Mixed Martial Arts Training Thread (Not UFC etc...)

[Tony Angelino]

Inspired by the last few posts on the judo thread and some chat on the BJJ thread reference catch wrestling etc...... Away you go lads.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Tony Angelino]

Low level BJJ for me, due to various reasons (time, age, arthritis etc.) and love it – after doing Karate for a couple of years I’m now almost 2 years into BJJ and have just started with some MMA training. Have an excellent coach who’s a UFC referee and has very much been involved in the game since the start and has evolved with it. I have realised Karate isn’t for me and the use of a passive/compliant training partner can do more harm than good I realise the advantage of the grappling arts as you can train at just about full power/effort with much less chance of injury.

Did an interesting session on Wednesday about hand fighting leading to arm control/the clinch and then striking or takedown options from there. It was almost an hour of theory with little physical exertion but I felt like I had learned loads and really enjoyed it.

Regarding the type of people in MMA gyms, I can only speak for the 2 that I train at but other than the odd harmless oddball (in a geeky way more than anything), the lads and lasses who train are very decent indeed and spend their time helping others to improve rather than beating down on them. Iron sharpens iron and all that. I think once you train there you have their respect from the off and its up to you to keep it.

[Tony Angelino]

Due to lack of numbers at our club this week I did a boxing class, really enjoyed this although the class itself was more fitness based and coming on the back of a no gi grappling class it took its toll on a fat lad with asthma and arthritis

What I did realise is what Mike Tyson said is absolutely correct - 'everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face'. I'm by no means a boxer whatsoever but I have done a couple of years of karate semi contact point fighting and this seemed to stand me in brilliant stead whilst sparring in the class. This was after 50 mins or so training with a fella who was absolutely knocking the pony out of the focus mats with me holding them, I was amazed how many shots I landed on him whilst eating very, very few myself. My trouble was, the shots I were landing where just love taps with no power at all - I just couldn't hit hard whatsoever.

[Tony Angelino]

Felt it in my hands the day after even with gloves on, didn't wrap my hands though - I think spending 30 mins or so on youtube learning the basics of hand wrapping is needed.

[Tony Angelino]

Kneedragger95 said:

I've never felt the need to wrap my hands, though bear in mind I only weight 160 lbs and I train in 16oz Mexican style gloves. Am I Just a light hitter?
My ankles and knees however are battered after most sparring and leg dominant bag and pad sessions

More a case of it being the first use of my hands in several years, as I said I' wasn't hitting hard at all - quite the opposite when sparring.

[Tony Angelino]

Thanks for the video, that's my Sunday night infront of the telly sorted.

Reference other training, no nothing for me whatsoever (40). No intention of ever competing so that doesn't come into it, do it all purely for fun and the health/social benefits. Regarding flexibility, with a fused spine that ship sailed a long time ago unfortunately

[Tony Angelino]

Pete102 said:

Had a little nap last night, courtesy of a Bow and Arrow choke I left too long before attempting to escape.

Best sleep ever.

Nice! what did it feel like? The lads at our place who have gone nighty night have said it feels like your out for ages but in reality its only a few seconds.

Side note - Submission Sniper have a decent sale on, no affiliation other than a satisfied customer previously

http://www.submissionsniper.com/bjj-gi/

[Tony Angelino]

Slowly back for me too, after suffering another broken toe early December and then Christmas. I have got myself some wrestling shoes to try and prevent more broken toes (both little toes in 6 months) so hopefully this will help. Trouble is, I reckon the extra grip they give me might actually be a hindrance with the extra traction causing a potential problem with my ankles and knees.....

[Tony Angelino]

Halb said:

kick boxing foot protector maybe?

Thought of that but think they would be a bit too 'flappy' - shoes worked well for protection but like I say, a bit sticky on the mats.

[Tony Angelino]

ben5575 said:

MC Bodge said:

How old are you?

I'm only 43 but I was laughing at how I can relate to the thinking about the chain reaction/consequences of fixing something and what it'll mean for something else. How everything is about injury prevention now.

I'd really like to try judo, but my lower back just won't put up with it anymore sadly. My shoulders/AC joints won't put up with Jits - I can't support myself then move if say I'm on one hip and my hand's planted behind me. Well I can, just not in anger and certainly not with somebody else on top of me.

Me too re the thread; you'd think they'd be more than six of us who train on here

Do you know for sure you can't cope with BJJ?

I'm just 40 but with ankylosing spondilitis (arthritis in various joints including having a fused spine) and I cope reasonably OK with BJJ. My instructors(s), teammates and training partners are all very supportive of me and any others who aren't in tip tip physical nick for any number of reasons. At our academy there are some high level guys and absolute beginners at all ages - bit of a cliche but 'jiujitsu for all' is what they promote.

I would be surprised if you cant find a club that will help you train round your injuries.

[Tony Angelino]

Hoofy said:

MC Bodge said:

Hoofy said:

Having spent most of my life doing standing kicking/punching/wrestling stuff with and without weapons, I fancied something a little different and have joined a small club doing a broad range of things including ju jitsu. At 46, I do often wonder if I'm too old to be thrown around like a rag doll or have a foot pressed against my neck with one arm and wrist bent in an awkward position. Still, it's great to be learning locks, throws and joint manipulations.

At 41 I'm enjoying it, although you do need to be in decent shape -able to do decent breakfalls if you are going to do randori (sparring).

I've quite taken to the groundwork. The standing off-balancing and throwing takes a bit of getting used to.

I think I'm in decent shape, well, for a 46 year old! (See other threads on training etc.)

I need to work on my rolls/breakfalls etc. Half the time, I end up causing more damage to myself than my opponent.

I feel your pain. My current best effort is biting my own finger and bleeding on my instructors new white gi as I couldnt tap to a choke due to one hand being in said mouth and my other being trapped in by gi.

[Tony Angelino]

What sort of shin guards do you lads wear? Looking at some for MMA sparring and might even have a go at Sambo for a change. Given my recent form for breaking my little toes on the club mats I am now wearing wrestling shoes, don’t think I am going to be able to wear both so might have to tape the toes up, assume sparring in the shoes isn’t particularly good form.

Don’t know whether to go for the cheaper sock type pads or spend a bite more on the thai pads – have had the cheaper (sports direct type) thai ones before and they aren’t worth the hassle.

[Tony Angelino]

Thanks lads, I'll give it some thought - happy to pay £60-80 for them if the quality and fit work. I'll go to Toprank Sport as it's fairly local.

I've been on eBay over the weekend and purchased some gloves to replace my starter 'bargain basement' pairs:

Twins Boxing gloves with handwraps, brand new without tages £65 Euros
Fairtex MMA gloves (FGV17) "worn twice" £28

Obviously need to be wary of the boxing gloves being genuine - have asked the question and the feedback and seller checks out so far.

[Tony Angelino]

MC Bodge said:

Getting my grips is improving and I didn't hang on so stiffly at the latest session.

I'm getting a few throws in on lower belts now, although technique isn't quite as flowing as I'd like.

Groundwork is good fun. Opponents "turtling up" on the ground, though. Grrrr.

Been working from this position lately, favorite is to come 'north south' and then go under and grab the chin - try extend his opposite arm forward past his head and fish for your own hand under his armpit, switch your hips and roll for a super tight choke/crank hybrid. You have to put pressure through him though to keep him from sitting through and be wary of holding on if you feel him trying to roll - it's a variation of the d'arce and I don't know if it has an actual name.

Catch has loads of options for attacking the turtle, you'll have loads more options if you play for leg locks at your club/discipline.

[Tony Angelino]

Did some K1 style sparring tonight after an MMA class, really enjoyed it.

My main trouble was my only real previous stand up experience is karate kumite points fighting so more or less light tough. No problem, other than the rules we used to play only kicks to score were above waist height so a nice side on stance was the order of the day - what happened when K1 sparring was that my hugely prominent front leg got absolutely kicked to fk by my opponents.

Frustrating thing was that I worked out my problem fairly quickly but didn't bother changing and took plenty more blows......

Kind of ties in with the previous points about having to adapt under different rule sets / disciplines etc.

[Tony Angelino]

Aside of other issues raised, isn't it a really boring way of spending an hour?

[Tony Angelino]

Just on the old aches and pains, I've started with the CBD oil to see if it assists with my arthritis/AS condition. I'm only 5 days in but so far so good, it might just be a placebo but I've noticed a difference and not taken any either anti inflamitory or pain killing tablets and for me it's an acheivement to train BJJ or wrestling without their assistance.

[Tony Angelino]

MC Bodge said:

Yes, I am going to lay off for now. In my case it hasn't been a "pop", it is similar across multiple fingers.

I am concerned that grip fighting in a gi is just going to accelerate (irreversible) wear and tear on my (relatively long and thin, slightly over mobile ) fingers.

Perfect excuse for no gi for a few weeks then!