Good evening. Have any questions regarding MMA?

Good evening eastsideboxing forum members,

I'd like to start off by introducing myself. My name, as you can clearly see, if James. I've been practicing some form of martial arts since I was 4 years old (18 years total).

I've practiced Tae Kwon Do (Which I hold a black belt), Muay Thai, Boxing, Wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

I've become increasingly upset about the animosity between traditional boxing fans (not all, mind you) and some fans of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). I find this to be ridiculous and based off pure ignorance to both sports (Ignorance of boxing as a sport and Mixed Martial Arts as a sport). Some of you (though, most likely, not all of you) may yourself have some question regarding MMA and what it is, it's foundations, techniques, and whatnot. I'd like to take the opportunity to answer any of those questions you may have as throughly as possible.

This is merely intended to generate interesting conversation and possible debate. (Respectful. If you're clearly sarcastic or spiteful/hateful in your posts, I will ignore you (not that you'd care, I'm sure))

So, I invite you to ask any questions you may have regarding MMA as a sport and I'd be more then happy to answer. And if I'm unable to I'll simply tell you that I don't know the answer.

Thank you.

- James

 

Understandable. The ground fighting and it's techniques are, by far, the most difficult to understand. It's exceptionally sophisticated and very difficult to understand to someone who is not trained in ground fighting and control so most people don't know exactly what it is they're looking at. But it is immensely complex. It's a mixture of wrestling (not professional, but what is referred to as "amateur" wrestling which is practiced typically in High Schools and Colleges/Universities and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Which is very sophisticated and so effective that it is mandatory training for U.S. Army Rangers, Navy S.E.A.L.S, Special Forces, F.B.I Agents, etc....)

And I'd also like to say that I have tremendous respect for boxers. They're combative athletes as well and I can fully understand and respect the hardships and turmoil that they have to endure in training. Most are great athletes in their own right. This post and my presence here is not intended, in any way, to show disrespect to this forum and the sport of boxing.

 

Interesting characterization of your class mates. Probably accurate, and hopefully not a generalization of MMA fans.

There is a very big difference between fighting in a ring as opposed to a caged area (beit an Octagon as you'd see in the UFC or a circular cage you'd see in most other organizations).

Boxing ring - Many MMA organizations use a boxing ring in which to hold their fights. The ropes in a ring are more conducive to striking based fighting and can be used effectively to prevent being taken to the ground. Also, in a ring, you have 4 distinct angles (90 degrees each) in which to trap an opponent into a corner where you can greater utilize certain techniques.

Cage (Octagon) - Used in higher level MMA organizations has key differences then a traditional boxing ring. If you've read the above, you'll pretty much know that I'm going to point out the lack of a "corner" in which to trap an opponent. So, working the angles and cutting off a fighter is a bit different and has different consequences. Also, there isn't anything in which to grab to support oneself against a takedown. Also, as has been stated in this thread, the cage is like size to a boxing ring in legitimate organizations. There is plenty room to work techniques from every fighting style. Just a different platform, in a sense.

 

I hope too. As a student of boxing and its techniques I hope to learn some things here, at the very least. Albeit I don't have all the time to devote strictly to boxing, it is very important to my training as a complete Mixed Martial Artist.

And thank you, sir.

 

Well, that's more of a technique question. And one based off of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which is fighting on the ground.

Despite being heavily outweight and possibly physically weaker, one can use technique and body positioning to overcome size and in turn to manipulate your opponent/attacker on the ground.

And, one thing you should never do is to give your back to someone. This offers them greater control over your body and exposes some vulnurable points to his attack.

Also, this is very heavily situationally dependant. I'll state now that I'm not a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, though I have been practicing BJJ (no-gi) for roughly 4 years. So, assuming that I'm turtled up and facing down and he is directly on top of me I would try one of two things.

1.) I would try and turn my body (which should be possible depending on the weight disparity) to the outside so my outside leg is facing out and my head is facing my attackers body. From there, I can quickly maneuver and manipulate his weight (assuming he knows little to nothing about ground fighting but is an atypical attacker) so that I can quite simply pop out from underneath him and assume a greater position on top of him or to a standing position.

2.) I would start as I did in example 1 and simply pull to what is called a "Full Guard" which is meant to be a very defensive position from which one can mount a successful offense. By wrapping your legs around your attackers waist you can limit his movement and thus limit his attacks and positioning. You're also controling his body to a degree and if you're sufficiently knowledgable you can easily garner control over a limb and end the conflict fairly quickly.

I hope that, at the very least, somewhat answers your question.