tallgeese

MMA is a unified set of rules for a sporting competition that one can argue is slowing growing into it's own style of sport combat. It's different than the traditional outlook on what constitutes an "art" or "system". It is, by definition a mixing of styles. Early on, this was very true and you'd see very different styles blending from a variety of backgrounds. I was there, competing, in the very early days and saw some radically different things than are common now. However, as the rules unified, and tactics were pressure tested, a pattern of what was effective given the goal. Slowly leaving were the longish stances of karate and the high kicks of TKD as MT proved to be a worthy tool for the rules. Poor wrestling and no ground skill was supplanted by BJJ as they were shown to be highly effective for the arena. Single, powerful karate blows morphed as people added boxing style combinations to their arsenal. Lastly, as an answer to BJJ, good wresting came to prominence to control the top game. All these things proved to be the most effective for various aspects of the game. So, despite blending various styles from all over the world, certain ones came to the forefront due to conditions imposed by the rules. I'll leave the argument to how effective this makes it for self defense for a different threat as it's not germane to the question (for the record, I think it's a great place to start for sd). Hence, MMA has become codified to an extent. However, it's still a MUCH looser definition than most arts have. Not to mention, it's an art (sport, combat form, you pick) that stresses evolution much more than most arts. Because of this, it's always changing to a degree. For instance, despite leaving TKD style high kicks far in the past, the sport has recently seen an upswing in their use due to the strengths of the athletes and their complete understanding of range, timing, ect. that was lost on the early pioneers. As such, some of those tactics will be picked up and taught at major academies. So, do you do MMA if you mix a couple of styles? In a sense, yes. However, I'd be careful of marketing as such unless you're doing the arts utilized on a whole my the sporting community.

Of course I'm biased, but jump in now ! 2 years is plenty of foundation and the two arts are so dissimilar that it will not present any difficulty. Look at how MMA fighters train these days, it's nothing to have MT, boxing, BJJ and wrestling in their training programs and they do it without "confusion" all the time. It's a good pattern for becoming, and quickly at that, a multidisciplinary fighter. That said, always check the linage of your new BJJ gym. More and more people are getting "loose" with their ground credentials these days due to the popularity of the art. Not saying your Y program is in anyway not legit, I'm just saying be sure. That said, jump in as soon as you have time and join the club

9/6 2.5 mile run abs back/bis

9/5 Drilled guard recovery from bottom side. Sweep from bottom side. Gi choke from top side with lapel. 60 min free roll. Focused on new material from Monday.

Primarily for self defense. That's always been at the heart of why I train. Granted, at this point, I spend a lot of time on the mat for the art of it as well. But at the end of the day, all secondary reasons aside, I train for self defense. All the other stuff is benefits of that reason.

9/4 lifted legs abs

Good question. I'm of the opinion that once you earn it, it's yours. You did the work. No one can take that away from you. There are so many intangibles involved in the ma's that it's hard to quantify them based solely on mat performance. Sure, they are perishable skills. You won't have the skills you did if you stop for 5 years. But you've got all that time under you. Not recognizing that is a bit disrespectful. Sure, you'll have to spend some time picking them back up if you want to train seriously again, but the qualifier of "I've been off for five years" should be enough of an explanation. This is certainly true if you're studying another art. Martial progress is martial progress. There's only different methods.

9/3 Drilled over side mount maintenance. North and South shin control, new concept for me. Moved on to kimura and arm bar from aforementioned position. 45 min free roll. Focused on the material from today.

Great job guys!

9/2 90 min free roll. Training get together with members of my current gym and my old gym. Great day of rolling for everyone.

9/1 1 mile on treadmill due to rain light chest (due to nagging anterior shoulder injury), shoulders abs

Congrats!

There's a lot in there, but let me just address your point of pad work. Lining up to smash a kick shield or punch a mitt may or may not be important to training. For me, if that's what a school is using them for it'd be easier to line up and smash a heavy bag. Now, if you're maximizing their potential, then they are absolutely essential. I'm a huge believer in them if they are used correctly. Here's the link to an article I wrote on their use: http://www.karateforums.com/focus-mitt-training-for-the-multi-disciplined-fighter-vt34351.html It pretty much sums up my feelings on how important they are across disciplines.

Congrats on graduation, bro! Can't wait to come down for a ride along! 8/31 Drilled knee bar from top half guard. Half guard pass review from week 45 min free roll

Glad to hear that! Bored has to be the best of the available options when setting out a hurricane!

8/30 8 hour block on the range, rifle and pistol.

8/29 Drilled half guard passes. 45 min free roll.

Welcome aboard, KF! Looking forward to hearing from you.

I fell out during the second season; however, due to a Netflix marathon, I'm back up to speed and ready to go! Great show.

Stay safe you guys. Keep us posted.

Ditto, on both points. In the case of two equally trained individuals, the better conditioned will win. Weights are a good avenue to that, as are the methods mentioned by Dobbersky. Pick the one that best suits your goals and mindset. The ability to continue training after the glamor has worn off is almost more important that the physical trainings end result. On the weapons front, and I'll come at this from a self defense aspect, the sooner you start to work those skills, the sooner you'll have them at your disposal. As Dobbersky pointed out very well, this should include a complete understanding of the legalities of this in your region. From my background, I'd say as soon as yellow/orange level (just to see if the student is going to be around) you should start familiarization work. Even if it's just the defensive side of the equation.

Right. Its basically stick fighting with armor on. Still, its a ton of fun! I can remember the bruises and batterings I took when we did it. I still have stick swords, shields, and armor in my garage, waiting for the dust to be knocked off.... I'm in the same boat, busidoman I do miss playing it. The things both of you mentioned are why I enjoyed is so much. Reasonable technique with what it's based on, no claims reconstruction of historical tactics used. Just a really cool full contact event. I can see how someone wanting those things would be disenfranchised by the SCA.

That is super cool on so many levels! Nice work guys!

Don't discount rolling as a gateway either. Most students have less worries with rolling than falling, plus it's mechanically a sound skill to have later. Then, instead of completing the roll, have them slap out at the end rather than go to the feet. It's essentially a break fall from rolling and again it's a solid skill in its own right. It's also helpful to break down the movement, into even further component parts. Much like the movement Justice was referring too, have them on their back, feet in position, and have them work the break portion of the fall just to train them in the final position. Then move them into the progression. Just a couple of thought.

8/27 Half guard passes. 45 min free roll. Focus on breaking guard. 8/28 Day of rifle work. General marksmanship, weapon handling skills.