MMA for beginners classes you like, and you will still get a few skills common to all.
On the one hand, you are vigorously training your body to handle extreme situations, and on the other hand, you are training your mind to think and act like it won’t in standard cases.
On the physical side, self-defense and fitness are reasons that should attract you to this popular sport. Simultaneously, you will see a drastic difference in your mental focus and confidence.
MMA BEGINNERS’ TIPS
Before beginning MMA for beginners training, you must consider these five aspects:
RESEARCH YOUR LOCATION
Look up the gyms that offer MMA, visit them, and assess them with the outcomes that you're looking at.
PREPARE YOURSELF
MMA isn't for someone who isn't used to physical activity, so you must have a keen interest or base in strength and conditioning before you venture into the sport.
GIVE YOURSELF TIME
Yes, we get it, you’re excited! But you have to form a routine by mixing MMA with cross-training along with a day allotted to recover.
SPARRING AT THE RIGHT TIME
Once you start learning MMA techniques, undertake some grappling-based sparring or technical sparring to put your training into practice.
KEEP FIGHTING
MMA isn't all fun. It requires determination, grit, and perseverance. The reward lies in not giving up.
MMA BENEFITS
There are several benefits to learning MMA that you may not know before you undertake training. It’s an outlet for you to release your frustration.
Rather than be violent in any other circumstance, fighting gives you the chance to challenge yourself with a competitive spirit physically.
It also allows little room for stress to creep in.
Consider also the fact that you will meet people from several backgrounds but all with the shared love to excel in MMA.
IS MIXED MARTIAL ARTS SAFE?
Mixed Martial Arts sports are combative. Along with the kind of freedom allowed in attacking your opponent, the level of injury tends to be high and can even be termed as dangerous at times.
Nevertheless, research suggests that Mixed Martial Arts is safer than boxing (where much of the strikes are directly aimed at the head) and is even one of the safest full-contact sports.
However, you must have a physically prepared body before venturing into it.
WHAT SHOULD YOU FOCUS ON?
The quality that makes MMA so popular can also be something that confuses beginners – deciding what to focus on.
The right approach would be to master the components by learning various art forms associated with them rather than learning entire disciplines.
For example, a combination of Muay Thai for striking, Judo for clinching, and Jiu-Jitsu for ground fighting.
MARTIAL ARTS VS. SELF-DEFENSE
Self-defense could be one of the reasons you took up MMA in the first place, but they aren’t synonymous.
Self-defense is inclined towards teaching individuals to fend off common dangers, while Mixed Martial Arts is a competitive sport.
The other differentiating factor is that while self-defense doesn’t necessarily give your body a workout, Mixed Martial Arts also provides you fitness.
THE ABCS OF MIXED MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING
Before you start, you must learn the basics of MMA training – endurance, grappling and striking.
Your body must build a high endurance level to survive even a few minutes of Mixed Martial Arts.
You can't call yourself a strong Mixed Martial Arts fighter unless you understand the nuances of grappling. With striking, you must also master speed, force, and flexibility for the highest impact.
WHAT GEAR DO YOU NEED TO START MIXED MARTIAL ARTS?
MMA being a combat sport, will require specialized gear to protect from injuries.
Your equipment will depend on the kind of form you pick. Here is a list of items you may need:
- Boxing Gloves
- Shin Guards
- Head Guard
- Mouth Guard
- MMA Gloves
- MMA Shorts
- Compression Rash Guards
- Groin Guard
Read: Essential MMA Gear for beginners
HOW TO FIND A GYM TO TRAIN MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
Picking the right gym is probably one of the most crucial aspects of MMA training, and you must get it right.
First, decide whether you want a specialized gym or one that offers a variety of disciplines. Beware of gyms that are just looking to cash in on the Mixed Martial Arts craze.
Visit your neighborhood gyms and do background checks of the trainers’ careers. Find out their track record.
Check how many classes the gym offers in a day. Also, you may take a complimentary session and talk to other students about their experience.
HOW MUCH DOES MIXED MARTIAL ARTS TRAINING COST?
Estimating the cost of MMA training depends on factors such as your area, the number of times you plan to train, etc.
Just the gym membership could cost anywhere from $70 to $220 a month. You also have to factor in additional costs for gear and food supplements.
CAN I LEARN MARTIAL MIX ARTS WITHOUT EQUIPMENT?
There could be many reasons why you can’t attend a gym to learn Mixed Martial Arts.
In such cases, there is the option of practicing at home by watching credible YouTube videos or online programs.
However, the downside is that you won’t have anyone to correct you if you’re going wrong, and you can only learn grappling with a dummy rather than with a real opponent.
If you still want to learn at home, there are four principles to cover. The first is shadowboxing. The second is to get a heavy bag to practice striking and kicking.
The third is to work on your conditioning, which is essential for every MMA fighter. The last is to videotape yourself and analyze your moves.
HOW MUCH TIME DO I HAVE TO INVEST IN LEARNING MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
The time you need to learn MMA will depend on the amount of experience you have had in the past.
If you’ve already trained in some martial art, you will be able to learn in two to three years. If you haven’t received any experience, you shouldn’t expect anything less than five years.
WHAT IS THE BEST AGE TO START MMA TRAINING
The myth is that Mixed Martial Arts is only for adults. However, there is no age limit to someone who wants to improve their fitness or wishes to learn a combat sport.
You could be 18 or 40, and you could still be the best MMA fighter in your area.
One of the advantages of starting Mixed Martial Arts at the age of 15 to 17 is that your body is almost developed by then, and you have time to get into some amateur fights before full collisions.
NUTRITION TIPS FOR MIXED MARTIAL ARTS FIGHTERS
Once you’re training in Mixed Martial Arts, you have to watch what you’re eating carefully.
Before a fight or workout, you need to ensure you are stocked up on essentials like carbohydrates and fluids that are rich in nitrates.
There must be a gap of four hours between mealtime and the session.
Half an hour after the fight, you need to ensure your body gains what it lost. Finally, complete your nutrition with proteins during supper.
Don’t forget to include the right supplements, as suggested by your trainer. Your discipline in eating will also ensure your future!
Now that you’ve covered the groundwork, you’re all set to begin your Mixed Martial Arts for beginners' training.
Make sure to keep our suggestions in mind!