Need Some MMA Advice

Post #1 » by **kdawg32086** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 2:32 am

Ok, so I've been training in judo and brazilian jiu jitsu as my base for MMA and now I'm ready to get more serious with my training. I pay 85 a month for BJJ/MMA and 35 a month for judo. But I really don't feel like I'm getting adequate training in my standup. My MMA gym is primarily based on BJJ and offers about a 65-35 distribution of ground-standup in their MMA classes.

Do you think it would be more beneficial to start training in boxing or muay thai right now, if I can only afford to do one for right now?

cowboyronnie · Post #2 » by **cowboyronnie** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 4:24 am

MT instead of BJJ/MMA?

No, I don't think so. Stick with BJJ. Even if the stand-up in "MMA" is just on how to transition from strikes to grappling, changing levels and whatnot, stick with it. No sense in evening yourself out as mediocre in two sports. Get awesome at one.

Post #3 » by **kdawg32086** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 6:24 am

No I mean im gonna keep training in what im already doing. But if i have to choose between starting boxing or starting muay thai, what should i pick?

El Hardee · Post #4 » by **El Hardee** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 7:36 pm

Since you are training Judo for takedowns I would do MT over Boxing. I imagine most of your TD's come from the clinch where MT is more effective than boxing. Had you had a wresting base I would say go to boxing, nothing sets up a single or double better than a good jab.

cowboyronnie · Post #5 » by **cowboyronnie** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 11:12 pm

MT, I think. I'd even say go to a purist academy. Leg kicks, knees, alternating stances within combos, etc.

But, if MMA is your goal, you'll definitely want your techniques to be adapted. That means techniques pretty contrary to what a MT instructor would teach you: jabbing without a step forward, dipping to change levels and lev with your legs on uppercuts, etc.

Post #6 » by **damo[23]** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 11:14 pm

Depends where your BBJ [and Judo] is at right now.

MT is definatly the way to go [as the above says also having the clinch as a transition move as well as a standup move is great synergy]. But I wouldnt stop training BBJ to start standup. Training in both will probably be more beneficial in MMA terms since you can gel them together as you go rather than go ground up then ground up again.

If you can only do one, stick to what your at until you feel your at a solid level. Can always take a month off or so and do a bit of MT just for variation and see if you enjoy it.

RutgersBJJ · Post #7 » by **RutgersBJJ** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 10:03 am

you are wasting 35 dollars a month on Judo, that is the solution to the problem.

Post #8 » by **kdawg32086** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 7:43 pm

How exactly am I wasting money on judo? My club has 7 black belts, 3 brown belts, a blue belt, a green belt, and 3 other white belts. Pretty good odds for being paired up with a high belt on a daily basis. For 35 dollars, I think its the most reasonable, expecially since my Sensei is a 6th dan.

But I agree with the consensus that MT is the way to go. I'm gonna check out the local gyms and see which place will be the best for MMA and setting up my judo throws.

RutgersBJJ · Post #9 » by **RutgersBJJ** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 9:04 pm

if your plan is to ever actually fight mma whether it is amateur or anything, judo will not come in much handy. It really won't supply you with any knowledge you can use against a trained opponent until you are much higher level. If you are just starting up you are wasting money on judo, if you have been doing it for awhile then you might not be wasting your money. That money could be better served for kick boxing or muay thai.

The real thing i don't understand is why your schools cost so much per month. I live in a pretty well off area, and the most I ever spent per month was when I went to RGA in NYC. The best advice would be to make sure your bjj classes are training you in no gi as well as with a gi. I've been doing jiu-jitsu most of my life and from my dealings with judokas, unless their skill level is extremely higher than mine they will not be able to out grapple me. If you are starting at an introductory level and want to transition the quickest to mma i would suggest spending the money on judo on striking.

Post #10 » by **kdawg32086** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 10:07 pm

I thought 85 a month was expensive when I first started but given the inflated prices for Team Quest and SBGi, I'd say that these guys are the best MMA gym for the price in the Portland area.
Check out the site for yourself and tell me what you think cuz I'm new to the BJJ scene so your input would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.impactjj.com

El Hardee · Post #11 » by **El Hardee** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 10:43 pm

A word of advice, if BJJ is your base dont forget about it when you start x-training. When I 1st started rolling there were guys that used to sub me all the time, a few of them turned pro and really started training their striking. Now when they come and roll I get the best of them with or with out the gi. I saw a BJ Penn video where he gave a tour of his gym, he said the cage, the ring is nice but world champs are made in the BJJ room.

markdeez33 · Post #12 » by **markdeez33** » Sun Dec 28, 2008 6:54 am

Coming from a boxing family - with a father who is a boxing trainer, a brother who is a boxer, and a brother who trains in jujitsu - I'd have to say you should definitely step your boxing game up. In my opinion, the fighters with adequate hands (and decent ground game) are the ones who excel in MMA. If you can stand-up there are nights where you won't have to go to the ground as much, you can score a big knockout.

A buddy of mine had a wrestling base and began training in jujitsu, came and worked hands with us, he's won his last 3 fights with first round knockouts. A good stand-up game is absolute danger in MMA if incorporated properly with the other styles you study.