New to MMA

[sportsnh]

Hey Guys,

Just turned 22 and am looking to get into this sport. Not looking to compete much in tournaments but is it too late for me to join seeing as I have no previous martial arts experience?

The MMA gym said that I wouldn't have a problem but I'm afraid they are just saying that to take my money?

Advice/feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[Rodja]

If you're not seeking to compete, then why do you have any hesitation?

 

[sportsnh]

I'm seeking to compete in local amateur fights but nothing major

 

[Rodja]

22 isn't too old. Go watch a few amateur events and you'll see the level of "skill" that most of them have.

 

[sportsnh]

Thanks for your advice---idk I was just nervous bout getting into it so late seeing as typically you hear about people growing up doing martial arts...the same way people grow up playing hockey or football etc

 

[Sarge911]

Not even close to being to old , with the training methods and coaches out there today you should be able to be ready pretty quick depending on how hard you work and how much dedication you put into it.

 

[JesstheIbex]

Def not old. Heck many pro fighters UFC and Strikeforce fighters started fighting in early 20s. You haven't even reached ur prime.

If you want to fight MMA but have hesitation about fights... Then don't do fights. Can always just spar. Or check out pankration. No hits to head

 

[MuscleGauge1]

Why are you joining a sport and not competing? I'm confused you just want to train like a fighter and not fight? Don't you think that would be disappointing?

 

[Rodja]

Why are you joining a sport and not competing? I'm confused you just want to train like a fighter and not fight? Don't you think that would be disappointing?

Not a lot of people have the time to devote to training 20-30 hours a week for a fight.

 

[JesstheIbex]

I agree. Plus it's a great workout. Relieves stress. And just the overall MMA community is pretty awesome. Plus some people can't risk potential injuries with their chosen profession.

 

[0ptimumfit]

Studying any martial art is its own reward.
Nothing says you have to compete at any point, but just having the knowledge itself is worth the time invested.

 

[bomcgraw]

Hey Guys,

Just turned 22 and am looking to get into this sport. Not looking to compete much in tournaments but is it too late for me to join seeing as I have no previous martial arts experience?

The MMA gym said that I wouldn't have a problem but I'm afraid they are just saying that to take my money?

Advice/feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Randy "The Natural" Couture didn't start MMA until he was 35. When I was 19 I was in the cage with a 45 year old at an ammy event. If you wanna fight, then fight. You're not as old as you think you are.

 

[MuscleGauge1]

I would suggest joining a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu studio. Great for ground fighting

 

[GMG760]

It really depends how serious you want to be. I you wanna learn a watered down version of everything, join an mma gym. If you wanna learn to fight your better off training your stand up at a pure/traditional Muay Thai gym and your ground at a bjj gym. Training the different stuff at the same gym gets things watered down. You can't focus enough of your time and energy on what you'll need. Learn Muay Thai first IMO.

 

[Rodja]

It really depends how serious you want to be. I you wanna learn a watered down version of everything, join an mma gym. If you wanna learn to fight your better off training your stand up at a pure/traditional Muay Thai gym and your ground at a bjj gym. Training the different stuff at the same gym gets things watered down. You can't focus enough of your time and energy on what you'll need. Learn Muay Thai first IMO.

This may have been true 10 years ago, but not anymore. The money is with the MMA gyms now and it's common to find a gym with multiple instructors for each of the separate arts.

 

[southpaw23]

If your goal was to go pro, then I'd say that having an amateur background would be of vital importance. I'm using boxing as a point of reference. Not sure if MMA would necessitate the same type of amateur experience.

 

[mmats]

sure

 

[Rodja]

If your goal was to go pro, then I'd say that having an amateur background would be of vital importance. I'm using boxing as a point of reference. Not sure if MMA would necessitate the same type of amateur experience.

It depends on what you define as a background. It's not uncommon for dudes with 10-15 years of grappling experience to have 1-2 ammy fights and then go into the professional ranks.

 

[GMG760]

This may have been true 10 years ago, but not anymore. The money is with the MMA gyms now and it's common to find a gym with multiple instructors for each of the separate arts.

Agree to disagree. I watch guys who train at mma gyms enter Muay Thai boxing matches around here (San Diego) and a lot of them get eaten up by the traditional Muay Thai guys. It's like asking who's a better striker, gsp or buakaw por pramuk. In the octagon gsp would ruin buakaw, but only because of the ground game. If gsp tried to kickbox with buakaw, he'd be demolished. I think that training one martial art per gym is best when starting out. 10 years down the line? Sure mix it all up.

 

[Rodja]

Agree to disagree. I watch guys who train at mma gyms enter Muay Thai boxing matches around here (San Diego) and a lot of them get eaten up by the traditional Muay Thai guys. It's like asking who's a better striker, gsp or buakaw por pramuk. In the octagon gsp would ruin buakaw, but only because of the ground game. If gsp tried to kickbox with buakaw, he'd be demolished. I think that training one martial art per gym is best when starting out. 10 years down the line? Sure mix it all up.

That's a separate issue altogether. Obviously, the specialist will win in their environment, but that's not MMA. The style of training that you recommend is very common in Japan and they get eaten alive in North America because they do not implement correctly. Thai boxing is great, but there are certain elements that will not work in a cage.

 

[bomcgraw]

That's a separate issue altogether. Obviously, the specialist will win in their environment, but that's not MMA. The style of training that you recommend is very common in Japan and they get eaten alive in North America because they do not implement correctly. Thai boxing is great, but there are certain elements that will not work in a cage.

^^this^^ just because a person learns judo and muy tai doesn't mean they know how to use them together. When starting out, learn the basics of everything from one gym so you know how to transition from one to the next. Training at multiple gyms is expensive and time consuming, not what the average ammy fighter is able to put into it. Go to sherdog.net for some good advice. In the fighter's forum there are a couple threads for beginners with helpful info. Just don't trust a con man like I did when I started out.