Post: #1

Just signed up for MMA classes both for the work out and also because I have always wanted to be prepared should I need to throw down.

Going out in university almost every night, I found there were many situations where I needed to know how to fight/stand up to people but never did.

I think knowing how to defend yourself and "hold your own" also projects into your confidence and game. As opposed to taking shit from drunk people and walking away.

Anyone have experience with this?

Post: #2

Every guy would benefit from at least a few months of MMA classes. Just learning how to properly apply basic submission maneuvers like rear naked chokes and proper punching technique will put you way ahead of most guys on the street. And the first time you get punched in the face in a sparring session and realize that you aren't made of wet paper will boost your confidence big time.

Don't go into it with the goal of learning how to beat people up in bar fights, though. Rather, your goal should be to have the training to defend yourself if necessary, but the self confidence to walk away from confrontations before they turn violent without feeling like a pussy. It's one thing to avoid confrontations out of fear, it's another to avoid them because you know you have nothing to prove and simply don't want to engage in the hassle of cleaning some douchebag's blood off your clothes and dealing with the police.

A few suggestions as you begin training:

1) Be humble and respectful with the more experienced people in your gym. Don't go in there thinking you're a badass with something to prove.

2) Always ask others to help you correct your technique if they see you doing something wrong, so you don't develop bad habits early on.

3) Be careful with your knees, especially when training wrestling/takedowns. Knee injuries are the most common training injury. Also be careful with any scrapes or cuts your get on the mat. Wash them out right away to avoid a possible staph infection (the gym should have alcohol on hand for this purpose).

4) Focus on technique rather than trying to power through moves.

5) YouTube has a ton of videos you can watch between classes to help pick up techniques.

Post: #3

So many threads related to this. Please do a search next time.

Post: #4

(09-02-2012 04:59 PM)scorpion Wrote:  Every guy would benefit from at least a few months of MMA classes. Just learning how to properly apply basic submission maneuvers like rear naked chokes and proper punching technique will put you way ahead of most guys on the street. And the first time you get punched in the face in a sparring session and realize that you aren't made of wet paper will boost your confidence big time.

Don't go into it with the goal of learning how to beat people up in bar fights, though. Rather, your goal should be to have the training to defend yourself if necessary, but the self confidence to walk away from confrontations before they turn violent without feeling like a pussy. It's one thing to avoid confrontations out of fear, it's another to avoid them because you know you have nothing to prove and simply don't want to engage in the hassle of cleaning some douchebag's blood off your clothes and dealing with the police.

A few suggestions as you begin training:

1) Be humble and respectful with the more experienced people in your gym. Don't go in there thinking you're a badass with something to prove.

2) Always ask others to help you correct your technique if they see you doing something wrong, so you don't develop bad habits early on.

3) Be careful with your knees, especially when training wrestling/takedowns. Knee injuries are the most common training injury. Also be careful with any scrapes or cuts your get on the mat. Wash them out right away to avoid a possible staph infection (the gym should have alcohol on hand for this purpose).

4) Focus on technique rather than trying to power through moves.

5) YouTube has a ton of videos you can watch between classes to help pick up techniques.

Very helpful post, thanks!

Post: #5

Hey man good luck with your MMA. Wish you all the best.

If you could squeeze in some time to learn ninjutsu then do learn that. Ninjutsu is easier to learn and will really take your defensive game to the next level. After you learn ninjutsu enough that it becomes a part of you, you will NEVER be intimidated by another guy, no matter what his size!

(09-03-2012 02:34 AM)gandt Wrote:  

(09-02-2012 04:59 PM)scorpion Wrote:  Every guy would benefit from at least a few months of MMA classes. Just learning how to properly apply basic submission maneuvers like rear naked chokes and proper punching technique will put you way ahead of most guys on the street. And the first time you get punched in the face in a sparring session and realize that you aren't made of wet paper will boost your confidence big time.

Don't go into it with the goal of learning how to beat people up in bar fights, though. Rather, your goal should be to have the training to defend yourself if necessary, but the self confidence to walk away from confrontations before they turn violent without feeling like a pussy. It's one thing to avoid confrontations out of fear, it's another to avoid them because you know you have nothing to prove and simply don't want to engage in the hassle of cleaning some douchebag's blood off your clothes and dealing with the police.

A few suggestions as you begin training:

1) Be humble and respectful with the more experienced people in your gym. Don't go in there thinking you're a badass with something to prove.

2) Always ask others to help you correct your technique if they see you doing something wrong, so you don't develop bad habits early on.

3) Be careful with your knees, especially when training wrestling/takedowns. Knee injuries are the most common training injury. Also be careful with any scrapes or cuts your get on the mat. Wash them out right away to avoid a possible staph infection (the gym should have alcohol on hand for this purpose).

4) Focus on technique rather than trying to power through moves.

5) YouTube has a ton of videos you can watch between classes to help pick up techniques.

Very helpful post, thanks!

Post: #6

@23 Billion
It's funny you mention ninjutsu. It is not the most popular form of self-defence. Do you currently train in it?
I've trained in it for 18 years.

Post: #7

Go train with The Mauler! If you live close to him that is.

Post: #8

(09-02-2012 12:46 PM)gandt Wrote:  Just signed up for MMA classes both for the work out and also because I have always wanted to be prepared should I need to throw down.

Going out in university almost every night, I found there were many situations where I needed to know how to fight/stand up to people but never did.

I think knowing how to defend yourself and "hold your own" also projects into your confidence and game. As opposed to taking shit from drunk people and walking away.

Anyone have experience with this?

Actually, I think two of the first things you'll learn is that (i) there are people of all shapes and sizes who can kill you with their bare hands and (ii) a bad fall or a well placed punch can have long lasting effects on your life. Rather than being more confident and having an "I'm not going to take any shit" attitude, you'll be looking for opportunities to walk away. If you are regularly being threatened, go to better places.

Post: #9

Have fun. Don't get cocky and try to take on the world. There was an article up on ROK about Krav Maga in which the guy remarked that, after six months of training, he felt like that baddest mfer around--and that the feeling evaporated after six more months. I had the same trajectory in BJJ, and it's embarrassing now that I ever thought I was tough. To the extent you train for self protection and preservation, it is to have an edge in situations you can't avoid. No matter how trained up you are your leverage declines dramatically if you're facing multiple opponents. Leave the epic bar fights to Bas Rutten.

Post: #10

Yup. After a few classes there are some things I have learned right away:

-Some guys (those who have been training for 1+ years) can dismantle you in under 5 seconds. This is eye opening in the sense that if you get caught up with the wrong guy you are absolutely screwed

-That being said, you learn many tactics to neutralize a fight, which makes me not worried about getting in an altercation at all anymore

-My confidence has gone up in general from taking these classes. There is something about knowing that you are better than most of the average guys when it comes to physical ability that gives you a certain swagger.

-Practise makes perfect. It is easy to forget techniques that have been taught so you need to constantly go through the motions.

-Humility. You get put in your place often and learn to get used to tapping out, which sucks. But it's a good lesson in being humble.

-Workout. Insanely good workout and is one of the more manly activities you can do. If anyone is looking to increase their masculine vibe I would definitely recommend a combat sport such as MMA, boxing, etc..

Post: #11

(03-20-2013 05:00 AM)gandt Wrote:  -That being said, you learn many tactics to neutralize a fight, which makes me not worried about getting in an altercation at all anymore

-My confidence has gone up in general from taking these classes. There is something about knowing that you are better than most of the average guys when it comes to physical ability that gives you a certain swagger.

YOu are a thoughtful young man.

Yes, it's all very Zen. The better you get, the more of a vibe you give off that deters a lot of dumb shit.

You also feel like you have less to prove (on a subconscious level) and are willing to let things slide more.

Keep at it. Just don't get hit in the head too much.

Post: #12

(03-20-2013 02:26 PM)MikeCF Wrote:  

(03-20-2013 05:00 AM)gandt Wrote:  -That being said, you learn many tactics to neutralize a fight, which makes me not worried about getting in an altercation at all anymore

-My confidence has gone up in general from taking these classes. There is something about knowing that you are better than most of the average guys when it comes to physical ability that gives you a certain swagger.

YOu are a thoughtful young man.

Yes, it's all very Zen. The better you get, the more of a vibe you give off that deters a lot of dumb shit.

You also feel like you have less to prove (on a subconscious level) and are willing to let things slide more.

Keep at it. Just don't get hit in the head too much.

Thanks man, appreciate it! Will keep you posted on the progress.

Post: #13

Agree with a lot of what's posted - some of the softest, most unprepared guys I know go out looking for trouble and then get pasted. I think the phrase for them is 'paper-tigers'. In contrast, some of the handiest fellas I know are chilled out, don't start things, and don't look for trouble - when it finds them though, it is very quickly neutralized.