UseoForce

Yeah, but I have good MMA gloves, so why bother using these in sparring?

I get instructional DVDs on a fairly regular basis. I've picked up a few minor pieces of training equipment (mouthguard, etc). Oh, yeah, I got those century gloves, too.

I was wondering what you thought about this. As a grappler, core strength is very important to me. Many fitness experts advocate doing abdominal workouts every day. However, for every other muscle in your body, you work it hard one day, then rest at least another day before working it again. My question is, should one do, say, 200 reps of abdominal training every day or more like 300-400 every other day (To allow for recovery time)? I really don't know where I stand on this. Please give some kind of explanation to support your opinion, or site a source. Thanks!

When you say pankration, are you referring to the Jim Arvantis kind (historical) or the modern kind?

Having said that, be careful!

I'm with glock, dumbell lunges are killer!

Here's the deal. I got these wrist wrap grappling gloves for christmas. They have three sections of heavy padding on the top of the glove. You've probably seen the sort. Sadly, there is no padding on the knuckles or anywhere on the front of the fist! They are useless for sparring, unless the only technique you use is the backfist. So I ask you, do you have any creative uses for these gloves?

My adivce? Most coaches/instructors won't make you spar at a level you are not comfortable with. You'll start with headgear, and probably with always use it in training (unless you go muay thai, I don't know if they have any rules about that, I doubt it) Even with headgear and 16oz gloves (And shin pads), you don't have spar full contact if you don't want to, especially at first. I found that once you get acclimated to hitting and getting hit, you'll love full contact and want to do it all the time! Two Final Notes: 1. Competition is probably where a dispraportionately large number of injuries happen, (Because of lack a of headgear and a "KO" mindset rather than a learning mindset) and no one will force you to compete. 2. Get a Brain Pad double mothguard. It's what I use, and it absorbs a lot of the shock of getting hit. And, of course, it offers a degree of extra protection to your brain.

So this brings up a new debate: Better to train with safety gear to all (within reason) target areas or train bare knuckle with limited target areas. I think I'm leaning toward the former, but I'd like to hear your opinions.

That is very true. However, my first hand expierience with catch is that there is just a much greater VARIETY of submissions than any other grappling art I've seen. Of course, by now, it probably has BJJ, JJJ, and sambo influence too. BTW, does Abu Dhabi allow wristlocks?

Karate25, are you joking?

I wouldn't say kempo is undiscovered, seeing as the light heavyweight champ is a 4th degree BB in it.

The Gracies have a number of good BJJ books. Mark Hatmaker has great MMA books. I'd also take a look at centuryfitness.com. They have lots of training DVDs, and some at very low prices.

Exactly

catchwrestle.com

BJJ, Muay Thai, (kick)boxing, freestyle and greco wrestling, as well as sambo and judo (to a lesser degree) have already made a name for themselves in the MMA world. My question is, which style has yet to be discovered as an important part of the MMA fighter's aresenal? My opinion? Catch Wrestling: The only problem I see is a lot of tactics that would be considered foul in the UFC, even tough catch wrestlers use them all the time in sparring.

First, tell us what kinds of schools are in your area.

I with MuayThaiboxer

Good luck, tell us how it goes!

Sorry, I realized what my title looks like. I've heard heard rumors of one in rochester, but I can't find anything. If you hear anything, let me know, please.

Penetration step!

WHOA! HOLD ON! No face shots?! And I thought someone said there was grappling?!

It helps if you tell us what is available to you first. Then we can guide you from there.

Do any of you know of any coming up? If so, let me know!

sorry, you're right, bird. What WMA do you do?