Training: Week 2

I had a great couple of classes this week. The good news is that there are a few more classes opening up and running in Devon, so I can plan training around my shift work. Some of the classes just feel like they’re capitalizing on the whole MMA thing and the fact that it’s getting pretty big down here.

I’ve been to one class where the instructor has a background in Taekwondo and does not teach any actual techniques. However, I like this class cos we can go in a bit harder and most of the other guys are new also. It's also great to practise the techniques that I learn in the other classes in this one. I’m not sure how many ground techniques there are in MMA, but I think I heard my instructor say there was something like eighty. At the moment, I seem to know about six and am confident in applying them in a match. It’s one thing knowing these moves but it’s another thing when you actually have to pull them off in a match. The adrenaline is pumping and whilst trying to cover up and not get hit, I’m thinking about how to stop him/her from hitting me as well as what move I should be looking to put on them and how to get in position to be able to execute it. The whole things like a complete brain game when you’re on the canvas, and as my mates would probably agree, I’m not the brainiest.

This week we were shown a move that consists of slipping your arms down by the side of your opponent’s neck when they come in and try to shoot. You then grab their triceps with your opposite hand and throw yourself underneath them in a way that spins them around and down onto the floor in a pretty hard way. Then you move around to their side and get into a side control. This move is brilliant and seems to come easy to me. Every time I have tried it, it works. Not only is it effective but it puts your opponent in a confused state cos they don’t know what’s just happened, but from the side control it’s pretty easy to get into a mount and start your 'ground and pound', and this I really love!!! So from now on I will look to learn one good move at each class and then practice and practice it until it comes fluently in a match.

Training: Week 1

I went to a class that I’ve been visiting for a few weeks now on Saturday. The instructor is not from MMA but has an established Taekwondo history and put this class together for beginners. Along with his son we're probably the most experienced out of the lot when it comes to fighting; not necessarily MMA.

Had one guy turn up a week ago who sat down at the back just to watch. He was over six feet tall and just as wide. I was kinda hoping that he didn't sign up cos I wouldn't really wanna fight him. But I should have known, of course he turned up this week! He had the look of a doorman and I reckon was in his late thirties.

The warm up was as ever stressful and knackering, but we soon got into the sparring. Pairing up we just roll until one of us taps or snaps. Sods law, I had two relatively easy fights and then the big guy made his way over to me. At this point I was proper whacked and concentrating on my breathing. We soon started sparring and I guessed that he was from a Muay Thai background as he constantly kicked my front calf, trying to sweep it so that I would go to the deck; and the floor is the last place that I wanted to be, especially if his weight ended up on top of me. Not sure what happened next but for some reason when he came in close for another leg sweep I just grabbed his head in a choker style grip. I then somehow managed to throw him to the floor and mounted his back, getting a good rear naked choke hold on him until he tapped. I wasn't sure where my strength came from but I was quite shocked and pleased.

I helped him up to his feet and he showed great humility by shaking my hand and saying that he had to tap cos he couldn't breathe with my lock. This bloke was a friendly, truly nice guy and the fact that he got up and shook my hand for choking him just goes to show that this sport isn't as barbaric as it's been portrayed over the years. I've seen people from all walks of life at the classes I attend; from Doctors to Teachers and Police Officers to Students, young and old alike.

This class in particular was really good, with everyone introducing themselves and some even swapping mobile numbers in case others wanted to get together and train out of class times. Plus, the good thing about these classes is that it doesn't matter how experienced you are, everyone always walks away learning new tactics or moves. And yes, my calves were killing the following morning from the big guy’s leg sweeps. A technique that I will attempt in future classes I think.

Q & A: Session 1

 

1)  What do you like most about MMA? 

The feeling of facing your opponent and waiting for the ref to say "fight", Not knowing whats coming or what mine or his next move will be. The adrenaline that goes through my body gives me a massive rush.

2)  Why did you decide to get into MMA?

Mixed martial arts is a fast-growing sport that combines punching, kicking, grappling, kneeing and elbowing, between contestants trained in a mixture of combat styles like Wrestling, Boxing, Muay Thai, Kickboxing and Jiu-jitsu. Its the best form of self defence as its just two of you in the fight with no weapons and pretty much anything goes.

3)  What's been the toughest part of your transition to MMA?

Learning from scratch the ground work, locks and holds which tend to be massively influenced by BJJ (Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu).

4)  What weight are you most comfortable fighting at? 

In kickboxing I was middleweight but in MMA I think I will be lightweight. I dont want to get too heavy cos other lighter people will move around quicker against me but if I get too light I wont have any power to my strikes. Just gotta find that happy weight; 80kg I think.

5)  What would be your perfect way to end an fight and have you already done it?

The perfect way would at first seem to be an early KO with a beautiful roundhouse kick to his head, but I do like the idea of fighting for a while until we're both hangin' and then do him with an arm bar or 'ground and pound' whilst mounted on top of him.

6)  If you could have one fight in your career, who would you like it to be against?

A horrible kid from my school days called Mat Bryant for his constant racial abuse; I hate racists. But if it had to be another MMA fighter, it would have to be Ken Shamrock, an arrogant and childish fighter with no honour or humility. I'm just glad that Ortiz put him in his place, TWICE!!!

The Beginning

I've always been into sport and keeping fit so Kickboxing sounded like a good idea. Exercising whilst learning a martial art at the same time. I started about eight years ago but never really got into the competitions. I have a busy job and work shifts so regular classes weren't easy. About two years ago, I had some time on my hands, so I considered doing a few competitions. I started training a lot more, almost daily and then started competing and doing well picking up medals along the way, including a bronze at the WKA World Kickboxing Championships in Spain. It seemed like competitive fighting came naturally to me and the bonus was I really loved.

I'm not really sure why but in 2010 I thought I'd give MMA a go. I enjoy watching it and it felt like it would be taking my sport to another level. It was awesome and physically hard work, but fulfilled that something extra I was looking for and hadn't found in Kickboxing. Standing I was good, probably one of the best at the club together with the coach, but on the ground I was tapping out left, right and centre. This was where I needed to improve my game and was starting from the very beginning. When I watched other students at the club it seemed like a chess game, for every move on the floor there was a counter move. But I relished the challenge and all of the end game options that it opened up to me.

This is a diary of the walk towards my first professional fight and I'm thinking it will be about seven months from now if all goes well. I'd like to invite you to follow my progress through the training, the injuries, as well as all of the good and bad beats along the way.