is a combat sport in which two competitors attempt to achieve dominance over one another by utilizing a wide variety of permitted martial arts techniques, including striking and grappling.
Mixed martial arts was originally based around the concept of pitting different martial arts and fighting styles against each other in competition with minimal rules, in an attempt to determine which system would be more effective in a real combat situation. Modern MMA competition is an evolution of such events, but rules have been implemented to promote the sport, while at the same time maintaining as much of the original no-holds-barred concept as possible. There is however, no general sanctioning body for the sport, and the sets of rules vary according to organization.
The techniques utilized in MMA competition generally fall into two categories: striking techniques (such as kicks, knees and punches) and grappling techniques (such as clinch holds, pinning holds, submission holds, sweeps, takedowns and throws). Some unarmed hand-to-hand combat techniques are considered illegal in arguably all modern MMA competition, such as biting, eye-gouging, fish-hooking, and small joint manipulation. The legality of other techniques such as elbows, head butts, and spinal locks vary according to competition or organization. Victory is normally gained through a knockout, a submission, a stoppage by the referee, the fight doctor or a competitor's corner-person, or by a decision by the judges scoring the fight.
Today, mixed martial artists train in a variety of styles that have been proven effective, so that they can be effective in all the phases of combat. Although MMA fighters will try to play to their particular specialties, they will inevitably encounter all kinds of situations; a stand-up fighting specialist will probably get taken down at some point and a submission artist might need to fight standing-up for a while before he can complete a takedown. A mixed martial artist might train in a particular style to enhance his or her skills in the phase of combat that the style encompasses.
Typical styles, known for their effectiveness, that have been trained prior to the MMA career, and that are trained individually to enhance a particular phase of combat, are:
Stand-up: Kickboxing, Boxing, Karate, and Muay Thai are trained to improve footwork, elbowing, kicking, kneeing, and punching.
Clinch: Freestyle wrestling, Greco-Roman wrestling, and Judo are trained to improve clinching, takedowns and throws, while Muay Thai is trained to improve the striking aspect of the clinch.
Ground: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Catch Wrestling, Judo, and Sambo are trained to improve submission holds, and defense against them. Styles of Amateur wrestling are trained to improve positioning.
Many styles have to be adapted slightly for use in the sport. For example, several boxing stances are ineffective because they leave fighters vulnerable to leg kicks or takedowns. Similarly, judo techniques have to be adapted to an opponent not wearing a judogi. Commonly, modern day MMA fighters do not train in any particular style, but train in teams and with coaches specialized in MMA fighting. In addition to practicing the 3 general phases of combat, the fighters also train in striking on the ground, a combination of all 3; a concept that cannot be attributed to any particular traditional martial art or combat sport.
Conditioning, calisthenics, and strength training are also important aspects of a MMA fighters training. Mixed martial arts competition is very demanding physically, and the athletes need to be in top shape to be successful. The different styles of fighting favor different kind of training. For example, strength and power are often favored by ground fighters while stand-up artists generally favor speed over strength. All fighters aim to have plenty of stamina so that they can be effective for the entire duration of their matches.
At Myo-Fu An Dojo, we prepare the fighter in all aspects of Mixed Martial Arts. We can also guarantee our students that when they are ready, we will get them professional bouts, and support them at each and every fight with corner men, team support/entourage, coaching, and solid training before a match. Students are encouraged to go at their own pace. Fighting professionally is an individual’s option. Although we have several students who choose to fight professionally, we also have students that choose the training option only, or choose to wait a longer period of time before taking on their first match. Prior martial arts background is not necessary, but helpful. Endurance, self-motivation, and determination are required.
Meet the Owner and Head Instructor of Myo-Fu An
Leon Drucker has been studying Martial Arts since 1965. His 40 plus years of experience includes training in Takagi Yoshin Ryu Japanese Jujutsu, Budo Taijutsu, Judo, Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, and Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan. This broad background in a variety of Martial Arts combined with a critical eye toward the practical applications of Martial Arts techniques in real world situations ensure the students at Myo-Fu An Dojo something that many promise but cannot produce, high-quality training.
The techniques utilized in MMA competition generally fall into two categories: striking techniques (such as kicks, knees and punches) and grappling techniques (such as clinch holds, pinning holds, submission holds, sweeps, takedowns and throws). Some unarmed hand-to-hand combat techniques are considered illegal in arguably all modern MMA competition, such as biting, eye-gouging, fish-hooking, and small joint manipulation. The legality of other techniques such as elbows, head butts, and spinal locks vary according to competition or organization. Victory is normally gained through a knockout, a submission, a stoppage by the referee, the fight doctor or a competitor's corner-person, or by a decision by the judges scoring the fight.
Stand-up: Kickboxing, Boxing, Karate, and Muay Thai are trained to improve footwork, elbowing, kicking, kneeing, and punching.
At Myo-Fu An Dojo, we prepare the fighter in all aspects of Mixed Martial Arts. We can also guarantee our students that when they are ready, we will get them professional bouts, and support them at each and every fight with corner men, team support/entourage, coaching, and solid training before a match. Students are encouraged to go at their own pace. Fighting professionally is an individual’s option. Although we have several students who choose to fight professionally, we also have students that choose the training option only, or choose to wait a longer period of time before taking on their first match. Prior martial arts background is not necessary, but helpful. Endurance, self-motivation, and determination are required.
Leon Drucker has been studying Martial Arts since 1965. His 40 plus years of experience includes training in Takagi Yoshin Ryu Japanese Jujutsu, Budo Taijutsu, Judo, Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, and Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan. This broad background in a variety of Martial Arts combined with a critical eye toward the practical applications of Martial Arts techniques in real world situations ensure the students at Myo-Fu An Dojo something that many promise but cannot produce, high-quality training.
