Frequently Asked Questions - Victory MMA
What is MMA?
MMA stands for Mixed Martial Arts and is usually used to describe the new fusion
of "stand-up" martial arts and ground submission grappling that has been popularized
by programs like the UFC. MMA really began its run for popularity in the early 90's
after the development of the UFC by the Gracie family, of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
fame.
Originally designed to test which martial art style was the "best", it quickly became
obvious that a fusion of stand-up and submission grappling was the winning combination.
Today it is very rare that any competitor in these types of competitions sees any
success at all without training a combination of muay thai boxing, submission grappling,
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and even greco roman wrestling.
Today MMA has developed into its own "style" of martial art. Ultimately, all modern
martial arts borrowed techniques from previous styles at some point in time. We
feel that MMA is the logical development of all of these martial arts styles.
What is class like at Victory MMA?
Class usually starts off with a good solid warm-up. Warm-up exercises are sport
specific, and designed by our personal trainers to begin developing the techniques
needed for explosive movement and conditioning. We don't waste any time in these
classes!
Partner training is also an important part of any class. Often, the actual training
part of class begins with takedowns and training the clinch. From here a large part
of class is spent training submission grappling escapes and attacks. Kicks, punches
and other stand-up techniques are often trained with muay thai hand targets and
pads.
The end result of training with a formula like this is a well-conditioned competitor
with a large arsenal of techniques. Whether you're interested in competing, just
getting into great shape and having a great time doing it, networking, or testing
how far you can push yourself, Victory MMA can help you reach your goal.
Do People Get Hurt Doing This?
As is the case with training any sport there is always the risk of injury. The most
common types of injuries are pulled muscles, or small bruises. Very rarely is any
injury serious enough that it forces a student to take any time off training. The
whole point of focusing on correct technique while training is that it decreases
the chance of injury.
Often people have seen programs like the UFC and are worried about a "violent" element
of the sport. The reality of the situation is that there is a strong team spirit
among those that train together. We work to grow that spirit, and help every member
get out of the training what it is that they are looking for. You can't learn this
type of martial art on your own. It has to be trained in a group. Come check out
a class. We're sure you'll be hooked.
Can I do this?
Yes. People of all sizes, shapes, and backgrounds train every day. We'd love to
have you on our team.
Can women do this?
Lots of women do this. We do our best to make everybody comfortable in class.
Do I have to fight in a cage?
Nope. A majority of people who train MMA aren't actually intending on competing
professionally. Many of our students do compete, some in normal submission
grappling tournaments.
Can I fight in a cage?
Of course, if you want to we'll help you do that. The head
coach, Jamal Smith, does still actively fight in cage style events and compete on
the submission grappling tournament.
Do I have to already have martial arts experience?
Nope. As a matter of fact it's often those without any previous martial arts experience that develop the fastest. If you can come to class with an open mind, eager to learn,
and train hard, that's enough. Let's get to work!